The Christian Church Capital Area Welcomes The Office of Public Witness

By: Rev. Dr. Marcus Leathers, CCCA Regional Minister

The book of Amos in the Old Testament contains a verse that proclaims “morality” as a function of justice. Specifically, Amos 5:24 states, "But let justice roll on like a river, righteousness like a never-failing stream!" This verse emphasizes the importance of justice and righteousness within the moral fabric of society.

Within the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) there have been and there continues to be significant leaders whose work and witness have been immense in service to social justice, public theology and the moral responsibilities of societies’ systems and institutions. Within each manifestation of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ), CC(DOC), its mission and ministries have represented hope springing forth from Christ’s resurrection and peace as proclaimed prophetically by Micah 4:3 — “Then they will beat their swords into plowshares and their spears into pruning hooks…” Strategically organizing resources and uniting disciples of Jesus, in faithful covenant to its design, as members of the Stone-Campbell movement, ministries of the CC(DOC) seek the pursuit of a more “excellent way”—a movement towards restoration, reformation and reconciliation!

On Wednesday, April 2, The Disciples News Service shared The Office of the General Minister and President’s announcement of the establishment of the Office for Prophetic Witness in Washington, DC. Dr. William Barber, II, has agreed to take on this role pro bono. This new ministry will work closely with the Christian Church Capital Area, the Disciples Center for Public Witness, and other justice ministries within and beyond our denomination, including National City Christian Church, our National Church, providing encouragement for their continuing hard work in the areas of justice education, advocacy, activism, helping elevate the visibility of our shared vision, values, and public policy concerns.

As the inaugural preacher in residence at this new ministry, Dr. Barber will preach, teach, and speak once a month at Moral Mondays. In these sermons, at Moral Mondays and Justice Focused Weekends, Reverend Barber will remind participants and listeners about the high moral stakes of the policy battles currently taking place in Washington, DC. As the servant-leader of the region that serves as our Disciples presence and witness for justice in the Capital Area, including the U.S. Capital, I want to express my strong support for this visionary work on a national level in service to the church and the nation. The Christian Church Capital Area welcomes the Office of Prophetic Witness!

On Monday, May 5, attendees for Moral Monday gathered at Saint Mark Episcopal Church at 9:00am for registration, information, fellowship, singing and preparation in order to march from the doors of the church to the steps of the Supreme Court. If your local church or organization would like to serve as a host site for a Moral Monday gathering then please send your email expressing interest to mleathers@cccadisciples.org

To borrow a quote, “Reverend Barber founded Repairers of the Breach, co-chairs the Poor People’s Campaign, teaches public theology at Yale Divinity School, because apparently someone at Yale decided a real Christian voice was more important than another plastic technocrat. With prophetic “imagination” Barber has spent his life standing in pulpits, courthouses, and streets, thundering the kind of truth that leaves hypocrites and half-steppers shifting uncomfortably in their chairs. He doesn't just preach about justice — he embodies it.”

"BEYOND," the 2025 General Assembly theme reminds us that God can do far BEYOND what we can ask or imagine. In his book, Celebration of Discipline: The Path to Spiritual Growth, Richard J. Foster (Christian theologian and author) wrote, “Imagination opens the door to faith.” In Ephesians 3:19, a portion of the conclusion of the Apostle Paul’s prayer is “…that you know this love that surpasses knowledge…” I am grateful for the great love and devotion that the servant-leadership of General Minister and President, Reverend Terri Hord Owens has exemplified with the announcement of the Office of Prophetic Witness that will be seen, felt, and heard through platforms in the nation’s capital! May it encourage us to keep our “ears to the ground” listening for critical movement within the Church (writ large), and identifying grassroot efforts within societies that propel the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) “forward and not one step back”!