06 October 2008
Churches give fresh impetus to social justice challenge
The work of Baptists, Methodists and members of the United
Reformed Church in the field of social justice has been given fresh
impetus, with new work priorities and the appointment of a new
leader for the Joint Public Issues Team.
Rachel Lampard, previously responsible for political and
parliamentary liaison in the Methodist Church, is to take over as
team leader, when she returns from maternity leave. She said: "Our
three church traditions share a passionate concern for issues of
poverty and injustice. By working together we have been able to
make a much stronger impact. Our challenge is to help the churches
to promote justice, equality and peace by influencing those in
power. We also want to help resource and energise local
congregations in their effort to live out the gospel of
Christ".
The Joint Public Issues Team was set up two years ago as a
ground-breaking initiative between the churches which is now being
adopted in other spheres of work. Staff retain a denominational
identity but pool their expertise and produce resources jointly for
the Baptist Union of Great Britain, the Methodist Church and the
United Reformed Church.
Team members are currently working on poverty in the UK, theology
and climate change, human rights and corporate responsibility,
business ethics, and human embryology and early human life. They
have responded to government consultations on alcohol strategy,
gambling, and climate change, and have produced a series of studies
for home groups called "The Art of the Possible" which explore why
Christians should be interested in public issues (
www.jointpublicissues.org.uk/artofthepossible/index.htm)
A new Methodist member of the Team, Dr Paul Morrison, brings added
expertise in the field of science, technology and bioethics. Other
team members bring experience in international affairs, conflict,
UK politics, theology, education and business.
The Joint Public Issues Team is managed by a group consisting of
Janet Morley, head of the Christian Communication, Evangelism and
Advocacy Cluster within the Methodist Church Connexional Team,
Simon Loveitt, spokesperson on public issues for the United
Reformed Church, and the Revd Graham Sparkes, head of Faith and
Unity for the Baptist Union of Great Britain.
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