We are called in the church and the synagogue to “love mercy and do justice.” We have demonstrated success and a proven track record of developing effective ministries of mercy in the areas of food, shelter and clothing, but what about equally effective ministries of justice? Can we point to the ministries in our congregations that intentionally […]

What is Broad-Based Community Organizing? How is it Different from Other Forms of Social Change? Broad based organizing is distinct from other forms of social change.  As practiced over the last 60 years by the local affiliates of the Industrial Areas Foundation, it is a “relational” and “institutional” approach to social change that relies on […]

Why Do Politicians Kiss Babies? – Public vs. Private Relationships Why do politicians always kiss babies? Why does the modern work place now encourage a kind of “clubby”, informal, first name only atmosphere? What’s problematic about the “church as family” paradigm? Understanding the distinction between the relationships we form in the public world and the […]

All organizing is relational.  All human organization relies upon relationships of trust.  Despite the truth of those statements, many congregations, service organizations, non-profits, our local neighborhoods and schools have fallen out of the practice of intentional relationship building.  Too many have become bureaucratic, programmatic and instrumental in their approach to their mission.  As a result […]