Evangelicals for Social Action, Inc.

Summary

Evangelicals for Social Action ("ESA") is an association of Christians seeking to promote Christian engagement, analysis and understanding of major social, cultural and public policy issues. ESA emphasizes both the transformation of human lives through personal faith and also the importance of a commitment to social and economic justice as an outgrowth of Christian faith. ESA pursues its mission through: reflection on church and society from a biblical perspective; training in holistic ministry; and, linking people together for mutual learning & action. ESA serves by providing: educational resources and events; networking opportunities - bringing together like minded individuals and ministries; interpretation and advocacy concerning culture and public life. Ron Sider founded ESA in 1978. This organization is a nonprofit. Contributions to it are fully tax deductible to the extent allowed by law.

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Organization Details [ Back to top ]

Purpose [ Back to top ]

Evangelicals for Social Action ("ESA") is an association of Christians seeking to promote Christian engagement, analysis and understanding of major social, cultural and public policy issues. ESA emphasizes both the transformation of human lives through personal faith and also the importance of a commitment to social and economic justice as an outgrowth of Christian faith.

ESA pursues its mission through: reflection on church and society from a biblical perspective; training in holistic ministry; and, linking people together for mutual learning & action. ESA serves by providing: educational resources and events; networking opportunities - bringing together like minded individuals and ministries; interpretation and advocacy concerning culture and public life. Ron Sider founded ESA in 1978.

Evangelicals for Social Action is a content contributor to thegoodsteward.com. This organization is a nonprofit. Contributions to it are fully tax deductible to the extent allowed by law.

Mission Statement [ Back to top ]

ESA describes its vision as follows:

"That every Christian be a faithful disciple of Jesus Christ."

ESA describes its mission as follows:

"To challenge and equip the church to be agents of God's redemption and transformation in the world."

Program Accomplishments [ Back to top ]

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Statement of Faith [ Back to top ]

The Lausanne Covenant is the official statement of faith of ESA
(http://www.esa-online.org/about/lausanne.html).

ESA subscribes to the following core values:

All of LIFE is under the Lordship of Jesus Christ. Our culture, economics, science, arts, social interactions, politics, etc. are all subject to his authority;

All TRUTH comes from God. The Bible, as God’s written word, is our final authority in all matters of faith and practice;

The GOSPEL has the power to transform and renew both individuals and society;

The CHURCH is called to be a model of the Kingdom of God as it points to the person of Jesus Christ and works towards God’s vision of a just society. Evangelism and social transformation are indivisible in the work of the kingdom. Women and men enjoy full rights of service and leadership at every level of the church;

PEOPLE are the focus of God's love. Any injustice or disrespect for human life—whether in the form of racism or abortion on demand, sexism or neglect of the family, nationalism or euthanasia—is an affront to the Creator who made persons to bear the very image of God. Poor and oppressed people have a special place in God’s heart. Christians are to weigh their actions and lifestyles by their impact on the least of these;

CREATION is the personal handiwork of God and points us to the majesty, extravagance and creativity of God's character. God has entrusted humanity with the responsibility to steward the creation for the mutual benefit of all.

History [ Back to top ]

ESA began with the "Chicago Declaration of Evangelical Social Concern" written at a Thanksgiving gathering that the Chicago Sun-Times described as the most significant church-related event of 1973. Until 1978, ESA's activity was an annual conference on biblical faith and social concern. From 1978-87, ESA had a broad educational focus informing Christians about the importance of social concern via newsletters and conferences.

In September 1987, Ronald J. Sider (currently professor of theology and culture at Eastern Baptist Seminary), who had been ESA's founder and chair of the board, became executive director and launched a period of expansion. Major growth has occurred. Sider is now president, and Cliff Benzel (a former vice president of World Vision International) is now ESA's executive vice president (the chief operating officer).

Ministry Needs [ Back to top ]

This organization has not offered MinistryWatch.com with specific needs to be posted on the profile. At such a time that MinistryWatch.com receives a response from the ministry, it will be posted immediately.

Research Analysis

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A letter grade currently has not been assesed for this ministry

MinistryWatch.com 5 Star Financial Efficiency Ratings [ Back to top ]

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