A Sign of Hope
Those of you who have come to visit us know that Sojourners is, first of all, a community of faith, living and worshiping in the inner city of Washington, D.C. Sojourners Neighborhood Center has become a sign of hope in a drug-infested urban war zone, just blocks from the White House. Here people--especially children--learn together that there is an alternative to the poverty, violence, and despair that every day threaten their existence.
For Sojourners Community, dwelling and working in such a place has been an experiment in the gospel, inspired by the biblical notion that you don't know the truth until it becomes a part of your life. In our own small way, we are trying to do the things we speak of in the magazine, and not just suggest them to others. A guest ministry and internship program have brought many people to the community over 20 years.
An Agent of Change
Most of you will remember the role Sojourners played during the Gulf crisis, catalyzing and organizing opposition to the war, especially in the churches. Many of you will recall how we have helped launch many projects such as Witness for Peace, the Pledge of Resistance, and the Nuclear Weapons Freeze campaign.
Currently, we are centrally involved in the 1992/Kairos USA project, a multiracial effort calling for reflection, repentance, and redirection at this 500-year anniversary of Europeans coming to the Americas. Through the extensive use of our study guide America's Original Sin, along with regular presentations, seminars, and consultations, Sojourners continues to carry out an active campaign to combat racism and build a multicultural American future.
Sojourners seeks to be an agent of change; a Christ-centered, ecumenical, and multiracial ministry helping to change church and society with faith-based works and the biblical call to justice and peace. Sojourners works for freedom in South Africa, Central America, the Philippines, and other places where God's "preferential option for the poor" goes unrecognized, including right here at home.
Teaching and Preaching
Denominations, local churches, and reflection groups have used thousands of Sojourners study guides and books, which have provided theological and social analysis on topics such as racism, the nuclear arms race, Central America, South Africa, nonviolence, discipleship, spirituality, community, and more. A new study guide is in development titled Economics As If Values Mattered: Beyond Capitalism and Socialism. Also, a new and greatly expanded edition of America's Original Sin: A Study Guide on White Racism will be published in 1992 to replace the sold-out first edition.
A wide selection of both audio and videotapes on the variety of issues covered in the magazine is now being developed for use in churches, homes, local organizations, and the media. A complete catalog of resources (books, study guides, tapes, music, etc.) will soon be available.
We have met so many of you personally through our extensive national and international preaching and teaching ministry. And some of you have already had a chance to join in one of the "Let Justice Roll" events that musician Ken Medema and Jim Wallis are taking to cities and towns in North America, building on the best renewal and revival tradition in the church.
"Let Justice Roll" provides ecumenical coalitions in local communities the opportunity to come together and offer an event of inspiration, prayer, music, biblical preaching, and, above all, commitment. We interweave social analysis, storytelling, spiritual challenge, and signs of hope--calling people to personal transformation through Jesus Christ and to the biblical vision of justice and peace.
These tours are requested in many more cities, and the requests for speakers, retreat leaders, and preachers continue to pour in. We are considering developing a Sojourners speakers bureau, drawing upon the resources of more of our staff, contributing editors, and friends, to try to respond to the need. And after the experience of our 20th anniversary festival in Grand Rapids, we are exploring the possibility of sponsoring festivals, conferences, and training events in different regions of the country on a regular basis, as many have requested.
Building Community
Perhaps the most frequent request we receive is to help people get connected to other sojourners at the local level. Those already a part of faith communities want to be linked more ecumenically and multiracially. Many others who feel isolated and alone want the opportunity to meet others and perhaps form new community groups both inside and alongside local churches. We are at work now to find the best ways to assist people in finding one another and providing resources for building community together (see "Communities Sharing the Sojourn," February 1992). A resource packet on community is now being assembled.
We hope to develop a much more active network of communities, groups, and local congregations across the country that could share resources and ideas, establish closer relationships, be shaped by each other's experiences and traditions, perhaps take some common actions, and even be mobilized together in times of crisis. A Sojourners computer bulletin board may even be useful. In addition, we would like to establish a face-to-face program to link faith communities of predominantly white Christians with churches and communities led by people of color in ways that would respect and serve both.
Because Sojourners has been blessed with a large ecumenical constituency of faith-based people seeking social change, we can help connect you to the people in your own area who are already part of the wider sojourners community. Depending on your situation, getting in touch with people who share your commitments, questions, and struggles may be the single most important thing Sojourners can do for you. Together, we can make a difference.
Faith Taking Action
We have known great moments together of praying, marching, and singing in jail at Peace Pentecost events in Washington, D.C., and on many other occasions and places around the country. Convening, offering, and supporting such opportunities for putting faith into action have been a crucial part of Sojourners' work since the beginning.
As we look ahead, we must become ever more creative and courageous in the actions we undertake. Concerted economic boycotts, direct action, and new forms of nonviolent civil disobedience will likely be called for, as well as innovative efforts to reach and influence public opinion. Drawing upon the richness of experience and training throughout the Sojourners constituency, we could, perhaps, resurrect Gandhi's idea of a "nonviolent army"--disciplined and committed groups of peacemakers who could be called upon to enter into situations of conflict to help save lives, restore peace, and secure justice.
An alternative voice
Sojourners magazine will continue to hold up an alternative social and spiritual vision rooted in faith. The publication has been honored to receive many awards over these 20 years and may soon be joined by regular radio, television, and newspaper commentaries that offer a perspective largely unheard in the mainstream media.
SOJOURNERS' VOCATION is to nourish a wider community of sojourners in many places. That's a much broader calling than just publishing a magazine, and we simply can't do it without your help. In fact, many of the projects and plans envisioned depend upon your support and involvement.
That support and leadership will likely come from those who are now our readers and friends. You are not just subscribers any more than we are just a magazine. We've always regarded our readers as members of our extended community, and from now on we will refer to you as such. In our wonderful diversity, we are all sojourners--a community of companions on the journey of faith together.
--The Editors
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