This document provides guidance for forming small group justice ministries within congregations. It recommends that groups be 8-12 people and cover a mix of ages, experiences, and backgrounds. It emphasizes starting by creating a covenant to establish group values and expectations. Groups should then discern the issues they feel called to address by considering their callings, neighbors in need of support, potential partners, and available resources. The document outlines practices for companionship, storytelling, reflection, and agenda planning to help groups work for social change and spiritual growth in a way that transforms liberation for all.

1. SGJM: Small Group
Justice Ministry

3. A LEARNING
COMMUNITY
THAT

4. A LEARNING
COMMUNITY
THAT

5. A LEARNING
COMMUNITY
THAT

6. A LEARNING
COMMUNITY
THAT

7. A LEARNING
COMMUNITY
THAT

9. 1. because congregations are
NOT

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

11. 2. because congregations WANT

12. WAN
T
BELOVED
COMMUNIT

13. WITHIN and BEYOND the
BELOVED
COMMUNIT
Y

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

15. social change
spiritual integrity
4. because
people of
faith long
for BOTH

16. 5. because faith formation is LIFE LONG

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. COVENANTCOVENANTCOVENANTCOVENANTCOVENANTCOVENANTCOVENANT

27. COVENANTCOVENANTCOVENANTCOVENANTCOVENANTCOVENANTCOVENANT

28. COVENANTCOVENANTCOVENANTCOVENANTCOVENANTCOVENANTCOVENANT
YES! Start there.

29. COVENANTCOVENANTCOVENANTCOVENANTCOVENANTCOVENANTCOVENANT
Not sure what that means?

30. COVENANTCOVENANTCOVENANTCOVENANTCOVENANTCOVENANTCOVENANT
Not sure what that means?
Check out
http://tinyurl.com/BTLcovenant

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

32. OTHERWISE?

33. Discern
Together

34. Discern
Together
To what are
we called?
To what are
we called?

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

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

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

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

39. remember:
The issue is not the issue.

40. 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
.

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

43. The great leveler across difference.
E PATH
Practice 1.

44. The great leveler across difference.
E PATH

for each other

for partners

for ourselves

45. Practice 2.
Companioning

46. Practice 2.
being present

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

48. Practice 3.

49. Soul WorkSoul Work
Practice 3.

50. Soul WorkSoul Work

51. Soul WorkSoul Work

52. Soul WorkSoul Work

53. Practice 4.
Story
Telling

54. Practice 4.
relate a direct
experience

55. Practice 4. relate a direct
experience

reflect on feelings

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

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

58. Practice 5.
Reflecti

59. Practice 5.
Reflecti

What was stirred in
me by our action?

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

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

62. Meeting Agenda
Hour 1Hour 1

63. 
Read Covenant Aloud

Short Chalice Lighting (2 min)

Soul Work (13 min)

Story Telling (20 min)

Group Reflection (25 min)
Meeting Agenda
Hour 1Hour 1

64. 
Business: next steps based
on shared intention

Closing – extinguish chalice
Hour 2Hour 2
Meeting Agenda

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