Deep Justice

An excerpt from Kara Powell’s book, Deep Justice in a Broken World

“Not-So-Deep-Service: Service makes us feel like a “great…savior” who rescues the broken.

Deep Justice: Justice means God does the rescuing, but often he works through the united power of his great and diverse community to do it.

Not-So-Deep-Service: Service often dehumanizes (even if only subtly) those who are labeled the "receivers."

Deep Justice: Justice restores human dignity by creating an environment in which all involved “give” and “receive” in a spirit of reciprocal learning and mutual ministry.

Not-So-Deep-Service: Service is something we do for others.

Deep Justice: Justice is something we do with others.

Not-So-Deep-Service: Service is an event.

Deep Justice: Justice is a lifestyle.

Not-So-Deep-Service: Service expects something immediately.

Deep Justice: Justice hopes for results some time soon but recognizes that systemic change takes time.

Not-So-Deep-Service: The goal of service is to help others.

Deep Justice: The goal of justice is to remove obstacles so others can help themselves.

Not-So-Deep-Service: Service focuses on what our own ministry can accomplish.

Deep Justice: Justice focuses on how we can work with other ministries to accomplish even more.

Not-So-Deep-Service: Service is serving food at the local homeless shelter.

Deep Justice: Justice means asking why people are hungry and homeless in the first place—and then doing something about it.”

What are your thoughts on this? How can this type of thinking be applied to the church? I think this is worthy to reflect on: how to live justly while making and strengthening disciples in Christ.

“Defend the cause of the weak and fatherless; maintain the rights of the poor and oppressed.” Psalm 82:3