Moving Christian institutions beyond the divide of peacekeeping and advocacy
In the realm of Christian religious freedom and human rights advocacy, a growing consensus is emerging that the division between peacemaking and advocacy can be counterproductive. This dichotomy, while well-intentioned, creates an artificial separation that undermines the complementary nature and mutual reinforcement of these two disciplines.
Recent consultations with Pew Research and the United States Institute of Peace (USIP) highlight this issue, particularly in countries where churches have been affected by mob violence. The same evangelical organization often has two separate teams in these countries: peacemakers and advocates, both striving towards the same goal of ensuring that evangelical Christians and churches can fulfill God's calling and that all citizens' rights and dignity are respected.
Steven T. Collis, a law professor, underscores the importance of grounding peacemaking in selflessness, charity, and love to build the relational trust necessary for effective advocacy. Without this foundation, advocates risk being perceived as combative or selfish, which can undermine their efforts to champion religious freedom.
Integrating religious peacemakers and religious freedom advocates, as emphasized by institutions like USIP, illustrates how they reinforce each other’s work to reduce conflict and promote pluralism. Peacebuilding, supported by religious freedom, creates an atmosphere conducive to dialogue and protection of minorities, which in turn sustains peacebuilding efforts. This synergy has been observed in multi-faith peace committees and formal peace processes worldwide.
Moreover, religious peacebuilding has intrinsic value beyond measurable outcomes. It fosters recognition and empathy between groups, turning conflicts from combat to dialogue, which aligns with religious faith itself. Even if peacebuilding does not always produce immediate peace, it mitigates suffering and represents faith in action, which is vital for many believers.
To move beyond this dichotomy, Christian institutions can adopt a holistic approach, viewing peacemaking and advocacy as interconnected parts of a single mission—to uphold religious freedom and human dignity through love-based action and principled defense. They can cultivate daily practices of charity, trust, and respect within communities and relationships, laying a foundation for credible, effective advocacy when issues arise.
Building multi-faith coalitions and inclusive peace processes that leverage diverse religious actors both as peacemakers and advocates recognizes the complementary roles of both. Emphasizing the faith-driven motivations behind peacemaking, using religious teachings as a source of strength for advocacy, ensures actions reflect deep conviction and authentic faith.
Educating members and leaders about the interdependence of peace and freedom dismantles the false premise that one must choose between being a peacemaker or an advocate. In the Features section of Evangelical Focus, this article aims to contribute to this educational effort.
The strategizing, planning, and implementation of peacemaking and justice advocacy programs should not be separate in Christian institutions. As the team currently supports churches in a country ravaged by large-scale mob violence, providing psychosocial support, equipping leaders with peacemaking tools, and advocating for justice, the need for a unified approach is evident.
The #OneMoreYearEF campaign, a sustainability challenge at Evangelical Focus, encourages support from those committed to this mission. Wissam al-Saliby, President of 21Wilberforce and previously Director of the World Evangelical Alliance United Nations Office in Geneva, champions this cause. The concept of peacemaking, rooted in God's mission of reconciling humanity with Himself, is central to this work.
In conclusion, the counterproductive effect comes from falsely separating peacemaking and advocacy instead of embracing their synergy. Christian institutions can move beyond this by fostering charity-based relationships that undergird confident and respectful advocacy for religious freedom, thus enhancing both peace and human rights protection simultaneously. There can be no true peace without justice, and there can be no lasting justice without peace.
- To effectively champion religious freedom and human rights, particularly in countries where churches have faced mob violence, Christian institutions can adopt a holistic approach that integrates religious peacebuilders and advocates, as education and self-development for their members and leaders highlight the interdependence of peace and freedom.
- By cultivating daily practices of charity, trust, and respect within communities and relationships, Christian institutions can lay a foundation for credible, effective advocacy, ensuring that actions reflect deep conviction and authentic faith towards the shared goal of promoting personal growth through peace and religious freedom for all.
