IJM Book "The Just Church" GIVEAWAY!

Excuse me for a moment while I leave the realm of homeschooling to share with you a real passion on my heart.  It is something that needs to be shared with everyone, everywhere and so I am sharing it with you.  I am also going to end by giving you a tool to help you engage in the battle that God is calling us to and one lucky reader will get that tool absolutely free!

The plight of human trafficking and injustice around the world is finally getting a fair amount of attention and press, but until recently the church has not been that involved in the issue.  The International Justice Mission (IJM) however is a Christian organization that has been a leading advocate for justice and are actively engaged in the battle.  Today Jim Martin, the Vice President of IJM's church mobilization unit launches his new book The Just Church which is an instruction manual for churches to help them explore the why's and how's of implementing a justice ministry.

The Just Church is a very powerful, inspiring, and yet challenging book that will highly benefit the church today, especially the American Church. The book is divided into two parts. Part 1 focuses on why we should be involved and reveals the interrelatedness of discipleship and justice. Part 2 provides a practical approach for churches to follow as they begin a justice ministry.

When we see injustice we often think of a place where evil is prevalent and God is silent and yet the author points out that it is actually there that God is at work and moving. Using the Scripture he makes the case that God cares about justice. The Scripture is replete with passages commanding us to watch out for the oppressed and yet somehow that message is missing from many of our churches today. He lovingly reminds us that God wants us "to act justly, to love mercy and to walk humbly" with Him (Micah 6:8).  He really challenges today's churches on their priorities and understanding of discipleship.

The church today is working hard to find God and feel His presence.  In the book Martin shares how "we continually tweak the mode of our worship in an effort to connect more deeply with God.  Surely a new song, an ancient song, a new form of worship, or an old right...more liturgy, less liturgy, a better band, no band, or better preaching will bring back for us that sense of God's presence in our midst."  Using Isaiah 58 he reminds us that in order to find God we have to leave the church and engage in the suffering around us.  It's our obedience to His call to seek justice and rescue the oppressed that will bring a "level of connection to God, a level of joy that is hard to imagine."

Once we realize the call of the church into the justice ministry Jim Martin goes in depth about how to literally put the call of justice ministry into action. The outrage we feel when introduced to the suffering caused by injustice often has us seeking an immediate solution. However he points out that outrage and impatience are not enough to fuel the real battle we are facing. He says "what these victims really need is a church mobilized to engage for the long haul."  The book offers very practical steps that will require some time and a strong commitment to implement them.  However if we are guided by humility, prayer, wisdom and love it will be a worthwhile effort for freeing those in justice and engaging us in a place where God is already active and moving.

I pray that every church will step out and engage the issue of justice. Whether you feel your church is ready or not you should read this book. Jim Martin certainly makes a compelling and thoughtful argument for action.Will you heed his call?

You can learn more at The Just Church website or purchase it at Amazon or Christianbook.com (CBD).

To make engaging in the process even easier I have been a copy of The Just Church by Jim Martin to give away to one of my readers!  You can enter by following the directions below!
a Rafflecopter giveaway

Disclaimer: I was given a free copy of The Just Church for giving my honest opinion of the book in my review. I was also given an additional copy of the book for the purpose of this giveaway.

Comments

Tara said…
Pick me! Pick me! This sounds like a phenomenal book and I would love to read it and take it to my church. :)
Sandra said…
i want to share it with my church
Brandy said…
I think I and others could learn a lot from it. Thanks!
Debra said…
My church, and my faily would benefit from this!
blew415 said…
My husband and I can benefit from this book
Kelley H said…
I could benefit from this book since I've recently turned my life around
Jennifer Peaslee said…
I hope to win because this looks like a book my brother would enjoy...I'd give it to him for Christmas :)
Kelsey Apley said…
I want to win for a gift for mother-inlaw

Kelsey Apley
Would like to share this with my pastor
Unknown said…
This book sounds very powerful! I would love to read it!
Becca said…
I had the privilege of attending the 2012 Passion Conference in ATL, GA. Tens of thousands of college students gave over 3 million dollars to different causes with the goal of ending human trafficking. I would love to read this book because it would give me more info about what I (and my local church body) can do effectively to bring about justice in the name of Christ!
Unknown said…
Wow! This book sounds like something I'd love to read.God is very powerful and this books seems to show that.Thank you for the amazing giveaway! :)
God Bless!

Popular posts from this blog

Printable Family Chore Chart

Learning the 10 Commandments

Explaining Baptism to Kids