UNIT 2: INCLUSIVITY AS DOGMATIC THEOLOGY

In many liberal protestant circles, inclusivity is framed as a “social justice” issue. In the AOCM, it is a dogmatic imperative derived from the Incarnation and the nature of God.

2.1 The Image of God (Imago Dei)

Our inclusivity is not a modern concession; it is “a return to the original hospitality of the Gospel”. We affirm that every human being bears the Imago Dei.

• Gender: We ordain women because we believe the Holy Spirit is not limited by biological sex. “Holy Orders are open to men and women equally”. To deny women the priesthood is to suggest their baptism is somehow “incomplete” or that Christ did not fully assume female nature in the Incarnation.
• Sexuality: We affirm that LGBTQ+ persons are “not merely tolerated but celebrated as part of God’s diverse creation”. We reject the “defect” theology that views same-sex love as intrinsically disordered. Instead, we view faithful, covenanted love as a reflection of the Divine life.

2.2 Marriage Equality

The AOCM performs Holy Matrimony for both opposite-sex and same-sex couples.

• The Theology: Marriage is a sacrament because it signifies the union of Christ and the Church. We believe this sign is made visible in fidelity, sacrifice, and mutual love, regardless of gender.
• The Rite: Our marriage rites are identical for all couples. We do not offer a “blessing” for gay couples and “marriage” for straight couples; we offer the Sacrament of Matrimony to all who enter the covenant with sincerity.