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Faith-Based Social Programs Spark Interest
CHICAGO (March 26, 2001) - Many Evangelical Covenant Church (ECC) congregations reach out in a variety of ways to serve their respective communities - food pantry programs, prison ministries, economic and community development, racial reconciliation, outreach to victims of crime or violence, preschools and tutoring programs, to name a few. These churches no doubt are watching with interest the initiative by President George W. Bush to help religious groups obtain federal funds for the delivery of their social service programs. Three things may be of interest, notes director of strategic giving, Marlene Carlson, who is closely monitoring the president's initiative on behalf of the ECC's Churches Planting Ministries effort: - The full text of the President's executive order establishing the White House Office of Faith-Based and Community Initiatives and related statements may be obtained by visiting the official White House website at www.whitehouse.gov - click on "News," then "January" and then "January 29."
- The Center for Public Justice website and its Charitable Choice link provides comprehensive news and information concerning Charitable Choice and other constitutional issues from a Christian political perspective. The website address is www.cpjustice.org.
- The Covenant's Office of Strategic Giving, which is exploring opportunities for Covenant participation, is hosting an information and discussion forum on the topic, moderated by Carlson. Those interested in joining the discussion or receiving updated information may contact Carlson by email at mar1954@aol.com or may subscribe (free) directly to the forum at ECC_CharitableChoice-subscribe@yahoogroups.com.
North Park University also is hosting a nonprofit symposium on May 16 titled Faith in Action: The Role of Faith-Based Organizations in an Era of Welfare Reform. The one-day program is presented by the university's Axelson Center for Nonprofit Management in partnership with The Alford Group, Inc. The program will examine appropriate roles faith-based organizations to play in meeting America's social problems, working in partnership with government, corporate entities and the broader community. Keynote speaker is Terry Anderson, a former Beirut-based Middle East correspondent for the Associated Press who was held hostage for seven years after he was kidnapped by Shiite Muslims in 1985. Other presenters include Rev. Dr. John M. Buchanan, editor/publisher of The Christian Century and pastor of Fourth Presbyterian Church in Chicago; Linda R. Baker, secretary of the Illinois Department of Human Services; Dr. Stanley Carlson-Thies, director of social policy studies at the Center for Public Justice; Rev. Dr. Bob Edgar, general secretary of the National Council of Churches in Christ in the USA; Carl H. Esbeck, director of the Center for Law and Religious Freedom; Rev. Donald M. Hallberg, executive director of the Evangelical Lutheran Church of America Foundation; and Dr. Amy L. Sherman, senior fellow at the Welfare Policy Center of the Hudson Institute. For additional information and registration materials, contact Ronda Raetz toll-free at 877-678-4438 or by email at rraetz@northpark.edu.
Copyright © 2008 The Evangelical Covenant Church. |
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