introduction to faith- based advocacy. the poor you will always have with you
TRANSCRIPT
INTRODUCTION TO
FAITH- BASED ADVOCACY
The poor you will always have
with you.
Matthew 26:6-13Now while Jesus was at Bethany in the house of Simon
the leper, a woman came to him with an alabaster jar of very costly ointment, and she poured it on his head as he sat at the table. But when the disciples saw it, they were angry and said, ‘Why this waste? For this ointment could have been sold for a large sum, and the money given to the poor.’ But Jesus, aware of this, said to them, ‘Why do you trouble the woman? She has performed a good service for me. For you always have the poor with you, but you will not always have me. By pouring this ointment on my body she has prepared me for burial. Truly I tell you, wherever this good news is proclaimed in the whole world, what she has done will be told in remembrance of her.’
Deuteronomy 15:11
“Since there will never cease to be some in need on the earth, I therefore command you, ‘Open your hand to the poor and needy neighbor in your land”
Martin Luther:Poverty, I say, is not to be
recommended, chosen or taught; for there is enough of that by itself, as He says, “The poor you always have with you,” just as you will have all other evils. But constant care should be taken that, since these evils are always in evidence, they are always opposed.
Baptismal Foundations “Let all Christians regard their baptism as the
daily garment they are to wear all the time…If we want to be Christians, we must practice the work that makes us Christians.” (Martin Luther, Large Catechism)
“To proclaim the good news of God in Christ through word and deed, to serve all people, following the example of our Lord Jesus, and to strive for justice and peace in all the earth...” (LBW Rite for the Affirmation of Baptism)
From the ELCA Constitution
This Church is to:
Advocate for justice and dignity for all people, working for peace and reconciliation among the nations, and standing with the poor and powerless and committing itself to their needs
Study social issues and trends in order to discover the causes of oppression and injustice, and develop ministry to further human dignity, justice and peace in the world.
This takes place throughCoordinating theological study of
social issues, developing social statements and messages
ELCA World Hunger
Implementing public policy advocacy – international, national and state – Lutheran World Federation, Washington Office, State Public Policy Offices
Social Statements
First Statement is “Church in Society” 1991
Provides foundation for all social statements and messages
Guides work of advocacy, justice and ethics in the ELCA
Opens the door for respectful dialogue in denomination
Affirmations
Church’s Responsibility in Society
The God who justifies expects all people to do justice through the divine activity of the Law. God preserves creation, orders society and promotes justice in a broken world.
Church must participate in social structures critically. This church must unite realism and vision, wisdom and courage in its social responsibility.
Church has an obligation to name and denounce idols, identify sin present in social structures and advocate in hope with poor and powerless people.
Affirmations
Baptismal Vocation of all Christians
The Spirit transforms for discipleship in daily life, Jesus frees Christians to serve others and walk with people who are hungry, forgotten, oppressed and despised. Christians exercise vocation by being wise and active citizens
AffirmationsCommunity of Moral Deliberation
Christians often disagree passionately on responses to social questions
because we share a common faith, we are freed and obligated to deliberate together
respectful dialogue is critical in our discernment of what is the will of God
Commitments Sustaining Vocation
Foster a faith that is active in love, a love that seeks justice, and an insight that strives to discern what is right, good and fitting;
Support its members in their callings to love their neighbor, to mend the creation, to advocate justice and mercy in situations of brokenness, and to seek peace where there is conflict;
CommitmentsWitnessing as an Institution
Develop social statements …that will guide the life of this church and inform the conscience of its members in the spirit of Christian liberty
Speak out on timely, urgent issuesWork with and on behalf of the poor, powerless, those
who suffer, using its power and influence with political and economic decision-making bodies to develop and advocate policies that seek to advance justice, peace and the care of creation
Expect bishops, pastors, lay church leaders to pray for and to exhort those in positions of authority on the basis of God’s prophetic word
Commitments
Deliberating on Social Questions
Be a community where open, passionate, and respectful deliberation on challenging and controversial issues of contemporary society is expected and encouraged – moral deliberation
Draw on the resources of faith – Scripture, church history, theology, knowledge and personal experience - and reason to learn and discern how to respond to contemporary challenges
Engage those of diverse perspectives, classes, genders, ages, race and cultures in the deliberation process so that each of our limited horizons might be expanded and the witness of the body of Christ in the world be enhanced
In a nutshell
“In faithfulness to its calling, this church is committed to defend human dignity, to stand with the poor and powerless, to advocate justice, to work for peace, and to care for the earth in the processes and structures of contemporary society.”
Social Statements
Social statements are social policy documents, adopted by the ELCA Churchwide Assembly, addressing significant social issues.
Abortion 1991
Church in Society 1991
Death Penalty 1991
Environment 1993
Race, Ethnicity and Culture 1993
Peace 1995
Economic Life 1999
Health and Healthcare 2003
Education 2007
Human Sexuality 2009
Underway – Genetics and Bioethics, Criminal Justice, Justice for Women
Messages
Brief communications that draw attention to a social issue and encourage action on it
Adopted by the ELCA Church Council
Intended to further discussion (not result of widespread deliberation)
Build on previously adopted social statements and social policy resolutions
MESSAGES Aids 1988
Israel/Palestinian conflict 1989
Changing Europe 1990
Homelessness 1990
End of Life Decisions 1992
Community Violence 1994
Sexuality 1996
Immigration 1998
Suicide Prevention 1999
Commercial Sexual Exploitation 2001
Terrorism 2004
Underway – Disabilities
Social Policy ResolutionsActions, other than social statements, of the
Churchwide Assembly or Church Council on matters of social concern:
Refugees
Separation Wall in Palestine
National School Violence Campaign
Landmines
Fair Labor Practices
Advocacy Ministry in the ELCA
ELCA Washington Office
State Public Policy Offices, LAMPa is one of 10
Lutheran Office of World Community
State office work is directed to hunger-related causes such as food and nutrition, shelter and affordable housing, environmental stewardship and justice, employment and income, and access to preventative and primary health care.
Arizona California Colorado
Illinois Michigan Minnesota
Nebraska Nevada New Jersey
New Mexico Oregon Pennsylvania
Virginia Washington Wisconsin
LAMPa’s Mission
Advocates on behalf of, and in partnership with, those persons who are denied justice, dignity, reconciliation, peace, and access to basic human rights, and who lack adequate representation and voice in the arenas of public policy
Provides an advocacy voice for the ELCA , synods, congregations , social ministry organizations and ministries with government policymakers
LAMPa’s MissionEquipping Pennsylvania Lutherans to be advocates by
Leading discussion forums on current social issues and public policy to help Lutherans understand the connections between faith and daily life and the call to be a public church
Providing training and resources for Lutherans live their baptisms and grow in faith through advocacy for justice
Advocacy Agenda for 2011-12
Hunger/Poverty
State-wide poverty study
Funding for the State Food Purchase Program
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LAMPa is a partnership ministry among Lutherans in PA
7 Synods
18 Social Ministry Organizations
2 Seminaries
4 Colleges
Campus Ministries
Outdoor Ministries
Pennsylvania Lutheran Network
LAMPa ELCA partnerships
ELCA World Hunger
Congregational and Synodical Mission Unit
Washington Office
Lutheran Immigration and Refugee Service
Lutheran Services in America
State Public Policy Offices
Advocacy Agenda for 2011-12
Health Care
preserving the adultBasic health insurance program for low income adults or identifying an acceptable alternative to cover 42,000 people
Advocacy Agenda for 2011-12
Care for Creation
Clean Energy/Green Jobs Bill
Natural Gas Drilling in the Marcellus Shale
Advocacy Agenda for 2011-12
Immigration
Collaboration with Lutheran Immigration and Refugee Service on immigration-related legislation
Coalition WorkInterfaith Justice Coalition
Coalition for Low-Income Pennsylvanians
Pennsylvania Health Access Network
Hunger Fighters Coalition –
Pennsylvania Works!
School Funding Campaign
Better Choices for Pennsylvania Budget Coalition
Communications ACTIONET (statewide E-Advocacy Network)
Website: www.lutheranadvocacypa.org
- up to date Issue Briefs and Action Alerts
* Twitter @LutheranAdvocacyPA
* monthly e-newsletter LAMPa Highlights
ELCA E-Advocacy from the ELCA Washington Office
Facebook PageInteresting facts, figures, articles, quotes, & more!
LAMPa TacticsACTIONET
Lutheran Day at the Capitol (Spring)
LAMPa Ambassadors
Staff presentations and trainings at your site
Arrange briefings and legislative visits in Harrisburg
Produce educational resources
Advocacy and coalition work by staff
LAMPa StaffDirector – Amy Reumann
Advocacy Developer – Marissa Krey
Field Education Students from Gettysburg and Philadelphia Seminaries, Messiah College
Master’s in Public Leadership degree field education site
Hundreds of engaged Lutheran advocates around the state, working on local and state-wide issues – including YOU