ELCA Social Message: Earth’s Climate Crisis

The ELCA on April 20, 2023 adopted a social message about climate care entitled Earth's Climate Crisis.

Drawing from existing social teaching, social messages provide theological rationale and social analysis to foster discernment and engagement on a relatively narrow social issue. This project was authorized in light of the grim contemporary situation affecting our global home and the need for fresh action on the part of this church. It draws its framing themes from several social statements, particularly Caring for Creation: Vision, Hope, and Justice.

The social message was called for from several sources and was adopted by the ELCA Church Council on April 20, 2023. A draft version social message first went through a public feedback process and was edited in light of public comment.

A graphic-designed version will be available shortly, along with a Spanish translation, study guide, and printed version.