The Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (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.

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. To find out if your synod will host a hearing, or to learn how to host one, please email the ELCA here. 

The feedback period is open until Sept. 30, 2024.

To download a copy of the draft social statement, click here. Printed versions are unavailable at this time.

To download the draft in Spanish, please click here. You can find the online version of the Spanish survey here and a printable version here.

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

In 2023, the task force put out a six-session study for public feedback. The ELCA would like to thank everyone who participated and sent input. Click here to read the report on the analysis of that public feedback, which informed the draft social statement and will continue to inform the task force’s work.

If you have any questions, email the ELCA here.

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

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