Persecuted Christians-Add New Section to Social Principles
Resolution 2018.06 Passed in 2018 Annual Conference Session reads:Be it resolved, that the Desert Southwest Conference (DSC) petition the General Conference to:
- amend the 2016 Book of Discipline Social Principles to add new sub-paragraph Christian Persecution after paragraph 165. Becase we share a common heritage with all Christians we also share a special obligation to denounce the persecution of our fellow Christians. Apostolic witness to Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord is also our witness. We recognize our fellow Christians are carrying out Jesus’ Great Commission, “to go make disciples of all nations,” even at great risk to themselves. The Church must provide support and encouragement to our fellow Christians and condemn the unjust treatment of members of all religious groups within their borders.
- submit this change as a petition from the DSC to the 2020 General Conference
“My future is in your hands. Don’t hand me over to my enemies, to all who are out to get me!”
“Now that I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also should wash one another’s feet.”
Excerpts from Lindy Lowry’s article, “A Vital Awakening–Arizona Church Leads a Vision for the Persecuted Church” |Open Doors USA | February 28, 2018
Tips for Mobilizing Awareness and Engagement
- Learn & Preach: If you’re a pastor, educate yourself about modern-day persecution and the need to strengthen Christians worldwide and preach about it. Pick two to four countries of interest and start following them. You can search the Open Doors website for these countries and also set up Google Alerts for the countries as well as an alert using the keyword “Christian persecution.” You’ll quickly start to get a big-picture view of what’s happening.
- Communicate: In the church newsletter communicate stories and the Kingdom-building opportunities to be the Church and periodically offer updates during worship services.
- Prayer: Include Christian persecution in any prayer updates or regular prayer during worship.
- Collaborate: Participate in Open Doors’ International Day of Prayer (IDOP), with a focused worship service, sign-ups for Open Doors’ email prayer alerts and information tables.
- Do More Good: Take a deeper dive, and offer Open Doors’ four-week small group Bible study called The Ripple Effect.