Why Your Story Matters

As people of faith, we believe every person has a story worth hearing.

Throughout Scripture, God works through the stories of ordinary people. Moses shared his fears. Ruth shared her journey. Mary proclaimed God’s justice. Jesus taught through stories because stories change hearts.

When you meet with an elected official, send an email, testify at a hearing, or attend a town hall, your lived experience is one of the most powerful tools you have.

Facts inform.
Stories inspire.
Together they create change.

The 3-Minute Story Framework

1. Who are you?

Introduce yourself.

Share:

• Your name
• Where you live
• Your congregation
• Your role in your community

Example:

“My name is Sarah, and I’m a member of Hope Lutheran Church in Dayton. I’m also a nurse and the mother of two children.”

2. What happened?

Describe your experience.

Focus on:

• What you experienced
• How it affected you, your family, or your community
• Why it matters

Use specific examples.

Instead of:

Housing is expensive.

Try:

Last year my daughter and her family had to move three times because rent increased faster than their income. My grandchildren changed schools twice.

3. Why does this matter?

Connect your story to the policy.

Explain:

• What change is needed?
• Why should lawmakers care?
• How would this improve people’s lives?

Example:

“Policies that expand affordable housing would help families stay rooted in their communities instead of constantly starting over.”

4. Make the Ask

Always end with a clear request.

Examples:

• Please support this bill.
• Please oppose this proposal.
• Please protect SNAP.
• Please preserve Medicaid.
• Please invest in affordable housing.
• Please protect our public lands.

Connect Your Story to Your Faith

You do not need to quote Scripture, but it is appropriate to explain why your faith calls you to act.

You might say:

• “My Lutheran faith teaches me to love my neighbor.”
• “As Christians, we are called to care for creation.”
• “I believe every person is created in God’s image and deserves dignity.”
• “Our congregation sees these challenges every day.”
• “Serving my neighbors has shown me how important this issue is.”

Helpful Tips

Keep it personal.

Talk about your own experience rather than speaking for everyone.

Be respectful.

You may disagree with an elected official while still treating them with dignity.

Be brief.

Aim for two to three minutes.

Be specific.

Concrete stories are easier to remember than broad statements.

Be hopeful.

Advocacy is about creating solutions, not simply describing problems.

Questions to Help You Reflect

Consider these prompts:

• When have you or someone you love struggled because of a public policy?
• What ministry has changed your understanding of this issue?
• Where have you seen God at work in your community?
• What experience motivates you to advocate?
• Why does this issue matter to your congregation?

Common Advocacy Topics

Your story could focus on:

• Hunger and SNAP
• Affordable housing
• Health care and Medicaid
• Immigration and refugees
• Public lands stewardship
• Climate and creation care
• Democracy and voting
• Mental health
• Child care
• Education
• Poverty
• Disability access
• Aging with dignity

Before You Leave the Meeting

Remember to:

• Thank the legislator or staff member.
• Leave behind a fact sheet.
• Ask how you can stay in touch.
• Follow up with a thank-you email.

Remember

Your story may be the first time a policymaker hears how a decision affects a real person.

Advocacy is not about being an expert. It is about being faithful.

God has already given you the most important qualification:

Your lived experience.

As Lutherans, we believe faith calls us beyond the walls of the church and into the public square. Scripture reminds us to seek the welfare of our communities, care for our neighbors, and speak up for those whose voices are too often overlooked.

Each August, members of Congress return home to their states and districts during the congressional recess. This creates one of the best opportunities of the year for people of faith to meet directly with their elected officials, attend town halls, visit district offices, and share how federal policies affect our congregations and communities.

Whether your passion is ending hunger, protecting health care, welcoming immigrants, strengthening democracy, caring for God’s creation, or expanding affordable housing, August is our moment to ensure our faith is part of the conversation.

Advocacy is not about politics alone, it is about discipleship.

As Lutherans, we affirm that God calls us to seek justice, love our neighbors, and participate faithfully in public life. Every conversation with an elected official is an opportunity to witness to the Gospel through compassion, wisdom, and hope.

This August, let us move faithfully from our pews into the public square—bringing the voices of our congregations into conversations that shape the common good.

August is our moment. Let us use it well to Build a More Just Nevada.

Many people think advocacy requires a large committee, endless meetings, or policy experts. It doesn’t.

It can start with just two or three people in your congregation who care deeply about justice and your community.

Those few people can make a meaningful difference.

They can:

• Share legislative and community updates with the congregation.
• Organize educational events or Bible studies on issues affecting your neighbors.
• Connect members with action alerts when their voices are needed.
• Build relationships with local organizations and elected officials.
• Pray regularly for those impacted by injustice and for those making decisions.

Justice ministry begins by paying attention.

Perhaps your local hospital is discharging patients in the middle of the night to a warming shelter. Sadly, that happens in some communities. Congregations have helped bring healthcare leaders, shelters, and public officials together to improve those practices because faithful people noticed and spoke up.

Or perhaps your neighborhood is facing housing challenges, food insecurity, environmental concerns, or barriers to healthcare. Every community has opportunities to love our neighbors in tangible ways.

Start by asking simple questions:

• Who are our neighbors?
• What challenges do they face?
• Have we walked around our neighborhood recently?
• Who is missing from our conversations?
• Where is God already at work, inviting us to join?

You don’t need twenty people to begin.

You only need three people willing to pray, learn, listen, and act.

Small groups of faithful people have always changed the world.

Maybe it is a Church in Society? or Something Different.

You don’t need a committee of twenty. It could be a couple of people, who are interested in justice. There are a lot of issues like hospitals dropping off patients in the middle of the night at warming shelters. Yes, this happens, and sometimes community ancestry church leaders hold to account the Health care systems to care.

Start with three people who care.

Together they can:
Share legislative updates
Organize educational events
Connect members with action alerts
Pray for the work

Small groups often create big change.

Prepare Your Elevator Pitch. Practice with Your Group.

Every advocacy meeting should end with one clear, specific request. Members of Congress and their staff should leave knowing exactly what you are asking them to do.

Your ask should be:

• Specific – Name the bill, policy, or issue.
• Direct – Clearly state what you want them to do.
• Brief – Keep it to one primary request.
• Action-Oriented – Ask for a commitment whenever possible.

Examples:

• Will you support legislation that protects SNAP and strengthens food security?
• Will you oppose cuts to Medicaid and protect access to affordable health care?
• Will you support investments in affordable housing for Nevada families?
• Will you protect funding for refugee resettlement and humanitarian assistance?
• Will you support policies that conserve and protect Nevada’s public lands for future generations?

Practice Your Elevator Pitch

In one minute or less, be prepared to answer:

1. Who are you?
2. Why does this issue matter to you as a person of faith?
3. What is the impact on your community?
4. What specific action are you asking the member of Congress to take?

Remember: Be respectful, be direct, and don’t be afraid to ask for a commitment. If they cannot answer immediately, ask when you can follow up with their office. Strong advocacy begins with clear, faithful, and confident conversations.

A successful advocacy visit is just the beginning of building a lasting relationship with your elected officials and their staff. The most effective advocates stay engaged long after the meeting ends.

Within 48 Hours

• Send a thank-you email to the member of Congress and the staff person you met with.
• Share any information or resources you promised during the meeting.
• Include any personal stories, reports, or local data that reinforce your message.

Stay Connected

• Follow your congressional office on social media.
• Connect with the staff member on LinkedIn, when appropriate.
• Watch for newsletters, town halls, and community events.

Continue the Conversation

• Respond when action alerts are issued.
• Share updates about how the issue is affecting your congregation or community.
• Invite your member of Congress or their staff to visit your ministry, food pantry, affordable housing project, or community outreach program.

Relationships Matter
Members of Congress meet with thousands of people every year. The advocates they remember are those who consistently show up, communicate respectfully, and become trusted local resources.

Advocacy is not about one meeting—it’s about becoming a faithful, credible voice for your community over time.

Remember

Thank. Share. Connect. Follow Up. Repeat.

Long-term relationships are far more influential than one-time meetings. Faithful advocacy is a ministry of persistence, presence, and hope.