God calls us to care for our neighbors and
actively shape a just and compassionate society. Civic engagement, including voting and public service,
is a meaningful way we live out our faith in the public sphere. The ELCA encourages everyone to engage
in the political process with integrity, advocating for justice, peace, and the common good.
Our efforts are resourced theologically by two key social teaching documents, rooted in God’s Word
through the Bible. These are Government and Civic Engagement: Discipleship in a Democracy and Church in Society: A Lutheran Perspective.
Search these resources for resources that
will educate and equip you as a disciple in a democracy.
How you can participate in this election year.
Using resources that the ELCA and partner organizations can provide as part of our Civic Engagement initiative, here are some ways to participate:
The Episcopal Church, the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, and the United Methodist Church are together calling on our member parishes, congregations, and worship communities to participate in the Parish Election Year Challenge - taking non-partisan action through your faith community to encourage voter engagement as Tuesday, November 5, 2024, approaches.
In anticipation of Election Day in the United States, Bishop Eaton reminds us that “civic engagement through political and nonpolitical processes is how we live into our baptism and share Christ’s love as we work to make a difference in our communities and strive for justice and peace across the globe.”
From Living Lutheran
Government that serves the neighbor.
Discipleship in a democracy.
How Luther helps today’s citizens.
Civility in Politics:
Lutheran legislators speak out on the importance of being respectful.
August
2024 Update from ELCA Advocacy - ELCA Activator Network.
Bishop
Eaton: We Are Also Citizens.
Bishop
Eaton: Who is A Real American?.
Bishop Eaton Addresses Political Violence.
April
2024 Update from ELCA Advocacy - Talking across political differences.
Additional Resources:
ELCA Civic Engagement Guide.
Sacred Crossroads: The Intersection of Faith and Immigration in the 2024 Election from ELCA AMMPARO.
Worship Resources for National Election.
Faith
Active in Love Bible Study.
Sharing
Trustworthy Information About Where and How to Vote.
Prepare
to Vote Checklist.
Learn
More about the ELCA Election Activator Network.
Updates on Election
Engagement from Witness in Society.
Address
Polarization and Building Cohesion in Your Community.
There is a movement in this country that seeks to define “real
Americans” as white, Christian and native born. That is not only untrue but unpatriotic. In
her video addressing Christian Nationalism, Bishop Eaton reminds us that “what binds us
together is not ethnicity, but shared participation in our civic life springing out of our cultural
heritages and working for the common good.”
Bishop Eaton’s Video
Remarks about Christian Nationalism.
“We Are Christians Against Christian Nationalism”.
ELCA Partnerships
Christians Against
Christian Nationalism.