Witness

for

Justice

Have you ever wished your church could make a statement or endorse an action in a timely manner when no congregational meeting is scheduled? Church of the Good Shepherd adopted a Witness for Justice policy which enables them to do just that, thanks to modern communication methods.

The statement or endorsement is first approved by the Justice and Witness Team and presented to the pastor and the president of the church council. The message is then sent out to church members by electronic mail, along with background information and explanation.

Active members without e-mail are contacted by phone. If the need for response is not immediate, the issue is also shared through the church newsletter.

The message includes contact information and a deadline for responding. If the issue requires more than a simple agree or disagree, alternative suggestions are allowed, which are then passed on so everyone can be part of the discussion. Agreement of 75% of the responses to the final format are needed for approval. If approved, the statement or endorsement is disseminated to the appropriate bodies and the final result reported to members by e-mail and the newsletter.

Good Shepherd has used this policy to seek endorsement of a Smoke-Free Carbondale resolution, which a local group presented to the City Council. More recently it was used to endorse a Statement of Conscience Against Torture from the National  Religious Coalition Against Torture. The action was encouraged by UCC’s General Minister and President Rev. John Thomas and the six New England conference ministers.