Christians must not only serve the hungry and homeless in practical ways, but speak out against the economic injustice behind their poverty, says the head of Church Action on Poverty (CAP). Writing in the September edition of Reform magazine, Niall Cooper praised the work of Christians who are running hundreds of foodbanks and debt counselling centres across the country. However, he echoed the sentiments of Jim Wallis who recently said that Christians were “prophetic interrogators” who should not only “keep pulling bodies out of the river, but send people upstream to see who or what is throwing them in”. Mr Cooper said the “prophetic duty” of Christians demanded more than providing social services and issuing statements. So what can we do to ‘go upstream’ and work for economic justice locally?” he asked. Mr Cooper proposed harnessing the power of the fairtrade movement to achieve economic justice closer to home.

Pray: for God to inspire and encourage us all in His work. (Pr.14.31)

More: http://www.christiantoday.co.uk/article/churches.have.prophetic.duty.to.challenge.poverty/30566.htm