Living Justice Living Social Justice | Common Good SA

Have you ever felt the confusion and conflict of what to do when you’re approached on the street by someone asking for money or food?
Do you give them money? Do you  take them to the taxi-rank and pay for their ride? What’s the smart thing to do and how do you discern that?

On this episode, you’ll hear some friends chatting about their giving-methodology. We’ve asked them to tell us stories of when giving has gone well, and some examples of when it hasn’t. Listen in to be encouraged to give in meaningful and faith-filled ways.

Chernay Southgate, Social Justice Activist
Colleen Saunders, The Warehouse
Phinius Sebatsane - Social Justice Activist

Our podcast guests referenced a few resources and organizations that we’d like to link here for you:

The Warehouse https://www.warehouse.org.za/

Uturn https://homeless.org.za/

When Helping Hurts by Corbett & Fikkert https://chalmers.org/resources/books/when-helping-hurts/

In this chapter, Richard presents what God’s heart is for children and what outlines practical ideas for how local churches can become FTD-Friendly churches.
This includes practical next steps for becoming a first thousand days friendly church. He used the AMOR (love) framework to start discerning next steps as Christ-followers and church leaders

AMOR: Awareness; Mobilise; Opportunities; Reaching out

In this chapter we hear from a church leader and congregant who are meaningfully ministering to and stand in the gap for those new parents who need a welcoming space and pastoral care that is not judgemental but loving. Ncumisa and Ziba share their story of standing in the gap and becoming a FTD-Friendly Church and how they are creating a community of support around parents, including single mothers and teenage mothers.

This chapter discusses why we -the church – should care? Sarah unpacks rationale behind why the first thousand days of life is so relevant to all local churches. Discussing the mission of God and how it connects to the first thousand days. As well as what is happening in the Church in South Africa and how is it perfectly positioned to play a significant role.

Common Good’s research concluded that “the local church is uniquely positioned and equipped to make a significant impact in nurturing our children’s full potential by supporting their development in the first thousand days of life” (Link to download the research report: https://www.commongood.org.za/early-life/)

Jane & Angelique share their unique stories of motherhood and the support they have received from the community around them, their adoption journey, and transitioning in the church community and how they received practical support from friends and church community.

Adjusting to parenting is life challenging. Dean & Jess vulnerably share how significantly their lives changed following the arrival of their son and how their church community rallied around them to practically support and care for them in these early days.