There are other books about how to start and administer social justice programs. In MY LORD AND MY GOD, Jeffry Korgen tackles the tougher and more basic challenge of motivating parishioners to want to participate in these programs in the first place. He points out that success lies in motivating ordinary parishioners who seek a closer connection with God but often find it difficult to make time for church commitments outside of Mass.

So, while most Catholics pay lip service to social justice, the principal challenge in Catholic social ministry lies in persuading Catholics to 'want to' become a part of the social mission of the church. MY LORD AND MY GOD is unique in addressing the central motivational problem. Korgen examines examples of successful social ministry and explains why they work and what these cases have to teach us about why some Catholics get involved in social action and others do not.

Most important, this book demonstrates that only through an experience of Jesus Christ do Catholics really become engaged in social ministry. It explains that, while Catholic social teaching is important and a sound pastoral plan is essential, without Jesus Christ these efforts are almost inevitably doomed.