Mobilising the Local Church for Social Justice and Reconciliation:

Abstract

Social justice and reconciliation are inseparable, and both are inextricably linked to ethics, discipleship and ministry, that is, with the Christian walk. More precisely the evangelical church of the “global south” has lagged behind on their praxis with regard to this aspect. “What could be done to get the church involved in social justice and reconciliation in post-Apartheid South Africa?” What theological and other resources and assets could be mobilised in order for the church to address the issues of social injustice and reconciliation? While using the Baptist Union of Southern Africa as a case study, this article carefully investigates these important questions and other questions with wider theological/missiological implications for how we are to understand our Christian calling in the world. Further, this article argues that the church is by nature and by calling an indispensable agent for fostering social justice and reconciliation. Finally, it suggests that this be achievable only if all the church’s assets and resources are mobilised for the purpose of social justice and reconciliation