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Resources for Civic Engagement
Faith in Action: Our Call to Civic Engagement During the 2024 Election
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.
ELCA Resources
The ELCA’s Witness in Society advocacy team has created resources to help us more fully embrace what it means to be civically engaged. Scroll down to see advocacy-related resources which can be found in our ELCA Resource Center.
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:
- Hold discussions and Bible study in your congregation, synod or campus on:
- Our calling, as Lutherans, is to join in and engage with our government
- The social, racial, economic and political root causes and impacts of voter suppression
- How we as a church together can promote dignity and respect and honor all who live in our communities
- Offering regular prayer for elected leaders and good government
- Mobilize participation in the electoral process by:
- Registering citizens to vote
- Conducting candidate forums
- Providing trustworthy information about voting options, such as Vote411.org
- Identifying and reducing barriers to voting
- Encouraging citizens to vote on Election Day
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.
- Find the "Parish Election Challenge: Building Community with Election Engagement" announcement and action ideas here.
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
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.
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.
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