Today was message four in the series Five Keys to a Vital Congregation and the theme was mission and social action. I spoke about our United Church tradition of social action and reflected on the St. Paul's commitment to both local and broader mission. I thought that President Obama's address at the National Prayer Breakfast this past week was a thoughtful reflection on our responsibility to live our faith in action. Here is an excerpt:
It's also about the biblical call to care for the least of these -- for the poor; for those at the margins of our society.To answer the responsibility we're given in Proverbs to "Speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves, for the rights of all who are destitute." And for others, it may reflect the Jewish belief that the highest form of charity is to do our part to help others stand on their own.
Treating others as you want to be treated. Requiring much from those who have been given so much. Living by the principle that we are our brother's keeper. Caring for the poor and those in need. These values are old. They can be found in many denominations and many faiths, among many believers and among many non-believers. And they are values that have always made this country great -- when we live up to them; when we don't just give lip service to them; when we don't just talk about them one day a year. And they're the ones that have defined my own faith journey.
What do you think?
Amen.
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