Remember Your Christian Witness and Give Thanks

by

Perspectives

“Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” - Philippians 4:6-7

JUSTICE TAKES COURAGE | November 26, 2024

As Christians and United Methodists, we seek to center our lives and witness on God. Confident that nothing can separate us from God’s grace, we are equally confident that the social witness of the Church is a testimony to that grace.

We recognize that God is our Creator, Redeemer and Sustainer.

Before this most recent election, I shared with the GBCS Board of Directors and Staff that our work, witness and mandate has not changed. The actions of General Conference, Charlotte gave us Social Principles that call for a continued commitment to address many social issues including stewardship of creation, food justice, poverty, income inequality, gender equality, diversity, and basic human rights and freedoms.

“We declare that all individuals, no matter their circumstances or social standing, are entitled to basic human rights and freedoms.” (Social Principles adopted 2024)

As the United States 118th Congress concludes its work for 2024, we implore our elected leaders to adopt a budget that retains maximum support for food security and social safety net programs that address the needs of the most vulnerable among us.

We raise our voices as followers of Jesus to denounce all manner of hate speech and messaging that promotes racist attitudes and bigotry toward any part of the human family.

As Christians, we are called to a higher purpose. Likewise, as citizens of the United States, the Preamble of the U.S. Constitution inspires us to achieve the greater good for all, calling us to establish justice, ensure domestic tranquility, and promote the general welfare. Only by such as these – seeking justice, pursuing peace, and caring for the mutual thriving of one another – will we be an ever more perfect union.

And so, we promote the general welfare by ensuring that no person goes without food, health care, shelter from the cold or safety in their communities.

We promote the general welfare when we encourage solutions to comprehensive immigration reform and pathways to citizenship apart from promises of record setting mass deportation and incarceration leading to family separation.

We promote the general welfare by taking the high road of hospitality and humility of spirit in the face of a world awash in conflict and contradictions.

I know it’s difficult for many people to hear, but we promote the general welfare by praying for those who are in positions of political leadership—both the outgoing Biden administration and the incoming Trump administration and servant leaders who are chosen or elected to make life better for those communities they serve.

We promote the general welfare and more importantly, transform the world, by collaborating with peace and justice ambassadors around the world who have not lost sight of the vision of beloved community where there is more than enough for all to thrive.

Capturing the Wesleyan spirit of social holiness and ethical action as United Methodists, we step prayerfully and thankfully into this holiday season knowing we can always give thanks for something, remembering who we are as Christians and our global call to social action.

“Until you start focusing on what needs to be done, instead of what is politically possible, there is no hope.” - Greta Thunberg, 21-year-old Swedish environmental activist

“Learn to do well; seek justice, defend the oppressed, take up the cause of the fatherless and plead the case of the widow” - Isaiah 1:17

“Let us not grow weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.” - Galatians 6:9

Be encouraged.