The Soulwork of Justice: Four Movements for Contemplative Action - by Wesley Granberg-Michaelson (Paperback)

About the Book

Book Synopsis

"Your inner life will require an ongoing exploration as rigorous as your excavation of the external, global structures of oppression and social sin. If your inward and outward journey becomes interwoven, your life and witness will have opportunity to flourish. If they are alienated from one another, and your inward journey is neglected, your outward journey, regardless of the intensity of your commitment, eventually will start to disintegrate, with self-inflicted wounds likely to injure others and undermine the causes to which you committed your life."

Former politico, long-time activist, and faith leader Wes Granberg-Michaelson (Without Oars: Casting Off into a Life of Pilgrimage) looks at a life in activism. advocacy, and ministry to reveal four key discernable movements of a lifelong soul journey to God's justice. He's also witnessed these elements consistently in the lives of others devoted to both soul-care and justice. Now he offers these four key movements for anyone at any age wanting to step into the entwined lineage of justice and soul work. While all experience it, few justice leaders talk about in the often exhausting effort of their work, and how critical soulwork--spiritual formation--is for sustaining a life of outward social witness.

Culled from the wisdom of decades of leadership experience in global ecumenical initiatives, religious organizations, and social justice movements, this book combines tenacity of vision with the groundedness of soul that has sustained Granberg-Michaelson even as it offers support to others engaged in the work for a lifetime and beyond.

From the Back Cover

US$26.00

RELIGION / Christian Living / Social Issues

BIOGRAPHY & AUTOBIOGRAPHY / Social Activists

RELIGION / Ecumenism & Interfaith

THE SOULWORK OF JUSTICE: Four Movements for Contemplative Action

Cover design: Melissa Romano

Image credit: iStock

ISBN 978-1-62698-628-2

Review Quotes

"If you need help integrating the work of justice and the work of the soul, this is the book you'll return to again and again." --Brian D. McLaren

"In a time of mass chaos, deep overwhelm, exhaustion, and burn out, I can't imagine a more critical book! This is an essential resource for church small groups." --Christy Berghoef, author, Rooted: A Spiritual Memoir of Homecoming

"Wes is a contemplative activist. I have seen him keep regular journals about his inner life and outward action for the past 50 years. This book reflects grounded wisdom needed to sustain our witness and work for justice." --Jim Wallis, Archbishop Desmond Tutu Chair of Faith and Justice, Georgetown's McCourt School of Public Policy; Inaugural Director, Center on Faith and Justice, Georgetown University

"This book is an encouraging gift to those who wish to join in the holy work of helping to heal this aching world." --Jeff Chu, author, Good Soil and Does Jesus Really Love Me?

"A much-needed book for our contemporary context, exploring how the pursuit of justice must be grounded in spiritual depth, humility, and self-awareness."--Chuck DeGroat, PhD, professor of pastoral care and executive director, Clinical Mental Health Counseling Program, Western Theological Seminary; author, Healing What's Within

About the Author

Wesley Granberg-Michaelson is a writer, speaker, and global ecumenical leader working at the intersection of faith, justice, and public life. Previously a legislative assistant to Senator Mark O. Hatfield and Director of Church and Society for the World Council of Churches, he now serves on the board of the Global Christian Forum. He and his wife, Kaarin, live in Santa Fe, NM.

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