What It Takes

The primary focus of a Faith In Action organizer is the development of people’s public leadership. While certain skills and techniques of organizing can be learned, a person must possess certain qualities in order to successfully develop people.

Passion

Organizing is about waking up every day with the internal drive to help people create change in their lives and in their communities. Faith In Action organizers need a high level of self-motivation and initiative to make this happen.

Respect & Belief in People

Faith In Action organizers spend the majority of their time interacting with people from various religious, socioeconomic, racial, and ethnic backgrounds. To build strong relationships that lead to action, organizers need to have a genuine love and respect for everyday people, and a belief in their power to create change.

Anger at Injustice

Faith In Action organizers don’t just theorize about the impact of injustice — they feel it. Careful not to act solely out of anger, Faith In Action organizers channel their feelings into positive, constructive action.

Understanding of Power

Positive and constructive action in the public arena requires the ability to critically analyze the policies and power structures that shape people’s lives. Faith In Action organizers help people understand these power dynamics and how best to engage decision makers in their communities.

Comfort with Faith

A faith-based network, Faith In Action works with individuals and communities from many different faith traditions and religious identities. Faith In Action organizers should feel comfortable engaging clergy and lay people around their faith and how it influences their lives.

Self-Awareness

Helping other people move past barriers that have been holding them back requires that organizers examine similar barriers in their own lives. To effectively develop others, Faith In Action organizers need to be invested in their own growth and development.

Learn more about our opportunities for professional development