The intersectionality of all three Matthew 25 focuses

March 24 online event looks at housing

by Melody K. Smith | Presbyterian News Service

The intersection of race and poverty can be seen in housing issues. (Contributed photo)

LOUISVILLE — The online Matthew 25 series continues in 2021 with the next event scheduled for 2p.m. Eastern Time on Wednesday, March 24. The topic is how all three areas of the Matthew 25 vision — building congregational vitality, dismantling structural racism and eradicating systemic poverty — intersect around the subject of housing.

The program will include conversations with pastors on how their congregations are engaging with the issue of affordable housing in their communities. To register for the March 24 Matthew 25 event, click here.

“In essence, race is a social construct created to oppress certain groups of people, while giving advantage to another group. Poverty is lack of access to goods and services that are essential to human well-being. The intersection of race and poverty can be seen in housing issues,” said the Rev. Dr. Diane Moffett, president and executive director of the Presbyterian Mission Agency. “Public policies have systematically placed barriers that prevent people who are poor, Black or part of Indigenous communities from obtaining affordable housing. In Matthew 25, Jesus’ judgment is against nations that that deny those who live on the margins access to the necessities of life. Housing is something every human person needs. It is essential and basic to living.”

This event is open to everyone — all Matthew 25 congregations, groups and mid councils that have made the commitment to embrace the Matthew 25 vision, as well as anyone interested in learning more about Matthew 25. It will model the previous Matthew 25 events with facilitated dialogue, guest speakers and the sharing of resources.

The panel will include pastors who are working with their congregations and communities, partnering with local housing coalitions, social services agencies and public officials to address housing discrimination and break down barriers to affordable housing.

Attendees will hear examples of ways churches and mid councils are addressing this crisis that they can learn from and take away tools and resources for them to actively engage in their community.

The Matthew 25 vision was launched in April 2019. Currently more than 880 churches, groups and mid councils have made the commitment to become a Matthew 25 church.