ENDORSEMENT — A faith-based forum on economic justice is always timely because injustice is always with us and religious consciousness abhors that fact.  It is the financial crisis that rivets our attention in 2013.  The Forum that will occur in the Washington, DC area on April 8-9 will provide not only an opportunity to learn but also to help get participants beyond mere hand-wringing.  The leadership is notable.  For over a decade JubileeUSA has worked to awaken the conscience of the nation and stood among those who have labored in the U.S. policy arena on behalf of countries and peoples victimized by a lopsided global economy.  While his is a newer voice, Ray Foss has been relentless in pointing out that even for Americans the present economic pain is not merely cyclical, it is systemic.  Together they will lead a Forum that not only investigates the issues of the recent past and present.  They can be expected to push the discussion toward what can be done now by people of faith to change the trajectory of our skewed economic system in an arc toward justice.

— by  The Rev. Walter L.. Owensby, Presbyterian Church USA minister (retired), author of Economics for Prophets: A Primer on Concepts, Realities, and Values in Our Economic System (1988)

Description

Description: Leadership training event is intended to equip lay leaders and teachers for Christian witness to a Biblical diagnosis of the great financial crisis, as related to Biblical anomalies with debt-based fiat currencies and the message of sacrifice expected to result from the financial industry mess. Small group focus is intended to provide motivation, resources and training to equip Christians to make disciples, teaching obedience.

Intent: Building an economy that serves, protects and promotes relationships toward the participation of the vulnerable.

Desired outcomes:

1. Address crucial theme issue: Apathy; assumed financial ethical neutrality; can man rule man?  
2. Define the few most important witness opportunities to crisis, by group process etc;
3. What does this have to do with Christian faith?  Why important?  Cultural accommodation? 
4. Witness to the Spirit; blog posts on 'Why Important?" etc; 
5. Connections and contacts; expand list [build network] of concerned Christians;
6. Prototype future forum-type convocations, say via JubileeUSA.org