Public Response Period: Social Message on Climate Care

“The earth is the Lord’s and all that is in it, the world, and those who live in it.” —Psalm 24:1

What is a faithful Lutheran response to Earth’s changing climate and worsening natural disasters? How do we think about this crisis as people of faith, and what are we called to do?

After hearing requests from across the church for guidance, the ELCA Church Council in March 2022 authorized development of a social message on climate care. Social messages are ELCA social teaching documents on specific social topics; these documents shape ELCA policy and help members discern how to respond to an issue.

A draft of the social message “Earth’s Climate Crisis” is now posted for public comment! Feedback of this kind helps the drafters know how the document could be more clear, helpful and faithfully Lutheran. Please read the social message draft here and use this survey to share your input by Friday, Dec. 2. Questions or longer responses can be emailed to draftsocialmessage@elca.org.

The drafters and review team will study the public feedback to prepare a proposed social message. That proposed message will be reviewed by the Conference of Bishops and presented to the Church Council for consideration this coming spring.

This public comment period is your chance to contribute directly as our church considers how to address this crucial topic affecting God’s good creation. Please help improve this social message so it can be as effective as possible. And share the news with others, so they can participate too!

God’s peace,

Rev. Roger A. Willer, Ph.D.
Director for Theological Ethics
Office of the Presiding Bishop, ELCA