2. A CALL TO SOCIAL JUSTICE
Micah 6:8
He has told you, O man, what is good; And what does the LORD require of you But to do justice, to love kindness, And to walk humbly with your God?

3. The Church ‘s role in social justice
Definition of Social Justice
Biblical basis for the Church acting to achieve justice
Biblical examples of personal acts of justice
Old Testament & New testament
Contemporary actions to achieve social justice
Equipping oneself and the church for social justice

4. Definitions
Justice: Fairness, Impartiality, Honesty, Uprightness, Reasonableness (What we Do)
Social justice: The fair and just relationship between the individual and the society
Fair: Treating people equally without favouritism or discrimination (What we Do)
Just: Correct, Fair, moral, Ethical (What we Do)
Mercy: Compassion, pity, Forgiveness, Sympathy, Humanity, Generosity (What we Do)
Compassion: Sympathy, Empathy, Concern, Care, Consideration (What we Do)

5. Biblical basis for seeking social justice
Old testament references
Isaiah 1.17
Proverbs 31: 9
Zechariah 7: 9 – 10
Jeremiah 22:3
Micah 6:8
2 Kings 4 :13
Psalms 82.3

6. Biblical basis for seeking justice
New testament references
Matthew 25 : 31 to 46
James 1: 27
1 Timothy 5:9
Matthew 22:37-39
Matthew 23.23
[Goodson, Matthew 23.23] – The Pharisees were preoccupied with tithing of all kinds of expensive herbs, we can safely say they were much more into money matters in the temples and were the dominant religion of that day, demanding seats at the high tables of every event. Similarly in comparison to our own mainstream and new religious formations, the churches are also into tithes, seed offerings and giving all types of high value items to the church, religious leaders and other cults, while Christ is still saying “..and have left the weightier matters of the law, JUSTICE, and MERCY, and FAITH…”.
[Goodson, Matthew ] - Soul searching among the Church leadership must be the starting point for involvement in social justice wherein what really matters at the end of the ages is the results of Christ’s prescribed evaluation of each individual’s and church’s involvement with the hungry, thirsty, naked, stranger, sick and prisoners. One can ask what the percentage of the church’s resources annually goes to the six interventions which Christ taught about with a passion for the least in society. Where are we as the church in this Godly call?

7. Biblical references for personal acts of compassion and justice
Luke 10 :25- 37
Luke 18 : 1
Acts 6: 1-6
1Timothy 3
Matthew Jesus feeding the multitudes

8. Contemporary/modern day examples of social justice seeking initiatives
Martin Luther
Bishop Despond Tutu
Dr King
The Bishop of Baghdad
Micah Challenge
Prison Fellowship
Bob Pierce and World Vision
Samaritans Purse
Catholic Commission of Justice and Peace
Tearfund and Christian Aid working with churches

9. Equipping oneself and the church for social justice
Gain an understanding of contemporary issues
Gain knowledge and know how on “how to “
Speak out from a place of knowledge
Join others who are acting
Devote resources
Devote time
Ensure that you do it well to glorify God

10. Some things you need to know
Humanitarian code of conduct
Sphere standards for all sectors
Sustainable development goals
Multilateral spaces for faith based actors- e.g World Bank initiative for Faith actors
World Council of Churches
Tools for Social action – Channels of Hope Series, Celebrating families