Advocacy
Christians have a long and great tradition of caring for and serving those in need. But what does it mean to advocate for the poor?
And why should we care?
Click here to read an article just published in Christianity Today about Stephanie Tama-Sweet’s lobbying work.
OCCV is dedicated to advocating public policy in Oregon in order to build a community that reflects the priorities of the ministry of Jesus Christ. As an organization, OCCV gives voice to the values of Christians who feel that the current public and political face of Christianity has not represented their full reading of the Bible or their deeply held values. OCCV seeks to promote politics which transcend partisanship by placing a greater emphasis on the common good. We actively advocate on these issues:
As Christians we are constantly being transformed as individuals. Advocacy takes that transformation that we experience in our spiritual lives to a structural level. Advocacy seeks to change our society at a structural level by addressing the social conditions that create poverty, inequality and injustice.
These issues all have both clear Biblical roots and a prominence in the ministry and teachings of Jesus Christ. We recognize that historically, the interests of individuals, families, and the community lose out to the more powerful interests.
If a sink is overflowing with water, for example, it is not enough to simply get a bucket. Someone has to turn off the faucet. Similarly, it is important and essential that we care for the poor. It is also imperative that we shut down the conditions that create poverty. No church, regardless of how godly or wealthy or righteous, can provide 117,000 children with health care or hospice for ¼ million elderly folks. Advocacy is a powerful tool for addressing the root causes of poverty.
