History:
Between 2007 and 2010, founding director Steve Newcom researched the state of theological education and social justice ministry in mainline Protestant seminaries. Though a strong affirmation of the centrality of social justice in the life and mission of the church was recognized, significant gaps existed. Most seminaries lacked courses that equip students for leadership in social justice ministry, organizing frameworks, and a curriculum that facilitates student integration of social justice imperatives.

Typology:
To address these gaps, Steve developed a public ministry typology to provide an organizing framework to advance the body of knowledge and practice of social justice ministry. The typology reflects a paradigm shift: from issues to strategies and from knowledge to competencies.

Shifting the conceptual framework of social justice expands the focus to include “how” and moves into the realm of practical theology. The typology provides a framework for organizing and advancing a body of knowledge and body of practice for doing public ministry.

Program Priorities:
The Center for Public Ministry serves as a catalyst to expand and deepen social justice education at United Theological Seminary, increase the public voice and effectiveness of local and regional religious bodies, and advance public ministry as a practical theological discipline within seminary education through:

Education & Capacity Building, which addresses important social issues in ways that highlight the strategic and practical skills required for effective and sustained social justice ministry.

Action Research of academic literature and practitioner knowledge to identify best practices and core competencies and integrate this within a Public Ministry strategy and leadership framework.

Movement Building across diverse communities (faith, identity, social, political, etc.) that builds power and strengthens the progressive voice.

What’s Happening

What’s Happened

OccupyFaith
neXus Project

You are invited to a conversation. Over the last months as the Occupy Movement has taken shape and altered our thinking and acting, many of us in the faith community have wondered how best to respond. Participate in the actions? Add our prophetic voices in preaching? In small groups and structured organizations we've pondered, prayed, and acted. A group going by the name OccupyFaith has been pondering all of this, too. We invite you to include your voice and perspective in the conversation.  

What: Join us for small group conversation about how we act faithfully in this moment. How does the Occupy Movement bring visibility to economic justice and injustice? How have you or your congregation responded? How do our traditions and theology speak with and to the Occupy Movement? How do we engage our members who are part of the 1%? Or those who are part of the 99? What is our calling to each of these groups?

When: Thursday, March 15, 10:30 AM  

Where: SpringHouse Ministry Center (home of Salem Lutheran, Lyndale UCC, and First Christian) at 610 W 28th Street in south Minneapolis (parking available in the lot) near 28th Street and Lyndale Ave S. 

Who: Clergy and Professional Faith Leaders--please spread this invitation to your circle (and beyond) of colleagues who may be interested and in need of conversation partners. 

* * *

Staff

Steve Newcom, Director Steven Newcom is an ordained minister in the Community of Christ church, a United alum (1980), and the founding director of the Center for Public Ministry, who’s mission is to advance the church’s effectiveness as a sustained and powerful force for social justice. Newcom was awarded an Archibald Bush Foundation Leadership Fellowship in 2007-2009 to research the intersection of theological education and social justice ministry. Prior to founding the Center, Steve served as executive director of the Headwaters Foundation for Justice for 18 years. Prior to that, he worked for the Greater Minneapolis Council of Churches. Since 1995, he has been an adjunct professor in the Philanthropy and Development Graduate School of St. Mary’s University of Minnesota, teaching organization leadership and management. ---------------------
	Aaron Lauer, Research Associate Aaron graduated from United in 2010 with an M.A. in Religion and Theology. A native Nebraskan, Aaron grew up with a deep interest in politics, history, and religion, and sees the work of the Center as important in advancing the church’s role in orchestrating social change. He is the minister to children, youth, and families at First Congregational Church of Minnesota and enjoys reading, exercising, and indie rock music. --------------------
Cecilia Runge, Program and Administration Associate Cecilia is an M.Div. student at United with concentrations in Pastoral Care & Counseling and Justice & Peace Studies. Cecilia is an active member of campus life and serves as the student body moderator. She is invested in the fight for LGBT equality and currently volunteers with the Marriage Equality Campaign in Minnesota. Cecilia is the minister for children and youth at Linden Hills United Church of Christ and is a member in discernment of the Minnesota Conference of the United Church of Christ. Cecilia is thrilled to be a part of the Center for Public Ministry, where she studies what makes social justice ministry successful and how to equip the church to be a powerful and sustained force for social justice. She believes the Center is currently the most cutting-edge thing happening at United. Cecilia enjoys singing, cooking, and spending time with her fiancé.  -------------------------
	Pamela Cook, Research Associate Please check back for Pamela’s bio.