Mission Statement
“Protestants for the Common Good acts for social justice and the common good as essential to the Christian faith, educating and mobilizing people of faith to become effective participants in political democracy.”
The plan also calls for PCG to work with its constituency to develop annually a “Common Good Agenda” that will serve as the focus for work in education and advocacy in Illinois and across the nation. The current priority areas are: faith and democracy, economic justice, public education, healthcare, criminal justice, the environment and global issues. In each of these areas PCG works ecumenically and on an interfaith basis.
Current initiatives are listed in The Policy Agenda.
History
The organization was founded out of a concern that organizations from the Christian political right, such as the Christian Coalition, mistakenly portray themselves as speaking on behalf of all Protestant Christians on a wide range of public issues. PCG’s initial activity was an organizational rally in December 1995 that attracted over 700 people. Most of those present were concerned about the activities of the Christian political right and the fact that these groups had influence beyond their numbers in setting the moral tone for our country, in our state legislatures and in Congress.
PCG is both an education and advocacy organization. It is incorporated as a 501(c)3 entity through which it pursues its educational activities, including the teaching of a
Faith and Public Issues discussion series, public events such as forums and town meetings on issues with important moral dimensions, and the dissemination of written materials that prepare the reader to consider the direct moral consequences of public policy. The PCG Board also takes specific positions on particular issues, and is able to engage in advocacy to the extent permitted by law.
The central focus of PCG is to assist people to examine their responsibilities as citizens in the light of their religious faith. It does not attempt to dictate the religious or political beliefs of its members. Likewise, PCG believes that congregations as corporate entities should not be asked to take official positions on controversial, often partisan, public issues. To do so would imply that complex social policies constitute articles of faith. Particular political policies and programs must be given our attention but not be confused with the principle tenets of our faith tradition. For this reason, PCG urges individual Protestants who are active church members to join others in becoming PCG members but does not recruit churches as members. Congregations that utilize PCG educational resources and provide annual support for the organization can become “Educational Affiliates.”
In its first fourteen years, Protestants for the Common Good has established a strong network of support from denominations, churches, and individuals throughout Illinois. We communicate regularly with approximately 4,000 individuals. In the autumn of 2002, PCG began production of The Common Good Network, a biweekly email magazine, the articles can be read on this site in the blog section.
PCG also publishes a journal, The Common Good, on faith and public issues and a newsletter, Seeking the Common Good, containing reports and policy updates.
Its many accomplishments can be found in the 10th Anniversary Timeline and in Accomplishments 2002–2009.
In spring 2002, as Protestants for the Common Good approached the completion of its sixth year, the Board of Directors undertook an organizational review and strategic planning process. On January 11, 2003, the Board approved a new three-year strategic plan. In so doing, the Board adopted the following mission statement:
