What I mean is...
Re-reading my last post about the public policy ministry at my church, I realized that it was a bit rambly, and I didn't quite get to the point I had hoped to make. So let's try it again...
What I meant to say is how excited I am to be part of a congregation that values the impact that the church can make in the community...without resorting to politics in the pulpit.
There is so much that churches can do without making huge policy statements. They can be involved in their local communities through providing educational opportunities, health care, and other services. They can serve as communication channels that funnel information to their congregations that may not be reached otherwise. They can promote social equality and justice that are in accordance to their spiritual beliefs.
For example, the public policy ministry that I have joined has this vision and mission:
No where does it say that the church will endorse specific candidates or positions. Or that the pastor will be politicking in the pulpit. Rather the focus is on taking advantage of the opportunity to lead the congregation in being informed and active citizens and in taking the steps to make improvements in the community. Think of the impact that the spiritual community can have if the focus shifted from issues that don't affect them (gay marriage, abortion rights, stem cell research) to those that do (education, health care, civil rights). As Ghandi said: "The difference between what we are doing and what we are capable of doing would solve most of the world's problems". If churches made up the difference of their fruitless actions in moral policing and invested that in actual change - my what a world we would have.
It's a shame that it's too "progressive" for a church to care and to make a difference, rather than just making noise.
What I meant to say is how excited I am to be part of a congregation that values the impact that the church can make in the community...without resorting to politics in the pulpit.
There is so much that churches can do without making huge policy statements. They can be involved in their local communities through providing educational opportunities, health care, and other services. They can serve as communication channels that funnel information to their congregations that may not be reached otherwise. They can promote social equality and justice that are in accordance to their spiritual beliefs.
For example, the public policy ministry that I have joined has this vision and mission:
Vision Statement--To edify and lead the members of our church and community in learning, affirming and strategically advocating public policies, practices and systems that can improve our quality of life, promote social justice and undergird our church’s commitment in “becoming the Kingdom of God on earth."
Mission Statement--To serve our church and community as a change agent which conducts research, produces timely relevant information and maintains linkages with other entities so together, we can initiate strategic actions that foster improvements in those secular systems on which we rely.
No where does it say that the church will endorse specific candidates or positions. Or that the pastor will be politicking in the pulpit. Rather the focus is on taking advantage of the opportunity to lead the congregation in being informed and active citizens and in taking the steps to make improvements in the community. Think of the impact that the spiritual community can have if the focus shifted from issues that don't affect them (gay marriage, abortion rights, stem cell research) to those that do (education, health care, civil rights). As Ghandi said: "The difference between what we are doing and what we are capable of doing would solve most of the world's problems". If churches made up the difference of their fruitless actions in moral policing and invested that in actual change - my what a world we would have.
It's a shame that it's too "progressive" for a church to care and to make a difference, rather than just making noise.
posted by Gracie B. @ 10:03 AM
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