ELCA Civic Engagement and Voter Education Guide

This resource guide is designed to encourage, empower and equip voter education and other responsible civic participation shaped by faith values.

Civic engagement, according to a frequently referenced definition, means working to make a difference in the civic life of our communities and developing the knowledge, skills, values and motivation needed to make that difference. It means promoting the quality of life in a community through both political and nonpolitical processes.

Along with all citizens, Christians have the responsibility to defend human rights and to work for freedom, justice, peace, environmental well-being, and good order in public life. They are to recognize the vital role of law in protecting life and liberty and in upholding the common good. Christians need to be concerned for the methods and the content of public deliberation. They should be critical when groups of people are inadequately represented in political processes and decisions that affect their lives. (ELCA social statement The Church in Society: A Lutheran Perspective , 5)

As a church body, the ELCA uses its prophetic voice boldly to address important policy issues that affect local and global communities. This activity grows out of our theological understanding of God at work in the world, articulated in the social teaching of this church and the experiences of our members, congregations, ministries and partners. Find social teaching documents of the ELCA at ELCA.org/Faith/Faith-and-Society.

ELCA members, rostered ministers, congregations, synods, seminaries and college and university campus ministry groups are among those who can and should play a vital role in Lutheran civic engagement. This Civic Engagement Guide* contains ideas and guidance for the process.

Published in 2020.