Social Creed for the 21st Century
Social Creed for the 21st Century
The 216th General Assembly (2006) asked the Advisory Committee on Social Witness Policy (ACSWP) with the General Assembly Committee on Ecumenical Relations and the Department of Theology and Worship to continue work on updating for the 21st century the 1908 “Social Creed of the Churches” for presentation at the 218th General Assembly (2008) to celebrate the centennial of the “Social Creed of the Churches” of 1908.
The Social Creed for the 21st Century was adopted in 2008 by ecumenical representatives of 35 Protestant and Orthodox church communions. This booklet provides biblical, theological, and historical background as well as current application ideas for each of the Creed's affirmations. It also includes questions for discussion and study.
Learn about the Social Creed
This documentary introduces both the 1908 and 2008 Social Creeds and the church’s prophetic concerns in the century in between. Presbyterian and ecumenical leaders speak to why and how the church has used its voice and built structures for economic, racial, women’s, and environmental justice. A final section looks at how the Social Creed can help address new challenges to Christian social witness in the 21st century.
Resources and Promotional Items
Inspired by the New Social Creed
A Guide for Progressive Christians
The Social Creed 1908-2008
Presbyterian Leader Essay
Celebrating 100 Years of Social Awareness:
The Social Creed for the 21st Century
by Elizabeth Hinson-Hasty
Economic issues weigh heavily on the minds of citizens of the United States. Stories about the rise in foreclosure rates across the nation and reports concerning the growing disparity between the rich and the poor have begun to appear more frequently in newspaper headlines in recent months. These and other problems leave many people of faith feeling overwhelmed and wondering about their own responsibility to respond to such problems. We are in desperate need of change. Where might we look to understand the changes that are needed in the United States and in the larger global context? Are there visions for change that might help us faithfully consider public policies that will ensure our society promotes equality, justice, fairness and peace?
I believe there are visions for such change, and that the community of faith is ready to answer some of these difficult questions. Though churches are not always known for their progressive nature or openness to social change, churches have a long history of prophetic activity.
How have people of faith put their faith to work in the public, political sphere? And how are they doing it today? Find out by reading the full text of this article in Horizons Magazine.