Recent interest in the delivery of social services by faith-based organizations has challenged congregations to reach out in new ways as they minister to their wider communities. Review the various ways to care for others, in the local community or around the world.

PUBLIC MINISTRY

A Disturbing Approach to Social Justice Ministry: Challenging What's Comfortable (Web Resource)
Urging churches to balance pastoral with prophetic ministry, Doug Bailey prays for God to "disturb" churches from comfort zones into bold ministry. In this interview, he draws on his immersion learning workshops and urban ministry experiences.

Hope for Children in Poverty: Profiles and Possibilities (Book)
Ronald J. Sider, Heidi Rolland Unruh, Editors.  Valley Forge, PA: Judson Press, 2007.
This book explores the devastating impact of poverty on children and on the nation as a whole, and offers a look at numerous and diverse ministries that can serve as models to Christians wishing to serve this vulnerable population.

Public Offerings: Stories from the Front Lines of Community Ministry (Book)
Linda-Marie Delloff, Author.  Herndon, VA: Alban Institute, 2002.
Rather than a ‘how-to’ guide, this book offers the stories of great community ministries—and most importantly, the people, process, and transforming power behind them.

Starting a Nonprofit at Your Church (Book)
Joy Skjegstad, Author.  Herndon, VA: Alban Institute, 2002.
This book, replete with thorough checklists and charts, will help any congregation seeking to start a nonprofit the correct way the first time. It also assists congregations in deciding if this is really what they need to be doing at all.

Christianity and Ecology: Seeking the Well-Being of Earth and Humans (Book)
Dieter T. Hessel, Rosemary Radford Ruether, Editors.  Cambridge, MA: Harvard University Press, 2000.
This book discusses possible theological origins of planetary neglect, shows how Christian theology and ethics are being reoriented to address ecological issues, and offers suggestions for reconceiving responsible Christian living.

Downtown Church: The Heart of the City (Book)
Howard Edington, Author.  Nashville, TN: Abingdon Press, 1996.
Downtown Church suggests ways for an urban congregation to partner with its surrounding city, build a highly qualified staff, and attract and retain newcomers.

Earth Ministry (Organization)
With the mission of "inspiring and mobilizing the Christian community to play a leadership role in building a just and sustainable future," Earth Ministry assists individuals and congregations in fostering environmental stewardship.

The End of Poverty: Economic Possibilities for Our Time (Book)
Jeffrey D. Sachs, Author.  New York, NY: Penguin Books, 2005.
Economist Jeff Sachs shares what his more than 20 years of experience in helping poor countries has taught him about how the world's most extreme poverty can be eliminated in the next two decades.

Faith-Based Management: Leading Organizations That Are Based on More Than Just Mission (Book)
Peter C. Brinckerhoff, Author.  John Wiley & Sons, Inc., 1999.
This management resource is geared to the needs of churches and other not-for-profit organizations, recognizing that leadership, finances, marketing, and organizational structure take on a distinctive color in the faith-based organization.

Forum on Religion and Ecology at Yale (Organization)
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A project spanning multiple religions, the Forum on Religion and Ecology explores religious writings and practices related to current environmental issues on both local and global levels. Its website offers numerous tools for leaders.

Lazarus at the Gate: An Economic Discipleship Guide (Article)
Gary VanderPol, Mako Nagasawa, Rachel Anderson, Authors.  2008.
Holding that "money is a critical object of modern Christian discipleship," the authors have designed this open-source 12-week study enabling small-group participants to support one another in their practices of economic discipleship.

A Limited Partnership: The Politics of Religion, Welfare, and Social Service (Book)
Bob Wineburg, Author.  New York, NY: Columbia University Press, 2001.
Bob Wineburg explores 1) the premise that the burden of social service delivery is best carried at the local and faith-based level, and 2) the use of that premise in the reworking of social service delivery.

National Council of the Churches of Christ in the U.S.A. (Organization)
With 36 Protestant, Anglican, and Orthodox denominations across the country, the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the U.S.A. (NCCC) promotes Christian ecumenical communication and cooperation.

Seminary Consortium for Christian Urban Pastoral Education (Organization)
In partnership with other organizations and institutions, the Seminary Consortium for Urban Pastoral Education provides consultation and pastoral experience and training in urban issues and systems.

Social Justice and Common Ground (Web Resource)
Tap into the infectious enthusiasm that June Cooper has for ministry and working together to address issues of social and economic justice. This interview shows how congregations can embrace and grow from the Gospel’s message to serve others.

A Theology as Big as the City (Book)
Ray Bakke, Author.  Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press, 1997.
Bakke provides an important antidote to the predominant causes of attrition among urban workers: burnout and compassion fatigue.

Upon this Rock: The Miracles of a Black Church (Book)
Samuel G. Freedman, Author.  New York, NY: HarperCollins, 1993.
Author Samuel Freedman profiles the life-transforming ministry of the Reverend Johnny Ray Youngblood and takes us inside the church he leads, providing an “up close” view of how urban ministry and transformation work at their best.

Urban Churches, Vital Signs: Beyond Charity Toward Justice (Book)
Nile Harper, Editor.  Eugene, OR: Wipf & Stock Publishers, 2005.
Each of the 28 urban churches whose stories appear in this book has been rejuvenated into a community ministry center by launching social service and economic development projects and by taking political action to achieve justice for marginalized groups.

What's God Got to Do with the American Experiment? (Article)
Brookings Review. Spring 1999. Vol. 17, No. 2, Washington, DC: Brookings Institution.
This special issue of Brookings Review examines the public role of religion in the United States.