What is congregation-based community organizing?
Congregation-based community organizing is the process of bringing congregations and groups with similar values together, so that they can hold society’s political and economic systems accountable for justice. The fundamental problem addressed by these organizations is the disparity of power faced by persons in low-to-moderate income communities. The absence of broad-based, democratic organizations in these communities denies them the opportunity to successfully solve their own problems. The systemic issues facing most of these communities are the pervasiveness of low-wage, non-benefit jobs; disparities in health care, public education, and safety; and the persistent ineffectiveness on the part of public and private structures in delivering services equitably to all people. These issues are rooted in each organization’s long-term goal of building power to achieve a greater degree of justice in their community. In our society, power stems from two sources – money and organized people. L
