Your congregation doesn’t need to have all the answers. It can be the place where neighbors gather to ask faithful questions and listen to one another.
Host a community conversation on topics that matter in your community:
Housing
Hunger
Mental health
Child care
Voting and civic participation
Creation care
Invite community organizations, local leaders, and neighbors to share their experiences. Focus on listening before solving.
Listening is one of the most faithful forms of leadership.
When churches create spaces for honest conversation, trust grows, relationships deepen, and communities become stronger.
Call to Action: What conversation does your neighborhood need? Open your doors and start listening.
For many families, the dream of homeownership feels increasingly out of reach. A new federal housing law aims to increase the housing supply, encourage more homes to be built, and create additional opportunities for first-time homebuyers. While these reforms may help over time, they are not an overnight solution.
Nevada continues to face a housing shortage, rising insurance costs, higher construction expenses, and challenges that make it difficult for many families to find an affordable place to call home. Federal action is an important step, but state and local leaders will continue to play a critical role in expanding affordable housing, supporting responsible growth, protecting renters, and strengthening pathways to homeownership.
As people of faith, we believe that housing is more than an economic issue—it is about human dignity. Stable housing allows children to thrive, seniors to age with security, workers to remain in their communities, and families to build lasting roots.
“Let each of you look not to your own interests, but to the interests of others.” — Philippians 2:4
At Lutheran Engagement and Advocacy in Nevada (LEAN), we will continue to advocate for policies that promote safe, stable, and affordable housing so that every Nevadan has the opportunity to flourish.
Adapted from resources developed by the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA).
As Lutherans, we believe that faith is active in love and that caring for our neighbors includes engaging in public life. Throughout Scripture, God calls us to seek justice, love mercy, and work for the common good. Advocacy is one way we live out that calling.
Each August, members of Congress typically spend time in their home states and congressional districts during the August recess. This creates one of the best opportunities of the year to meet with your U.S. senators and representative, attend town halls, visit district offices, and share how federal policies affect your congregation and community.
Whether your passion is ending hunger, protecting health care, welcoming immigrants, caring for creation, strengthening democracy, or expanding affordable housing, August is our moment to ensure that people of faith have a voice in Washington.
Most congressional offices accept meeting requests through their websites, although calling the district office is often just as effective.
When making your request:
Introduce yourself as a constituent.
Mention your congregation or organization.
Explain the purpose of the meeting.
Be flexible with dates and times.
If meeting as a group, let them know how many people will attend.
Meetings frequently take place with congressional staff, and that is perfectly appropriate. Staff members advise lawmakers every day and play a critical role in shaping policy.
Rather than discussing many topics, concentrate on one or two priorities.
During the 2026 August recess, Lutherans may wish to discuss:
Protect Food Security
Strengthen SNAP
Support a Farm Bill that helps families, farmers, and rural communities
Expand access to nutritious food
Protect Health Care
Protect Medicaid
Strengthen rural health care
Improve access to behavioral and mental health services
Expand Affordable Housing
Increase affordable housing supply
Prevent homelessness
Support renter protections
Welcome Immigrants and Refugees
Support humane immigration policies
Protect asylum seekers
Strengthen refugee resettlement
Care for God’s Creation
Protect public lands
Address extreme heat and wildfire resilience
Invest in clean energy and conservation
Strengthen Democracy
Protect voting rights
Ensure accessible elections
Promote civic participation and trust in democratic institutions
Choose the issue that best reflects your congregation’s ministry or your own experience.
Step 4: Tell Your Story
Statistics matter.
Personal stories matter even more.
Share how federal policy affects your congregation, ministry, neighborhood, or family.
Examples include:
A food pantry serving more families because food prices remain high.
A senior relying on Medicaid to remain in their home.
A family struggling to find affordable housing.
A congregation welcoming refugees.
Volunteers caring for Nevada’s public lands.
Stories help lawmakers understand that these issues affect real people—not just budgets.
Step 5: Assign Roles
If attending as a group of four or five people, consider assigning roles.
Facilitator
Opens the meeting
Introduces everyone
Keeps time
Thanks the office at the end
Storyteller
Shares a personal experience
Explains why the issue matters
Policy Lead
Explains the specific request
Answers technical questions if needed
Closer
Summarizes the request
Asks for continued partnership
Collects contact information
Step 6: Attend Town Halls
Town halls provide another opportunity to engage your elected officials.
Before attending:
Review your questions.
Arrive early.
Bring friends from your congregation.
Keep your question brief and respectful.
If possible, submit your question ahead of time.
Good questions invite conversation rather than confrontation.
Step 7: Make a Clear Ask
Every meeting should end with a specific request.
For example:
Will you support legislation protecting SNAP?
Will you oppose cuts to Medicaid?
Will you support investments in affordable housing?
Will you protect funding for refugee resettlement?
Will you support policies that protect Nevada’s public lands?
Be respectful, direct, and clear.
Step 8: Follow Up
Within two days:
Send a thank-you email.
Include any resources you promised.
Share photos on social media if appropriate.
Keep the relationship going.
Advocacy is not a single meeting—it is an ongoing conversation.
Advocacy Is a Ministry
The ELCA teaches that government is one of the ways God works to promote justice and preserve community life. Christians therefore have both the opportunity and the responsibility to participate faithfully in civic life.
Advocacy is one way we love our neighbors.
When we speak for those experiencing hunger, poverty, illness, discrimination, or injustice, we bear witness to God’s vision for a world where every person can flourish.
This August, let us move faithfully from worship into public witness, bringing compassion, hope, and courage into the halls of government.
August is our moment. Let’s use our voices for the common good.
Two issues continue to be top priorities for Nevadans: protecting our public lands and addressing the housing crisis.
Recent polling shows overwhelming support for keeping public lands in public hands, while communities across the state continue to seek practical solutions to make housing more affordable.
At LEAN, we’ve been following both conversations closely. We’ve examined the proposed federal housing legislation and continue to advocate for balanced solutions that include building more housing in existing communities, thoughtful rezoning, expanding housing options like ADUs and “missing middle” housing, and protecting the public lands that are central to Nevada’s identity.
As people of faith, we believe caring for our neighbors means both protecting God’s creation and ensuring everyone has access to a safe, affordable place to call home.
With just over three months until early voting begins for Nevada’s 2026 General Election, now is the time to prepare.
Election laws, court decisions, and voting procedures continue to evolve at both the state and federal levels. Taking a few minutes now to verify your voter registration, understand important deadlines, and become familiar with Nevada’s voting process can help ensure your voice is heard this November.
Lutheran Engagement and Advocacy in Nevada (LEAN) has prepared this overview to help congregations understand recent developments that may affect the upcoming election.
As Lutherans, we believe participating in civic life is one way we seek the welfare of our communities (Jeremiah 29:7). We also recognize and celebrate the dedicated public servants—including many Lutherans—who faithfully administer our elections.
Throughout Nevada, Lutheran congregations have long served their communities by:
Hosting neighborhood polling locations.
Providing spaces for respectful community conversations.
Serving as election workers, poll workers, and county election officials.
Encouraging informed and faithful civic participation.
As we prepare for this election season, LEAN wants to remind our congregations that Nevada’s elections are administered by local election officials who work throughout the year to conduct secure, transparent, and accessible elections.
If your congregation would like to host a nonpartisan voter information presentation with your local county election officials, Lutheran Engagement and Advocacy in Nevada would be happy to help coordinate one. Please contact Advocacy Director Rev. Paul Larson.
Recent Election Developments
Over the past year, several state and federal developments have shaped conversations about election administration.
Federal Requests for State Voter Registration Data
The U.S. Department of Justice has requested voter registration information from states as part of broader election administration efforts. Some states have cooperated while others have challenged portions of these requests in court, raising questions about federal authority and voter privacy.
The SAVE Act
The Safeguard American Voter Eligibility (SAVE) Act would require documentary proof of U.S. citizenship when registering to vote in federal elections.
Supporters argue the legislation would strengthen election integrity by ensuring only eligible citizens register to vote.
Opponents argue it could create additional barriers for eligible voters who do not readily possess documents such as passports or certified birth certificates.
As of this writing, the legislation has not become law.
Voter Registration List Maintenance
States regularly update voter registration lists to remove duplicate registrations, deceased voters, or individuals who have moved.
Supporters believe these efforts help maintain accurate voter rolls.
Voting rights organizations have expressed concern that aggressive maintenance practices may mistakenly affect eligible voters, making it important for voters to periodically verify their registration status.
Mail Voting
Mail voting continues to be the subject of national debate.
Some federal officials have advocated for tighter restrictions, while election officials and numerous studies have found documented cases of voter fraud through mail voting to be rare. Several recent executive actions related to mail ballots remain under legal challenge.
Federal Role in Election Administration
Recent executive actions have proposed expanding the federal government’s role in election administration and voter verification. Because states traditionally administer elections, several of these actions are currently being reviewed through the courts.
Election Assistance Commission
Changes have been proposed regarding the leadership and direction of the U.S. Election Assistance Commission, the independent federal agency that develops voluntary voting system guidelines and provides election resources to states.
Voting Machines and Hand Counts
Questions about voting equipment have continued in some communities. A few Nevada counties explored hand-counting ballots but ultimately determined the process required significantly more staffing, increased costs, and additional time to complete election results.
How You Can Prepare
Verify Your Voter Registration
Check your voter registration regularly between now and Election Day.
If your registration information changes or requires verification, addressing it early helps avoid problems later.
Watch Your Mail
Election officials may mail notices requesting updated voter registration information.
Take time to review any election-related mail carefully and respond promptly if action is needed.
Know the Deadlines
Whether voting by mail, during early voting, or on Election Day, familiarize yourself with registration deadlines and ballot return deadlines well before the election.
If you vote by mail, return your ballot as early as possible.
Report Problems
If you experience voting difficulties or observe possible election problems, assistance is available.
Election Protection operates a nationwide, nonpartisan voter assistance hotline:
866-OUR-VOTE (866-687-8683)
Trained volunteers and legal experts can answer questions and help address voting concerns.
Walking Together with Hope
Elections can bring excitement, disagreement, and uncertainty. As followers of Christ, we are called to engage our democracy with humility, truthfulness, and love for our neighbors.
We encourage every eligible voter to become informed, participate peacefully, and pray for all who administer our elections and all who seek public office.
Together, we can help build communities marked by trust, civility, and hope.
“Seek the welfare of the city where I have sent you… for in its welfare you will find your welfare.” — Jeremiah 29:7\
A Final Word
At Lutheran Engagement and Advocacy in Nevada, we believe our democracy is strongest when every eligible voter can participate confidently and peacefully.
We are grateful for the work of Nevada Secretary of State Cisco Aguilar, Nevada’s county clerks, registrars of voters, election workers, and the thousands of volunteers who help administer our elections. Their year-round work ensures that elections are conducted with professionalism, transparency, and accountability.
As Secretary Aguilar has reminded Nevadans, elections are not just conducted on Election Day—they are the result of months of preparation, testing, bipartisan oversight, and public transparency. Nevada’s election system includes numerous safeguards designed to protect both election security and voter access.
As Election Day draws closer:
Verify your voter registration.
Learn about your voting options and deadlines.
Seek information from trusted, official election sources.
Be cautious before sharing election information on social media.
Treat election workers, poll workers, and fellow voters with kindness and respect.
As people of faith, we are called to love our neighbors, seek the common good, and participate in civic life with humility and integrity. Regardless of political affiliation or candidate preference, every eligible voter deserves the opportunity to cast a ballot freely, safely, and confidently.
If your congregation would like to host a nonpartisan voter education event, invite your local county election officials to speak, or learn more about voting in Nevada, Lutheran Engagement and Advocacy in Nevada would be honored to help coordinate those opportunities.
May we enter this election season committed to truth, civility, prayer, and hope—trusting that faithful citizenship is one way we live out our calling to seek the welfare of our communities (Jeremiah 29:7).
“Let each of you look not to your own interests, but to the interests of others.” — Philippians 2:4
Lutheran Engagement and Advocacy in Nevada 