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
Justice Today or a Great Reversal Tomorrow
Part 1 of The Rich Man, Lazarus and Justice
This story uses the then-popular belief of a great reversal coming to all in the afterlife, connected to the justice we practiced now.
https://www.patheos.com/blogs/socialjesus/2025/09/justice-today-great-reversal-tomorrow
Economic Justice and the Parable of the Rich Man and Lazarus
Part 2 of The Rich Man, Lazarus and Justice
Details of this story also offer a powerful message about economic justice, critiquing wealth inequality and disregard of the poor.
https://www.patheos.com/blogs/socialjesus/2025/09/economic-justice-parable-rich-man-lazarus
While Lazarus Starves: A Gospel of Economic Injustice
Part 3 of The Rich Man, Lazarus and Justice
The Lazarus story doesn’t asks us to care about our experience in an afterlife, but what kind of human do we want to be today.
https://www.patheos.com/blogs/socialjesus/2025/09/lazarus-starves-gospel-economic-justice
Season 3, Episode 27: Luke 16:19-31, Lectionary C, Proper 21
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.
Herb Montgomery is speaker/director of Renewed Heart Ministries.
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 39: The Rich Man, Lazarus and Justice
Luke 16:19-31
“Future reversals of reward or punishment in an afterlife can be a strong motivation. I would rather live by a different motivation though. We can choose to be motivated to do the right thing by a deep belief in the value, dignity, and potential of every human being. Unlike moral systems based on afterlife consequences, we can consider the consequences of our actions in this life and choose to ground our ethics in reason, empathy, and a commitment to human welfare. We can choose to improve the conditions of those around us whose needs are not yet being met. One of the strongest motivations beyond self-concern and afterlife threats is empathy: the ability to understand and share the feelings of others. When we see suffering, we can choose to allow ourselves to be moved not by religious obligation or fear of post mortem punishment, but by a genuine desire to alleviate pain and promote the well-being of those who are suffering now. If we let it, this emotional connection to others can drive us to act with kindness and integrity in this life.”
Available on all major podcast carriers and at:
https://the-social-jesus-podcast.simplecast.com/episodes/the-rich-man-lazarus-and-justice
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.
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