Called into the World Together: Faith and Love in Action
On Sunday, March 30, Pastor Tania presented on the ELCA Social statements and messages to end our month-long focus on the Social Action committee and ministry with Grace. We are a church that believes God is calling us into the world — together. When we engage in service, learning, and advocacy around issues in our world as followers of Jesus, we engage in the mission of Christ in our world, and live out our baptismal calling to “proclaim the love of God in both word and deed, serve all people following the example of Jesus, and strive for justice and peace.” It is one way we can put our faith and love in action for the common good, for the sake of the gospel, and serve our neighbors, communities, and world in love.
Social statements and social messages are an excellent resource to help us to learn more about and discuss social issues that matter to us within the context of faith and life, especially across differing perspectives. For more information, check out the following links:
Social Statements are teaching and policy documents that provide broad theological frameworks to assist in formation, discernment and engagement with current social issues as we participate in God’s work in the world. Social statements also set policy for the ELCA and guide its advocacy and work as a publicly engaged church. Currently, a social statement on Civic Life and Faith (draft) is scheduled to be considered by the ELCA Churchwide Assembly in July 2025.
Social Messages are topical documents adopted by the ELCA Church Council to focus attention and action on contemporary matters of social concern to the church and society in light of the prophetic and compassionate traditions of Scripture and do not establish new teaching or policy. A Social Message on Child Protection has been released for public feedback.
Additionally, after a seven-year process of discernment and dialogue across the ELCA, the 2009 Churchwide Assembly voted to adopt “Human Sexuality: Gift and Trust” as a social statement of the ELCA. In 2022, the Churchwide Assembly authorized two reconsiderations of this social statement. Learn more here.
Reflection Questions — As part of this ongoing conversation, you are invited to reflect on the following questions:
What issues tug at your heart?
What resources would be useful as you engage with these issues?
How can Grace support you as you engage with these issues as a follower of Jesus, for the sake of the gospel, neighbors, and the world?
What are the next steps for you (individually) and us (together as Grace)?
If you have any questions or would like to discuss, please reach out to Pastor Tania.
