BLOGGING TOWARD SUNDAY…

We have worked and will continue to work to help the U.S. Congress understand that the federal budget is a moral document. It is a reflection of what and whom we value as a society. Unfortunately, the current budget values war over peace, the rich over the poor, polluters over God’s good earth. These policies are incompatible with the teachings of Christ and we must proclaim a different vision.

This fall, African United Methodist bishops issued a communiqué from which I want to share with you some excerpts:

“As an expression of our discipleship, United Methodists seek to alleviate conditions that undermine quality of life and limit the opportunity to flourish as we believe God intends for all. As with John Wesley, we seek to change conditions that are unjust, alienating and disempowering. We engage in ministry with the poor, and in this, we especially want to reach out to and protect children.

“Poverty robs people of hope and the Gospel of Jesus Christ is a call to hope, salvation and abundant life. In Africa, we see poverty manifesting itself in environmental degradation, disease, hunger and malnutrition, inequitable access to education and even, the exposure of some of the most vulnerable among us — the girl child, for example — to sexual and economic exploitation.

“We call our brothers and sisters in United Methodist congregations worldwide and on the general agencies of the church to a renewed partnership of equals towards resourcing the denomination’s ministry to the poor in Africa in ways that ensure that it is relevant, sustainable and truly transformative.”

We work hard to help United Methodists join justice and mercy together in their own lives, congregations and communities. United Methodists are excellent at feeding the hungry, sheltering the homeless, and clothing the naked. Freeing the oppressed by confronting the systems that perpetuate hunger, racism, violence and poverty is always the hard part.

In many ways, that’s where GBCS comes in. Our primary task is to seek the implementation of the Social Principles of The United Methodist Church through a wide-ranging ministry of witness, education and action. An end to war, racism and poverty is possible. If I did not believe that I would not be a follower of Jesus Christ.