Church in Society
The Church in Society unit leads this church in stepping forward as a public church that witnesses boldly to God’s love for all that God has created.
This unit studies social issues, prepares social statements for this church’s consideration and action, and promotes moral deliberation. Congregations receive assistance in developing programs and strategies that help people in poverty, in caring for creation, and in developing their communities. This program unit is responsible for domestic refugee concerns and, accordingly, relates to Lutheran Immigration and Refugee Service.
The Church in Society units coordinates the ELCA World Hunger Program. It administers the ELCA Domestic Disaster Response and, in cooperation with The Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod, Lutheran Disaster Response. The unit is responsible for this church’s ministry of service through some 280 affiliated social ministry organizations.
It grants and maintains church affiliation with these organizations and through Lutheran Services in America develops a comprehensive delivery system among social ministry organizations, congregations, and community organizations.
The unit for Church in Society carries out this church’s advocacy with national and international governmental bodies and with institutions in the private sector, and coordinates its advocacy with state governments.
Addressing sexism and advocating for full participation and equal opportunity in church and society for women is the assignment of Justice for Women, an initiative of this unit.
Listed below are the programs within Church in Society. You can keep informed by subscribing to the e-newsletters that are created within Church in Society.
| Justice for Women |
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The ELCA is committed to challenging and eradicating sexism in this church and in society. Central to this challenge for Lutherans are the twofold theological bases of creation and baptism and the christological basis of Jesus Christ's life and death. [learn more]
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| Lutheran Disaster Response |
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We help to bring God’s comfort, healing and renewal to those affected by disasters. Even after the dust settles and the headlines change, we stay -- providing ongoing assistance to those in need. [learn more] | |
| Poverty Ministries |
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ELCA Poverty Ministries is a multi-faceted approach to the scandal of poverty in a wealthy nation. This work is grounded in God's unflagging commitment to people who are poor and oppressed, articulated by the prophets and embodied in the life of Jesus. [learn more]
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| Social Issues |
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As a public church, we are called to address significant social issues that affect the common good. [learn more]
Social Statements and Messages
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| Social Ministry Organizations |
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The ELCA, along with The Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod and 300 health and human service organizations, participate in an alliance known as Lutheran Services in America (LSA). LSA serves more than six million people each year -- 1 out of 50 people in 3,000 communities in the United States and the Caribbean [learn more] | |