Just Living 2014
On Saturday 4 October the first “Just Living” conference took place in the Duncairn Centre for Culture and Arts in North Belfast.
The aim of Just Living was to inspire, enthuse and motivate Christians who are passionate about tackling injustice locally and globally through shared learning, reflection and worship.
Inspired by the “Just Generation” series of conferences in Scotland, Just Living looked at how we can link local and global acts of justice, and how we can take small, meaningful steps in our everyday lives to fight against injustice.
The organising committee decided that the conference should take the format of a range of local voices sharing some thoughts from the front, setting the scene for small group discussions around the room. The aim was to facilitate an event that was participative and practical, focussing on peer learning from fellow activists.
Drawing on her experience of living for a year without shopping, Rosamond Bennett, Chief Executive Christian Aid Ireland, kicked off the morning by reflecting on what just living means to her.
Ken Humphrey from the Churches Community Work Alliance (NI) spoke on the importance of meaningful relationships with those experiencing injustice, as the distance between the church and those experiencing injustice/disadvantage seems to be widening. An absence of these relationships can lead to patronisation, misrepresentative advocacy, and self-promotion.
Mel Wiggins from Freedom Acts outlined some practical, ethical ways that our lifestyle choices can have a positive economic impact on the most marginalised, quoting Nelson Mandela’s words “for to be free is not merely to cast off one’s chains, but to live in way that respects and enhances the freedom of others.”
“What you believe isn’t what you say you believe. What you believe is what you do.” (Donald Miller)
It can be a challenge to develop and maintain a feeling of connection to global injustice. Ruth Cooke from IJM and Dave Thomas from Christian Aid gave some examples of how to stay motivated during long campaigns that sometimes don’t seem to making progress.
“Community is one of those strange things which will evade you if you aim directly at it. Instead, it is a by-product of commitment and struggle.” (Parker J Palmer);
Finally Jonny Currie from Contemporary Christianity shared some thoughts on how Christians can live in community despite the tension between “being IN the world, not of the world” yet still being called to be “the light OF the world.” With reference to Matthew 5:13-16, it was suggested that Christians should (i) live as a commodity; (ii) commit to community; and (iii) remain faithful to the Great Commission.
Over forty people were in attendance from a wide range of ages and church backgrounds, which led to meaningful, nuanced conversations and practical ideas. It is hoped that a follow-up event will take place in the next year. A full report from the conference will be available shortly.
Keep up to date with any further developments by following Just living on twitter.
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