Introducing Common Grace Aotearoa
The ecumenical Christian group making waves on big justice issues
Common Grace Aotearoa may be just over a year old, but is having a growing impact in the ministry of 'transforming unjust structures' in society, and activating Christians young and old in a fresh expression of their faith.
Started by Kate Day and Alex Johnston in early 2023, the ecumenical charity has a mission to equip and organise followers of Jesus across Aotearoa to run advocacy campaigns alongside the wider community and civil society that advance policy solutions towards climate, economic and Te Tiriti justice.
More than 120 churches are hosting its Treaty education course ‘Belonging in This Land: Treaty Basics from a Christian Perspective’, developed alongside Karuwhā Trust and Te Manu Hononga - the Sir Paul Reeves Centre. This two-part workshop is readying Christians to be a gracious voice in the national conversations ahead on the status of the Treaty of Waitangi.
Meanwhile, the group is set to hand in a 5000-strong petition to Members of Parliament in June calling on the government to review a subsidy to large industrial polluters that is holding back their transformation to climate-friendly processes.
Their third area of focus is economic justice, where they have already won a major victory. The Everyone Connected campaign brought national attention to energy hardship faced by those who are disconnected from electricity due to unpaid bills. Because of the campaign, media coverage skyrocketed, leading to crucial meetings with the Electricity Authority. In January 2024, they finally announced binding consumer care rules for power companies - before this there had been only voluntary guidelines about how companies should treat their customers.
A key part of the work of Common Grace Aotearoa is mentoring teams of volunteers, who learn by doing as they make the campaigns happen and consider what it means to do this as followers of Jesus.
Esme, age 27, has been involved in the economic justice team from the start, and says it has been a faith-building experience so far: "I’ve spent a lot of time in faith spaces responding to the immediate needs around me. I believe whilst we are called to the injustice in front of us, we are also called to flip the tables that create those needs. Common Grace has given me an accessible way of doing this work with others - whilst learning skills and building friendships along the way”.
Meanwhile Rev Silvia Purdie, a minister in the Presbyterian church, recently got involved in the climate justice team: “It is very clear to me that God is calling the church to care for creation, and I’m passionate about encouraging a wide range of approaches. As well as small local things, together we can also address big national issues and have a significant impact. What I love about Common Grace is the sense that, with prayer, support and training and smart thinking, small groups of Christian people can make a real difference.”
The organisation provides ways for individuals and faith communities to get involved in its campaigns through weekly emails. To find out more and get involved, head to www.commongrace.nz.
At present they are also inviting churches to host ‘Belonging in this Land: Treaty Basics from a Christian Perspective’. Anyone interested in this two-part video workshop for communities of faith can learn more at treatyandbelonging.nz.