Tell Us About Your Ministries With The Poor
Ministering among people and communities who are struggling in poverty is core to our identity as Christians. Tell us how you're living out this Christian calling.
Ministry with the Poor
John Wesley said, “one great reason why the rich in general have so little sympathy for the poor is because they so seldom visit them. Hence it is that … one part of the world does not know what the other suffers.”
Wesley’s words ring no less true today as we confront growing economic inequality and an all-too-frequent tendency to stigmatize, judge and blame those who are struggling in poverty.
At the heart of The United Methodist Church’s focus on ministry “with” the poor is our call to develop and deepen our relationships with those impacted by our world’s broken economic, social and political systems.
In recent years, more and more United Methodists have begun shifting from transactional models of ministry “to” others and towards ministries “with” our neighbors — ministries rooted in and strengthened by relationships.
Love Mercy; Seek Justice; Walk Humbly with God
We understand that to live out the fullness of Micah 6:8 we must love mercy and seek justice as we walk humbly with God.
United Methodists around the world are living out their faith through mercy ministries that serve their neighbors: offering food to the hungry, shelter to the homeless and a place of welcome for the migrant. These ministries are essential to meeting the immediate needs in our communities.
Through these ministries we also have the opportunity to hear the stories, struggles and dreams of our neighbors. These encounters are opportunities to receive God’s grace and to reflect God’s love. And the relationships that develop compel us to ask deeper questions, listen to the lived experience of others and together seek to address root causes of poverty and brokenness.
Share What You’re Doing
Across the connection there are countless examples of how United Methodists are journeying with their neighbors to address broken systems and build community that reflects God’s love and promise of abundant life. We want to lift up, celebrate and connect these ministries.
Our new website provides an easy way to share these stories so today, please take a moment and tell us about a ministry that has inspired you.
We know these stories will be an inspiration to others as together we strengthen our church’s witness and movement to transform the world.
