The ELCA is blessed with numerous carefully prepared, theologically faithful, and thoughtfully written social statements and messages, providing remarkable resources to guide us as we engage as citizens in the public square.
2016 Civic Participation and Voter Education Guide
Social Teaching Documents
ELCA social statements are teaching and policy documents that provide broad frameworks to assist us in discussing social issues in the context of faith and life. They are meant to help communities
- Church and Society (1991) – provides helpful overview
- Abortion (1990)
- Criminal Justice (2013)
- Death Penalty (1991)
- Economic Life (1999)
- Education (2007)
- Caring for Creation (1993)
- Genetics (2011)
- Health and Healthcare (2003)
- Human Sexuality (2009)
- Peace (1995)
- Race, Ethnicity and Culture (1993)
ELCA policy resolutions and social messages relevant to the election:
- Extremist Groups 1995 Churchwide Resolution
- Immigration 1998 Social Message
- Immigrant Welcome 2011 Churchwide Resolution
- Living in a Time of Terrorism 2004 Social Message
- Toward Compassionate, Just and Wise Immigration Reform 2009 Social Policy Resolution
- Voting Rights to All Citizens 2013 Social Policy Resolution
Walking Together and Discernment
Advocacy
- Called to Be a Public Church Civic Participation Guide
- Advocacy Resources
- ELCAVotes
