The ELCA works on social justice at both the congregational and national levels. At the congregational level, passionate members work directly with those in need by providing meals, clothing, visits, and other assistance. Congregations also look for ways to partner within their communities. At the national level, the ELCA develops social statements that summarize the church's beliefs on social justice issues based on scripture and doctrine. This two-pronged approach allows the ELCA to both actively help those suffering injustice and proclaim a message of God's work through human hands.

1. Winter A • 2010-2011
The ELCA and Social Justice
The meek, those who grieve, those disenfranchised by The ELCA believes that God works through individuals
war, the poor in spirit…these are the faces of the people and communities to help the move toward peace.
the ELCA sees when it defines social justice. Social justice Individuals might not agree on how to move toward
applies to single people and to entire nations. Social peace. The tension of looking for answers in a diverse
justice in the ELCA is not checked off a “to do” list, it is world is a challenge. The ELCA affirms diversity found
an attitude and a perspective. in scripture and in the world. This diversity calls us to be
one in Jesus Christ as we move toward a just world free
The ELCA is a young church. Beginning in 1988 by the from war.
combination of three previous Lutheran denominations,
the ELCA is a young adult trying to clarify values. The For examples of ELCA peacemaking efforts, check these
denomination does this through writing and implement- Websites: www.elca.org/Our-Faith-In-Action/Justice/Peace-
ing social statements. These social statements go through Not-Walls.aspx and www.borderservant.com.
editing and conversations in local congregations. Add
several layers of approval by Churchwide Assemblies so Blessed are those who mourn…
that when completed, the Social Statements become the The challenges of today’s culture include grief that cannot
best representation of the denomination as a whole. be measured. People are grieving loss of employment, loss
of homes through foreclosure and natural disaster, loss of
Not surprisingly, one of the first social statements the
predictable retirement, loss of health insurance and loss
ELCA approved in 1995 was called Peace in God’s World.
of hope. The ELCA partners with those who mourn the
Later in 1999, the ELCA passed a social statement on
loss of access to basic needs as well as those going through
Sufficient, Sustainable Livelihood for All. (Social statements
life transitions. The ELCA meets those who need daily in
are available online at www.elca.org/What-We-Believe/So-
the areas of health, food, clothing and employment.
cial-Issues.aspx). These two statements cover many of the
social justice issues and how the denomination relates to For example, Our Saviour’s Lutheran Church in Lincoln
the world. However, real social justice within the ELCA Nebraska has a program called “The Table”. The goal
does not happen because of social statements but because is be sure that healthy lunches are not dependent on
of congregational leaders who begin with a dream of economics. Tables are pulled together and soup and bread
making the world a more just place. are served. Payment is “as you can”.
Blessed are the peacemakers… Being present in the diversity of those who “need” is
The ELCA believes that to begin any talk about justice representative of the ELCA approach to social justice and
and peace earthly peace needs definition. Earthly peace daily living. This social justice program allows the dignity
is defined by the ELCA to be “relationships among and of the individual to remain intact as they self-define their
within nations that are just, harmonious, and free from need in a non-judging atmosphere of love and care.
war.” By including both “just relationships” and “free Here are some examples of other congregational
from war” in the definition of earthly peace, the ELCA ministries that exist to help those who mourn the lost of
expands the realm of peace. Peace is not the absence of economic independence.
war but a way of life that includes justice for all.
Grace Lutheran in Conroe, TX helped begin Family
The ELCA believes that through scriptural examples Promise of Montgomery County in 2001 to serve
(e.g., Ephesians 6:15, Galatians 5:22, Luke 2:14) space is homeless families in the area of Montgomery County,
created within relationships, communities, nations and Texas, by uniting faith communities in a cooperative
the world that enables peace to take place. The ELCA effort to provide shelter, meals, and compassionate
moves towards the goal of a just and harmonious world assistance (see www.familypromiseofmc.org/).
free from war.
SR-00-WA-10-L-The ELCA and Social Justice
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2. Winter A • 2010-2011
The ELCA and Social Justice
Shepherd of the Hills Lutheran Church in Austin, TX Summary
serves with others in the Austin Employment Group to The ELCA works with social justice at multiple levels.
provide career management services, job seeking training, Passionate ELCA congregational members work
and opportunities for networking and support with the day-to-day to help people stand in dignity against
goal for individuals to obtain meaningful employment unjust systems. There are confirmation students and
(see www.austinemploymentgroup.org). elders in every church who deliver meals, sort donated
Mount Calvary Lutheran Church in Egan, MN, turned clothing, visit the sick and collect food for those in need.
over their parsonage to become The Eagan Resource Congregations continually look for ways to partner in
Center, the largest food shelf in Dakota County, a communities to serve greater numbers.
nonprofit organization committed to serving those in The national leadership moves ahead with the hard work
need and eliminating hunger in Dakota County (see of fashioning statements that represent the ELCA. These
www.eaganrc.org). beliefs summarize the scriptural, doctrinal and daily
living pieces of social justice. This two-fold approach to
social justice allows the ELCA to live moment-to-mo-
ment in the tension on the faces of those in need, while
proclaiming to all their message: God’s work, Our hands.
“Together, we are the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America.
In congregations small and large, urban and rural, we are a
church that is centered in Christ and alive in the Spirit.
Gathered around Word and Sacrament, we receive God’s grace,
confess our sins, and are sent to spread the Good News, to
remember the poor, to serve the Lord, for Christ is with us.
God has entrusted this work to our hands. What a mandate for
mission! It is God’s work. Our hands.”
––The Rev. Mark S. Hanson
Presiding Bishop, Evangelical Lutheran Church in America
“God’s Workl. Our Hands” 2008
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©2010 by Morehouse Education Resources • All rights reserved • www.livingthegoodnews.com • 1-800-242-1918