By: Lan Davis Wilson
“Justice is what love looks like in public.” – Dr. Cornel West. As followers of Christ, and particularly as United Methodist, we have a duty to uphold in the work of resisting evil, injustice, and oppression in whatever forms they may present. And while we are often good at identifying evil, injustice, and oppression, it is an ongoing challenge for us to step further in the way of resistance. Our own Rev. Dr. Jim Melson, retired elder and civil rights activist, constantly reminds us in his teachings that social justice is essential to our paths in discipleship and cannot be excluded if one wishes to walk in the way of Jesus.
Many more conversations and calls to actions on this topic will continue to happen along our journey together. However, today I want offer some practical suggestions for what social justice in your local context might look like:
1. Always start with listening. – Engage the community around and ask what are the real needs that need to be addressed? Listen and keep listening. And as you listen, be praying about how God might be leading you to adjust, re-align, or initiate the work in your context to help you decide where to begin. Our call in not assume, but to listen deeply.
2. Partner, don’t go it alone. – There are already organizations all across Virginia doing this work well. Consider building relationships with your local advocacy groups, local nonprofits, and especially ecumenical partners. Our connectionalism only grows strong when we allow it to extend beyond our denomination and lead us into collaborative work.
3. Make the shift from mercy to justice. – Feeding people will also be a vital part of our work. But asking why people are hungry in the first place is what moves us into justice. Both mercy and justice are important. However mercy addresses the moment, while justice addresses the matter.
4. Use your voice. – Preach justice and advocacy. Teach it. Write it. Show up at school board meetings, city council meetings, and the General Assembly. Have letter writing days multiple times a year with pre-printed letters address to the delegates, senators, and representatives and teach people how to use their voice to advocate for the marginalized and misfortune in your communities. Advocacy is the key to embodying faith beyond the four walls of the church.
5. Create multiple pathways for engagement. – Not everyone will march, but everyone can do something. Offer multiple on-ramps to engagement in public witness and advocacy. Learning opportunities, service days, prayer gatherings, and community forums are all great on-ramps. And this is also a great opportunity for partnership. Your church might be a good spot for water and restroom breaks for local marches or for sign-making and community gatherings.
6. Always stay grounded in love. Remember our struggle is not against flesh and blood but against the rulers, the authorities, against the cosmic powers of this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places (Eph. 6:12 NRSVUE). Advocacy without grace and love becomes just noise. I believe Paul likens it to clashing cymbals. And yet love without advocacy is passive. Our call is to hold tight to both of these things. In this way – the way of Jesus – we embody a faith that grace-filled, compassionate, courageous and committed to co-creating a world where every person experiences sacred worth. And that, my friends, is justice.
This work is not easy. If it feels too easy, maybe check yourself. It should stretch you. It should challenge you. And it should call each of us beyond our comforts. Yet, this is holy work. And there is no holiness, but social holiness (Wesley). So let us continue of this journey of justice together – each one sharing the load.
Blessings!
Lan