Social Action for Families
Jonathan KempDirector, Anglican Youth, Children & Families MinistryAnglican Church, Southern QueenslandWWW.AYCF.ORG.AU
Outline
What? Why? How? What Now?
What is “Social Action”?
An umbrella heading for: Social Service activities (serving others)▪ E.g. Feeding the hungry▪ Sheltering the homeless▪ Comforting the lonely
Social Justice activities (fighting for others’ rights)▪ E.g. Raising awareness of issues▪ Political protest
Missional activities (bringing Jesus to life for others; building God’s Kingdom on Earth)▪ Mission Trips▪ Service Projects (building schools, etc.)
Why should Christians do it?
The Lord’s Prayer: “Thy Kingdom come, Thy Will be done, on
Earth as it is in Heaven.”
Jesus: Friend of the Rich and Powerful?
The Sermon on the Mount
Matthew 5-7 Matthew 25:31-46 (The Sheep and
the Goats)
Other sources / reasons?
We are God’s hands, feet, etc. If we don’t, who will? (Ever seen an atheist
soup kitchen?) Traditions / denominations
What does Social Action look like?
Y-Chart time! What could Social Action sound like? What could Social Action look like? What could Social Action feel like?
Y
Why should families work and serve together?
Research findings
Research says it’s good for families: Most kids who said they did at least an hour of service
per week reported that their parents also did lots of service activities.
Makes ‘family time’ a priority Reduces screen time Builds and serves the community Allows family members to see each other in a new light Gives young people opportunity to lead Stimulus to talk about and teach their values
Research also says...
Making Service Projects Worthwhile
“This is lame!”• Not if:• Young people do actual work, not just
observe• Adults are accepting & don’t criticise• Kids have important responsibilities• Have a sense of making a contribution• Have the freedom to develop their own
ideas• Have opportunity to reflect (debrief)
Before we even get started...
Think ‘Safety First!’
Legalities and policies... Due diligence... Risk Assessment... Age / gender appropriate...
Blue Cards / Food handling / Cash handling / safe environment / etc...
How do we get started? (1)
Be clear about expectations and roles (rotate the leadership)
Develop a cooperative atmosphere (no-one likes having their work
criticised)
Train families (provide the right gear; use expert
trainers)
How do we get started? (2)
Create meaningful projects and activities (meet genuine needs; use ‘mentor
families’)
Offer options in terms of commitment (1-3 hour jobs? A week for those with
more time?)
Debrief the experience (have a discussion time; pluses and
minuses of what happened)
Supermarket Stake-out!
(Let’s try this stuff out...) 1. Expectations and roles 2. Good atmosphere 3. Gear 4. Meaningful 5. Options 6. Debrief [EGG MOD?]
Three levels for Service
1. Church 2. Local Neighbourhood 3. State / National / Global
You tell me! Local Church
Some local Church projects that families could be engaged in:
You tell me! Local Neighbourhood
Service ideas:
Social Justice for Families Real v. Realistic – realistic is OK. Raising funds is a valid outcome But education about the world is also
important Think about aligning with an agency
(check its integrity etc) Then decide which cause feels most
deserving to you [Yr 12 outrage]
No need to reinvent the wheel: look around at what other people are doing.
Stimulate some discussion...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D2p5svFJ9cQ
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hFuLSB73ciU(Refugee issue)
‘Go Back Where You Came From’ (SBS)
Movies, TV, books... Talk about the issues (values). How should Christians respond?
Start to start...
1. Determine greatest need (or your passion).
2. Brainstorm lots of ways to help. 3. Short list to 5 or 6 and look harder. 4. Short list again to 2 or 3 and think
about logistics. 5. Pick one and do it!
Make it “Intergenerational”
Take existing service activities or mission trips, and ensure all ages are involved: Food pantries and kitchens Habitat for Humanity home building Urban gardens to grow and distribute
food Yard work or home repair for homebound
seniors Leading worship or games at a
retirement village “Parents’ Night Out” (child-minding) for
church or neighbourhood
Intergenerational Social Action
Baking bread and taking to shut-ins or new arrivals
Making cards and visiting a kids’ hospital, asking families what you can pray for
Graffiti / litter cleanup around your church neighbourhood
Intergenerational 40-hour famine Sending care packs and letters to
missionaries or deployed soldiers
“If one person can do it...
Could a family be doing it?”
Anticipating Objections
What could be some reasons for families not becoming involved in Service projects?Objection Response
Does Social Action imply a particular political party or stance?
No. Left-wing / Right-wing Liberal-Catholic / Evangelical
Americans
Jim Wallis (shredded Bible)
Tony Campolo
Shane Claiborne
Red Letter Christians
www.redletterchristians.org
Australians
Tim Costello
Jarrod McKenna
Resource: ABigYear.net
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ATrvS0ba2qQ
What now?
Take a moment to reflect on: What could you do to start taking
Social Action, or to encourage others to start?
Thanks and every blessing...
“They’ll know we are Christians by our love.”
Even more ideas...
Jonathan Kemp www.aycf.org.au/get-involved/servin
g
Email: [email protected]
www.faithful-families.blogspot.com.au
(and see the Resource books available...)
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