Justice Dialogues
The American Baptist Home Mission Societies (ABHMS) knows that it is up to those of us who have demonstrated our commitment to faith and social justice to bring healing and transformation to the US and Puerto Rico. That is why, in 2020, we started The Justice Dialogues to facilitate Christian citizens working, living and praying together for a more just society.
Each month the Justice Dialogues facilitate your deeper engagement with ABHMS and with each other for the benefit of the communities that we serve.
The Justice Dialogues are facilitated through ministrElife.org
2023 Roundtables:
Recordings available through title links:
Refuge from Homelessness: Creative Options for Housing-April 26, 2023-ABHMS is pleased to welcome Paul Weech to open this dialogue. Weech who leads a consulting firm–Innovative Housing Strategies, LLC–has more than 40 years of experience in the housing, community development and financial services fields. He teaches a course on U.S. Affordable Housing Policy and Practice for the Columbia University Graduate School of Architecture, Planning, and Preservation as part of its Masters in Real Estate Development Program.
Deterring Violence: Turning the Tide Toward Safer Communities-March 29, 2023-The violence that is occurring within our homes, schools, and neighborhoods is a symptom of the hostility that is present among us. Pastor Michael McBride is the Director for the Lifelines to Healing/LIVE FREE Campaign with Faith In Action, a campaign led by hundreds of faith congregations throughout the United States committed to addressing gun violence and mass incarceration of young people of color.
2022 Roundtables:
Recordings available through title links:
National Disability Employment Awareness – October 26, 2022 – Joyce Bender, founder and CEO of Bender Consulting Services, Inc., and Bender Leadership Academy, discusses how National Disability Employment Awareness Month was created to educate the public on the issues that workers with disabilities face and how employers can be more inclusive in their hiring practices.
Welcoming the Neighbor: Pathways to Immigration Reform – June 29, 2022 – The marginal people of Jesus’ day were his particular concern. When we welcome the refugee–the stranger in our midst–we welcome Christ. Since 1948, American Baptists have sponsored more than 93,000 refugees cooperating with Church World Service’s Immigration and Refugee Program.
Mental Health within Homes, Congregations, and Communities – April 27, 2022 – Mental health is a justice issue that affects every aspect of our lives and requires our daily attention. May is Mental Health Awareness month, and it encourages us to preach, teach, and pray about it. This forum continues a Justice Dialogue ABHMS hosted in December 2021.
Care of the Earth: Our Responsibility and Response for the Well-Being of the Environment – March 30, 2022 – How do we care well for the earth suffering under the weight of our neglect and misuse?
2021 Roundtables:
Recordings available through title links:
Faith, Hope, Love, and Mental Health – December 2021 – with Jermine Alberty, Executive Director, Pathways to Promise
How can we support individuals with mental health conditions and their families during the challenging holiday season?
Voices of Faith within Community — October 27, 2021 — with the Rev. Laura I. Ayala, Senior Pastor, Primera Iglesia Bautista de Rio Piedras, San Juan, PR.
How are the voices of faith leaders heard among community stakeholders and decision-makers?
Christians Rebuilding Democracy — Sep 29, 2021 — with Adam Taylor, President, Sojourners
What is the role of Christians in rebuilding America’s democracy?
News and resources from ABHMS
In addition to The Christian Citizen, ABHMS offers more than a dozen social justice-related titles from Judson Press, including:
