They have proven helpful to those in the church carrying on front-line mission, social witness, and ministry. These wonderful policy statements sustain and connect the prophetic stance of the church over time. Their careful analysis helps to lift up crises not yet in the spotlight but on which the church needs to direct energy and attention. We believe this process will continue to be helpful and needed in the future. The practical challenge to meet immediately is to improve our provision of social witness information to congregations through responsive and effective service, leading when necessary and responding when required.
Much conversation remains with and among the partners in social witness.
A number of questions need to be explored and a direction for response shared. May this collection of writings be a stimulus to greater conversation and social policy witness as we enter God's third millennium in Christ Jesus our Lord and Savior. Send comments about this article to the Editor, Kathy Lancaster .