The American system of justice focuses on punishing wrongdoers (retributive justice) rather than on healing and restoring both victims and offenders and their communities (restorative justice). This session introduces the principles and practices that distinguish restorative justice, which has deep biblical roots, from retributive justice, touching on some surprising settings where restorative justice is now being practiced. Restorative justice has a place within the church, as well, perhaps even as a focal point of ministry and mission. The workshop will be led by Dr. Stanley Saunders, who serves on the Georgia Region’s Commission on Ministry, and is a retired New Testament professor from Columbia Theological Seminary. He now practices restorative justice, including “defense-initiated victim outreach” and “facilitated victim – offender dialogue” in response to violent crime. Learn more about this workshop, which is part of Upgrade Thursdays, and get ZOOM link here.