ELCA Social Statements

 
Social statements are social policy documents, adopted by an ELCA Churchwide Assembly, addressing significant social issues. They provide an analysis and interpretation of an issue, set forth basic theological and ethical perspectives related to it, and offer guidance for the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, its individual members, and its affiliated agencies and institutions. They are the product of extensive and inclusive deliberation within this church. Since 1991, the ELCA has adopted ten social statements.

Social Statements of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America
Abortion (1991) pdf   Aborto (1991) pdf
Church in Society (1991) pdf   Iglesia en la Sociedad (1991) pdf
Death Penalty (1991) pdf   Pena de Muerta (1991) pdf
Economic Life (1999) pdf   Vida Economica (1999) pdf
Education (2007) pdf   Educación (2007) pdf
Environment (1993) pdf   Medio ambiente (1993) pdf
Health and Healthcare (2003) pdf   Salud y asistencia sanitaria (2003) pdf
Peace (1995) pdf   Por la paz (1995) pdf
Race, Ethnicity, and Culture (1993) pdf   Raza, Etnicidad y Cultura (1993) pdf
Sexuality (2009) pdf   La sexualidad humana (2009)


How are social documents developed in the ELCA?
Social statements and messages guide the social witness of the church in public life. Policies and Procedures of the ELCA for Addressing Social Concerns describes the purpose, character and processes for social statements, messages, social policy resolutions and studies.

This church shall develop social statements...that will guide the life of this church as an institution and inform the conscience of its members in the spirit of Christian liberty.

The Church in Society: A Lutheran Perspective, p. 9