The Just Life is proud to partner with the Justice Conference: February 11 + 12, 2011. Bend, Oregon. About the Justice Conference The Justice Conference is about the nature of justice. Justice as the foundation of human rights. Justice as the expression of equality. Justice as the fabric of freedom. Justice as forgiveness. Justice as reconciliation. Justice [...]
I am excited to say that we are moving forward with our vision to create community development opportunities through social entrepreneurialism. After years of working with organizations and youth in the notoriously underserved community of Cabrini Green in Chicago, one need continued to ring alarmingly clear – Jobs. Without employment all of the mentoring and tutoring [...]
The Harlem Children’s Zone has created a new paradigm for fighting poverty, intended to overcome the limits of traditional approaches. Our model focuses primarily and intensively on the social, health, and educational development of children. To help support that development, we also provide wrap-around programs that improve the children’s family and neighborhood environments. The theory [...]
The technical, tactical, and practical of The Just Life ministry encompasses five interconnected “change agent” engagement strategies; each with their own part to play in a holistic vision for transformational justice ministry: These building blocks are Justice Initiatives, Professional Fellowships, Social Entrepreneurs, Community Development, and Advocacy. More information can be discovered by exploring the categories [...]
“Social capital mapping” is simply a formal way of stating the importance listening to and learning from your community, being proactive about discovering and making connections, and building/developing community – door by door, family by family, name by name. This also entails identifying existing ministries in your church and in the same neighborhood as your [...]
Before you begin you should review The Justice Continuum explanation: http://thejustlife.org/home/2009/10/21/the-justice-continuum Think of the following as a sample worksheet. Break out some paper and pens and start with these basic steps… Step 1: Simply begin What justice issue do you feel God has called you to engage? The fist step is to simply begin – [...]
Jesus replied: “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’” ~ Matthew 22:37-39 The Justice Continuum: Compassion, Development, Structural Change “The Justice Continuum” is a guide [...]
We must come to terms with the reality that there is no hierarchy of Christian discipleship, no acceptable “levels” of commitment. From day one, being a disciple of Christ has been an all-in, all-or-nothing proposition. A call to completely give up the life we have planned so as to have the life awaiting us. Of [...]
A “just life” is one that refuses to neglect even the smallest act of compassion (to suffer with) while being willing to be incarnate in the development of others (loving your neighbor as yourself) while relentlessly pursuing the most revolutionary structural change (the redemption of fallen systems):
Being transformed and being a part of a transformational community requires a commitment to spiritual discipline and to being stewards of the unique calling God has placed on each of our lives. Loving God and loving others with all our heart, soul and strength means that every area of our lives must be seen belonging [...]
As a reminder we gather again next Thursday, August 20th, at 7pm in Park Café. Be there as we move forward together as community committed to God’s call for love and justice from His people.
Where do we begin? Our character begins to follow Christ’s lead as we interact with people through love. His lead is incarnate. This means we are to live among and rub shoulders with those who need us. We can’t love at a distance. You cannot commute to a calling. We too must become “incarnational.” This [...]
There is no getting around it: All of history, every bit of data, the best modern technology and methodology has to offer conclude the exact same thing. There will never be a way to simply “add justice” to your already good life – no seven easy steps to a life of love and justice, no [...]
God is at work in the world reclaiming his beloved creation (Colossians 1:15-20) : Through Christ we are called to participate in the “in-breaking” of His amazing Kingdom here and now. We must first be reconciled to God and the way we engage others also must be transformed. Accordingly, we are to be active partners [...]
