The ELCA’s Draft Social Statement May Help in This Disernment

Did you know that the phrase ‘separation of church and state’ does not appear in our U.S. Constitution?  It was first attributed to U.S. President Thomas Jefferson in 1802 in a letter to Danbury Baptist Association in Connecticut as he attempted to clarify his understanding of the Constitution’s First Amendment, Freedom of Religion, Speech, and the Press.  Specifically, it states, "Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof..."  Jefferson wasn’t saying our religious beliefs and government should be separated, but only that the U.S. Government cannot establish, for the country, a national religion.  Similarly, it cannot prevent the free expressions of one’s faith.

This is just one of many helpful pieces of information included in the study materials prepared by the ELCA for its new draft social statement titled, Civic Life and Faith.  The complete draft can be found at ELCA.org.

The ELCA is seeking feedback on the draft before it is forwarded for consideration at the ELCA Churchwide Assembly in 2025.   Feedback can be shared HERE.  Information for mailing in a paper survey can be found at ELCA.org/civicsandfaith. Your feedback is welcomed through September 30, 2024.  

This opportunity is particularly timely as we approach yet another national election in November.  Studying the statement is helpful to understanding the ELCA’s position in the application of our faith to public life.  As stated in Article 32 of the social statement, “The ELCA holds that the constructive relationship of religion and political authority is summarized by the phrase “work with civil authorities in areas of mutual endeavor, maintaining institutional separation of religious organizations and institutions in a relation of functional interaction.”  In essence, we are not to separate our faith from our civic responsibilities but instead it is just the opposite.  We are to bring them together to work for the common good.

To help small groups and/or congregations discuss these issues, the ELCA has prepared a study curriculum consisting of 6 sessions that invite conversation about civic life and faith.  It can be found HERE.

The 6 study sessions are titled,

1. How is God’s Invitation to Discipleship Lived Out in a Democracy?

2. How Do Christians Address Controversial Civic Issues?

3. What Are Lutheran Views on Civic Life?

4. What Are the Objectives of Democracy in the United States?

5. What’s Faith-based Living Got to Do With Civic Life?

6. How Do We Go in Peace to Love and Serve the Lord in Civic Life?

The study addresses some of the most relevant questions for how we can use our faith as a basis for what we are expected to do as citizens of this democracy.  Provided in each session are applicable prayers, Biblical references, a video presentation, and a series of stimulating discussion questions. 

The introduction to Session 1 reads in part, “We are disciples of Jesus Christ who happen to live in a democracy, although God’s people have lived under every kind of government. Whatever the type, followers of Christ have had to figure out how to serve God, our highest authority, within that society. Being civically engaged is vital for disciples because through government many of the needs of our neighbors are met—or ignored.”  This is why the ELCA felt it important to create the social statement and develop materials that help in understanding.

Article 3 of the social statement provides a fitting summary of why we should faithfully participate in civic life.  It states, “Both the biblical witness and human history make clear that human beings are inherently social creatures and necessarily political beings. God’s intent is for human beings to use knowledge, wisdom, and power to foster the common good. When that is done by institutions through policies and regulations, or by individuals in acts of caring, then humans are fulfilling their God-given human vocation to join God’s activity in the world.”

Take time to read through the draft social statement and provide your feedback to the ELCA.  Even better, gather as a congregation, or in a Faith Formation class, to go through the study materials in order to “probe for shared convictions and establish this church’s comprehensive teaching” on this important question.