The church has become good at understanding the need for relational outreach ministries. We set up soup kitchens and Thanksgiving turkey drives. We offer coats in the winter and water bottles in the summer. We open our basements for temporary lodging and host bible studies in homeless shelters. This is necessary work and churches must continue upholding the command of loving our neighbors by tangibly meeting the immediate needs of the least of these.

But what would it look like for churches to go deeper? To not only temporarily house or feed or clothe someone experiencing homelessness, but also provide a permanent home for them? To not only meet immediate physical needs, but also address the problem that caused that need in the first place?

If we really believe in this vision of biblical justice, and our call to be a part, we have to think bigger about what we, as the church, can do to alleviate the brokenness in our communities. We have to creatively brainstorm beyond our traditional methods of service and recognize that we are capable of more. We can do more than provide a meal or a shelter for a night; we can start addressing the markets, systems, ideas, and prejudices that leave people without meals or shelters in the first place.

What if churches built housing? What if they stewarded their finances in ways that support affordable housing development? What if they mobilized to support just development of housing in their communities? We, the body of Christ, have a moral responsibility and biblical calling to work for housing justice using whatever resources we have. 

Churches can and should be leading the way in pursuit of housing justice because God works through the local church to repair the breaches in the world. Churches should be building housing, shaping policy, and restoring communities into a place where all can flourish.

Churches, together, can completely transform the housing landscape of our city, and in doing so, move toward the vision of Isaiah 65: a just city where everyone has a home.