WHAT WE BELIEVE
Our faith calls us to justice.
"What does the Lord require of you? To do justice, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God." — Micah 6:8 (NRSV)
The DART Credo
We believe in the biblical story of justice.
The biblical story offers abundance, hope, love, and community. It teaches us that life finds meaning when we love God and our neighbor (Leviticus 19:18; Luke 10:27). We believe that doing justice is not optional — it is central to faith (Micah 6:8; Matthew 23:23-24).
We stand over and against the cult of money.
Consumer culture tells a false story of scarcity, fear, and self-interest. In contrast, we follow a story rooted in generosity, faith, and shared purpose.
We need the power of organized people to win justice.
Through direct action, organized people from all faith traditions unite to hold leaders accountable and demand systemic change. Nehemiah 5 shows us the model: when the people stood together, those causing harm were forced to change.
We embrace high standards and rigorous accountability.
We value growth, evaluation, and shared success. Leaders are supported, celebrated, and developed — because justice demands our best.
Three Callings, One Faith
JUSTICE
MERCY
FAITH
Justice and Mercy: Both Matter
Jesus names justice, mercy, and faithfulness as the weightier matters of the law — the things deserving our greatest attention (Matthew 23:23). Our congregations practice all three. We worship, pray, and disciple. We serve neighbors in immediate need with compassion. And through CUJ, we pursue justice — organizing to change the systems that create those needs in the first place.
Most congregations do faithfulness and mercy ministry well. Justice ministry is where the church often struggles, because justice deals with large and powerful systems that no one congregation can move alone. That is exactly the gap CUJ fills.
Both justice and mercy matter. Scripture calls us to both, and people of faith have always practiced both.
Mercy ministry responds to immediate needs — providing meals, offering shelter, covering a utility bill. These acts meet urgent concerns with compassion and reflect the love of God in a direct and personal way. Our member congregations do this work, and it is good and necessary.
Justice ministry seeks to change the systems that create those needs in the first place. It challenges unfair policies, demands accountability, and organizes for lasting solutions. It asks not only how do I help this person today, but why are so many people in this situation — and who is responsible for changing it.
The question CUJ asks is not mercy or justice. It is: how do we practice both — faithfully, together, at the scale the problems demand?
The Same Problem, Two Levels
MERCY
JUSTICE
A commitment to a rapid rehousing program, such as Built for Zero, which results in homelessness being rare and limited.
HOMELESSNESS
A shelter bed for the night, a meal, a warm coat
An Affordable Housing Trust Fund with $2 million in annual investment that produces affordable units for years to come.
HOUSING INSTABILITY
A congregation providing a one-time rental assistance payment to prevent eviction.
SUPPORT FOR OUR SENIORS
A ,member of the congregation drives a neighbor to appointments and helps with groceries
A property tax relief program that keeps long-time homeowners who live on fixed income, in their homes.
A funded Community Violence Intervention strategy that addresses root causes and reduces harm before it occurs
COMMUNITY VIOLENCE
Support for a family after a loss. Trauma care for survivors.