A Call To Act by Martin Charlesworth and Natalie Williams of Jubilee+
Every Action Can Make a Difference
In recent years churches have rediscovered the centrality of concern about poverty to the gospel of Christ. Yet we can still so easily fall into the trap of adding social action into our lives as an optional extra when convenient, rather than letting the heart of Jesus for justice for those in poverty affect every area of our lives and our discipleship.
A practical tool for individual, churches, and small groups, and incorporating discussion questions and accompanying videos, A Call to Act demonstrates that, in order to engage with poverty and need, we must re-evaluate our own attitudes and adopt a poverty-busting lifestyle.
There are undoubted challenges to embracing a life of simplicity but these are broken down into ideas for action. Whether getting up close to poverty, rejecting comfort in favour of compassion, or living with a more poverty-focused lifestyle, churches and individuals will be empowered to live out Jesus' principles of justice, mercy, and the care of creation within their own communities and the wider world.
A Call to Act by Martin Charlesworth and Natalie Williams will be published by David C. Cook in September 2020
The book is available to pre-order from well known retailers including Amazon and St Andrews Bookshop.
Martin Charlesworth lives in Shrewsbury with his wife Jane and has three grown-up daughters. Prior to leading Jubilee+, Martin led Barnabas Community Church, Shrewsbury and helped develop its strong emphasis on social action and community engagement.
Natalie Williams used to work as a journalist in London and is now the Communications Coordinator for Jubilee+, as well as overseeing communications and social action for King’s Church, Hastings.
Endorsements:
“Jesus did not come to help us escape the world; he came to help us transform this world. Read this manifesto of justice, and let the revolution begin inside of you. May your life be good news to the poor.” Shane Claiborne
"I am grateful to Martin & Natalie for reminding us all of what 'True Discipleship' means in practice." Paul Harcourt New Wine England
"This book reveals the centrality of tackling the injustice of poverty to the Christian message. It provides a 'how to guide' for creating 'poverty busting inclusive church communities'. Helen Barnard Joseph Rowntree Foundation
Quotes from A Call To Act
"Every Christian is called to increasingly reflect God's heart for those who live in poverty or oppression."
"Discipleship is about lifestyle... Jesus calls us to a radical commitment."
"We are called to increasingly become like Jesus, not to increasingly become like each other"
Previous books by Martin Charlesworth & Natalie Williams:
The Myth of The Undeserving Poor
A Church For The Poor