Church in Society

The Church in Society unit leads this church in stepping forward as a public church that witnesses boldly to God’s love for all that God has created.


This unit studies social issues, prepares social statements for this church’s consideration and action, and promotes moral deliberation. Congregations receive assistance in developing programs and strategies that help people in poverty, in caring for creation, and in developing their communities. This program unit is responsible for domestic refugee concerns and, accordingly, relates to Lutheran Immigration and Refugee Service.

The Church in Society units coordinates the ELCA World Hunger Program. It administers the ELCA Domestic Disaster Response and, in cooperation with The Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod, Lutheran Disaster Response. The unit is responsible for this church’s ministry of service through some 280 affiliated social ministry organizations.
It grants and maintains church affiliation with these organizations and through Lutheran Services in America develops a comprehensive delivery system among social ministry organizations, congregations, and community organizations.

The unit for Church in Society carries out this church’s advocacy with national and international governmental bodies and with institutions in the private sector, and coordinates its advocacy with state governments.

Addressing sexism and advocating for full participation and equal opportunity in church and society for women is the assignment of Justice for Women, an initiative of this unit.

Listed below are the programs within Church in Society. You can keep informed by subscribing to the e-newsletters that are created within Church in Society.


Advocacy
washington 200x50
From its beginnings, Christianity has had a rich tradition of speaking truth to those in power. Two millennia ago, Jesus empowered his followers to advocate for justice, and today many Christians have continued in that path. [learn more]

Vist the four main offices
Lutheran Office for World Community  ELCA Washington Office 
State Public Policy Office 
Corporate Social Responsibility
Justice for Women
justice for women 200x50
The ELCA is committed to challenging and eradicating sexism in this church and in society. Central to this challenge for Lutherans are the twofold theological bases of creation and baptism and the christological basis of Jesus Christ's life and death. [learn more] 
Social Issues
social issues
As a public church, we are called to address significant social issues that affect the common good. [learn more]

Social Statements and Messages 
JLE 
Faith & Science 
Ask a Scientist
Covalence



Lutheran Disaster Response
disaster 200x50
We help to bring God’s comfort, healing and renewal to those affected by disasters.  Even after the dust settles and the headlines change, we stay -- providing ongoing assistance to those in need. [learn more]







Poverty Ministries
ELCA Poverty Ministries is a multi-faceted approach to the scandal of poverty in a wealthy nation. This work is grounded in God's unflagging commitment to people who are poor and oppressed, articulated by the prophets and embodied in the life of Jesus. [learn more]

AIDS & HIV 
Congregation-based Organizing 
Community Development Services 
Domestic Hunger Grants & Loans Program 
Poverty Ministries Networking 
Alliance on Poverty and Wealth
ELCA World Hunger
hunger 200x50
This is a comprehensive and sustainable program that uses multiple strategies—relief, development, education, and advocacy—to address the root causes of hunger and poverty. ELCA World Hunger responds to neighbors around the corner and around the world. [learn more] 




Social Ministry Organizations
smo 200x50
The ELCA, along with The Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod and 300 health and human service organizations, participate in an alliance known as Lutheran Services in America (LSA). LSA serves more than six million people each year -- 1 out of 50 people in 3,000 communities in the United States and the Caribbean [learn more]