Ron Sider on Social Ministry
Referenced in: Christian Perspectives on Economics and Public Policy / Theological and Philosophical Foundations of Social Ministry
Introduction
Ron Sider is a leading author and scholar-practitioner among evangelicals in the area of Christian social ministries. He is Professor of Theology, Holistic Ministry & Public Policy at Palmer Seminary of Eastern University and Director of the seminary’s Sider Center on Ministry & Public Policy. He also is president of Evangelicals for Social Action.
Sider has written over 30 books. Perhaps the most widely recognized is Rich Christians in an Age of Hunger, which is probably the most influential book on Christian social action among evangelicals, first published in 1977, and still enjoying wide distribution after selling more than 400,000 copies.
Sider is clearly influenced by the Anabaptist separatist philosophy of the relationship between church and state, and the ecclesiology of John Howard Yoder. He represents this viewpoint in P. C. Kemeny’s Church, State, and Public Justice: Five Views. On the other hand, he frequently steps outside of his tradition, as when he reaches out to those who espouse just war theory by offering a respectful nod to the state’s use of non-lethal violence (see The Scandal of Evangelical Politics, pp. 95-99). In his view of scripture and social morality (e.g. homosexuality, abortion) he aligns with most conservative evangelicals. His critics point to socialist tendencies, which Sider disavows. Still, some may wish to balance Sider with capitalist-friendly authors (see Christian Perspectives on Economics and Social Policy).
It is easy to respect someone whose hybrid faith and philosophy clearly represents his allegiance not to parties and pressures, but what he believes is right. Sider is one of the most passionate, insightful, and credible social prophets within today’s Christian community.
Resources
A few of his more prominent works are listed below.
- Ronald J. Sider, Good News and Good Works
- Ronald J. Sider, Rich Christians in an Age of Hunger
- Ronald J. Sider, The Scandal of the Evangelical Conscience: Why Christians Are Living Just Like the Rest of the World
- Ronald J. Sider, Just Politics: A Guide to Christian Engagement
- Ronald J. Sider and Dianne Knippers, Editors, Toward an Evangelical Public Policy: Political Strategies for the Health of the Nation
- Ronald J. Sider, Fixing the Moral Deficit: A Balanced Way to Balance the Budget
- Heidi Unruh and Ronald Sider, Saving Souls, Serving Society: Understanding the Faith Factor in Church-Based Social Ministry
- Ronald J. Sider, Just Generosity: A New Vision for Overcoming Poverty in America
- Ronald J. Sider, I Am Not a Social Activist: Making Jesus the Agenda
Related Areas
See Other Resource Guides on Christian Social Ministry:
- Social Ministry, Introduction
- Theological and Philosophical Foundations of Social Ministry
- Spirituality for Ministry of Social Compassion and Justice
- Strategies For Christian Social Ministry
- Perspectives and Strategies For Social Ministry Among the Urban Poor, Urban Ministry
- Christian Perspectives on Political Theory and Church-State Relations
- Christian Perspectives on Economics and Public Policy
Related Ministry Resource Guides on LifeandLeadership.com:
- Missional Perspectives 03, Missio Dei, Definitions, Contributions
- Missional Perspectives 04, Missio Dei, Observations
- Missional Perspectives 05, Missio Dei, Observations (Continued)
- Missional Church Resources, Introduction and Index
- Theology of Mission
- Missional Communities
- Missional Leadership / Missional Strategies
- Missional Lifestyle, Discipleship, Spirituality
- Church Leadership and Renewal, Index to Resources
- Ecclesiology
- Evangelism
See Resources on Over 100 Ministry Topics: