Workfare (Work Programs)

ELCA Churchwide Assembly Action CA99.06.43

Passed by the 1999 Churchwide Assembly in Denver, Colorado.

Resolved
To respond to the concerns raised by the Metropolitan New York Synod in regard to workfare programs by affirming this church's opposition to such programs;

To direct the Division for Church in Society, through the Lutheran Office for Governmental Affairs, to oppose workfare programs that in effect coerce people to work under conditions that violate their dignity or freedom, and to support employment opportunities that will in reality lead toward sufficient, sustainable livelihood for those who have been welfare recipients;

To urge synods, congregations, social ministry organizations, and individuals to assess the underlying assumptions and ongoing practices of their state and local workfare programs, and in cooperation with state public policy offices, to convey their concerns to appropriate state and local decision makers; and

To request the Division for Church in Society to continue to educate and inform congregations, social ministry organizations, and individuals concerning the ethics and economics of workfare programs.