Shalom Initiatives

By God's grace, as we imagine what it would look like for God's Kingdom to come, and His will to be done, on earth as in heaven, we sense the Spirit's leading for His church together to pursue the following "Shalom Initiatives" for the intermediate future:

1) Active support and labor for the fulfillment of the Great Commission in our generation (i.e., the proclamation of the gospel to every people, tribe, tongue and nation – Mt 24:14; 28:16-20; Mk 16:15; Acts 1:8; Rev 13:7). Apart from the regeneration of heart that comes only in response to the preaching of the gospel, regardless of policy changes there can never be any true justice anywhere – only counterfeit justice championed by alternative oppressors (see Rm 1:18-2:11; 7:7-25, 8:1-11; Eph 2:1-3; Jn 3).

2) The end of homelessness in our city (Mt 25:31-46; Lev 25:35; Deut 15:7-11; Is 58:6-7; Prov 28:27).

3) The eradication of state administrated foster care in DuPage county and beyond (Jas 1:27; Ps 82:3-4).

4) The abolition of state sanctioned abortion everywhere (Ex 20:13; Prov 31:8-9; Ps 139:13-16; Prov 6:17; Ps 22:10).

5) Access to quality, Christ-exalting education for all (Eph 6:4; Rom 12:1-2; Prov 1:7, 4:13, 23:12, 28:2; Deut 11:18-19).

6) Access to affordable, Christ-centered health care for all [including mental health/addiction care] (Jer 30:17; Jas 5:13-15; Mt 8:16-17, 10:8-11; Lk 10:34; Ps 103:3).

7) Access to affordable, nutritious food for all (Mt 25:31-46; 1 Jn 3:16-18; 1 Cor 11:17-22; Rev 19:7; Lk 14:12-15; Jas 2:15-17).

8) Meaningful engagement with/advocacy for/support of persecuted Christians locally and globally (Heb 13:3).

9) Sacrificial, generous, holistic support of/love for those in need, particularly historically marginalized/oppressed people (incarnational, relational, financial – i.e., strategic ministry partnerships, Jubilee fund, etc.-Lev 25:1-13, 6:1-7; Ex 22:1; Deut 15:12-18; Lk 19:1-10).

10) Pursuit of a community in which there are no poor among us (both through generosity and vocational training/business ownership) (Deut 15:4, 7-11; Acts 2:45, 4:32-35; Jas 1:27, 2:14-17; Is 58:6-7; Lev 25:35; Prov 21:13, 22:10).

11) Advocating for and practically supporting a biblical vision of singleness, marriage, family, sexuality, and gender (Gen 1:26-28, 2:18-24; Deut 6:1-25; Mt 19:3-12; Eph 5:22-6:4; 1 Cor 6:9-11, 7:25-40).

12) Establishing and supporting a faithful witness for Christ and His Kingdom through media and the arts.

13) Church unity/reconciliation/conflict resolution/peacemaking (2 Cor 5:14-21; Mt 5:9).

14) Distinctly Christian political engagement/policy making in local government and in the legal/criminal justice realms (Rom 13:1-7).