Interpreting Advocacy Issues Global Advocacy & Education Team Ministries and Mission Interpreters Training 2008

Workshop Goals Why Advocacy is important to Global Ministries Ideas for working on an issue important to you Hear about Global Ministries issues and campaigns

Why is Justice important to Global Ministries? We are people of faith called to do justice. The prophet says: What does the Lord require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God. Micah 6:8 We are partners in Jesus ministry of justice. Jesus calls us to join him: "The Spirit of the Lord is on me, because he has anointed me to preach good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners and recovery of sight for the blind, to release the oppressed, to proclaim the year of the Lord's favor. Luke 4:18-19 We are a Church with a justice mission. We have a Mission: Global Ministries Standing Rules say In such a world as this, [we] experience the interconnectedness of God`s world... a world desperately in need of healing.

What is Advocacy? To Create Change We seek to change conditions that threaten adequate health, education, security. (I came that they may have life, and have it abundantly. John 10:10) To Accompany Others We seek ministries of acompañamiento (being there in various forms and modes of presence) to and with people in critical situations. (Speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves, for the rights of all who are destitute. Speak up and judge fairly; defend the rights of the poor and needy. Proverbs 31:8-9) To Act (Take Risk) for Truth We must act when we see injustice. (How does Gods love abide in anyone who has the worlds goods and sees a brother or sister in need and yet refuses to help? Little children, let us love, not in word or speech, but in truth and action. 1 John 3:17-18)

Theological Commitments Guide our Global Advocacy A Commitment to the Integrity of Creation The earth is the Lords and all that is in it, the world and those who live in it. Psalm 24:1 A Commitment to Peacebuilding Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called the children of God. Matthew 5:9 A Commitment to Serve the Economy of God He has anointed me to bring Good News to the poor…to proclaim the year of the Lords favor. Luke 4:18-19 A Commitment to Strengthen Human Community In one member suffers, all suffer together with it; if one member is honored, all rejoice together with it. I Corinthians 12:26

What else guides Global Ministries Advocacy work? Global experience of international partners Cooperative witness of ecumenical allies Policies and positions of Common Global Ministries Board, United Church of Christ and Christian Church (Disciples of Christ)

How to do effective global advocacy. 1. What change do you seek… Pray and Discern What is the change that needs to happen? Is your community called to act? A process of ethical discernment can help you focus on an issue. A common model is See, Judge, Act (available from Global Ministries):

Create a committed community JUDG E ACT SEE See, Judge, Act What about the situation would scripture and faith have change? What response does your faith call you to? What Actions can help change the situation?

How to do effective global advocacy. 2. Prepare for Advocacy… Prepare. Effective advocacy requires preparation beforehand. Learn more about your issue. Go beyond the headlines. See information and links. What are your targets for change? Focus on what will make the most change or where youll have most success. Church policies? Public attitudes? Government policies? Who are your allies? Other faith groups? Business or civic groups? The media? Are there Global Ministries programs or resources that can support your effort?

How to do effective global advocacy. 3. Plan an Advocacy strategy… Q: Want to move the earth? You think you need a big Stick… but its more important to determine the best Angle. Give me a lever long enough and a fulcrum on which to place it, and I shall move the world. Archimedes, d. 212 BC A small force can have a greater outcome if you determine the right angle to push for change.

How to do effective global advocacy. 3. Plan an Advocacy strategy… What are your Strengths and Weaknesses? What outcome do you expect? How can your group be effective?

Planning a Strategy for Advocacy What Would Jesus Do?Be wise as serpents and as innocents as doves. Mt.10:16 Pragmatic Reform Polite discourse with religious and political authorities Prophetic Revolution Other times he broke conventions and protocols to eat with sinners and minister on the Sabbath. Overturn the Tables Turn the Other Cheek

What are some Global Ministries Advocacy Projects? A Commitment to the Integrity of Creation Enough for All: Global Warming and Poverty A Commitment to Peacebuilding Congo Week and Sudan: Tents of Hope A Commitment to Serve the Economy of God One in Body and Spirit: Fair Trade, the MDGs and ONE Campaign A Commitment to Strengthen Human Community Stop the Killing! in the Philippines

Are you doing any good? Remember each little step is an important part of the process, but its important to maintain your overall vision. A person walked up to a man placing one brick on another. She asked the man: What are you doing? He replied: Im laying bricks. She walked further and approached a second man placing brick upon brick. She asked this man: What are you doing? This man, wiser than the first, replied: Im constructing a sturdy wall. Finally she came upon a third man, like the others also placing one brick on another. She asked this man: What are you doing? And this one, wisest of all, replied: Im building a cathedral!

Dont forget, you may think youre simply stacking bricks, but through our collective advocacy we can build cathedrals.