Relational power is the opposite of unilateral power, which is unchecked, unaccountable, unshared and prone to abuse.

Relational power comes from understanding the stories and interests of people we want to work with, of our colleagues in congregations, neighborhoods and schools, and of potential community allies. We also must understand the interests of powerful forces in the community who have previously worked to the detriment of our neighbors and families. 

Conversations

To understand the interests of other people, we have to listen to their stories, their ambitions and their disappointments. We believe the only way this happens is in face-to-face conversations where we deliberately focus on disclosing our own stories and learning the stories of others. 

Ironically, the more and faster we "communicate" in today's world, the more likely we are to lose the skills and opportunities for face-to-face relational conversations. Much of our work in Justice United is learning how to hold these conversations and developing a discipline for sustained engagement. 

By combining knowledge of people's interests with imagination and creativity, we become "political." We are not political in the ways of modern politicians -- focused on money, message and manipulation. We are political in the ways of the ancient Greeks, where politics comes from building and understanding relationships within the polis -- the people. This type of "political" understanding fosters negotiation, compromise and agreement. 

What are the alternatives to relational power? We reject using the unilateral power of violence or manipulation. We reject zero sum power dynamics where people believe if one group of citizens increases its power, others must have their power diminished. We reject the notion that community can be created and sustained by the power of government bureaucracy, nor can community survive and thrive solely on the power of the invisible hand of commerce. 

Public Friendships

A blessed byproduct of a culture of relationship is the capacity for diverse, traditionally antagonistic communities to work together. Relational conversations and personal stories break down stereotypes. As community issues emerge in diverse communities, opportunities emerge for joint action or reciprocal support building true "public friendships" -- philia in Greek. These face-to-face relationships build community in ways abstract "caring" or charity never accomplish. To paraphrase St. Francis of Assisi, we truly meet our God when we fully encounter those "other" to us.

Because we believe in power -- without it constructive change is not possible -- the members of the Justice United have dedicated themselves to practicing the discipline of relational conversations across a broad swath of our communities. We also have pledged to cultivate a discipline of bringing small groups together to discuss the pressures facing families and acting together for the common good.