Contents Social Statements, Social Messages, and Social Policy Resolutions Jounal of Lutheran Ethics Podcast Lutheran Ethicists Gathering Call for Presentations

Social Statements, Social Messages, and Social Policy Resolutions

The Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, building upon the pattern of its predecessor bodies (specifically the Lutheran Church in America and the American Lutheran Church), engages in the study of social issues. Social statements are effected by the Churchwide Assembly. Social messages are effected by the Church Council of the ELCA. For both of these, public input is solicited. Social policy resolutions are adtoped by the Churchwide Assembly through normal parliamentary processes (without broad public input).

Currently, two topics are before the denomination, and your input is invited:

• Reconsideration of Human Sexuality: Gift and Trust (2009) — deadline for public comment: September 30, 2026
• Resonsideration of Homelessness: A Renewal of Commitment (1990) — deadline for public comment: November 30, 2026

If you would like to provide public comment, please observe the deadlines.

You may access and review all the socical statements and social messages of the ELCA on the ELCA Social Teachings page.

Accessing the social policy resolutions is a little tricker. Use the ELCA's resource search engine and scroll through the results.

Journal of Lutheran Ethics

The Journal of Lutheran Ethics is a free, bimonthly, ecclesial online publication living out the Lutheran tradition of addressing social issues theologically, using the resources of historical, theological, and ethical tradition, biblical interpretation, and social sciences. A bridge between the academic study of Christianity and the contemporary life of the Church, JLE is a meeting place for scholars and professors, seminary and university students, pastors and bishops, and theologically informed lay persons, advocates, and activists. JLE is updated bimonthly, and JLE readers can sign up to receive notice of updates.

Bishop Riegel has an article in JLE:

• Matthew Riegel, "The End of the Human: Relocating Sanctification in Luther’s Thought," Journal of Lutheran Ethics 17 (September/October 2017) 5
  

If you have something to contribute to the conversation, visit the JLE webpage and review the information under the buttons submit an article and call for papers (for the appropriate year).

Podcast

The JLE also has a podcast.

For your consideration... ELCA Theological Foundation Paper on AI

Lutheran Ethicists Gathering 2027: AI

The 2027 Lutheran Ethicists Gathering in St. Louis (January 6-7, 2027) will focus on the topic “Cultivating a Lutheran Theological Ethic of Artificial Intelligence.” This LEG will offer an opportunity for conversation about the relevance and adequacy of Lutheran social thought for moral understanding and responsible engagement with AI across the whole of human and planetary life. What moral questions, convictions, and assessments about AI do Lutheran ethics bring to the discussions happening across many contexts? Are these questions, convictions, and assessments adequate? If not, what can Lutheran ethics say to us about humanity’s production and use of AI today?

In an effort to better understand what Artificial Intelligence is and how it is being used today, we have invited a keynote speaker from the computer science field. We will spend the rest of our time together in conversation sparked by brief presentations.

Call for Presentations

The LEG Planning Team is inviting proposals for brief, thought-provoking, and constructive presentations on the following question: Which Lutheran principles, values, and/or virtues will contribute to a Lutheran ethic of responsibility as the church and the world interact with artificial intelligence?

• The proposal shall be no more than 500 words and should describe how the presentation will clearly address the question as well as the parameters listed below. Deadline for proposal: Friday, October 2, 2026.
• The length of the full presentation should be 15-20 minutes or about 5-6 pages, double-spaced.
• The tone of the presentation should be educational for a general congregation audience.
• The presentation should name at least one but no more than three constructive Lutheran ethical principles that can be discussed by the group in attendance.
• The presentation should offer at least one but no more than three ideas for education in various ministry settings including congregations and universities.
• Presenters must be available to present during the Lutheran Ethicists Gathering January 6-7, 2027, in St. Louis, MO.

While all proposals submitted by October 2, 2026 will receive full consideration, not all proposals will be accepted for presentations. If selected, an outline or script of your presentation, including slide decks, will be due by December 15, 2026. Some presenters may also be invited to develop their presentation into an article for the Journal of Lutheran Ethics in early 2027.

Themes might include but are not limited to the faith, life, and actions of church members and its structures; creation care and the environment; the fullness of humanity in its individual and social/systemic forms; or the production of the technology itself.

Proposals from emerging scholars in Lutheran theological ethics across multiple expressions of diversity are especially desired! Also, interdisciplinary-partnered presentations are welcome.

Preferred proposals will recognize the complexity of a Lutheran theological ethics response to AI through a techno-realistic lens that takes seriously both the potential gifts AI offers and the genuine harms AI poses to human society and creation locally, nationally and globally. The strongest proposals will offer creative elements toward Lutheran ethical values, principles, and character that specifically address AI.

All presentations should be in creative conversation with existing Lutheran social teaching (one example is the recently released ELCA Theological Foundation Paper on AI); key Lutheran ethical themes such as found in Lutheran confessional documents; or existing ecumenical statements on AI. Proposals that engage ecumenical statements are encouraged to focus the conversation on how Lutherans might draw from them constructively.

Although we will not be able to pay honorariums to each presenter due to costs, registration will be covered for all invited presenters. Additional funding for travel, room or food may also be available.

Please fill out this form to submit a proposal for review. Deadline for proposal: Friday, October 2, 2026.