A Restorative Approach to Justice

What does a restorative approach to justice look like? In March’s “We Conspire” series, we explore the EJUSA Evangelical Network’s quest for a more restorative approach to justice. Rooted in the belief that every individual is created in the image of God, the EJUSA Evangelical Network emphasizes the immeasurable value of all life.  

Sam Heath spent a decade as a high school history teacher, sparking thought and inspiring students. However, what Heath truly wanted was to tell his students to take action for change in the world, to say “Go and do this thing.” Now, as the manager for the Equal Justice USA (EJUSA) Evangelical Network, Heath has found a role that allows him to say just that: “Go and do this thing.”  

Heath still finds himself teaching. Engaging in community safety and justice work with groups, churches, and organizations, Heath leads workshops and webinars on restorative practices, encouraging people to move from awareness to advocacy to a place of active participation in the work of justice. 

The restorative justice model advocated by EJUSA Evangelical Network is built on the foundation of accountability and encapsulated in the “ARC” framework: Acknowledge the harm done and its impact on the person harmed; Repair that is determined by the person harmed, not by the state; Enacting Change in the person or system to prevent future harm. This approach seeks to center well-being and restoration over control, punishment, or fear.  

Real accountability means taking responsibility for the harm, working with those harmed to repair it, and doing the internal work necessary to ensure that the harm isn’t repeated. Punishment delivers none of that. The three constituencies to harm—survivors, communities, and those who have harmed—need all three elements of true justice (safety, accountability, and healing) to endure and ultimately thrive. When individuals embrace this truth, we redefine what justice is. 

Heath eloquently highlights the shortcomings of the current justice system, which often fails to deliver true safety and healing. He explains, “True safety is not just the absence of violence but the presence of well-being, a state of shalom that can only be achieved through Christ. The current justice system, particularly its response to violence, has failed to deliver this shalom, instead causing further pain and harm to communities.”  

Through its Restorative Justice Project team, the EJUSA Evangelical Network calls for restorative responses that address trauma, advance racial equity, and fulfill the promise of healing, safety, and restoration for all. Drawing inspiration from Micah 6:8, “And what does the Lord require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God,” the EJUSA Evangelical Network invites individuals to reimagine justice and build the vision that includes: 1) Healing support that is accessible, culturally responsive, and repairs trauma for everyone harmed. 2) Violence prevention that uses proven public health strategies to reduce violence and keep communities safe. 3) Restorative practices that create genuine accountability and increase safety and healing. [1]    

For Heath, spiritual practices like silence, solitude, and prayer are essential to envision a world where violence is rare, and every community is safe and healthy. The path to that world demands that we as a nation change the way we think about violence and trauma, about how we meet the needs of survivors, and about how we hold accountable those who cause harm while honoring their dignity. Heath says, “Contemplation provides the stability needed to confront the real harm in the world and envision healing. My hope is to always move people to action, to inspire them to ‘go and do this thing,’ but not without first encouraging contemplation and prayer.”  

References:  
[1] See https://ejusa.org/what-is-justice. Accessed 02/26/2025 

Reflect with Us  
How can we redefine justice to prioritize healing and accountability over punishment? In what ways do restorative practices challenge our current understanding of justice?  Share your reflection with us.  

We Conspire is a series from the Center for Action and Contemplation featuring wisdom and stories from the growing Christian contemplative movement. Sign up for the monthly email series and receive a free invitation to practice each month.