LAMPa Mission Statement: In response to God’s love in Jesus Christ, we advocate for wise and just public policies in Pennsylvania that promote the common good.

To advocate is to plead the cause of those suffering injustice. Advocacy ministry is rooted in Scripture, Lutheran theology and our baptismal calling to strive for justice and peace in all the earth.* It is expressed by advocating with and for our neighbors in need, for the sake of the common good, in places where important political and economic decisions are being made.

LAMPa is a ministry of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) and serves as a State Public Policy Office of the ELCA. LAMPa’s vision is centered in the ELCA strategic direction to “Step forward as a public church that witnesses boldly to God’s love for all that God has created.”

LAMPa’s ministry is based on ELCA Social Statements and social policy resolutions and the ELCA Constitution: “This church shall advocate dignity and justice for all people, working for peace and reconciliation among nations, and standing with the poor and powerless and committing itself to their need…This church shall study social issues and trends, work to discover the causes of oppression and injustice, and develop programs of ministry and advocacy to further human dignity, freedom, justice, and peace in the world.” 4.02 and 4.031.

In partnership with ELCA World Hunger, and based on the deep experience and commitment of our more than 1,000 congregations across the Commonwealth, LAMPa leads non-partisan advocacy to Pennsylvania public officials on range of interconnected issues, but particularly in addressing hunger and its root causes, striving to create a just world where all are fed.  We equip disciples of Jesus Christ for civic engagement rooted in their baptism and led where God is calling them into the world.

LAMPa is a partnership ministry of the Service and Justice Unit of the ELCA with Pennsylvania synods, congregations, agencies and institutions.

LAMPa serves these partners through:

  • Providing an advocacy voice for the ELCA, its congregations and members, and with government policymakers in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania
  • Conducting analysis and providing resources on current social issues and public policy to help Lutherans understand the connections between faith and daily public life
  • Providing training and opportunities for Lutherans to become better advocates for justice

*(Affirmation of Baptism, Evangelical Lutheran Worship)