We want to take a moment to express our heartfelt gratitude to each and every one of you who supports the work of Renewed Heart Ministries. Your generosity makes it possible for us to continue our mission of love, justice, and compassion—even in a time when ministries like ours are being called to do more with less.
Your support means the world to us. Whether we’re speaking into the broader society or engaging within our faith communities, we remain committed to advocating for a world that is inclusive, just, and safe for all. Your partnership helps keep that vision alive.
From all of us at Renewed Heart Ministries, thank you. We are so deeply grateful for you—and we couldn’t do this work without you.
If you'd like to join them in supporting our work, please go to renewedheartministries.wpcomstaging.com/ and click on "Donate.”
Betrayal: The historic and personally challenging sex discrimination case that pitted the Adventist Church against its own women.
By Merikay McLeod
As a young assistant editor at Pacific Press Publishing Association, owned by the Seventh-day Adventist Church, Merikay McLeod asked manager in 1972 for wages comparable to those paid to a man doing the same work. Her husband was out of work and wanted to go to school; their car was in bad repair; and they were reduced to returning groceries for change to do the laundry. But the manager not only said, “No”; he said, “Never!” And the consequences of that “Never!” are the struggle for justice recounted in Betrayal. 
For this fortieth anniversary edition, that story last published in 1985 as BETRAYAL: The Shattering Sex Discrimination Case of Silver vs Pacific Press Publishing Assoclation (Mars Hill Publications) is revised, updated, and contextualized by a colleague, an attorney, and a historian.
“What an important book for chronicling a crucial milestone in the Adventist Church’s treatment of women! To forget is to risk further discrimination. To be reminded is to inspire commitment to the eternal values of inclusion.”—Lawrence T. Geraty PhD, President Emeritus, La Sierra University
“Countless women employees are, or should be, grateful to Merikay for the size of their paychecks. Her courage and persistence have won benefits not only for her but for innumerable others, as she wishes.”—Leona G. Running, PhD, professor emeritus, Andrews University
“Merikay’s Betrayal Is very moving, very honest, very haunting, and well written. I could not put it down. The book shows us what the pursuit of sweet justice feels like, day after day; and tells us what the price of survival is for women. Merikay isone of the heroines.”—Phyllis Chesler, PhD, author of Women & Madness
Available now at:
https://app.etapestry.com/onlineforms/AssociationforAdventistForums/merikaybook-1.html
Wealth Redistribution in the Gospels
Part 1 of The Parable of the Dishonest Manager
Spiritualized this story of wealth redistribution gives off the impression that something is intentionally missing.
https://www.patheos.com/blogs/socialjesus/2025/09/wealth-redistribution-gospels/
The Dishonest Manager and the Tools of the Powerless
Part 2 of The Parable of the Dishonest Manager
The manager is using a weapon of the powerless. They must find ways to resist that don’t subject them to the dangers of open revolt.
https://www.patheos.com/blogs/socialjesus/2025/09/dishonest-manager-tools-powerless/
Community Through Redistribution of Wealth
Part 3 of The Parable of the Dishonest Manager
This was a community built through redistribution of wealth. It was about forging bonds through shared resources and mutual aid.
https://www.patheos.com/blogs/socialjesus/2025/09/community-through-redistribution-wealth/
Season 3, Episode 26: Luke 16:1-13, Lectionary C, Proper 20
Just Talking is a weekly conversation centered on the upcoming weekend’s Gospel lectionary reading. Each discussion explores the text through the lenses of love, inclusion, and social justice. Our hope is that these conversations will be more than just talking—they’ll be just talking, rooted in justice. And maybe, they’ll inspire you to go beyond just talking and into action. Whether you preach from the lectionary or are simply curious about the Jesus story from a more progressive, justice-oriented perspective, we invite you to join us.
This week’s special guest is Alicia Johnston.
Watch at:
New Episode of The Social Jesus Podcast
A podcast where we talk about the intersection of faith and social justice and what a first century, prophet of the poor from Galilee might have to offer us today in our work of love, compassion and justice.
This week:
Season 2 Episode 38: The Parable of the Dishonest Manager
Luke 16:1-13
“Our story this week is one that scholars have offered multiple interpretations of. They have spiritualized the story, taken it literally, and sought to apply the story to our context today, but most interpretation give me the feeling that something is being left on the table. One interpretation I find most convincing is by William Herzog in his classic book, Parables as Subversive Speech: Jesus as Pedagogue of the Oppressed. Herzog looks at various parables from the gospels through the lens of the Brazilian educator Paulo Freire’s work Pedagogy of the Oppressed. The early Jesus movement built community through what was called ‘dishonest wealth.’ It was about forging bonds through shared resources and mutual aid. Even now, this parable whispers through time, urging us to transform the riches of the few into a wealth shared by all, to redistribute wealth not to the few, but for the good of all, and to create a robust common wealth rooted in compassionate, empathetic care for everyone’s needs.”
Available on all major podcast carriers and at:
https://the-social-jesus-podcast.simplecast.com/episodes/the-parable-of-the-dishonest-manager
Upcoming Events
October 18, 2025
Good News Fellowship (via Zoom)
Toronto, Ontario Canada
For info: 304.520.0030
Weekly Zoom HeartGroup on Wednesday Nights
Each Wednesday evening, Glendale City Church will be hosting a Zoom-HeartGroup led by Herb Montgomery. Our discussion each week includes the content in Renewed Heart Ministries’ weekly eSight articles, The Social Jesus podcast, and RHM’s Just Talking YouTube show. The time of each Zoom session will be on Wednesdays at 7:00 p.m. Pacific/10:00 p.m. Eastern.
For more information and for the link to participate each week, contact RHM here.
Finding Jesus: A Fundamentalist Preacher Discovers the Socio-Political & Economic Teachings of the Gospels
by Herb Montgomery
Available now on Amazon!
In Finding Jesus, author Herb Montgomery delves into the profound and often overlooked political dimensions of the gospels. Through meticulous analysis of biblical texts, historical context, and social discourse, this thought-provoking book unveils the gospels’ socio-political, economic teachings as rooted in a profound concern for justice, compassion, and the well-being of the marginalized. The book navigates the intersections between faith and societal justice, presenting a compelling argument for a more socially engaged and transformative Christianity.
Finding Jesus is not just a scholarly exploration; it is a call to action. It challenges readers to reevaluate their understanding of Christianity’s role in public life and to consider how the radical teachings of the gospels can inspire a renewed commitment to justice, equality, and compassion. This book is a must-read for those seeking a deeper understanding of the social implications of Christian faith and a blueprint for building a more just and inclusive society.
Are you receiving all of RHM’s free resources each week?
You can find Renewed Heart Ministries on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram for our daily posts. Our JFE podcast can be subscribed to through the podcast platform you use. And you can even get messages from RHM delivered to you email inbox every day.
Sign up today so you don’t miss a thing!
Click “Sign Up!”
Donate to RHM online or by mail at
RHM, PO Box 1211, Lewisburg, WV 24901