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What does Scripture have to say about Advocacy?

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What is Advocacy?

Advocacy is to plead the cause of another together with them and on their behalf. When, for example, the prophets addressed kings and priests on behalf of those suffering injustice, they were advocating. The ELCA calls persons to advocate justice with and for those without power and voice in places where important political and economic decisions are being made that affect the lives of those who are marginalized. This activity is what is meant by “advocacy.” It is one way the ELCA carries out its strategic direction to “step forward as a public church that witnesses boldly to God’s love for all that God has created.”

Why do we do advocacy?

Advocacy is one way we seek to love our neighbor in response to God’s love given us in Jesus Christ. We are caring for, standing with, and serving people who are living in poverty and who are suffering when we work for public and corporate policies that advance justice, peace, human dignity, and care for the earth.

Does the ELCA understand advocacy to be part of its mission?

Yes, it does.

According to the ELCA’s Constitutions, Bylaws, and Continuing Resolutions, among the purposes of our church in participating in God’s mission is to:

• serve in response to God’s love to meet human needs, caring for the sick and the aged, advocating dignity and justice for all people, working for peace and reconciliation among the nations, and standing with the poor and powerless and committing itself to their needs (4.02.c).
•  lift its voice in concord and work in concert with forces for good, to serve humanity, cooperating with church and other groups participating in activities that promote justice, relieve misery, and reconcile the estranged (4.03.g).
• study social issues and trends, work to discover the causes of oppression and injustice, and develop programs of ministry and advocacy to further human dignity, freedom, justice, and peace in the world (4.03.l).
• as in its first social statement, “The Church in Society: A Lutheran Perspective” 1991, the ELCA committs itself to work with and on behalf of the poor, the powerless, and those who suffer, using its power and influence with political and economic decision-making bodies to develop and advocate policies that seek to advance justice, peace, and the care of creation.

How does the ELCA determine what it should advocate?

On the basis of ELCA social statements and social policy resolutions. Social statements are major documents on social issues adopted by at least a two-thirds majority of the ELCA Churchwide Assembly. Social policy resolutions address specific topics, are based upon and consistent with social statements, and may be adopted by either the Churchwide Assembly or the ELCA Church Council.

“Social statements establish policy for the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America’s work in the areas of advocacy and corporate social responsibility (ELCA 11.21.i.j., and m.; 16.11.E91.i., and j.), enabling, limiting, and directing these activities.” (“Policies and Procedures of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America for Addressing Social Concerns, p.13). Social policy resolutions serve the same function.    

Does the U.S. Constitution permit religious bodies to advocate?

Yes, it does.

Advocacy by the ELCA and other religious bodies does not violate what is often referred to as “the separation of church and state.” The First Amendment of the U.S. Constitution guarantees the exercise of religious freedom, including for the public witness of religious bodies. Advocacy is one way the ELCA exercises its religious freedom. In doing so it “work[s] with civil authorities in areas of mutual endeavor, maintaining institutional separation of church and state in a relation of functional interaction” (Constitutions, Bylaws, and Continuing Resolutions, 4.03.n).

Bible References to Advocacy:

A Quick Reference
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This is a partial list of biblical references on justice and advocacy. For a more comprehensive study consult a complete Concordance. In addition to the word "justice," you can broaden the list by looking up texts on hunger (hungry); alien(s); yoke; peace; mercy; plead; compassion; love; and other words that relate to the notion of justice and advocacy.

Ron Sider's book,
Cry Justice: The Bible on Hunger and Poverty, is another excellent source for biblical quotations.

Ex 3:1-12 God sends Moses to Pharaoh
Ex 16:1-30 Trust God to provide our needs
Ex 22:21-23 You shall not oppress the resident alien
Ex 23:1-9 Do not pervert/deny justice to your people
Lv 19:9-10 Leave gleanings for poor people
Lv 19:15-16 Judge with justice; do not take advantage
Dt 15:1-11 Sabbatical year and remission of debts
Dt 16:18-20 Justice, and only justice, shall you pursue
2 Sam 12 Nathan condemns David
I Kg 21 Ahab's greed leads to the murder of Naboth
Ps 72 Prayer for the king to deliver oppressed people
Ps 82 God wants justice for the weak and destitute
Prov 21:13 Listen to the cry of poor people
Is 3:13-15 Elders and princes crush poor people
Is 5:1-17 The Lord is exalted by justice
Is 58:1-14 The true fasting that God desires
Jer 22:3 God commands the king to act with justice
Jer 22:11-17 Woe to the king who builds his house on injustice
Ez 22:23-31 Princes, priests, and prophets oppress poor people
Hos 4:1-11 Priests and people follow false goods and injustice
Amos 5:10-24 God despises the people's worship
Amos 8:4-8 Poor people are bought for a pair of sandals
Mic 6:6-8 What God truly requires
Mt 6:25-34 First seek God and God's justice
Mt 23:23 Woe to Scribes and Pharisees who neglect justice
Mt 25:31-46 "I was hungry and you gave me food"
Mk 6:30-44 Feeding the five thousand
Mk 10:17-22 The man with many possessions
Mk 12:28-34 The great commandment
Lk 4:16-21 Jesus sent to bring good news to the poor
Lk 10:25-37 Parable of the Good Samaritan
Lk 14:12-14 Invite poor people to your dinner
Lk 16:19-31 The rich man and Lazarus
Lk 19:1-10 Jesus and Zacchaeus, the tax collector
Jn 8:1-11 The woman caught in adultery