Social Action @ CityLife

CityLife Church is committed to apply biblical principle and practice to the issues of social justice and human rights in Australia and overseas and it our intention that the culture and ethos of CityLife will be strengthened around the recognition that we have a responsibility to advocate on behalf of the poor and oppressed. (Proverbs 31:8-9)

The term “social justice” generally refers to the idea of creating a society or institution that is based on the principles of equality and solidarity, that understands and values human rights, and that recognizes the dignity of every human being.

CityLife recognises that it cannot tackle every social justice issue but that it has an imperative to bring the biblical view of justice into all elements of its ministry.

In July 2009 the Everyday Justice Everyday Choices (EJEC) ministry area was commenced as an initiative to raise awareness and provide measured action in response to social justice issues. EJEC was led and coordinated by volunteers (Elizabeth Green & Jacqui Cousins) and has targeted issues within the scope of their time allocation as volunteers. This was an excellent first step for us a church as we acknowledge that “social justice” has not been a particular area of strength and we recognise that we have much to learn as we seek to respond to the issues in our community and in our world at large.

As of March 2012 we have created a part-time Social Action Coordinator staff role which we anticipate will provide a deeper and wider input into forming the response of our church to the issues of social justice. In considering the creation of this staff position, CityLife does not intend to start a social justice ministry, rather the position will be a resource to specific ministry areas such as Community Care and World Impact and to all other ministry areas in general as we seek to infuse a biblical response to justice in all of the areas in which we are involved.