Overview

A household name, Christian Aid is the relief and development agency of 41 sponsoring churches in the UK. Justice Song explores the organisation's rich history through a series of thematic chapters, interspersed with brief accounts of Christian Aid's involvement with different countries around the world. Its groundbreaking work dates back to 1945, when it was founded by British and Irish churches to help refugees following World War II. For 80 years, the organisation has provided humanitarian relief and long-term development support for poor communities across the globe, while highlighting suffering, tackling injustice and championing people's rights. Sir Robert Birley once wrote of Christian Aid's founding Director, Janet Lacey CBE: 'Bureaucracy [...] collapsed at her approach; no one ever broke more rules.' The book will capture the spirit of dissent and innovation which marks both Christian Aid's beginnings and its work today. From campaigns which took on the World Bank and International Monetary Fund, to the founding role it played in the Voluntary Service Overseas, Disasters Emergency Committee and Fairtrade Foundation, Christian Aid has consistently driven change. It helped set up the World Development Movement to encourage political campaigning, advised Martin Luther King while he was travelling in the UK, and counted the likes of Bishop Oscar Romero amongst its partners. While it covers the pivotal moments in Christian Aid's history, Justice Song also includes the voices and personal stories of those who have both worked for and been impacted by the organisation's work over the years.

Full Product Details

9780281091980

Table of Contents

Reviews

""Having worked with Christian Aid for more than thirty years, I commend Justice Song. The book not only chronicles the organisation's history but also explores the evolving meaning of development and the changing nature of Christian engagement with global justice. It traces the shift from charity to partnership, from aid to advocacy, reflecting broader changes in theology, politics and practice. Justice Song serves as an inspiring reminder that faith, when united with justice, can transform both communities and the global structures that shape their lives."" -- Robert Beckford, Professor of Climate and Social Justice, University of Winchester ""As a door-to-door collector, a partner (in Haiti) and a director (with Michael Taylor) - from pulpits, in lecture halls and from the red benches (in the House of Lords) - it seems as if Christian Aid has become part of my DNA. This book arrives at a kairos moment in the world we're living in - there was never a greater need for its message."" -- Leslie Griffiths, Lord Griffiths of Burry Port ""Christian Aid has transformed lives and given hope to so many in some of the most daunting parts of the world. As this book clearly shows, we should all be so proud of their commitment and achievements in the fight against international poverty."" -- Andrew Mitchell, former UK Secretary of State for International Development ""My first introduction to Christian Aid was collecting for them during Christian Aid Week. Many years later, I had a Christian Aid poster on my wall declaring that they believed in life before death. I have been a long-term fan of their work and, having a family member work for them also, am delighted to endorse the publication of this very fine book by Michael Taylor. This is an ideal book for all those wanting to know the back story of the admirable work undertaken by Christian Aid."" -- Anthony G. Reddie, Professor of Black Theology, University of Oxford ""Justice Song is a story that needed to be told, not least as a reminder of the extraordinary impact that is created when committed people work together for a better world. Michael Taylor weaves together an account of how, from its foundation in the aftermath of the Second World War, Christian Aid has tried - and usually succeeded - in being a champion of peace, justice and human rights, challenging those in authority to use their power for the common good."" -- Mary Robinson, former President of Ireland, and UN High Commissioner for Human Rights ""There are many words one might use to describe the story of Christian Aid, which Michael Taylor's book tells with admirable freshness and energy, but the one I would choose is partnership - an organisation that is sufficiently humble and theological to want to work with rather than for or instead of others. It's an approach and a story we would do well to listen to today."" -- Nick Spencer, Senior Fellow, Theos ""Christian Aid was born into a world where people had woken up afresh to the scale of suffering and disruption around them and were eager to discover what they could do to honour the dignity of their fellow human beings facing displacement, poverty and prejudice. Eighty years on, Christian Aid is not out of business, and the urgency is even greater. No one could be better qualified than Michael Taylor to tell this story. In this welcome book, he gives a lucid, lively account of both the thinking and the action that have shaped Christian Aid's identity - and tells us unmistakably why the imperatives are still there for all of us."" -- Rowan Williams, former Archbishop of Canterbury

Author Information

Michael Taylor is Emeritus Professor of Social Theology, University of Birmingham. He was Director of Christian Aid from 1985-97.

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