The Office of Spiritual Life released its official mandatory Guest Speaker Covenant on Friday. The multi-page contract aims to prohibit speakers from inciting too much thought in listeners.

“We’ve always believed that Chapel should be a safe space for uplifting messages,” Campus Minister Avory Rosenquist said. “This agreement simply ensures speakers stay on-brand, uplifting and free of any surprises.”

Rumors have lingered that guests have been required to sign the Guest Speaker Covenant since August; however, word of the agreement has only been confirmed this week. Speakers must sign to avoid profanity, obscene jokes, promotion of alcohol or drugs, affirming messages of anyone that is unlike the perfect Christian image or anything that might intentionally or accidentally spark theological debate.

Additionally, a list of banned words and phrases was also provided as follows:

• Lowkirkenuinely
• God loves everyone
• Fruzz
• Six seven

After YikYak and Fizz were flooded with backlash, alternatives to the list of banned words and phrases were provided by OSL on their Instagram story. “God loves everyone who went to a Church of Christ-affiliated university,” “Be who God wants you to be,” and “six eight” were provided as substitutes for three of the banned content.

Article Six, Section 70 of the contract limits the number of Bible verse references to be made during speeches and sermons, capping the mentions at two per speech. The following section mandates colorful and vape-like smoke to be released behind the stage with any music. OSL reported that the article’s intent is to maximize enjoyment. 

“People get bored when it’s just about the Bible,” Campus Minister Nathan Kranz said. “We need students to be entertained.”

After a speaker was famously scolded by university President Phil Schubert for mentioning honey butter chicken biscuits during a Monday Moody chapel, Article Six Section Seven only permits the mention of  Chicken Minis, ensuring only promotion of ACU’s campus partner Chick-Fil-A. 

“I guess it’s nice knowing the Holy Spirit has an editor,” said junior finance major John Smith. 

Other students supported with more enthusiasm, praising the comfort- and unchallenging-centered approach to Chapel.

“TYJ! No one can challenge my preconceptions and make me uncomfortable twice a week now,” wrote an anonymous Yak user. 

As outlined in the contract, the OSL reserves the right to terminate any speech mid-sentence, given any violation of the contract, and remove speakers from the stage. Depending on the level or severity of the violation, an emergency floor trap was installed on the stage. In specific circumstances, the contract permits OSL to open the floor out from under speakers, launching violators into a basement under Moody, dug out specifically for contract violators.

The floor trapdoor guarantees violators get the least amount of stage presence possible. Less-severe offenders will be escorted off stage immediately to a designated prayer room for thought and reflection, followed by a formal statement of apology.

President Phil Schubert mentioned the contract in his most recent hype-up ACU email, stating that the policy ensures order.

“This agreement makes sure that Chapel remains a place of worship, not controversy,” the president wrote.