Core Values: Communities of Shalom
Rooted in the prophetic tradition and a practical theological interpretation of Jeremiah 29:1-12, the Shalom Initiative promotes four spiritual values:
1.
Spiritual Growth
As members of congregations and communities become effective in linking faith and action, the Spirit of God is revealed in their midst. Spiritually committed and motivated by faith, Shalom teams are able to “seek the welfare of the community” (Jer. 29:7) and work together for peace and wholeness, growing into God’s shalom.
2.Multicultural Harmony
Shalom does not succeed when one’s own cultural group or faith tradition sets out independently to offer community services. Rather, shalom teams succeed when representatives from many cultures and families of faith, as well as community residents, organizations, institutions and businesses, and including those who could be considered Babylonian oppressors (Jer. 29:1) come together to envision and build a better future for the community.
3.Economic Prosperity
Recognizing that collective economic stability is essential for community wholeness, shalom teams seek to empower people to “build homes and live in them” (Jer. 29:5). Shalom communities intentionally promote affordable housing, small business development and shared economic growth. As individuals are supported in finding and keeping jobs, providing for their families, accessing education, economic prosperity can be shared.
4.Health, Healing and Wholeness
Communities of Shalom promote positive mental health, improve community healthcare, facilitate the healing of persons, and seek wholeness for the community and the environment. Part of what it means to seek shalom is to "plant gardens and eat what they produce." (Jer. 29:5) Saving and sustaining the environment, no less than working for social-economic well-being, is valued and promotes in the shalom model of community development. Thus, some teams create health clinics, other healing ministries; some coordinate social services, while others advocate for justice and systemic change. Some plant community gardens and feed the hungry, while others work ecologically for a 'green' community. All work for wholeness in oneself, the community and the whole creation. For in seeking the shalom of the city of God, "...you will find your shalom." (Jer. 29:7)
When these four values are translated into principles and strategies, the real work of shalom begins.
