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Board of Church and Society
We are called to make a difference in the world, and to lead our congregation to make a difference too.
In Acts 1:8, Jesus directed the Church to go forth, empowered by the Holy Spirit, to be Christ's witnesses in "Jerusalem, in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth."
Mission Statement: To promote God’s greatest commandments by advocating for social, economic and environmental justice for the transformation of the world. Love is the centerpiece of our faith. Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: Love your neighbor as yourself. All the Laws and the Prophets hang on these two commandments. Matt 22:36-40 (NIV)
There is a strong connection between loving our neighbor through mission and through advocacy. Dove’s Church and Society focuses on advocacy, but that often leads to mission. For example, a book study on poverty led to our partnership with Thrive, AZ. We continue to work to learn about and advocate for the United Methodist Social Principles. We believe that “justice results when our social structures reflect values of compassion, mercy, and justice that ensures the flourishing of God’s creation and all that dwells within it. Justice ministry works for social change through listening to the needs of one’s community, and working with others to address systems of injustice. ‘If you have come here to help me, you are wasting your time. But if you have come because your liberation is bound up with mine, then let us work together.’ —Lilla Watson, Aboriginal elder, educator, and activist.” From: Guidelines: Church & Society 2017-2020. Copyright © 2016 by Cokesbury. Used by permission. United Methodist Social Principles Community of All Creation Creation in Peril – Global Warming, Destruction of Ecosystems, Fossil Fuel Dependence Stewardship of Creation – Sustainability, Food Justice, Environmental Racism, and more. The Economic Community Economic Challenges – Globalization, Income Inequality, Human Trafficking, Corruption Economic Justice – Corporate Responsibility, Worker Dignity, Responsible Consumerism, and more. The Social Community The Nurturing Community – Marriage and Family and Human Sexuality Other Social Issues – Substance Abuse, Violence, Colonialism, Death with Dignity, Racism, Gender Equality, Communication Technology, Reproductive Health, and more. The Political Community Government Responsibilities – Civil Disobedience, Restorative Justice, Criminal Justice, Military Service, Church and Governments, Death Penalty Basic Rights and Freedoms – Health Care, Indigenous people, Immigration, Disabilities, Sexual Orientations, Religious Minorities. Links for further exploration and opportunity:
www.umcjustice.org - United Methodist General Board of Church and Society
The General Board of Church and Society is dedicated to the work of living faith, seeking justice, and pursuing peace.
www.arizonafaithnetwork.org - Arizona Faith Network
Arizona Faith Network is an interfaith organization dedicated to bringing people together to promote peace and understanding through interfaith education and dialogue as well as healing of the world through collaborative social action.
Documents on Social Issues
Dove Church and Society Blog:
Summer 2025: Refugia Faith Book Study summary. Economic Inequality: Webinars on Criminal Justice (May 6, 2021),Education (March 4, 2021) and Racism (December 1, 2021). Presented by the Economic Inequality Task Force of the Desert Southwest Conference of the UMC (link)
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