The document discusses advocacy as a Christian practice and prophetic discipleship. It provides biblical support for advocacy and justice ministry, noting several passages that guide Christians to advocate for justice and act with compassion towards others. It then gives examples of how individuals and groups can advocate for inclusion of women in leadership roles and be catalysts for change on issues impacting women. The document encourages readers to consider how they can advocate for and include people with disabilities in church community and ministry.

1. ADVOCACY as mission:The Christian Practice of Prophetic Discipleship Mission forum 2009 :Who is our neighbor? Partners in Mission & Missional Excellence Of the Texas annual conference

2. Introduction

3. Doctrine of Grace

4. The Ministry of Justice (Dikaioma) What is DIKAIOMA? “A ministry that runs parallel with diakonia is the church’s activity as advocate for justice and peace. It is what the New Testament calls dikaioma, which literally means ‘a just action’ (cf. 2 Cor. 9:8-15; I John 3:10; Rev. 22:11). According to the prophetic tradition, this is the kind of endeavor that is the guarantee of shalom. In worship the church proclaims the gospel of justice and peace, in communion it demonstrates its first-fruits, and in dikaioma it incarnates its love. In the ministry of justice and peace the church bears witness to the power and grace of the Kingdom of God as a new order of justice and peace in the public realm.” (Orlando E. Costas, Liberating News: A Theology of Contextual Evangelization).

5. The Ministry of Justice (Dikaioma) What does the Bible say? Hebrew Testament Proverbs 31:8-9 Isaiah 1:16-20 Jeremiah 8:8 Jeremiah 21:12 Jeremiah 22:3-4, 13-16 Micah 6:8

6. The Ministry of Justice (Dikaioma) What does the Bible say? Christian Testament Matthew 22:34-40 John 15:9-14 Romans 13:10 I Peter 1:13-16 Romans 12:9-21 I Peter 1: 22-23 Luke 1:52-53; 6:20; 7:22 I Peter 2: 9-10 Luke 4:14-19 I John 3:1-3, 7-11, John 14:15 14-17, 18-19, 23-24

7. The Ministry of Justice (Dikaioma) “This love of God, however, is not only something we receive, or something we must praise. It is also something we must imitate, for if God is love, life without love is life without God; and if this is a sharing of love, such as we see in the Trinity, then life without sharing is life without God; and if this sharing is such that in God the three persons are equal in power, then life without such power sharing is life without God.”- Justo González, Mañana: Christian Theology from a Hispanic Perspective, Traducion mia

8. Commission on Status and Role of Women

9. Commission on Status and Role of Women Moving Toward Full Participation of Women in the Life of the United Methodist Church Advocate - on behalf of women & girls Catalyst - for change Monitor - for inclusiveness

12. Seek ways to meet these needs and encourage women to participate and lead in these efforts

15. Disability Concerns

16. HOW BIG IS THE HEART Of the Texas Annual Conference?

17. HOW FAR CAN WE REACH?

18. HOW WELL DO WE HEAR?

19. HOW FAR HOW LEVEL CAN WE GO? IS OUR PATH?

20. HOW OPEN ARE OUR EYES?

21. Almost one in five among non-institutionalized Americans has a disability 49.1 Million People

22. Of those, half have disabilities classified as “severe” 24.1 Million People

23. Hear a normal conversation Read a newspaper even with glasses People 15 & over with functional disabilities 17.5% of all non-institutionalized people age 15 and over have a functional disability Walk ¼ mile Carry something as heavy as a bag of groceries Climb a flight of stairs Get around outside the house 34.2 Million People Have one’s own speech understood

24. Texans having difficulty reading newspaper 734,438 Texans who use canes, crutches, or walkers 216,899 Texans with developmental disabilities 325,000 Texans with mild to moderate mental retardation 531,000 Texans who use wheelchairs 83,638 Texans unable to hear normal conversation 56,587 Texans who are blind or severely sight-impaired 571,000 Texans unable to read newspaper print 117,861 Texans with difficulty hearing normal conversation 670,925

25. The people who make a difference are not the ones with the credentials, but the ones with the concern-- Max Lucado

26. If one member suffers, all suffer together with it; If one member is honored, all rejoice together with it. Now you are the body of Christ …

27. Very truly, I tell you, the one who believes in me will also do the works that I do, and greater works than these, because I am going to the Father.

28. Immigration and Healthcare

29. Immigration Reform and Health Care Reform: Where the Two Issue Have Come Together

31. “We affirm all persons as equally valuable in the sight of God. We therefore work toward societies in which each person’s value is recognized, maintained, and strengthened.” (BOD, ¶162.III, The Social Community)

34. How frequently should we visit?

35. How many people should be in the visit?

37. Second Step: Prepare

38. Third Step: The visit

39. Take the initiative (take the lead).

40. Thank the leader for his/her disposition to meet.

42. Impressions (feelings, hunches)

43. What went well?

44. How did the leader respond to the group visit?

45. What did we learn about the leader?

46. Which should be our next step?

48. Write the letter to the leader.

49. If you made a commitment to do something, do it!

51. Questions?