The ELCA is developing a social statement on civic life and faith, the relationship of church and state, and related matters, as called for by the 2019 ELCA Churchwide Assembly. A draft version of the social statement is now available for study and discussion.

Social statements are the ELCA’s primary documents to address significant social issues. They are intended to aid reflection, shape conscience and set forth the ELCA’s teaching and policy on the major social issues and questions of contemporary life. Social statements are developed by task forces, using an established process of study and widespread participation across the church to guide theological and moral deliberation.

At this time the task force encourages you to study and give feedback on a draft version of the social statement. You can participate by filling out a survey, found here, or by participating in a hearing in your synod, if available. Hearings are public gatherings where participants share their specific affirmations or concerns about a draft statement.

LAMPa Staff and Policy Council will be trained to host hearings. To find out if your synod will host a hearing, or to learn how to host one, please email LAMPa here. Sign up for LAMPa’s emails to get notified when a hearing may be near you.

The feedback period will be open until Sept. 30, 2024.

To download a copy of the draft social statement, click here. The ELCA is unable to offer printed versions at this time. A Spanish translation of the draft is coming soon.

For the online version of the survey, click here. For a version of the survey to print and mail in, click here.

If you have any questions, please email the task force here.

To learn more about the task force members, click here.

Read a detailed timeline of the task force’s work.