The scope of the Church in the World committee is to respond to the call defined in the United Methodist Social Principles. The UM Social Principles state that, “They are a call to faithfulness and are intended to be instructive and persuasive in the best and prophetic spirit as well as a call to all members of the United Methodist Church to a prayerful, studied dialogue of faith and practice.” This ministry seeks to apply this statement to human issues in the contemporary world and is comprised of several task forces each designed to focus on a particular justice area.

The dream goals of the Justice Ministries are lofty, and sound very much like God’s kingdom breaking through: for the United Methodist congregations in Chicago to be major contributors to all persons having a job earning a living wage, progressive taxes and corporate responsibility to fund the social safety net (then the tireless efforts of the homeless ministry could be shifted other human needs to improve quality of life and spiritual growth), petty drug users eliminated from the criminal justice system and referred instead to treatment programs, all people have access to health care (including mental health care),and elimination of fossil fuels with the adoption of renewable energy (which would create living wage jobs). Ultimately, the committee strives for every congregation member to contribute some combination of their time, talent, or funds for these dream goals to be realized.