ELCA

LEAN Seeks New Director

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Will Advocate For Nevadans at Legislature, Through Congregations

Lutheran Engagement and Advocacy in Nevada’s Policy Council is currently seeking a part-time Director to replace Bill Ledford, who left in early 2024 to take his first pastoral call in Utah.

In their capacity, the Director will work with the Policy Council to establish policy objectives, register as an official advocate/lobbyist at the Nevada Legislature, and work with ELCA congregations throughout Nevada to establish a grass roots, faith-based network of Christian believers to carry out the church’s ongoing mission to build a more just and fair society for all. As one of dozens of ELCA State Public Policy Offices across the nation, LEAN bases its advocacy and engagement efforts on the guidance of official ELCA Social Statements and Messages.

LEAN and its Director advocate on behalf of Nevada congregations in the Grand Canyon and Sierra Pacific synods. The 83rd Nevada Legislative Session begins Feb. 3, 2025, and runs for a minimum of 120 days.

The position is part-time and offered on a contract-only basis. The full Job Description and Working Agreement is available for viewing and download below.

For more information on the position, please email leanforjustice@gmail.com.

LEAN-Director Job Description-2024Download

LEAN Voter Guide: Nevada Ballot Measures

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Vote Ballot Measures First!

Direct Democracy

Nevada is a ballot initiative state. This means that eligible voters not only elect representatives to make policy decisions during each biennial session held February-May in odd-numbered years. They also sometimes directly vote on public policy.

This direct democracy element of Nevada’s civic structure has a long and rich history, and voters need to know the important decision-making role they play in building and maintaining thriving communities. Data from recent elections shows that many voters don’t vote all the way to the end of the ballot. This incomplete voting creates an obstacle to realizing the equitable policies and thriving communities we desire.

Ballot Measures Matter Too

With so much happening in state and national politics, ballot measures can sometimes become an afterthought. Even so, these ballot measures have an important impact on our state policy landscape.

Making thoughtful and informed decisions about candidates for office is undoubtedly a critical component of your participation in our democracy. It is also important to research the measures at the bottom of your ballot. That’s where we can help! This voter guide is designed to help you understand the issues and learn about our Lutheran perspective on them. You are invited to share this guide with any family, friends and neighbors for whom it may be helpful, too.

Vote Faithfully!

The ELCA is a Public Church

As people of God, we believe in promoting faithful and non-partisan voter participation. All members of ELCA congregations are encouraged to use the rich faith-based resources of the church to guide their voting on measures that affect all people.

We Are the People of God

Scripture reveals God’s presence in all realms of life, including political life. Our church understands government as a means through which God works to preserve creation and build a more peaceful and just social order in a sinful world. The electoral process is one way in which we live out our affirmation of baptism to “serve all people, following the example of our Lord Jesus,” and “to strive for justice and peace in all the earth.”

As people of God, we have been freed to love our neighbor, seek peace and justice, and care for God’s creation. Faith should inform not only our participation but also how we look at public issues and interpret what is happening in political life.

Nevada Ballot Measures

Nevada voters will have seven statewide ballot measures to consider this fall. Three are citizen initiatives; four were referred to the ballot from the state legislature. To pass into law as a state statute, a legislative bill or petition must be passed in one legislative session and two general election cycles. Five of these ballot measures will become state law if pass this cycle, while the other two, if passed, will be placed on the general election ballot in 2026.

LEAN takes positions only on those measures that relate to its policy priorities, as set forth in general in Matthew 25, to love and seek justice for “the least of these,” and ELCA social teaching via its Social Statements and Messages. Positions were adopted by the LEAN Policy Committee on September  25, 2024.

STATE QUESTION NO. 1

Amendment to the Nevada Constitution

Senate Joint Resolution No. 7 of the 81st Session

CONDENSATION (Ballot Question)

Shall the Nevada Constitution be amended to remove certain provisions governing the Board of Regents of the Nevada System of Higher Education and its administration of the State University and certain federal land grant funds and to provide additional legislative oversight of public institutions of higher education through regular independent audits, without repealing the current statutory election process or other existing statutory provisions relating to the Board of Regents?

A “Yes” vote would amend the Nevada Constitution by: (1) removing provisions governing theelection and duties of the Board of Regents and its control and management of the affairs and funds of the State University and requiring the Legislature to provide by law for the governance of the State University and for the auditing of public higher education institutions in Nevada; and (2) revising provisions governing the administration of certain funding derived under federal law and dedicated for the benefit of certain departments of the State University.

A “No” vote would retain existing provisions of the Nevada Constitution governing the election and duties of the Board of Regents and its control and management of the affairs and funds of the State University and would not revise existing provisions governing the administration of certain funding derived under federal law and dedicated for the benefit of certain departments of the State University.

LEAN POSITION: NEUTRAL

STATE QUESTION NO. 2

Read the ELCA’s Social Statement on Education

Amendment to the Nevada Constitution

Assembly Joint Resolution No. 1 of the 81st Session

CONDENSATION (Ballot Question)

Shall Section 1 of Article 13 of the Nevada Constitution be amended to: (1) revise the description of the persons who benefit from institutions that the State is required to foster and support;

(2) replace the term “institutions” with “entities”; and (3) add entities for the benefit of persons with intellectual or developmental disabilities to the types of entities that the State is required to foster and support?

A “Yes” vote would amend the Nevada Constitution to: (1) revise the description of the persons whobenefit from institutions that the State is required to foster and support;

(2) replace the term “institutions” with “entities”; and (3) add entities for the benefit of persons with intellectual or developmental disabilities to the types of entities that the State is required to foster and support.

A “No” vote would retain the existing language in the Nevada Constitution and would not add entities for the benefit of persons with intellectual or developmental disabilities to the types of entities that the State is required to foster and support.

LEAN POSITION: YES

Guiding Social Message: “People Living With Disabilities”:

The title of the 2010 ELCA social message, “People Living with Disabilities,” makes a significant point in identifying an emphasis on people who are living with disabilities, rather than categorizing some people as “handicapped” or “disabled.” The message challenges the common mindset that equates self-sufficiency and independence with freedom and humanity, often regarding or treating people living with disabilities as less fully human than others or as objects dependent on charitable care.

STATE QUESTION NO. 3

Amendment to the Nevada Constitution

CONDENSATION (Ballot Question)

Shall the Nevada Constitution be amended to allow all Nevada voters the right to participate in open primary elections to choose candidates for the general election in which all voters may then rankthe remaining candidates bypreference for the offices of U.S.Senators, U.S. Representatives, Governor, Lieutenant Governor, Secretary of State, State Treasurer, State Controller, Attorney General, and State Legislators?

A “Yes” vote would amend Articles 5 & 15 of the Nevada Constitution to allow all Nevada voters the right to participate in open primary elections to choose candidates for the general election in which allvoters may then rank the remaining candidates by preference for the offices of U.S.Senators, U.S. Representatives, Governor, Lieutenant Governor, Secretary of State, State Treasurer, State Controller, Attorney General, and State Legislators.

A “No” vote would retain the provisions of Articles 5 & 15 of the Nevada Constitution in their current form.

LEAN POSITION: YES

Guiding Social Message: “Government and Civic Engagement In The United States”:

ELCA social teaching holds that all residents of the United States have a responsibility to make government function well—not to abandon our democracy but to engage it in a spirit of robust civic duty. For Lutherans, this responsibility is lived out as a calling from God, expressed in the discipleship described in our baptismal promises. It is based on our understanding of how God governs human society… U.S. Lutherans have learned that their neighbors are best served by a government in which supreme earthly power is held publicly by the people (a democracy) and they are governed by representatives chosen in fair elections in which each person is assured of their vote (a republic).16 Such consent requires government to allow the neighbors it serves to pursue their lives in a spirit of freedom. 

STATE QUESTION NO. 4

Amendment to the Ordinance of the Nevada Constitution and the Nevada Constitution

Assembly Joint Resolution No. 10 of the 81st Session

CONDENSATION (Ballot Question)

Shall the Ordinance of the Nevada Constitution and the Nevada Constitution be amended to remove language authorizing the use of slavery and involuntary servitude as a criminal punishment?

A “Yes” vote would prohibit the use of slavery and involuntary servitude as a punishment for a crime.

A “No” vote would maintain the current language authorizing the use of slavery or involuntary servitude as a punishment for a crime.

LEAN POSITION: YES

Guiding Social Statement: “The Church and Criminal Justice: Hearing the Cries”:

Drawing from the biblical witness to God’s wondrously rich forms of love and justice, we are compelled by a “holy yearning” to address the need for a change in public mindset and for dramatic reforms in policies and practices. This statement calls upon Christians to strengthen or take up ministries of compassion and justice. Drawing on evidence and data, it affirms some current efforts at improving the system while identifying numerous other reforms that urgently need implementation.

STATE QUESTION NO. 5

Amendment to the Sales and Use Tax Act of 1955

Senate Bill 428 of the 82nd Session

CONDENSATION (Ballot Question)

Shall the Sales and Use Tax Act of 1955 be amended to provide an exemption from the taxes imposed by this Act on the gross receipts from the sale and the storage, use or other consumption of diapers?

A “Yes” vote would exempt child and adult diapers from the Sales and Use Tax Act of 1955, the Local School Support Tax Law and certain analogous sales and use taxes.

A “No” vote would keep the current provisions of the Sales and Use Tax Act of 1955, the Local School Support Tax Law and certain analogous sales and use taxes.

STATE QUESTION NO. 6

LEAN POSITION: YES

Guiding Social Statement: “Human Health Care: Our Shared Endeavor”:

Health care is a shared endeavor. Just as each person’s health relies on others, health care depends on our caring for others and ourselves. Broadly speaking, the term “health care” encompasses the wide range of services used to treat symptoms or diseases or to maintain health. Patients and caregivers are more than consumers or providers; they are whole persons working together in healing relationships that depend on and preserve community. Although health care goods and services may be bought and sold, health care is above all an activity of caring that grows out of relationships of mutual responsibility, concern, and trust—and that cannot be reduced to a commodity.

Amendment to the Nevada Constitution

Initiative Petition C-05-2023

CONDENSATION (Ballot Question)

Should the Nevada Constitution be amended to create an individual’s fundamental right to an abortion, without interference by state orlocal governments, whenever the abortion is performed by a qualified healthcare professional until fetal viability or when necessary to protect the health or life of the pregnant individual at any point during the pregnancy?

A “Yes” vote would create a new section of the Nevada Constitution to establish a person’s constitutional right to abortion, so that a person can make decisions about matters relating to abortion and reproductive healthcare, without interference from state or local governments.

A “No” vote would keep the Nevada Constitution in its current form and would not impact the availability of abortion as a statutory right under Nevada law.

LEAN POSITION: NEUTRAL

Read a summary on the ELCA’s Social Statement on Abortion

STATE QUESTION NO. 7

Amendment to theNevada Constitution

Initiative Petition C-02-2023

CONDENSATION (Ballot Question)

Should the Nevada Constitution be amended to require voters to either present photo identification to verify their identity when voting in-person or to provide certain personal information to verify their identity when voting by mail ballot?

A “Yes” vote would amend Article 2 of the Nevada Constitution to require in-person Nevada voterspresent certain identification andmail ballot voters to provide certain information in order to cast a legal ballot.

A “No” vote would keep the NevadaConstitution in its current form.

LEAN POSITION: NO

Guiding Social Message: “Government and Civic Engagement In The United States” (see Question 3 explanation)

Important Dates

REGISTRATION

Tuesday, October 8

Last day to register to vote by mail (postmarked by)

Tuesday, November 5

In person-registration deadline at voting location (close of business)

Online registration deadline

VOTING

Oct. 16-22

Nevada sends ballots to actively registered voters

Oct. 19-Nov. 1

In person early voting at any official poll location

Tuesday, November 5 – Election Day

Vote in person at your precinct poll location

Return ballot by mail (postmarked by)

Return ballot in person (by 7 p.m.)

ELCA Social Statements & Messages

www.elca.org/Faith/Faith-and-Society

Check your voter registration status:

www.nvsos.gov

ELCA Needs Your Input On New Social Statement Draft: ‘Civic Life and Faith’

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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.

ELCA: August Is Apt Month for Advocacy

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A point-by-point plan to contact and engage with your representatives and senators

By Ryan Fonseca-Vega, ELCA Advocacy Intern

Quotation on a purple background about the church's commitments to human dignity, justice, peace, and environmental care.

August presents unique opportunities to bring our deep concerns as Christians about many things related to our planet and the beings that inhabit it to U.S. Congress in our own backyards. In-person and virtual meetings, as well as Town Halls, can be scheduled in this month as the U.S. Congress usually takes a recess. Representatives and senators often visit their congressional districts and/or home states in August to reconnect with their constituents – like you.

TIPS FOR ARRANGING A MEETING

Whether in-person or virtual, a social ministry or faith-based group you are part of may want to connect to highlight your experience and priorities with your federal elected official directly on an issue about which they have influence.

Who and Where

First and foremost, learn who your elected official is and where they are located. To locate your member of the U.S. House of Representatives, house.gov/representatives/find-your-representative is a great tool. Also available is govtrack.us, using your location to find your senators and representatives .

Follow links to get a photo of the elected official and their website, which will include office locations and other resources.

From the elected official’s website is often a link to make a scheduling request (but an old-fashioned phone call can also help you learn how to accomplish this).

Scheduling a Virtual District Meeting

Quotation on a deep purple background with a large, black curly brace on the left side.

This may be the easiest way to arrange a meeting, and the online tool from the lawmaker’s website should guide the process. For you and those who may take part with you, there is a minimal need to consider travel time, and it can take place anywhere.

  • Make sure to inform the official’s office that you are a constituent.
  • Clearly prepare the reason for the meeting or what the meeting will be focused on. For example, you may want to share your priorities on the Farm Bill or other legislation in federal discussion.
  • TIP: You may be providing the virtual platform for the meeting. If so, clearly determine the correct link. For example, will you use Skype/Teams/Zoom?
  • TIP: Assure there is no time limit for the platform you have chosen so that there is no pressure to rush the meeting.

In my experience, these meetings usually go well and smoothly. Most likely, it will be a staffer of the elected official on the virtual call. Get to know the staffer and get their contact information. They are a person consistently speaking with the elected official.

Scheduling an In-Person District Meeting

It is a bit more difficult to schedule such a meeting, especially since the plan may need to account for travel to and from the location. You may try to meet in the elected official’s local office or at your venue. You may want to offer a tour of your facility or even a more hands-on approach such as allowing the policy maker to volunteer some of their time in a pantry or experience daily life in your facility/space.

  • Here too – make sure to inform the official’s office that you are a constituent.
  • Here too – clearly prepare the reason for the meeting or what the meeting will be focused on, such as an issue or legislation focus.
  • TIP: Be ready with options for times and days that the elected official may meet with you. By having a more flexible schedule, and being open, the likelihood of your elected official attending is increased.

Always Confirm

ELCA.org advocacy resources and guides on purple background, with titles - August Recess Guide, In-district meetings with representative, and Virtual Visits.

In my experience, there have been times when a request for a meeting has gotten lost between the website and the assigning staff member or other glitches. It is important to follow-up with the scheduler to assure that a meeting, virtual or in-person, is documented on the elected official’s calendar.

  • TIP: I always follow up with them a few days (4-6) after the initial request to confirm it is on their radar.

PARTICIPATING IN A TOWN HALL

Traditionally, elected officials host two town hall meetings in their respective districts in the month. Your legislators will respond to inquiries during the town hall. By raising your important issue, you can publicly hold your legislator accountable to constituents and start or advance a meaningful conversation.

By checking the legislator’s webpage, you can see if and when they are hosting town halls along with the important details of location and other specifics.

My experience… has been nerve-racking. I recommend that it is important that you have a longer list of questions to avoid asking similar questions that someone else has already asked. If there is a link for you to enter your questions ahead of time, ensure that you do it as early as possible to have the best possibility of it being answered during the town hall. Also, remember to breathe if you are not familiar with public speaking!

GENERAL PREPARATION

As already shared, be very clear on why you want to have this encounter with a lawmaker. Other considerations include deciding who will be part of the meeting (4-5 people in a group is a good number) and developing talking points on your issue/concern that are based on your priorities and experiences.

Not sure how to start? Take a look at the “2024 Federal Policy Priorities” developed by the ELCA advocacy team on the ELCA Advocacy Resources page (under “Tools” tab). In 2023, a blog post example of key issues and possible questions could also inform your approach, available from the ELCA Advocacy Blog. Connecting with your local ELCA-affiliated state public policy office, if available, or synod leaders can also help you shape your approach.

Although a town hall is different, other meetings can benefit by assigning roles to people participating in the encounter. Following is one way to assign roles.

Introducer/Framer – This person introduces your group at the beginning of the meeting. They also keep an eye on time, wrap-up the meeting, and get the business card or contact information of the staff person that is with the elected official.

  • TIP: As part of the wrap-up, this person should be sure to express thanks! Something like: “Thank you for meeting with us. We are members of the ELCA and appreciate talking with you about [whatever the vote or concern/issue is]” will reinforce your purpose and end the meeting on a high note.

Storyteller – This most effectively is someone who is impacted by what the bill you are raising is trying to fix or an aspect of the issue/concern. Sharing (as comfortable) personal experience or the experience of the people you are organizing with is valuable.

  • TIP: I’ve found it is helpful to give a little personal background to allow others to “get you.” Help them understand where you are coming from and how you have been impacted – and how a bill or initiative can change that.

Point Person – This person is more familiar with facts of the bill or issue and can speak to technical questions if they come up – for example: where a bill is in the process or something missing from current discussion.

Closer (may be same as Introducer/Framer) – Near the end of the meeting, this person expresses thanks and asks for further support or highlights district needs overall.

  • I’ve found it is important to keep a sense of URGENCY for the bill or issue/concern about which you are advocating.

FOLLOWING UP

Great job showing up in this August Recess opportunity! But just because the meeting or town hall is over, the opportunity is not.

Every participant, if possible, should email your contact or the elected official’s office to thank them for their time, and/or tag them in a social media post.

  • Build on the experience before a vote or key action on your issue/concern by following up.
  • And keep the relationship going.

Once the relationship starts, phone calls and other contacts will establish familiarity by name and can make it easier for you to schedule future events and opportunities to bring the concerns shaped through your faith convictions and experiences into the policy process.

This post was shared with permission from the Evangelical Lutheran Church In America. To access more advocacy resources and tips from the ELCA, visit its advocacy page.

LEAN Endorses Nevada State Ballot Questions 1 and 2

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Nevada’s early and mail-in voting runs Oct. 22-Nov. 4 in advance of the Nov. 8 general election, and LEAN is prepared to endorse two of the three State Questions that, if passed, would alter current Nevada State Constitution language.

After careful consideration, and guided by the ELCA Social Messages and Statements, LEAN advocate Bill Ledford and the LEAN policy board strongly endorse Question 1­, which would expand language guaranteeing equal rights to all. We also endorse, with certain understandings and acknowledgements, Question 2, which simplifies language that makes $12 per hour the minimum wage in Nevada beginning in 2024.

In keeping with Nevada Constitution-enshrined process, should Questions 1 and 2 pass, they would become law. Question 3, an initiative petition that promises changing the state’s primary voting process, would return to the ballot in 2024 should it pass legislative muster as a bill during the 2023 session. LEAN remains neutral on Question 3 since it deals directly with how candidates would be elected.

Here is the condensed language Question 1 as presented on the official ballot:

Senate Joint Resolution No. of the 80th Session: 

Shall the Nevada Constitution be amended by adding a specific guarantee that equality of rights under the law shall not be denied or abridged by this State or any of its cities, counties, or other political subdivisions on account of race, color, creed, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, disability, ancestry, or national origin?

This question earns LEAN’s strong endorsement for a “YES” vote. Its language reflects scriptural tenets of justice, fairness, mercy, social equality, and equal protection under the law – the very beliefs Jesus lived by, through word and action, as written in the gospels and acted upon throughout the New Testament, most powerfully in texts such as Matthew 25, which remains LEAN’s guiding scripture. And it fits into the parameters put forth in the ELCA’s Social Message on Human Rights.

Here is the condensed language Question 2 as presented on the official ballot:

Assembly Joint Resolution No. 10 of the 80th Session:

Shall the Nevada Constitution be amended, effective July 1, 2024, to: (1) establish the State’s minimum wage that employers must pay to certain employees at a rate of $12 per hour worked, subject to any applicable increases above that $12 rate provided by federal law or enacted by the Nevada Legislature; (2) remove the existing provisions setting different rates for the minimum wage based on whether the employer offers certain health benefits to such employees; and (3) remove the existing provisions for adjusting the minimum wage based on applicable increases in the cost of living?

This question deals with a constitutional change that LEAN has advocated for in the past: Increasing Nevada’s minimum wage to a livable, viable level. Though we believe that $12 per hour is still inadequate given ongoing cost of living challenges for Nevada workers and families, and indeed represents a legislative compromise in the two most recent sessions, it is far better than the $10.50 per hour currently enshrined in the Nevada State Constitution ($9.50 for those whose employer offers health insurance benefits). And though the minimum wage is already slated to increase to $12 in 2024, this Question’s passage would remove the language maintaining Nevada’s current tiered structure, which allows employers to pay a dollar less per hour if they also offer health insurance. We believe that simplifying the language to put all employees at the $12 level — with the ability for the legislature to raise the wage in the future, either on their own or in keeping with federal guidelines — is ultimately beneficial to workers and their families.

However, LEAN endorses a yes vote on Question 2 with the understanding that it is, by its nature and in keeping with state law, a more “permanent” change since it is indeed enshrined at the Constitutional level. We also understand that the law would be altered, as expressed in part 3 of Question 2, to remove language allowing for automatic cost of living increases. In the final analysis, we see this a plus for workers and families, since it would take nearly a decade for cost-of-living adjustments currently provided by the Nevada Constitution to exceeed the $12 per hour minimum. With that language removed, the mimimum wage could be raised sooner and more effectively.

Again, early voting runs Oct. 22-Nov. 4. Completed ballots can also be mailed up to and including election day, as long as the are postmarked by Nov. 8 and arrive at the country registar of voter’s office within four days of election day. They can also be dropped off at any early voting location or at your county’s main office.

If you are a first-time Nevada voter or need to update your voter registration, visit www.RegisterToVote.NV.gov.