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Advocacy Resources

Tools You Can Use

 
On this page, you will find a wide variety of resources and links to help individuals and congregations in their advocacy ministry. Learn more about personal actions you can take, what your congregation can do to start an advocacy ministry, biblical references for advocacy and general resources.
 

Resources for starting an advocacy ministry in your congregation

Involving Congregations in Advocacy Now (ICAN)
An ELCA guide to developing an advocacy ministry within your congregation

That We May Speak . . . Our Ministry of Action
A step-by-step guide for congregations to choose an issue and begin a ministry of advocacy

Public Policy Advocacy Toolkit from Lutheran Services in America order form

How and Why the ELCA Does Advocacy

Congregational Resources

Environment and Energy Resources

"Being a Public Church: Guidance for churches and clergy participating in the electoral process"

"Peace, Conflict and Public Church: A case study on the future of Iraq"
Download flyer PDF Format or order from ELCA Resource Catalog [800-638-3522, ext. 2580] ITEM000785

"God's Mission in the World"
Download flyer PDF Format or order from ELCA Resource Catalog [800-638-3522, ext. 2580] Item number 9786000217495

Congregation and Nonprofit Political Activity Guides

Being a Public Church: Guidance for churches and clergy participating in the electoral process

IRS Guidelines for Electoral Activities of Nonprofit Organizations PDF Format
by Lisa Carr and Kathy Saile of Lutheran Services in America

Political Activity and Tax Status FAQ 
from ELCA Legal Counsel

Political and Lobbying Activities Guide for churches and religious organizations
from the Internal Revenue Service


Bible References to Advocacy Bible Study

A quick reference

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

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