Methodist social concern

I am proud to be a Methodist! One of the major reasons why I feel such pride in my faith tradition is because of our leading role in helping to bring about social justice. This is directly associated with our understanding of the importance of social holiness in the life of a people. The people called “Methodist” have always responded to the needs of the disenfranchised of society. We are conscious that sin is not only an individual and private matter but rather may become pervasive among a community and even an entire nation. America has experienced her share of social sins, many of which are rampant even to this day. The sins of racism, sexism and classism are among the most prevalent today. The KKK is still a force to be reckoned with, as was seen in the protest against the Reconciling Ministries event at Lake Junaluska recently. Individuals and entire groups are being targeted by hate crimes solely because of the color of their skin or their sexual preference. Also, politicians in high places looking out for their friends are legislating policies to assist big business for example, among other things, and are creating situations wherein the poor become poorer while the rich get richer. These are only a sampling of reasons why Methodists continue to promote a gospel that is socially minded, one that extends not only to the salvation of individuals but also to the salvation of whole societies. People don’t give a (expletive) about “spiritual things” if their hunger and thirst cannot be satisfied. Jesus warned us of a Christianity that does not recognize the needs of its neighbors (victims of natural disasters, etc.), which does not clothe the naked, feed the hungry, satisfy those who thirst or visit the sick and imprisoned. A gospel such as this is not the “full gospel” but is left wanting and is deprived of all which the pure and unadulterated gospel represents, namely working for individual and social holiness. Thank God there exists a Christianity that is conscious of the need for both: it’s called “Methodism.”