Compassion, Peace and Justice

Sara Lisherness, Director

The Compassion, Peace and Justice ministry area helps Presbyterians respond to the needs of the world’s most vulnerable people, address injustice in all areas of life and advocate for peaceful solutions to conflict. This ministry area also provides disaster relief, direct service, capacity building and development assistance to marginalized communities nationally and around the world.

From the directoR

Blessings for 2012! The New Year always brings new opportunities and new beginnings. I am pleased to welcome you to the inaugural edition of the Compassion, Peace and Justice Ministry e-newsletter which will be sent quarterly to our friends and supporters.

The diverse programs of the Compassion, Peace and Justice Ministry, responding to the call of the prophet Isaiah to be repairers of the breach, restorer of streets to live in, have committed to work together to inspire, equip and connect the Presbyterian Church as it works to make God’s community livable for all.

This newsletter will keep you up-to-date on our efforts here in the United States and around the world. It will also keep you apprised of upcoming activities, events and resources and let you know how you and your congregation can become more actively involved in God’s mission through ministries that share compassion, seek peace and work for justice.

Each issue will highlight a different aspect of our ministry. This Edition looks at the Presbyterian Church’s commitment to social justice. We invite your comments and feedback on the ideas, information and resources shared in this publication and hope that this publication provides a forum for strengthening our common commitments to God’s vision for a more just, caring and peaceful world.

A commitment of the Presbyterian Church

By Sara Lisherness

The Presbyterian Church’s commitment to justice is core to its identity and understanding as followers of Jesus Christ. Beginning with the ancient texts of the faith, God’s people have given both voice and witness to the prophet Micah’s calling to do justice, love kindness and walk humbly with God.

The Confessions of the church, especially the Confession of 1967 and A Brief Statement of Faith, challenge the church to follow Christ into a broken and fearful world to:

pray without ceasing,
to witness among all peoples
to Christ as Lord and Savior,
to unmask idolatries in church and culture,
to hear the voices of peoples long silenced,
and to work with others for justice, freedom and peace.

— A Brief Statement of Faith 10.4

The Book of Order also makes it clear that the whole church gathers in worship and its corporate life for the purpose of being sent out into the world to engage in the reconciling, healing work of God through Jesus Christ. God sends the church in the power of the Holy Spirit to share with Christ in establishing God’s just, peaceable and loving rule in the world. (W-7.4000)