Under Construction

The Justice Ministry Team plans to start a blog related to social justice issues using the United Methodist Social Principles as a point of reference. Starting in the next month, these blogs will be posted on the church website. (www.fumclawrence.org). The United Methodist Church has a long and rich history of concern for social justice which was demonstrated, for example, when the founder of Methodism, John Wesley, spoke out against the exploitation of the poor and some early Methodists spoke out against the slave trade.

The United Methodist Social Principles are not church law. “Instead they represent the prayerful and earnest efforts of the General Conference to speak to issues in the contemporary world from a sound biblical and theological foundation. The Social Principles are thus a call to faithfulness and to social engagement and intended to be instructive and persuasive in the best of the prophetic spirit. Moreover, they challenge all members of The United Methodist Church to engage in deliberative reflection and encourage intentional dialogue between faith and practice.”  (Social Principles, page 5)

As we offer this series, we will focus on those social justice issues related to how we can respond within our congregation and our community. We also understand some of the social justice concerns may cause discomfort or be seen as controversial. We urge all to engage in prayerful and thoughtful consideration of these social justice issues and let us know your thoughts.

Read the 2020 Social Principles document here.  If you are interested in learning more see the Justice Ministry area of this website.