Building the Common Good
From a resource from Together for the Common Good
Are you looking for ways to strengthen the relationships in your community and build connections to serve your neighbourhood better? If you are able to host a one-day workshop and gather a group of people from different churches, this may be for you.
The Here: Now: Us People Common Good Training Workshop is a one-day introduction to the Common Good, designed to empower and equip people from across the Christian traditions to help strengthen civil society and build community. If you have facilitation experience you can lead it yourself using the full Training Pack, or you can book a facilitator through Together for the Common Good.
What is the Common Good?
The Common Good is the shared life of a society in which everyone can flourish - as we act together in different ways that all contribute towards that goal, enabled by social conditions that mean every single person can participate. We create these conditions and pursue that goal by working together across our differences, each of us taking responsibility according to our calling and ability. Further:
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it is realised through human civil society institutions, those mediating structures between the individual and the state which build human and social capital, empower individuals and communities, and link the individual to society as a whole;
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it is generated as people participate freely: it is not a utopian ideal and cannot, by definition, be imposed - not by a state, a group, church or any agency. It isn’t about perfection: it is messier and more beautifully human than any utopian ideal could be;
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it is inspired by the gospel and holds the human person at its heart, challenging injustice, systems and ideologies which dehumanise, on both the left and the right - in this sense the Common Good properly understood is non partisan;
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it encourages social relationships and mutual obligations across our different backgrounds and opinions, requiring us to listen and encounter each other even when we dislike each other or disagree. It therefore runs counter to the culture of individualism;
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it is rooted in Scripture, a good example being from Jeremiah 29.7: "Seek the welfare of the city where I have sent you... for in its welfare you will find your welfare."
People across the churches are well placed to bring love into societal systems, work to heal divisions, help families and communities flourish, build relationships across differences and strengthen society - working together each acting according to our vocation.
The training themes are:
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Common Good Principles and how to put them into practice
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What’s going on? The causes of social division and how to address them
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A Christian understanding of the Common Good
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Civil society institutions and the role of the Church
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Vocational responsibility refreshing mission and practical action
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Shared purpose among Christians of different traditions to strengthen civil society
The training pack includes; a comprehensive Facilitator Notes 52 page booklet - includes checklists, timings, activities, scripts and prompts for every session, a powerpoint, workbooks, props and a local host guide.
View a 30 second video:
More details here.
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From a resource from Together for the Common Good, 02/04/2019