Dr. Ron Sider has been a respected justice advocate, professor, writer and speaker for more than a half century. In this episode, Dr. Sider reflects on what has been critical to keeping him in the game and sustaining his gentle, powerful voice as he has challenged the church – sometimes in unwelcome ways – to reflect God’s deep concern for justice and mercy.
In this episode, we'll explore:
- Why our love for any cause must come third – after our commitments to Christ and our family.
- The importance of humility and continuing to learn, grow and listen to people who disagree.
- The pitfall of championing a cause on a grand scale while failing to apply it at home.
- The vital importance of what Dr. Sider calls “biblical balance.”
- A challenge to young Christians not to forget the Good News of the Gospel amidst enthusiasm for justice.
- How we need Christian community if we hope to sustain ministry for a lifetime.
Key Quotes
“Biblical balance…prayer and action, evangelism and social ministry. It meant the inward life of the congregation and outward mission in the world.”
“[A] fully biblical framework [is] precisely the foundation we need for the most vigorous challenge to what’s wrong, and unfair, and unjust in society.”
“One always needs to be ready to say, 'I could be wrong.'”
“The true test of our commitment to justice and mercy isn’t the things we advocate for or ask the government to do or big programs we run. It’s in how we love the people nearest us.”
Resources and Guests
Writer, Speaker, Professor and Founder of Evangelicals for Social Action
Ron Sider is known worldwide for providing leadership to the movement of evangelicals who recognize not just the spiritual, but also the social and political implications of a high view of Scripture.
His book Rich Christians in an Age of Hunger was lauded by Christianity Today as being among the top 100 books in religion in the 20th century and the seventh most influential book in the evangelical world in the last 50 years.
In addition to Rich Christians, Dr. Sider has written more than 30 published books, including Cry Justice: The Bible on Hunger and Poverty; Good News and Good Works: A Theology for the Whole Gospel; Just Generosity: A New Vision for Overcoming Poverty in America.
Beth’s passion is working with orphans through Back2Back Ministries. Her desire is to see lasting change in the lives of the orphans she serves. Beth serves alongside her husband, Todd, as Co-Executive Directors of Back2Back Ministries – a leader in the field of orphan care and child development.
Beth also has a number of excellent books, including her most recent, Start with Amen. Beth will also be speaking at the CAFO2018 Summit in Dallas, May 9-11, 2018.
Jedd has seen (and experienced!) that lives are turned upside-down when Christians begin to reflect God’s heart through adoption, foster care and service to orphans worldwide. This kind of love transforms not only vulnerable children, but also those who open hearts and homes to them. Churches begin to look different, too, as the entire community pulls together for children who’ve known great hurt. Finally, the change touches even onlookers, who encounter the Gospel not only in words, but made visible before their eyes.
Desiring to spur this kind of transformation through the Church, Jedd serves as President of the Christian Alliance for Orphans.
Through CAFO, more than 225 respected organizations unite in shared initiatives, along with a wide network of churches. CAFO’s membership works in tandem to inspire and equip families, churches and organizations for effective service to vulnerable children and families — from adoption and US foster care, to aid and empowerment programs worldwide.
Prior to his this role, Jedd served in the White House as a Special Assistant to President George W. Bush, leading the Office of Faith-Based and Community Initiatives. In this post, he oversaw reform efforts across the government to make community- and faith-based groups central partners in all Federal efforts to aid the needy, from prisoner reentry to global AIDS. As described by the Harvard Political Review, these reforms “fundamentally changed the government’s strategy for improving the lives of the downtrodden…”
Previously, Jedd held a range of posts in the California State Legislature. He also helped establish the California Community Renewal Project, which strengthens nonprofits in some of the state’s most challenged communities. He has worked, studied and served in more than thirty countries, with organizations ranging from Price-Waterhouse in Moscow to Christian Life Bangladesh.
Books written by Jedd include Upended and Four Souls. He also writes articles and op-eds for publications ranging from the Wall Street Journal and Washington Post to Comment Magazine, and engages radio interviews with both faith-based and mainstream outlets, from NPR and Al Jazeera to Moody Radio. Jedd’s most recent book, Becoming Home, offers a brief-yet-rich exploration of how families and communities can embrace vulnerable children with wisdom and love through adoption, foster care, mentoring and more.
