Where do we go from where?

I’m really wrestling with this question and the countless questions it spawns. I’e only just begun to organize my thoughts and the thoughts of the group…

If a church does not know what social justice is or whether it is even a proper concern of the Church, then of course they must start at the beginning — and do it together.

Many communities do recognize the need for more direct attention to social justice and the fact that we have a long way to go.

I’m not all that concerned at the moment about whether or not the church has an officially articulated position on social justice, because that’s the sort of thinking that gets us started on the wrong foot. Social justice is not a mere political issue to be decided on — it’s a core matter of mission, leadership, and discipleship (missiology and orthopraxy) — the church should be a living example of and force for social justice in the world. The real questions for a congregation are: Are we that sort of community? If not, how do we become such a community? What are the identifiable characteristics of a “just church?”

From there the task at hand is to honestly asses where the average congregant is personally and theologically in relation to our individual and corporate responsibilities to justice. The questions then become: In what areas do we need growth? What problems specifically afflict our community? What sort of teaching and leadership is needed?

If the community is behind a personal and corporate commitment to justice then further assessment must be made about the resources the church has and what God would have us do with them. Clarity needs to be gained about what specifically we are trying to accomplish (are called to accomplish). The questions to be answered are: What can be done? What should we do? What will we do?

Then, we need to begin investigating and disseminating practical ways we can be a “just church” — with our prayers, with our giving, with our purchases, with our vote, with our voice, in our minds, in our homes, in our community, in our city and globally. What are the daily practical changes each of us can make to cultivate justice?

One thing is for sure, the church can not refer to practical social justice solutions in ways that sound like “if you have time or opportunity,”or “if you’re into that sort of thing.” Instruction and leadership is needed to mobilize a congregation to make time and go out and seek ways to live for justice.

..more thoughts to come. Please pray about all of these questions.