This document outlines the principles and practices of a Small Group Justice Ministry (SGJM). It describes SGJM as a learning community that reflects on actions, applies lessons to future actions, and takes action for justice. The document provides guidance on forming SGJM groups, including casting a wide invitation, ensuring diversity, and keeping groups to 8-12 people. It emphasizes discerning issues together through discussing callings, neighbors, partners, resources and theology. Key practices include empathy, companioning, soul work, storytelling, and reflection to build understanding and grow the ability to connect, commit, find integrity and enjoyment in life.

1. SGJM: Small Group!
Justice Ministry

2. is
SGJM?

3. A LEARNING!
COMMUNITY
THAT

4. Reflects on &
learns
from action
Applies
learning to
future action
Takes
action for
justice
A LEARNING!
COMMUNITY
THAT

5. Reflects on &
learns
from action
Applies
learning to
future action
Takes
action for
justice
A LEARNING!
COMMUNITY
THAT

6. Reflects on &
learns
from action
Applies
learning to
future action
Takes
action for
justice
A LEARNING!
COMMUNITY
THAT

7. Reflects on &
learns
from action
Applies
learning to
future action
Takes
action for
justice
A LEARNING!
COMMUNITY
THAT

8. SGJM?

9. SGJM?
1. because congregations are NOT

10. 1. because congregations are NOT
conveniently gathered groups of
individuals waiting to be deployed
by social change organizers

11. SGJM?
2. because congregations WANT

12. WANT
BELOVED
COMMUNITY

13. BELOVED
COMMUNITY
WITHIN and BEYOND the congregation

14. 3. because HOW we are together
matters as much as WHAT
we do together

15. 4. because
people of
faith long
for BOTH

16. 5. because faith formation is LIFE LONG

17. SGJM:

18. find the
people

19. Whether or not you already know
what issue you will address…

20. Cast a wide invitation to
the congregation.

21. Go for a mixed group in terms of
age, experience, race, etc.

22. Small groups should be
8 to 12 in size.

23. GOT MORE?

24. Make more groups!

25. And then, !
first
things
first.

26. CCCCCCCOVVVVVVVEEEEEEENAAAAAAANTTTTTTT

27. CCCCCCCOVVVVVVVEEEEEEENAAAAAAANTTTTTTT

28. CCCCCCCOVVVVVVVEEEEEEENAAAAAAANTTTTTTT
YES! Start there.

29. If you already know what issue you
will address…
DIVE IN!

30. OTHERWISE?

31. Discern
Together

32. Discern
Together
To what are
we called?

33. Discern
Together
To what are
we called?
What makes us come alive?

34. Discern
Together
To what are
we called?
Who
are our
neighbors?
With whom
can we
partner?
What makes us come alive?

35. Discern
Together
To what are
we called?
Who
are our
neighbors?
With whom
can we
partner?
Resources?
Theology?
What makes us come alive?

36. Discern
Together
To what are
we called?
Who
are our
neighbors?
With whom
can we
partner?
Resources?
Theology?
What makes us come alive?
Impact?
History?

37. remember:
The issue is not the issue.

38. remember:
“If you have come here to help me,
you are wasting our time.
But if you have come because your
liberation is bound up with mine,
then let us work together.”
- Lilla Watson, Aboriginal activist.

39. remember:
The issue is always
liberation and transformation.

40. SGJM!

41. Practice 1.
The great leveler across difference. E PATHY

42. u for each other
u for partners
u for ourselves
The great leveler across difference. E PATHY

43. Practice 2.
Companioning

44. Practice 2.
being present

45. Practice 2.
being present
• face to face
• in solidarity
• growing trust • bearing witness

46. Practice 3.

47. Soul Work
Practice 3.

48. Soul Work

49. Soul Work

50. Soul Work

51. Practice 4.
Story
Telling

52. u relate a direct Practice 4.
experience

53. u relate a direct Practice 4.
experience
u reflect on feelings

54. u relate a direct Practice 4.
experience
u reflect on feelings
u what metaphor,
parable or
scripture offers
meaning
to this story

55. u relate a direct Practice 4.
experience
u reflect on feelings
u what metaphor,
parable or
scripture offers
meaning
to this story
u name the
difference this
makes

56. Practice 5.
Reflection

57. Practice 5.
Reflection
u What was stirred in
me by our action?

58. Practice 5.
Reflection
u What was stirred in
me by our action?
u How was I [were we]
a companion?

59. Practice 5.
Reflection
u What was stirred in
me by our action?
u How was I [were we]
a companion?
u What knowledge,
skills or attitudes do
I/we need to learn in
order to grow
understanding and
trust?

60. Hour 1
Meeting Agenda

61. u Read Covenant Aloud
u Short Chalice Lighting (2 min)
u Soul Work (13 min)
u Story Telling (20 min)
u Group Reflection (25 min)
Hour 1
Meeting Agenda

62. u Business: next steps based
on shared intention
u Closing – extinguish chalice
Hour 2
Meeting Agenda

63. SGJM
The increasing ability to
u live in connection
u make commitments beyond one’s
self
u enjoy one’s life
u live with integrity in the face of
frustration, failure, and loss

64. This is a
Production
Developed and created by
Hilary Allen, Meck Groot and Deborah Holder.
We encourage you to share this presentation.
We give permission for you to use it toward
creating Small Group Justice Ministry
in your congregation or organization.