Christians have a long and great tradition of caring for and serving the poor. But what does it mean to advocate for the poor? And why should we care?

As Christians we are constantly being transformed as individuals. Advocacy takes that transformation that we experience in our spiritual lives to a structural level. Advocacy seeks to change our society at a structural level by addressing the social conditions that create poverty, inequality and injustice.

If a sink is overflowing with water, for example, it is not enough to simply get a bucket. Someone has to turn off the faucet. Similarly, it is important and essential that we care for the poor. It is also imperative that we shut down the conditions that create poverty. No church, regardless of how godly or wealthy or righteous, can provide 117,000 children with health care or hospice for ¼ million elderly folks. Advocacy is a powerful tool to address those root causes of poverty.

OCCV is dedicated to advocating public policy in Oregon which reflects the priorities of the ministry of Jesus Christ. As an organization, OCCV gives voice to the values of Christians who feel that the current public and political face of Christianity has not represented their full reading of the Bible or their deeply-held values. OCCV seeks to promote a politics which transcends partisanship by placing a greater emphasis on the common good.

This commitment is woven into our mission statement:

We have a vision of Oregon transformed by a network of Christian citizens, rooted in the Word, active in the public arena, boldly proclaiming Christ’s vision for humanity and empowered to work together to shape public policy for the common good.

In living out this mission, we actively advocate on three issues which have both clear Biblical roots and a prominence in the ministry and teachings of Jesus Christ. In addition, we recognize a political history on these issues in which the interests of individuals, families, and the community lose out to the more powerful. These issues are: caring for the poor, caring for the sick, and caring for God’s creation.

Social justice is more than just a nice idea

*** it is a ministry priority

Psalm 140:12 “The Lord secures justice for the poor and upholds the cause of the needy.”

*** it is a Biblical command

Proverbs 31:8-9 “Speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves, for the rights of all who are destitute. Speak up and judge fairly; defend the rights of the poor and needy.”

Isaiah 1:17 “Learn to do right! Seek justice, encourage the oppressed. Defend the cause of the fatherless, plead the case of the widow.”

Psalm 82:3-5 “Defend the cause of the weak and fatherless; maintain the rights of the poor and oppressed. Rescue the weak and needy; deliver them from the hand of the wicked.”

***it is action

Jeremiah 22:3, 16 “This is what the Lord says: Do what is just and right. Rescue from the hand of the oppressor the one who has been robbed…He [the king] defended the cause of the poor and needy…’is that not what it means to know me?’ declares the Lord.”

Matthew 25:37-40 Jesus…“Then the righteous will answer him, ‘Lord when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you? When did we see you sick or in prison and go visit you?’ The King will reply, ‘I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me.”

Luke 10:29-37 “… ‘Which of these three do you think was a neighbor to the man who fell into the hands of robbers?’ The expert of the law replied, ‘The one who had mercy on him.’ Jesus told him, ‘Go and do likewise.”

***it is an attitude of the heart

Ezekiel 16:49 “Now this was the sin of your sister Sodom: she and her sisters were arrogant, overfed and unconcerned; they did not help the poor and needy.”

Proverbs 14:31 “He who oppresses the poor shows contempt for their maker, but whoever is kind to the needy honors God.”

Colossians 3:12 “Therefore as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience.”

Micah 6:8 “And what does the Lord require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God.”

Colossians 3:17 “And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him.”