POVERTY AND INJUSTICE ARE TWO OF THE BIGGEST ISSUES in the world today. The imbalance of global wealth, famine, water shortages, exploitation and corruption are issues that are on the world agenda of politicians, activists and opinion formers.
But fighting poverty and tackling injustice are not new concepts for the 21st century. When it comes to these issues, God got there first and has plenty to say. A study of the Bible reveals more than 2,000 verses that spell out his attitude on these subjects.
Almost every page of Scripture speaks of God's heart for the poor. His concern for the marginalized. His compassion for the oppressed. His call for justice.
The Christian and Missionary Alliance in Canada (C&MA) states in its Vision Prayer that, through a fresh encounter with Christ, he would "Release us to be strategic in service, kingdom-connected in practice, passionate in pursuit of (his) mission and mercy."
According to Joanne Beach, Director of Alliance Justice and Compassion, the Alliance in Canada "is on a journey toward restoring a biblical balance of experiencing and expressing the whole Gospel of Jesus Christ that was so much a part of our roots."
cmAlliance.ca recently interviewed Mrs. Beach and asked her to share some of her insights into the work presently being done by the C&MA in this area recently interviewed Mrs. Beach and asked her to share some of her insights into the work presently being done by the C&MA in this area here and around the world.
What is Alliance Justice and Compassion?
As mentioned in the introduction, the C&MA is on a journey. Alliance Justice and Compassion exists to cultivate this strategic priority within our family of churches as we minister in Canada and throughout the world. In practice, it is Alliance people, prompted by the love of Christ, engaging with the poor and marginalized and those that suffer injustices.
As Director, what is your mandate?
This role has existed for 3? years. Initially, the focus was solely on our global teams but last year was expanded to serve our churches in Canada as well. My mandate is to nurture and promote a culture of justice and compassion within our Alliance family. Primarily, the responsibilities are to communicate what we are doing; ensure churches and International Workers are adequately resourced; promote opportunities for individuals and churches to serve; and provide avenues for a dialogue on theological reflection and best practice.
What does the concept of justice mean to you?
Justice, from a biblical perspective, ensures all people are valued and treated with dignity and fairness because all are loved by God and made in his image. At creation, God's design was that we would live in perfect relationship with him, with one another, and with his creation.
Sin severed these relationships and caused humans to have a distorted worldview that allows for prejudices that devalue others. As a result, people suffer injustice (or unjust treatment) for multiple reasons whether economic standing, the colour of one's skin, gender, religion, education, age. The list goes on.
Jesus came to redeem our relationships in all their dimensions? with God, with one another, and with his creation. As his followers, who have been reconciled to God, we are called to be ministers of this message of reconciliation. (see 2 Corinthians 5)
And we carry on Jesus' mission (see Luke 4:18-19) which went beyond proclaiming the good news to also serving people that would result in releasing them from physical, social, and economic bondages. Redeeming all relational dimensions. That is justice!
