What would you advocate for? An advocate is someone who will ‘publicly support or suggest an idea, development, or way of doing something.’ We see advocacy everywhere. Parents speaking up for their children, unions for their workers, managers for their team, lawyers for their clients, constituents to their politicians. Advocacy is necessary when something needs to be championed, and it is too important to miss. In your life, what do you advocate for? What is important enough for you to give your voice to?

I raise this is because I am advocating for advocates! There are critical matters that surround us, too important to miss. When these matters have champions, and we pay attention, we are more likely to move ahead well. I think key areas in our church which need congregational advocates are indigenous ministry, community social needs, global mission, global aid and creation care. In three out of four areas we partner with agencies that help our church contribute. In three out of four areas our church has no congregational advocate. I would love for this to change. I endeavour to advocate for these areas as I know when leadership won’t advocate, that area will struggle to progress. But I note, when leadership fails to advocate, that increases the need for congregational advocates.

This weekend Mike Bartlett from Baptist World Aid is speaking. Our church partners with BWA amazing work in global aid. As you listen, consider, could you be our church’s advocate for this partnership? How about those other areas I named? Or, is there anything we are missing? Why not use your voice and make contact. I am ready to listen and would be very glad to advocate with you.

In Him,

Jason

Photo by Gunnar Ridderström on Unsplash