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Evangelical Counsels These are the vows (promises) that people take who enter a religious order. They are very difficult vows people who make them consider them 'gifts' that God calls them to follow and they believe that he gives them the strength to live out their life in this way. The three vows are: Poverty This is a vow that means members of religious orders have no personal possessions. They are not bound down by material possessions and instead they can focus on the work that God wants them to do. If someone has possessions like a house or a car, they can often become too important and this distracts them from the things in life that are really important: serving God, caring for others and so on. Chastity This vow means that a person will not get married or have any sexual relationships. Instead they are devoted to Christ and the work he wants them to do. If a person is married they are not free to serve God anywhere, anytime as they have family commitments. A sister might be called to go and work in a war torn country, or a brother might be called too work in a situation with people living in poverty. They will often have to work in situations where it would be unfair to take a family. Obedience A person takes a vow to be dedicated to the work of God. They are obedient to God and they are committed to the work of their order and place themselves under the authority of the leaders of the order.
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