Building a Network of Faith, Community, and Action

With this issue of Sojourners we introduce a new section in the magazine. Just one year ago we invited you, our readers, to become members of a faith-based network in this country and elsewhere. Rather than attempt to replace already existing networks, we proposed simply to introduce people to one another--connecting existing groups and assisting others in forming new communities. Since that time, nearly 700 individuals and communities have contacted us to participate.

Now we propose to better situate Sojourners magazine as a resource, a catalyst even, for the emerging network that Sojourners represents. The magazine has always published material intended to help faith-based people live out the gospel mandate to "seek the kingdom of God and God's justice." This new section will relate what is happening in the "sojourners network."

We plan to use current features of the magazine to assist in the networking going on among and around our members. "Seeds of Change" will continue to publicize those resources that foster social change. "Connections" is the place where people exchange information, announce opportunities, and make needs known to one another.

Excerpts of letters from network members will appear in these pages, as words of inspiration for one another. "Groundswell" will relate the stories of concrete efforts being made to form, nurture, and connect communities seeking to put their faith into action.

New in this section will be a monthly editorial on the many aspects of community building. In addition, we hope to share with our members the experiences of people in starting and cultivating small communities. A calendar of Sojourners' and other national and local events will mark each month's section, as well as study questions related to the articles in the other parts of the magazine. From time to time, we plan to produce further resources for this growing network.

In addition to this new dimension of Sojourners magazine, we shall continue to share the names of individuals and groups with those in the same area who likewise have asked for connections. Should your community, group, or congregation be open to welcoming other sojourners in your area, or if you would like to connect to other groups and churches with a kindred spirit, please contact us as well (see the coupon for this purpose on page 33).

This new section, we trust, will serve all of these groups. We invite all of the new and existing gatherings of sojourners to be more closely connected through a vital network of people striving for faithfulness to the gospel in these times.

Like all beginnings, this one will surely evolve and improve. Let us know your reactions to this new section so we can better serve your community-building efforts. Above all, we ask your prayers for all of the diverse sojourners, and for this new initiative in our pages.