Sojourners and Partner Organizations Launch ‘A Call to Civic Discipleship’ to Foster Healthy Christian Engagement in Politics

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

May 16, 2024

Contact: Jessica Felix Romero | jromero@sojo.net

Washington, DC - Sojourners, in collaboration with over 31 esteemed partner organizations, proudly unveils ‘A Call to Civic Discipleship,’ a groundbreaking initiative aimed at guiding Christians of diverse backgrounds, traditions, and political affiliations towards a robust yet balanced approach to civic engagement. Available via a dedicated webpage, this initiative addresses the urgent need to counter toxic polarization and promote constructive participation in public life.

Building upon the insights gleaned from a seminal gathering of Christian leaders in June 2023, ‘A Call to Civic Discipleship’ illuminates pathways for Christians to navigate politics and civic affairs in alignment with core biblical values such as civility, truthfulness, empathy, and integrity.

Rev. Adam Taylor, President of Sojourners, underscores the significance of this initiative, stating, “Christians today find themselves at a crossroads, torn between disengagement from politics or succumbing to hyper-partisanship. Through embracing the principles of civic discipleship, we can reclaim our role as agents of positive change in a fractured political landscape.”

The ‘A Call to Civic Discipleship’ framework statement and coordinating digital resource center are tailored to empower congregations, clergy, and individuals to address toxic polarization and anti-democratic forces in our politics and in our churches while offering practical principles to protect our democracy and help to heal and transform our politics.

The initiative has garnered widespread support from influential voices within the Christian community, including:

- Joan F. Neal, Deputy Executive Director & Chief Equity Officer, NETWORK Advocates for Catholic Social Justice, and Mary J. Novak, Executive Director: “As Christians, we are called to work for the common good and freedom of all. At this critical point in our nation’s history, when powerful political forces seek to limit human freedom and flourishing, we must diligently work to preserve, protect, and expand a multi-racial, multi-faith, inclusive democracy that models ‘loving our neighbor as ourselves,’ without exception, as the essence of a free society.”

- Rev. Jim Wallis, Archbishop Desmond Tutu Chair in Faith and Justice, Center on Faith and Justice, Georgetown University: “As Christians we believe that we are all made in the image of God, that truth is inseparable from freedom, and that we are all called to be peacemakers. In this time of fracture and polarization, we must return to the reconciling message of Jesus to find shared values and commitments across the divisions of our society. Only in doing so will we be able to realize a future in which all can thrive.”

- Bishop Vashti Murphy McKenzie, President/General Secretary, National Council of Churches of Christ in the USA: “The National Council of the Churches of Christ (NCC) believes that ‘A Call to Civic Discipleship’ will help foster a deeper sense of community and collective responsibility. It encourages people to work towards common goals and address pressing issues of the day. Civic discipleship encourages people to live out their faith in real time by promoting social justice and compassion.”

- Dr. Barbara Williams-Skinner, Co-Convener, National African American Clergy Network: “We are in an election year filled with confusion on what it means to both follow Jesus and exercise our citizenship responsibility to vote. Civic discipleship is the lining up of our faith consistent with Jesus’s teachings, mandating all believers or disciples to care for the ‘least of these’ our brothers and sisters created in the imago dei, the image of God. One way to carry out this biblical mandate is to ensure that every area of our life’s work and vocation interrogates whether the lives of America’s most vulnerable are protected.” 

- Raymond Chang, President, Asian American Christian Collaborative: “Truth, goodness, and unity are key markers of the people of God, but sadly, when it comes to partisan politics, we don’t often see God’s people as being marked by such words. This framework will hopefully be a catalyst for the renewal of civic discipleship among Christians in the U.S.”

- Rev. Carlos L. Malavé, President, Latino Christian National Network: “Latinos want to live in a country where people of diverse political perspectives are welcome, the political process is conducted with peace, and democracy is steadfastly maintained. It is in such a nation that we desire to invest our energies and talents, aspiring to create an environment where all children, including our own, have the opportunity to realize their fullest potential.”

- Stephanie Summers, CEO, Center for Public Justice: “As a believer committed to fostering a flourishing democracy, I am proud to support ‘A Call to Civic Discipleship’, which champions unity, respect, and engaged citizenship across diverse Christian traditions. Together, we embrace these principles to promote an engaged political life, essential for safeguarding and strengthening democracy.”

For more information and to access all of the endorsing quotes and resources, visit http://sojo.net/civicdiscipleship.

Sojourners is a leading Christian advocacy organization committed to social justice and peace. Through its various initiatives, Sojourners seeks to inspire and equip individuals of faith to live out their values in the public square.