In 2019, the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) Churchwide Assembly tasked the church with developing a social statement on civic life and faith. They are currently asking for feedback from ELCA Lutherans on a draft version of the social statement. You can participate by filling out a survey, found here. You will need to act soon, as the feedback period will be open until Sept. 30, 2024. Learn more on the ELCA page here.
Since our founding in 1973, Texas Impact has been guided by the social statements of our member judicatories. These social statements are important guides for people of faith to consider how we interact with public policy and the world around us. Apparently 2024 is the year for many traditions to update key social statements–and it could not come at a better time!
I was privileged to be elected as a delegate to the United Methodist Church’s worldwide General Conference earlier this year where the revised Social Principles were adopted. We recorded a recent Weekly Witness episode on the topic with John Hill, Interim General Secretary of the United Methodist General Board of Church and Society reflecting on the new Social Principles.
Texas Impact is a State Public Policy Office (SPPO) for the ELCA in Texas and I have the opportunity to participate in monthly calls with other SPPOs from throughout the US, and I know that these social statements guide the work of Lutherans throughout the country. The ELCA draft statement on civic life and faith reflects the diligent work of theologians and practitioners across the ELCA family.
This is important work, and my hope is that we will all take a moment during this heightened political environment to center ourselves on the teachings and social statements of our faith traditions; to take seriously the calls for active participation in civic life; and to be agents of peace and justice in a world that can sometime seem chaotic. The voice of people of faith grounded in faith and love is important. We look forward to seeing how you share your voice in the weeks and months to come.