When our ancestors wondered what gifts to bring before God, the prophet Micah replied that 'God has told you, O mortal, what is good. What does the Lord require of you but to do justice, to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God?'  ~ Micah 6:8 

I believe strongly that “what God requires” applies fully to all of us, laypeople and ordained alike. Just as I know that you don’t need to have attended seminary to be a gifted theologian, pray-er, or preacher, I believe that every person has the capacity to work for justice. 

The simplicity of Micah’s words can make it sound easy, but I know that it takes practice to feel comfortable lifting a prayer with someone who is hurting or testifying to God’s presence in our lives. In the same way, I know that it takes practice to imagine that another world is possible – a world without poverty or racism, militarism or ecological devastation, hateful theology and policy. I know that it takes practice to raise our voices and show up in solidarity. I know that it takes practice to challenge unjust structures and to lovingly question the people who uphold them.  

 

So hear this Good News: we are a church committed to making disciples, including disciples who do not yet consider themselves justice leaders. We are a church committed to making God’s love real, and we affirm Dr. Cornell West’s assertion that justice is what love looks like in public. We are a church committed to bringing new life to our hurting communities, and we know that system change can nurture the fertile soil in which communities thrive. We are a church committed to covenant partnerships to serve the common good, knowing that we need one another for inspiration, shared resources, and accountability.  

 

The Jubilee Justice Leadership Program is a place to practice putting faith into action through the work of justice. Designed for laypeople (and clergy are welcome too!), Jubilee is an opportunity to deepen discipleship, exploring connections between progressive Christian theology, social justice, and each person’s faith journey. Jubilee is a chance to practice making God’s love real by working directly with a social change organization in your community. Jubilee can help you bring new life to your congregation, as participants bring their learning and leadership to their churches. And Jubilee is grounded in covenant partnerships, as participants journey together and with program leaders to learn and practice together. 

Learn more about the Jubilee Justice Leadership Program and apply here.