Social Statements In Process
Faithful participation in society is integral and vital to the mission of the ELCA. As individual members and as a corporate body this church lives out the Christian faith in encounter with the concerns that shape life in God’s creation. Social statements, messages, social policy resolutions and studies of social issues are important means by which this church carries out its participation in society.
Currently, there are two processes underway:
Genetics, and
Criminal Justice.
"Policies and Procedures of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America for Addressing Social Concerns" describes the purpose, character and processes for social statements, messages, social policy resolutions and studies. This document is meant to clarify, order, and strengthen their role in the life and mission of this church. It revises an earlier document with the same name in order to bring these policies and procedures into accord with the changes in the governance structure of the churchwide organization enacted by the 2005 Churchwide Assembly.
This document presents four distinct yet interrelated spheres of activity that seek to form in this church new partnerships, practices, and capacities for discerning and doing God’s will in the world. These four spheres are:
- Equipping and nurturing members;
- Encouraging learning and moral discourse;
- Development and enactment of social policy; and
- Interpreting and applying social policy
For a complete understanding of policy development within the ELCA, visit How the ELCA Addresses Social Concerns.