Forging (even unlikely) Alliances

Thanks to Heather Cox Richardson for so succinctly and beautifully summarizing former president Barack Obama’s third annual Democracy Forum lecture, in which Obama explored ‘pluralism’ – which he defined as ‘active work to form coalitions over shared issues’.

I have been formulating this Idea (I won’t call my own ideas ‘Great’!) since November 7, 2024. I am grateful that so many others share this vision of moving forward in our current and evolving socio-political milieu.

The Ministry Lab has, since early 2020, been a hub for sharing events and other opportunities to engage with local and regional organizations in their justice work. [See Community Opportunities, Seasonal Offerings, and Spiritual Practices, for instance.]

For the past several years we have also consistently advocated for developing relationships with organizations outside of our congregations and denominations in order to compound and expand the work we do in pursuit of creating God’s preferred future.

Many organizations in the secular sector align with Christian ideals of justice and are doing excellent work to provide advocacy, safety, welcome, and support for LGBTQIA+, BIPOC, disabled, neurodiverse, immigrant/refugee, impoverished, and other individuals and communities, whose struggles for freedom, rights, access, and acceptance are compounded by the incoming administration.

Congregations do not need to invent any wheels or ‘go it alone’. We will be far more effective if we move outside our walls to partner with others who also are or want to be making the world a better place for all.

Please read Heather Cox Richardson’s full post here.

Then contact The Ministry Lab: we are developing relationships with numerous Twin Cities, Minnesota out-state, and regional partners so that we can become a ‘hub’ or clearing house for organizations with whom congregations might partner. Let us do the vetting so you can free up time to engage with the essential work of building up God’s kindom.

Part of our intent is to confirm that many congregations desire to be doing good work on behalf of our members and community neighbors – but some of us don’t know where to begin, and others of us feel stretched, wanting to support so many different worthy and necessary efforts. This Ministry Lab ‘hub’ is intended to help congregations take those first steps toward engagement and to do so with the assurance that we can each commit to a particular area of ministry knowing and appreciating the work of other organizations and other congregations doing good work in other areas: we can focus on where we feel God calling us, knowing that God is calling others to focus on other areas of need.

Send us an email (ministrylab@unitedseminary.org) or give us a call (651.279.1677). We are here to consult about which community you feel called to support and how you would like to engage – through direct action (relational, hands-on work), advocacy (working on legislation), organizing (community awareness and networks), financial support, or spiritual practice (developing practices to support the work).

We are building out this network and hope to launch a new consultancy focus and lib guide by mid-January.

  • If you know of an organization with whom we should be in contact, please let us know.
  • If you would like to consult about ways to engage in the essential work of God’s Beloved Community, we’re here to support you: ministrylab@unitedseminary.org / 651.279.1677
  • The link isn’t live as of 12.09.24, but check back here for organizations ready to work with your congregation!