Who we are and why we’re here.

Lutheran Advocacy Ministry Arizona (LAMA) joins with the most vulnerable of our society to voice our common needs in the public square, activating our faith in love.

As an advocacy ministry of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA), Lutheran Advocacy Ministry Arizona (LAMA) derives its purpose from the Constitution of the ELCA, which states:

To participate in God’s mission, this church shall: . . . Serve in response to God’s love to meet human needs, caring for the sick and the aged, advocating justice and dignity for all people, working for peace and reconciliation among the nations, and standing with the poor and the powerless and committing itself to their needs. (4.02.c)

To fulfill these purposes, this church shall: . . . Lift its voice in concord and work in concert with forces for good, to serve humanity, cooperating with church and other groups participating in activities that promote justice, relieve misery, and reconcile the estranged. (4.03.g) . . . Study social issues and trends, work to discover the causes of oppression and injustice, and develop programs of ministry and advocacy to further human dignity, freedom, justice and peace in the world. (4.03.l)

The purpose of LAMA is to advocate for justice in the areas of hunger, poverty, and care of God’s creation by speaking with and for those who have little or no political power. LAMA will work with congregations in Arizona — ELCA Lutherans and others — to create and use networks for advocacy on these issues.

To read the originating document click here.