Social Justice and Sacred Defiance...isn't this just about politics?

No, it's not.  Jesus tells us "love one another as I have loved you". When we, or our sisters and brothers are treated unjustly and forced to live in inequity, we are commanded to care about it and to raise our voices and cry out for justice. Because MCC has a particular outreach to the GLBT community, our very existence as a church identifies us as a justice-driven ministry...a justice-based movement. Our gathering together for Worship; our championing of the rights of LGBT people, women, and other oppressed minorities; our affirmation of our relationships and our families; all of these actions make a statement for justice.

When we are acting as ambassadors for Christ, in conformance with Christ's teaching, then everything we do is holy: everything we do has a justice-component! Maybe every MCC can't organize complicated community campaigns, but every MCC must do what it can do. Our voice is needed wherever  we are. Don't wait until your church is larger to begin to reach out; this is one of the key components of church growth. When we are seen reaching beyond ourselves and visibly doing justice-based ministry, people are attracted to us!

MCC is a justice-driven ministry...a justice-based movement Every activity we engage in as an MCC church is justice-based

It may be particularly helpful for all of MCCs (especially new or smaller congregations) to see their actions in this light. Emerging congregations in Eastern Europe, Latin America, or in small town, USA, may have all they can do to find a venue for Worship and keep the lights on, but offering a 'safe space' to worship and a place to "belong" is a bold and courageous act and is surely rooted in the love and justice that Jesus demonstrated. We rejoice with them!

Our more established MCCs (large and small, urban and rural) have all been doing magnificent things in justice-driven ministries around the world. We are grateful that they have been willing to share their expertise and their successes with all of our churches. We salute the MCC Pastors and congregations whose ministry is commended in these pages.

They include: Rev. Pat Bumgardner, Rev. David Farrell, Rev. Anthony Freeman, Rev. Elder Diane Fisher, Rev. Elder Darlene Garner, Rev. Robert Goss, Mr. Stephen Harte, Rev. Brent Hawkes, Rev. Dr. Cindi Love, Rev. Jeff Miner, Rev. Penny Nixon, Rev. Greg Smith, Rev. Neil Thomas, Rev. Margaret Walker. Social Justice cover graphic is graciously provided by Linda Steele of St. Petersburg MCC.

These materials are intended to provide guidance, provoke discussion, spark ideas and debates, and stir to action the powerful force for God and for good that is MCC! Use them as blueprints for projects and programs in your local MCC, or adapt and change them as you choose. Just start something where you are!  The world is expecting us!

Table of contents
Examples and HOW-TO Information on Successful MCC Programs