Compassionate Justice and Public Policy

As part of the Church catholic's visible witness in the world, the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Canada (ELCIC) participates in the broader life of society, not that society might be redeemed but that the love of God might be present.

One element of the church's mission is to "study issues in contemporary society in the light of the Word of God and respond publicly to social and moral issues as an advocate for justice and as an agent for reconciliation." (ELCIC Constitution, Art. IV, Sect. 2f.) There are at least three elements to this work:

• Awareness is learning about social injustice and hearing the stories of the oppressed.
• Accompaniment is walking in solidarity with those who are hurting and suffering from unjust structures and situations.
• Advocacy is giving voice to the voiceless; of speaking to policy makers of behalf of those we know through awareness and accompaniment.

Seeking to offer faithful witness and diligent stewardship in the current context, the ELCIC commonly works with ecumenical partners on issues of social justice. One way the church offers a public witness is through its social statements, resolutions, and study papers. The Public Witness of the ELCIC outlines the way that the ELCIC uses these papers to address social issues.