Page 158 - THE ARMENIAN CHURCH_Neat

Social Action 159

b) Integrated approach to social ministry.
The Armenian Church's social action has
always been animated by spiritual and moral
values, and driven by pastoral and economic
considerations. Thus, through social action, it
has sought not simply to help the poor or to
do charity, but, rather, to eradicate poverty
and to challenge unjust socio-economic
structures and practices. The Church seeks to
deepen the Christian self-understanding
through social diakonia and, thereby, em-
power the people to engage in moral renewal
and social transformation. Since early times,
the Armenian Church has established canons
to deal properly with social and economic
issues and concerns, aimed at providing
moral education and pastoral guidance.
Indeed, the spiritual renewal of people is a
major priority for the Church's diakonia.
c) Community building. Social ministry in
all its aspects, manifestations, and impli-
cations is community-oriented. In its social
ministry, the Church endeavors to foster the
moral, social, and economic foundations of
the community of faith, promote Gospel
values and principles, and enhance self-
development and self-reliance. The Church
initiates, develops, and implements its dia-
conal projects and programs in such a way as
to go beyond individual confines so that they
embrace the whole community and boost