Acts of Justice
by Steven W. Manskar
Acts of justice are the public extension of the acts of compassion. Giving a meal to a hungry person is an act of compassion. Working with others to address the causes of hunger in your community is an act of justice.
Every Covenant Discipleship group is challenged by acts of justice. One reason for this is that group members look at the world and are intimidated by all the problems and wonder what difference he or she could possibly make. There is so much that needs to be done, many find it difficult to decide where to begin. Others simply do not understand the distinction between acts of compassion and acts of justice.
I am convinced the basic problem Covenant Discipleship group members have with understanding and participating in acts of justice is because justice is seldom part of the conversation experienced in church life. This confusion can be partially explained by lack of clarity around the denominational mission statement: “To make disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world.”
Because we often equate church membership with discipleship, it makes sense to believe the mission of the church, therefore, is to convince as many people as possible to become members of The United Methodist Church. This, however, turns mission upside-down. The focus of mission then becomes the church. When the church puts itself at the center of mission, of course acts of justice take a backseat.
This is, of course, not the intended outcome of the denomination’s mission statement. It certainly is not a Biblical, or Wesleyan, conception of mission. Jesus described his mission when he read from the book of the prophet Isaiah in the Nazareth synagogue:
“The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he has anointed me to bring good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim release to the captives and recovery of sight to the blind, to let the oppressed go free, to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor” (Luke 4:18-19).
It’s safe to say that Jesus’ mission was for the world, not the church. It is also safe to say that his church is sent into the world to serve with him in his mission. Wayne Schwab states this very well in his book When the Members are the Missionaries when he writes, “We say the church has a mission. We get it wrong, when we talk that way. The truth is the mission has a church. When mission become central, the laity become central.” In other words, the mission of the church is to equip its members, lay and clergy, to be participants in Christ’s mission in the world.
What does all this have to do with acts of justice? When we shift our understanding of mission from what we do to get people into the church to participation in God’s mission for the world and living as citizens of God’s reign, then acts of justice become an essential part of Christian life and work. It also means that the work of God’s mission is not limited to the church or to Christians. God calls Christians to work alongside others who are working to bring good news to the poor, proclaiming release to captives, opening the eyes of the blind, and liberation to the oppressed.
This means disciples of Jesus Christ need to work with and support organizations that are working for justice like Bread for the World (www.bread.org), ONE (www.one.org/us), Join Red (www.joinred.com/Splash.aspx), and Amnesty International (www.amnestyusa.org). For a list of other organizations involved in acts of justice, go to www.gbod.org/smallgroup/cd/links.asp and www.umpower.org.
Steven W. Manskar is the Director of Wesleyan Leadership for the General Board of Discipleship.
Recommended Reading
A Disciple’s Journal: Daily Bible Reading and Guidance for Reflection
This journal will help you connect the inner spiritual life with the actions of Christian discipleship and help you maintain balance between works of piety and works of mercy.
Available from Discipleship Resources at www.UpperRoom.org/bookstore or (800) 972-0433 for $12.00.
Blueprint for Discipleship: Wesley’s General Rules as a Guide for Christian Living
Methodist Christians sometimes exhibit the most unchristian attitudes and behavior. People notice. And it's reflecting badly on the church, but we can — individually and collectively — correct the problem.
Available from Discipleship Resources at www.UpperRoom.org/bookstore or (800) 972-0433 for $13.00.
Opening Ourselves to Grace
This four-video, six-week Bible study presents a clear and contemporary understanding of Wesleyan spiritual practices.
Available from Discipleship Resources at www.UpperRoom.org/bookstore or (800) 972-0433 for $24.00.
Upcoming Events
WesleyanInstitute
October 22-24, 2009
Holman United Methodist Church
Los Angeles, CA
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Wesleyan Pilgrimage in England
May 11-20, 2010
With Paul Chilcote, Steven Manskar and Anita Wood
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Recommended Reading
The United Methodist Way
This 20-minute Flash presentation shows how following John Wesley's rules in both doctrine and practice leads to transformed lives and a transformed world.
Download for use in your church
Covenant Discipleship web site:
www.gbod.org/smallgroup/cd
John Wesley’s Sermons
http://gbgm-umc.org/UMHISTORY/Wesley/sermons/
Duke Center for Studies in the Wesleyan Tradition
www.divinity.duke.edu/
wesleyan/texts/
Methodist Review: A Journal of Wesleyan and Methodist Studies
www.methodistreview.org
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