Moral Deliberation Resources

Resources for Congregations to Become Communities of Moral Deliberation

Christians can talk about the social issues of daily life together in congregations and other settings. The Evangelical Lutheran Church in America encourages this when it claims that this church is "a community of moral deliberation" in its social statement, The Church in Society: A Lutheran Perspective.

To help Christians talk together about social issues as matters of their faith, the ELCA has two resources:

• Talking Together as Christians about Tough Social Issues  is an easy-to-use guide for holding discussions in congregations and other ministry settings. A Spanish version, Dialogando en Conjunto como Cristianos (2001) is available by phoning 800-638-3522. 
• For having discussions with groups that cross cultural boundaries, you are also encouraged to use Talking Together as Christians Cross Culturally: A Field Guide . This resource will help with some important dimensions of discussing issues among people of different cultural backgrounds. Both resources are companion pieces for cross-cultural discussions.
   
• ELCA Social Statements and ELCA Social Messages make great discussion-starters.

To obtain a complimentary single printed copy of any of these, call the ELCA Resource Information Service at 800-638-3522. To order multiple copies for your group, call the same number.

When we find ourselves on common ground with others in conversations, we are more able also to deal with our differences together. We look at our differences with fresh eyes, with a changed perspective on them.

- Talking Together as Christians Cross-Culturally, p.23