Every human being is made in the image of God (Imago Dei). This is an unchanging, ontological reality, meaning we are all inherently valuable, meaningful, and good. In addition, God created humanity with choice (agency), value and purpose (tend the earth), and a future (hope). Humanity was also created for harmonious relationships with God, others, creation, and themselves. Together these form the conditions for flourishing. Yet, for individuals living in marginalized communities, these conditions are often systematically suppressed by institutions and structures that process people as problems to be managed rather than people to be seen and valued.
Living in marginalized conditions where value is denied, promises are routinely broken, and things never seem to change, is a form of chronic stress or trauma. Over time, the impacts of marginalization rewires brains and nervous systems in predictable ways that preclude human flourishing. Working with marginalized communities, our IFCs focus on three interconnected dimensions of that impact: Value, Agency, and Hope.
- Value is the experienced reality of mattering. It isn’t an abstract theology or performance-based self-esteem; it’s not the idea that you matter, but what it feels like to be treated as if the image of God in you is real. That you matter to others.
- Agency is the lived sense of genuine capacity. It is the reliable knowledge that your personal choices matter, your voice carries weight, and your individual effort can produce real, visible outcomes.
- Hope is the belief in a viable, reachable future. It is not simple optimism, but a grounded conviction that a different life path is available for a person like me. That a future is conceivable and entirely worth striving toward.
When these three dimensions are withheld, human flourishing is choked out. Conversely, when they are simultaneously restored, individuals are freed to step into the vibrant, outward-oriented life they were originally created to live. True transformation begins by honestly confronting our assumptions about helping, moving past transactions, and intentionally building environments that restore Value, Agency, and Hope. That’s the work of an Innovative Faith Community.