WHAT GOES INTO MAKING A SOCIAL DOCUMENT?


American mindset


Pressing issue Scripture


Theology Social


analysis


ELCA SOCIAL STATEMENTS


Political situation


1991 1991 1991


SOCIAL DOCUMENT Church in society Abortion The death penalty 1993 Caring for creation 1993 Race, ethnicity and culture


1995 Peace 1999 Economic life


WHAT’S A SOCIAL MESSAGE?


An ELCA social message is a topical, short message adopted by the ELCA Church Council that focuses attention and action on current critical matters of social concern to the church. Social messages draw from and build upon existing policies and teachings, especially from social statements, and aren’t used to create new policies or teachings. Recent social messages include “Gender-based Violence (2016),” “Mental Illness (2012)” and “People Living with Disabilities (2010).”


2003 Health and health care


2007 Education 2009 Human sexuality


2011 2013


Genetics The church and criminal justice


Copies of the documents are available for download at elca.org/socialstatements.


Megan Brandsrud is a content editor for Living Lutheran.


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