In the Lutheran tradition, “life in society involves honoring God’s two ways of rule: the right hand, which channels God’s forgiveness and unmerited love, and the left hand, which channels God’s love into just governance on earth.”
Civic engagement in the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) arises both from concern about disorder and injustice and from a hopeful commitment to the well-being of all people. In its social teaching, the ELCA calls on members of this church “to pray, participate in, and advocate for civic life in the United States.” This includes “supporting efforts to increase voter registration and access to polling places, and to help dismantle structural barriers to the ballot box and to civic participation more broadly, all as part of this church’s faithful civic witness.”
LAMPa and ELCA Witness in Society are developing and sharing resources for faithful civic engagement in an election year. You can find tools for congregations as well as information and opportunities for individual service.
Check back for updates throughout election season!
ELCA Elections Resources
Election Engagement Toolkit: Civic engagement in the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) arises both from concern about disorder and injustice and from a hopeful commitment to the well-being of all people. In its social teaching, the ELCA calls on members of this church “to pray, participate in, and advocate for civic life in the United States. This ELCA Election Engagement Toolkit contains succinct inspiration and tools to activate and energize ways to channel love in an election season as people and communities of faith.
Election Day Witness: Bringing communities together is a powerful way to witness in society! This is especially important in times of stress or anxiety. Find ideas, inspiration and practical tips for sing-alongs, contemplative spaces and prayer vigils in this toolkit from ELCA Witness in Society.
Being Public Church in the Electoral Process: Election years are a significant time for Lutherans to be active in civic engagement, including ELCA rostered ministers, congregations, synod offices, seminaries, and college or university campus ministry groups. As a church we affirm the importance of government, specifically democratic self-governance. An important part of faithful civic engagement is abiding by the law. This resource offers guidance for congregations and rostered leaders alike to ensure that activities related to the electoral process are transparent, nonpartisan and legal. Download here.
Moving from Concern to Action — Organizing in Houses of Worship: A Christian Perspective with Rev. Amy Reumann is part of the Interfaith Alliance “Train Up for Faithful Practices” series. This video takes a deep dive into local congregational organizing from a Christian perspective: building teams, developing leaders, and creating faith-rooted organizing culture inside houses of worship – with a Lutheran lens. Find the study guide here.
Message from Presiding Bishop Curry: A Call to be Trusted Messengers in this Election Season
ELCA Social Message on Government and Civic Engagement in the United States: Discipleship in a Democracy — The ELCA has adopted a social message on government and civic engagement titled “Government and Civic Engagement in the United States: Discipleship in a Democracy.” To help dig into the text, there is a Study Guide, along with a Leader’s Guide for those facilitating groups.
Signs for the Times: Find downloadable signs for witness in the public square. ELCA resources for advocacy and public witness can be found at https://resources.elca.org/
ELCA Social Statement on Faith and Civic Life: Seeking the Well-being of All — The ELCA Churchwide Assembly 2025 has adopted a social statement on faith and civic life, the relationship of religious organizations and political authority, and related matters, as called for by the 2019 Churchwide Assembly. Download here.
Study Guide for Faith and Civic Life Social Statement: This six-week curriculum walks congregations and faith communities through important parts of the social statemen and offers a starting point for conversation and discernment around topics brought up by the statement. Download the study guide here.
ELCA & Partners Resources
ELCA Witness in Society and interfaith partners collaborate to offer a series of trainings for faithful public witness this season. Update: If you didn’t get to participate in real time, you can sign up to view the training at your own pace here.
Look for these ELCA co-sponsored events:
Faith in Elections Training
Does and Don’ts for Houses of Worship Training
Trusted Messenger Training
De-Escalation and Bystander Intervention at the Polls
PA-Specific Opportunities to Serve
Project HALO — Project HALO, an ELCA-supported effort that offers faith leaders, veterans, teachers and other trusted community members a nonpartisan way to support and celebrate the right to vote, is growing and in need of volunteers for November. In Pennsylvania, volunteers are needed in Cumberland, Dauphin, Lehigh, Northampton and York counties. Learn more.
Become a Poll Worker — Even students as young as 17 can serve! Some counties still need poll workers. Contact your county elections office or sign up through the Pennsylvania Department of State.
Nonpartisan Election Observer — Train and sign up to serve with our friends at Common Cause of PA.
Sources for Accurate Information About Elections and Voting in Pennsylvania
PA Department of State
Find information about voter registration, elections security and processes, voter rights, poll worker training videos and important dates.
Follow for accurate and up-to-date information on elections and voting.
#ReadytoVotePA — Voter Education Toolkit
PA-Specific Resources for Congregations and Individuals
Election Preparation for Congregations — A Brief Guide — Download
Communications Plan Template for Congregations — Download
PA Election Security Poster — Download
PA Post-Election Process Poster — Download
Webinars
What’s Being Done to Ensure Every PA Voter Can Cast a Ballot Safely and With Confidence
LAMPa and the Committee of Seventy, the Commonwealth’s oldest nonpartisan good-government organization, equip attendees with information and resources to help inform their fellow Pennsylvanians about why our elections are secure. The webinar provides clear, detailed information about the processes county election offices use before and after each election to ensure that every eligible voter can cast a ballot safely and with confidence. You can also learn how to support the process yourself, including recruiting poll workers and combating misinformation in your own communities.
Passcode: Jk#7pR20
Guidance for Houses of Worship Serving As Polling Sites
Communities of faith across Pennsylvania whose facilities serve as polling sites are invited to learn how they can support voters and strengthen the voting experience this November.
This webinar provides practical guidance on welcoming voters, supporting accessibility, maintaining a nonpartisan environment, and helping ensure polling places are safe, inclusive, and prepared to serve their communities.
Passcode: #saG+69U
Partner Resources
Election Protection Hotline – 866-OUR-VOTE
Refresh your training and deepen your confidence with online poll worker information sessions by our friends at Committee of Seventy and League of Women Voters. Learn more and register here.
