Social Justice

[Bravus]

Dude! I have said AT LEAST three times in this discussion, probably more, and others have also said it: we're NOT talking politics or government, nor 'confiscatory taxation' or whatever other right-wing bugaboos you're projecting onto our words. We're talking about our personal, individual responsibilities toward those less fortunate than us.

Micah 6:8 He has showed you, O man, what is good. And what does the LORD require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God.

[Stan]

getting back, there are Churches, often active, youthful growing Churches have Social Justice departments.

Should yours?

[lazarus]

getting back, there are Churches, often active, youthful growing Churches have Social Justice departments.

Should yours?

Hmmm.

We are thinking of merging personal ministries and community services into one department. Good News and Good Deeds working together. We have found that we are trying to reach the same people.

Social Justice department....hmmmmm. They don't call the department that do they, Stan?

Don't like the name but like the concept behind it.

[karl]

Dude! I have said AT LEAST three times in this discussion, probably more, and others have also said it: we're NOT talking politics or government, nor 'confiscatory taxation' or whatever other right-wing bugaboos you're projecting onto our words. We're talking about our personal, individual responsibilities toward those less fortunate than us.

Yes, you are right, Bravus. My apologies.

And I agree with you that charity is a personal, individual thing. (Which is not to say that a group of people like, say, a church or a community, couldn't get together and help others in a unified, organized way.)

I appreciate the various religious outreaches. For eight years of the last twelve I have been on the Board of the non-denominational Main Street Mission in a nearby town here in Arkansas and have gotten my church to donate some living quarters for the Mission. Our whole religious community of churches here in our little town has a food-bank and a special emergency fund to help people through hard times. We put on regular benefit programs to pay the operating costs.

My wife and I have been orphan sponsors through World Vision, support ADRA and Maranatha, have adopted a Chinese orphan, have housed exchange students and given them a little taste of religious home life, have been the main force behind our little community church school, and have rescued a family of five from Cuba. We put on health seminars (the average lifestyle here is sickening.)

We do what we can locally and internationally. Never know what the next adventure will bring.

[phkrause]

I think I've mentioned on a few occasions that this was something that EGW said the churches should be doing. But since people have been giving less and less for the many outreach programs, I believe this is one of the ones that has gone by the wayside, from what I've seen. This is why the government has stepped in, but only because people have complained to them. It seems anytime people can't get the church to do what they should be doing they run to the government to fix it. And yes we still have churches and people who help but its far from enough.

pk

[doug yowell]

[quote name='lazarus.

We are thinking of merging personal ministries and community services into one department. Good News and Good Deeds working together. We have found that we are trying to reach the same people.

Social Justice departmental....hmmmmm. the don't call the department that do they' date=' Stan?

Don't like the name but like the concept behind it.

[/quote'] I'm with you on that one,lazarus.Good concept,bad name. Like it or not,the term social justice has political connotations. As has been pointed out, the term itself is nebulus when detached from political activity. It's intimate connection with Catholic political activists give it a different goal than that which is generally associated with the gospel of self sacrificing ministry.I think our general response,as conservative Christians, is to reject the unchristian political bent that is so deeply engrained in it's practice. In doing so we unleash the ire of those who then accuse us of having no heart for the poor,ect...ect... Though we give and give and give to those less fortunate then ourselves, it's irrelevent because we're against social justice.We're starting to feel like Rodney Dangerfield.Waaaa.

[lazarus]

Like it or not,the term social justice has political connotations. As has been pointed out, the term itself is nebulus when detached from political activity. It's intimate connection with Catholic political activists give it a different goal than that which is generally associated with the gospel of self sacrificing ministry.I think our general response,as conservative Christians, is to reject the unchristian political bent that is so deeply engrained in it's practice. In doing so we unleash the ire of those who then accuse us of having no heart for the poor,ect...ect... Though we give and give and give to those less fortunate then ourselves, it's irrelevent because we're against social justice.We're starting to feel like Rodney Dangerfield.Waaaa.

My objection to the term is more aesthetic that anything else. I don't have any problem with the term "social justice" in and of itself. I'm clear on what it means and the kind of activities that those working for social justice engage in. Clearly, some object to it because of the political connotations and that's ok.

In my ministry I have encountered conservative people who will send $500 to orphanage 1000 miles away but will object to the church helping children "next door" because they will mess up the sabbath school rooms, will be too noisy, are not Christians, blah, blah, blah. That's just my experience and a pastor of thirteen years and I'm not saying that is your attitude.

Over the years I've been in a lot of discussions about this stuff. Now I just do it. I open our church to local agencies that want to connect with the community in order to improve their lives. That means the local police, the Census workers, local elementary school, whoever as long as their work does not compromise the church's work.

[bluebelle]

I think this lets us know where we should stand :

Psalm 82:3 (New International Version)

Defend the cause of the weak and fatherless; maintain the rights of the poor and oppressed.

Proverbs 31:9(New International Version)

Speak up and judge fairly; defend the rights of the poor and needy.

[karl]

Over the years I've been in a lot of discussions about this stuff. Now I just do it. I open our church to local agencies that want to connect with the community in order to improve their lives. That means the local police, the Census workers, local elementary school, whoever as long as their work does not compromise the church's work.

What is the feedback from the church board and the constituency?

[lazarus]

What is the feedback from the church board and the constituency?

In most cases we vote this stuff, so the board generally is in full agreement. I guess by constituency you mean church members. All the ones who object to the direction we have been going get going to another church that doesn't do that much work in the community.

[karl]

Originally Posted By: karl

What is the feedback from the church board and the constituency?

In most cases we vote this stuff, so the board generally is in full agreement. I guess by constituency you mean church members. All the ones who object to the direction we have been going get going to another church that doesn't do that much work in the community.

Good. I got the idea from your post ("I just do it") that you might be going against the will of your board. But I'm glad they are with you.

[phkrause]

Pretty good stuff Lazarus, your church sounds like they are very much following Jesus' example and the words of EGW. Where are you located. My brother lives in Crofton, MD. I go to a little church near him but if you guys are close enough maybe I'll visit your church when I'm visiting my brother.

pk

[lazarus]

Pretty good stuff Lazarus, your church sounds like they are very much following Jesus' example and the words of EGW. Where are you located. My brother lives in Crofton, MD. I go to a little church near him but if you guys are close enough maybe I'll visit your church when I'm visiting my brother.

pk

Sure, that's relatively close. I'll PM you.