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06601 November 16, 2006
NCC member churches mull new Social Creed
PC(USA) leads effort to commemorate 1908 creed with a new one
by Jerry Van Marter
ORLANDO, FL - The National Council of Churches of Christ in the USA (NCC) has received for study the draft of a "social creed" that commemorates and builds upon the original Social Creed of the Churches of 1908 calling for economic and social justice.
"It is not enough to celebrate the centennial of the 1908 social creed," said the Rev. Chris Iosso, a Presbyterian instrumental in the ecumenical development of the new document, entitled "A Social Creed for the 21st Century.
"It can strengthen the common witness of our communions on a broad range of social concerns - far broader than in 1908," he told the NCC's General Assembly here Nov. 9.
The 1908 social creed was originally formulate by Methodists and addressed primarily "sweat shop" and child labor.
Some of the issues addressed in the new creed that "were not touched upon in 1908," Iosso said, are women in the workplace, temperance (alcohol and drug abuse), prison reform, racial justice, environment, peace and "the global framework that presses on us today."
Indeed, the impact of globalization on the world's social and economic order and sustainability of the earth's resources give the new creed a far more international focus than was in the 1908 creed, Iosso noted.
It's principal author, Frank Mason North, told the Federal Council of Churches (now the NCC): "The church must give itself fearlessly and passionately to the furtherance of all reforms by which it believes that the weak may be protected, the unscrupulous restrained, injustice abolished, equality of opportunity secured and wholesome conditions of life established. Nothing that concerns human life can be alien to the Church of Christ."
The NCC's Justice and Advocacy Commission will continue to work with the NCC's 35 member communions on the development, circulation and use of the new creed in the run-up to the 2008 centennial commemoration.
Member churches adopted and adapted the 1908 creed for their own use, the same model that's being pursued with the new creed, Iosso, coordinator of the PC(USA)'s Advisory Committee on Social Witness Policy (ACSWP), told the assembly.
For instance, he said, Methodists this time around are developing a prayer book and musical version to attract younger congregants to the creed.
Last summer's 217th PC(USA) General Assembly approved a study and feedback process for Presbyterians as further work is done on the new social creed in preparation for the centennial celebration of the 1908 document.
ACSWP will continue to lead the PC(USA)'s study and use of the new social creed.
The Social Creed of 1908
We deem it the duty of all Christian people to concern themselves directly with certain practical industrial problems. To us it seems that the Churches must stand - For equal rights and complete justice for all men in all stations of life. For the right of all men to the opportunity for self-maintenance, a right ever to be wisely and strongly safe-guarded against encroachments of every kind. For the right of workers to some protection against the hardships often resulting from the swift crisis of industrial change. For the principle of conciliation and arbitration in industrial dissensions. For the protection of the worker from dangerous machinery, occupational disease, injuries and mortality. For the abolition of child labor. For such regulation of the conditions of toil for women as shall safeguard the physical and moral health of the community. For the suppression of the "sweating system." For the gradual and reasonable reduction of the hours of labor to the lowest practical point, and for that degree of leisure for all which is a condition of the highest human life. For a release from employment one day in seven. For a living wage as a minimum in every industry, and for the highest wage that each industry can afford. For the most equitable division of the products of industry that can ultimately be devised. For suitable provision for the old age of the workers and for those incapacitated by injury. For the abatement of poverty. To the toilers of America and to those who by organized effort are seeking to lift the crushing burdens of the poor, and to reduce the hardships and uphold the dignity of labor, this council sends the greeting of human brotherhood and the pledge of sympathy and of help in a cause which belongs to all who follow Christ.
A Social Creed for the 21st Century (Draft version, Nov. 1, 2006)
Remembering the prophetic Social Creed of the Churches of 1908, we respond to God's call to transform our social order toward justice and peace, and to address the 21st century's great challenges of globalization and sustainability. Hearing also concerns of churches and peoples around our globe, we pledge ourselves to specific practices of personal and social responsibility that reflect our Triune God's gracious will for all creation. We rejoice in the Biblical vision where all "shall long enjoy the work of their hands * (and) *not labor in vain or bear children of calamity" (Isaiah 65:22-23)
In faith, we celebrate the full humanity of each woman, man and child, all created in God's image, by standing for:
Employment for all, at a family-sustaining living wage.
Protection of workers from dangerous occupational conditions, injuries and death.
Full civil, political and economic rights for all people, protected by new governance structures.
Abolition of forced labor, human trafficking and the exploitation of children.
The rights of workers to organize, and to participate in workplace decisions and productivity gains.
Adequate time and resources to care for families without fear of work penalties.
High quality public education for all free from racial, gender or economic disparity.
A fair, de-racialized criminal justice system, based on restorative justice and rehabilitation, including education and addiction recovery programs.
In love, despite the world's sufferings and evils, we honor the deep connections within our human family and seek to awaken a new spirit of cooperation by working for:
Abatement of poverty, and enactment of policies benefiting the most vulnerable.
Universal healthcare.
Safe, affordable housing, served by adequate public transportation.
An effective program of social security during sickness, disability and old age.
Tax and budget policies that reduce disparities between rich and poor, strengthen democracy, and provide greater opportunity for everyone within the common good.
Just immigration policies that protect family unity, safeguard workers' rights, require employer accountability and foster international cooperation.
Public service as a high vocation, with integrity in voting, campaign finance and lobbying.
In hope, we pledge to heal the environment, recognizing our responsibility for its health and our interdependence with Creation and one another, by working for:
The adoption of simpler lifestyles, resisting the powerful institutions that shape our choices.
Access for all to healthy food, clean water and air, with wise and equitable land stewardship.
Sustainable use of all resources and promotion of alternative energy technologies.
Equitable global trade that protects local economies, initiatives, cultures and livelihoods.
Peacemaking through international cooperation and rule of law, mutual security rather than unilateral force, nuclear disarmament and a strengthened United Nations.
Redirection of military spending to more peaceful and productive uses.
Relationships of mutuality among the world's churches and faith communities.
With all those who labor and are heavy-laden, we commit ourselves to a culture of peace and freedom that embraces non-violent initiatives, human dignity and greater equality, with a deeper spirituality of inward growth and outward action. By these means, we witness to our hope in the God who makes all things new, whom we know in Jesus Christ.
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