CONVERSATIONS: SCOTT HIGGINS, FOUNDER OF A JUST CAUSE

Scott Higgins is the founder of A Just Cause – a Baptist ministry which aims to resources churches to take action on “pressing issues of justice” both in Australia around the world. He speaks with DAVID ADAMS…

Scott Higgins is the founder of A Just Cause – a Baptist ministry which aims to resources churches to take action on “pressing issues of justice” both in Australia around the world…

What was your background prior to founding A Just Cause?

“I was a Baptist pastor from 1990 to 2005, working first as a youth pastor in Sydney and then being involved in a church played in Newcastle. In 2005, I went to work for Baptist World Aid Australia as their inaugural education and advocacy officer, and worked there for 10 years in a variety of roles.”

What was the reasoning behind the founding of A Just Cause?

“Over the course of the last decade, people in the Baptist movement across Australia have become very active in global justice causes, but the movement lacked the infrastructure for speaking out together on more domestic justice issues such as asylum seekers, reconciliation and homelessness. A Just Cause was founded to provide that infrastructure.”

A Just Cause was founded to “speak out for justice on issues such as refugees and asylum seekers, climate change, reconciliation, and homelessness”. Why these issues in particular – are they issues churches weren’t engaging with well?

“The key for us is addressing issues that relate to our life together as a nation. We distinguish between justice issues and virtue. Christians have particular views on what a virtuous life looks like, but in a liberal democracy it’s not the role of government to legislate for those virtues. It is role of government to secure justice, that is to take action to ensure people are not exploited, marginalised, oppressed or mistreated. The examples I gave were not intended to be exhaustive, but do highlight some areas where some arms of the church have struggled to exercise their voice.”

Can you give some examples of how you resource churches to grapple with such issues?

“Many domestic justice issues can be quite controversial, so before a church starts to speak out in an area we encourage them to undertake a substantial education program. We currently have a strong focus on refugees and asylum seekers (and) to help churches grapple with this issue, we have produced a short book with Bible study guide included, run workshops, and have a range of briefing resources. Once the church is ready to speak out we produce advocacy tools that include simple actions an entire congregation can undertake – such as signing a postcard that is sent to the Minister for Immigration and Border Protection asking for children to be released from detention – and resources that help a small group within the congregation undertake more intensive advocacy actions, such as visiting their local member of Parliament to speak with him/her about the issue. For those churches who want to get involved in practical service as well as advocacy we point them to organisations in a state that need volunteers and to Christian organisations who can help them establish a ministry.”

You’re a ministry of the Australian Baptist Churches but does that mean you’re only looking to resource Baptist churches in Australia? And what’s generally been the response from churches?

“We have intentionally set ourselves up so that we are not particularly ‘Baptist’ branded. Rather our approach and resources can be used by churches of any denomination and we welcome them to participate.

“So far our primary focus has been upon refugees and asylum seekers and the response has been very positive. We’ve been going for just over 12 months and in that time more than 150 churches have utilised resources in one way or another. It’s been particularly pleasing to see churches grappling with this issue, breaking down the myths and stereotypes, and forming a Jesus shaped approach.”

How effective do you think advocacy from church groups is in bringing about real change with regard to government policy and situations on the ground, both at home and abroad?

“In my experience advocacy from church groups is very effective. For change to occur in government policy, four things need to come together: first, there needs to be a compelling argument for change; second, that compelling argument needs to have politically achievable asks; third, there needs to be a champion in the Parliament who will take up the cause; (and), fourth, there needs to be a constituency demanding change to which those champions can point to demonstrate support for the cause. Local church advocacy is particularly important in demonstrating to our political leaders that there is a constituency for change, encourages members of Parliament to engage with an issue that might otherwise neglect, and provides a framework forgetting the compelling argument for change to our leaders. “

What do you think is the most important attribute Christians as individuals and churches as bodies need when advocating for a cause?

“I think the most important attributes are to be respectful, well-informed, and patient. Politicians, from whichever side of politics they come, have a difficult job and, in my experience, are genuinely committed to making Australia a better place. Even when we disagree they should be treated with respect. We should be well informed when we asked them to engage in change, and we should be patient. Advocacy is more a marathon than a sprint.”

The plethora of issues affecting our world today can be overwhelming. How do advise churches and individuals when it comes to looking at which issue(s) they should tackle?

“It’s impossible for a single church to be across every issue, so I recommend picking issues that: 1) people in your church have a concern about; 2) there are others advocating on the issue with whom you can join up; (and) 3) there are realistic prospects of achieving change.”

Social justice is seen in some churches as a dangerous distraction from the task of evangelism. Can churches be effective in both?

“According to Jesus, the central dimensions of God’s call on us are to justice, mercy, and faithfulness (Matthew 23:23) so it would seem to me the danger to discipleship is if we neglect justice. Evangelism, acts of kindness, and the pursuit of justice are all manifestations of love, and it was our love said Jesus, that would be the sign by which we should be known in the world. So not only can churches be effective in both justice and evangelism, but the pursuit of justice enhances our witness. One of the things that politicians, for example, commonly feedback after churches have visited them on a justice issue is how refreshing it is to be approached by a group of people asking for something for someone else rather than for themselves.”

Any other general tips could you give a Christian on how to be more effective when it comes to advocacy on social justice issues?

“It’s helpful for Christians to remember that God calls us to pursue justice, not simply to talk about it. There are a number of very well organised organisations/campaigns to help Christians do that. Micah Challenge, Stop The Traffik, A Just Cause, to name but a few. Baptist World Aid Australia has a fantastic program called catalyst that will help resource a local church to take action.”

~ www.ajustcause.com.au