Social Action for FamiliesJonathan 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: Not an ally 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

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 process out...) 1. Expectations and roles 2. Good atmosphere 3. Gear 4. Meaningful 5. Options 6. Debrief

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 No need to reinvent the wheel: look

around at what other people are doing.

Stimulate some discussion... http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D

2p5svFJ9cQ http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hF

uLSB73ciU(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

Ask: “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

Q: Does becoming involved in Social Action... imply a particular political party or

stance? A: No.

Americans

Jim Wallis (shredded Bible)

Tony Campolo

Shane Claiborne

Red Letter Christians

www.redletterchristians.org

AustraliansTim 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: info@aycf.org.au

www.faithful-families.blogspot.com.au

(and see the Resource books available...)