POTENTIAL ANSWERS TO TOUGH QUESTIONS

1. “Isn’t ‘advocacy’ just another word for ‘lobbying’?”

Actually, advocacy and lobbying are different. Lobbyists are paid to represent a business’ or organization’s interests, while an advocate speaks for those who often lack a voice in the process – the poor, children, the elderly, the mentally ill, the incarcerated. For moral and often religious reasons, advocates strive for justice, while lobbyists are paid for their work.

2. “My church shouldn’t be involved in politics – what happened to preaching the Gospel?”

Preaching the gospel and being engaged in public life are not mutually exclusive. Actually, in the Gospel, Christians are called and required to seek justice, care for the poor, and watch over children. In fact, Jesus was sent by God “to bring good news to the poor…to proclaim release to the captives and recovery of sight to the blind, to let the oppressed go free…” (Luke 4:16-19; ref. Isaiah 61:1-2) Christians are called to follow Jesus’ example which included advocating the cause of the poor, sick, and oppressed and even challenging leaders who neglected justice.

3. “What if I disagree with the positions of my church? Who’s speaking on my behalf?”


4. “People aren’t going to listen to what the church has to say anyway, so why bother?”






5. “The church has been taken over by left-wing Democrats, and isn’t really in touch with how I feel.”





6. “How can the church know enough about these issues to make any sense?”

Debrief the role you played. Did you feel comfortable asking/answering? Switch roles and try again.

Center Priorities (.pdf)

Bulletin Inserts
Child Support (.pdf)
Environment (.pdf)
Housing Trust (.pdf)
Indigent Defense (.pdf)
Payday Lending (.pdf)
Minimum Wage (.pdf)

Advocacy Resources
Advocacy Guide (.doc)
Advocacy Portal (link)
Lending Info. (.ppt)
Richmond Map (.pdf)

For Small Groups
Eco-Stewardship (link)
Prayers for Creation (link)
Poverty Diet (link)

Policy Briefs
EITC (.doc)
TANF Child Support (.doc)
Payday Loans (.doc)
Healing Creation (.doc)
Child Ombudsman (.doc)
Affordable Housing (.doc)
Indigent Defense (.doc)
Minimum Wage (.doc)
Wage & EITC (.doc)
VA Tribes (.link)

Actions
Lending Petition (link)
Title Petition (link)
Wage Petition (link)

Reports
Budget Analysis (.pdf)
Food Stamps (.doc)
Lottery Study (link)

FAQ's (link)

Your donation helps the Interfaith Center advocate for a more compassionate Commonwealth. Your gifts support trainings, advocacy, community programs, and briefing development. Get involved and begin to Learn Pray and Act with us. Together we can!