Micro Practices for Justice Ministry: Doing Little Things for the Common Good

Sample (Human Nature, Interest, and Power), professor emeritus at the St. Paul School of Theology, spotlights in this comprehensive account small but effective practices that faith leaders can use to grow their ministry’s justice initiatives. He consults 43 clergy (mostly pastors, though he includes two rabbis) who cite the importance of forging close relationships with supporters and policymakers, as well as practicing self-care to remain healthy enough to further one’s cause. To better integrate with the community, pastor Tracy Blackmon recommends opening one’s church in the off-hours to local organizations that need the space, while pastor Billy Vaughan suggests creating in-person groups where church members can discuss justice programs or journal about scripture. Effectively capturing these and other approaches in language that can be refreshingly candid (“Assholes are an anvil where you hammer out love,” Jeremy Troxler explains about his efforts to handle difficult parishioners), Sample makes a convincing case for how small acts of community building enable big-picture change. Faith leaders on the lookout for fresh ideas will be inspired. (May)