Congregational Response to a Sermon on Amos 5:18ff

We confess there is much pain in this world, much suffering, much sorrow and misery. We confess that we, too, are guilty of stepping over our neighbor in pursuit of glory, comfort, fame, or wealth. We confess that the ways of the world fall short of the ways of the Kingdom of God.

And yet we have been called, by Christ, to seek the better way – to replace empty religion with active hearts and hands, to cease with false pretense and show, instead pursuing justice and righteousness for all God’s children. We hear this call, and we respond:

Yes, Lord Jesus, we will serve you gladly.

Yes, Lord Jesus, we will seek justice and equity for all people.

Yes, Lord Jesus, we offer ourselves to you, to be used as your hands and feet in our land and around the world.

Yes, Lord Jesus, our love for you will be reflected in our love for those around us, and our compassion toward the poor, the lonely, those who live at the margins.

Yes, Lord Jesus, let there be a flood of justice in our land. We want to be a part of your restoring work. Let it flow through us. Let your healing for all people and our nation flow through us. Let your love and life flow through us. Amen.

Interview With Debbie Blue, Parts 4-5

Continued from yesterday.

Part 4: Why is this so important to you?



Part 5: Where's the Hope?

My Interview with Debbie Blue, Parts 1-3

Debbie Blue is the Executive Minister of the Department of Compassion, Mercy, and Justice for the Evangelical Covenant Church. She was one of the keynote speakers at last Saturday's Leadership Matrix training event for the North Pacific Conference. Since I was preaching Sunday on Amos 5:18ff ("Let justice roll down like mighty waters. . ."), I interviewed Debbie, asking her thoughts on this issue of Biblical Justice.

For your convenience, I've divided the interview up into five sections.

Part 1: What is Justice?



Part 2: What are instances of Injustice in the world?



Part 3: What can the Church do to pursue Justice?



Parts 4-5 tomorrow