Crafting LAMPa’s bi-annual Public Policy Agenda

Lutheran Advocacy Ministry in Pennsylvania employs several interrelated criteria to discern which of the many pressing issues will be developed into legislative priorities. Formal adoption by the LAMPa Policy Council happens every other December, immediately prior the start of each new session of the Pennsylvania General Assembly. The agenda may be revised during the session, if needed.

ELCA Social Policy

LAMPa works solely on public policy issues that the ELCA has identified and spoken about through its Social Statements, or other authoritative documents.  We recognize that many ELCA members and congregations will engage in faithful advocacy around other social issues on which the ELCA does not have an official position.  LAMPa will work with these advocates to equip them with the skills they need to faithfully live out their baptismal calling to “strive for justice and peace in all the earth”.

Current Events & Political Climate

LAMPa strives to maintain a relevant presence in the policy making community.  Therefore, issues that the General Assembly is likely to address – and for which there is an ELCA policy base – are given significant consideration.  The bi-annual agenda is also flexible enough to accommodate responses to emerging legislation that would affect the immediate circumstances of “the least of these in our midst”  and that impact hunger and food insecurity that are always of particular concern to the church.

LAMPa Policy Council & Partners

The LAMPa Policy Council gives final approval to LAMPa’s public policy agenda.   Issues of particular importance to one or more of the partners are brought to the council and are reviewed to determine their statewide relevance and appeal.

LAMPa Stakeholder Survey

LAMPa surveys all ministry partners – including ACTIONET members – six months prior to the adoption of a new agenda to ensure an adequate level of support across the state.  Significant attention is given to issues with a high level of interest.