Our work is not yet complete... In the social statement The Church in Society: A Lutheran Perspective (adopted in 1991), the ELCA teaches: “[the] baptismal vocation of Christians” includes “being wise and active citizens…. 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 41 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.” (p. 4, 5) “An important way that Christians carry out their citizenship is through participation in voluntary associations and movements, both religious and secular. At times, these groups may serve a prophetic function as they protest particular evils, question unexamined assumptions, challenge unjust or immoral practices, and organize for structural changes in the workplace, local community, and wider world.” (p. 5) Is your name on the Reconciling Lutheran list? Individuals: ReconcilingWorks.org/RL Churches: ReconcilingWorks.org/RIC
Posted on: Wed, 18 Jun 2014 19:18:54 +0000