********** General Office Ministries Under Consideration *********

Social and Economic justice is justice that follows the principle that all individuals and groups are entitle to fair and impartial treatment. Social and Economic justice attempts to prevent human rights abuses. Social and Economic justice is based on notions of equality and equal opportunity in society. It focuses on the full and equal participation of all citizens in economic, social and political aspects of the church. Social justice can also refer to advantages and disadvantages distributed in a society. Social justice derives its authority from the codes of morality in each culture and differs from culture to culture. United Nation’s objectives of social justice policies include social, economic and cultural rights, including right to an adequate standard of living; right to work and equal pay for equal work; right to education; and right of minorities to enjoy their own religion, language and culture.

Our Social Justice Ministry strives to address social issues in light of our Biblical Beliefs. Our efforts strive for systemic change in our society. The activities undertaken include prayer, awareness, education, and action.

 

The purpose of the Social Action Committee is to bring our churches closer together by working for common causes, Implement conference-wide social justice projects and forums. Actively pursue connections with other groups in the communities that we serve that are working for social justice. Build and maintain social justice relationships with other churches. Prepare and update at least annually a strategic plan for social justice initiatives and submit a written report of current social issues and a plan of action. Make sure every church has a social action representative to attend council meetings in the local churches city and have a voice in all social concerns.

The committee will focus on partnering with the Pan Methodist Commission to work on national issues such as children in poverty, mass incarceration, voting rights and legislation being voted on in Washington D.C.

 

Objectives

The primary objective of the position of General Secretary of Social and Economic Justice is to drive progress toward this congregational Strategic Plan goal:

• To engage members of our churches, within and beyond our Denomination, in shared service and relationships through social and economic justice ministry  

• Deepening our experience of community, and widening the circle of members and partners in relationship with us

Qualifications

• Demonstrated success in social justice outreach development and oversight; preference will be given to candidates with experience working on issues of housing/homelessness and care for creation/sustainability
• Excellent networker and bridge builder, connecting people to each other and to ministries meaningful to them
• Experience recruiting, empowering, coordinating and appreciating volunteers in a volunteer-powered organization
• Demonstrated strong organizational skills, with the ability to see the big picture while ensuring that details do not “fall through the cracks”

Personal Characteristics

• Passion for social justice and compassion for people on the margins of society
• Love for and patience with the church, as a community where knowing and serving those on the margins transforms us to see God anew, and to live and act differently
• Comfortable with diverse kinds of people, including people who are mentally ill and/or experiencing trauma
• Inspiring communicator
• Comfortable with UAME theology
• Above all, a passion for God and a vitality that is evident in everything you do

 

Expectations & Responsibilities

Work with a team (volunteers and staff) to develop and oversee community outreach, social justice, and accompaniment ministries, by:

• Getting to know and be known in the Conference, partners and activists
• Identifying, nurturing and creating community/church partnerships, especially opportunities for face-to-face relationships across barriers (e.g., class, race, etc.)
• Within the conference, becoming a mentor and providing the inspiration to:
  • infuse existing church ministries with a social justice perspective
  • equip and educate people to act on the social justice dimension of faith in their daily lives
  • provide a program for engaging others in social justice ministries, which allows for increasing levels of involvement as fits each person’s abilities and schedules, while encouraging ever-deeper involvement and expanding the number of participants
  • based on their gifts, passions, and life goals, match volunteers with transformational spiritual experiences that change lives
  • coordinate, encourage, and appreciate ministry leaders and volunteers
  • establish a social and economic ministry in each local church
  • work with local churches in voter registration drives and voting in elections

• Motivating and inspiring people with written and verbal communications that address social justice concerns in our world