Rethink Church: Responsibility, Righteousness, and Justice

The United Methodist Book of Resolutions says that, "The Bible reveals that, from the earliest times, God’s faithful community has been concerned about hunger and poverty. Helping those in need was not simply a matter of charity, but of responsibility, righteousness, and justice (Isaiah 58:6-8; Jeremiah 22:3; Matthew 25:31-46)." 

The United Methodist Church has developed a unique way of  bringing the issues of hunger and poverty to the pews--and bringing those who sit in the pews to the streets, food pantries, rural communities in poor countries and legislative arenas.  This is accomplished through the UMC's  program of study, service, direct giving, and advocacy called Rethink Church.

There are great resources on the Rethink Church Web site, including a good overview of hunger and poverty (along with a link to the UMC's Bread and Justice  Web site), a description of the work of the United Methodist Committee on Relief -UMCOR (along with a link to the site Dealing with disaster Web site) and a piece about John Wesley's philosophy of social holiness.

There many, many other resources, such as a piece and video on partnering against poverty,  great reflective pieces (such as Sacred Space-Our Sanctuary Within and Six Sure Signs You're Surving), a wide variety of opportunities for alternative giving, listings of volunteer opportunities around the country and overseas, and much more.  I urge you to check out this wonderful resource, whether or not you belong to a United Methodist congregation.