Bracket Busters: Social Justice Ministry

As congregational leaders in an urban setting, it is important for us to think about how we will engage urban issues. As a city dweller for most of my life, I have a practical sense of the issues facing urban residents. The particularly important part for leaders with prior background in urban life and work, however, is to not allow our previous experience to prescribe specific actions before we learn the needs of the particular community in which we are serving. For instance, my hometown has been increasingly plagued by drug-related violence and theft. While drugs may be the most pressing issue there, my ideas may not be as useful in a community that is struggling most heavily with prostitution. Thus, the primary task in relating to urban issues is observing what is going on--both observing passively by looking and listening and observing actively by asking questions and building relationships with people.

From the new relationships will then come a path into social justice ministry in the community. Certainly, congregational education will be important to prepare them for the work we will get into, but perhaps the more important angle is sharing with them the community relationships I have built. It is important that we all get to know each other and appreciate each other's backgrounds so that our shared work will develop organically and have deeper meaning for us all. This should help people become (and stay interested).

I am inspired in social justice efforts by Saul Alinsky's Rules for Radicals. His book has many helpful suggestions for community organization, and I think I may have some of the gifts for organization that he considers unteachable. I am hoping to find more role models in this area, as it is one that I have experienced less than fully in my work in the church. Alinsky's book, however, also reveals the scary element of social justice, as progress is necessarily fueled by conflict. I usually strive to create harmonious relationships with people, so the work of social justice may require me to step out of my comfort zone in this regard.