Civic engagement: What are the objectives of democracy in the United States?

As part of our Creating Space for Conversations series, we share this video from the ELCA’s "Study Curriculum on Civic Life and Faith." Watch the video as a standalone resource, or explore the full set of the curriculum, including leader’s guides.

Session 4: “What Are the Objectives of Democracy in the United States? Leader’s Guide | VIEW PDF | WATCH VIDEO


How are we as Lutheran Christians called to civic engagement, including in the arenas of government and political life? What is the proper relationship of the church with government, and what is not? What does religious liberty actually include? What are our scriptural and confessional resources for probing such questions about civic life?

The ELCA invites you and your congregation to explore these questions and more by using "A Study Curriculum on Civic Life and Faith."

This study curriculum has just been released by the ELCA Task Force for Studies on Civic Life and Faith. It includes six sessions and is a critical step on the way to the social statement called for by the 2019 Churchwide Assembly.

Each session comes ready to use, with prayers, hymn suggestions, Scriptures, a teaching video, group discussion questions, suggested resources, and case studies taken from everyday life. There is a response form after each session for participants to communicate with the task force itself on the material covered.

Core Materials:

  • Leader’s Overview & Materials | VIEW PDF

  • Participant Guides for All Sessions | VIEW PDF

Individual Sessions

  • Session 1: “How Is God’s Invitation to Discipleship Lived Out in a Democracy?” Leader’s Guide | VIEW PDF | WATCH VIDEO

  • Session 2: “How Do Christians Address Controversial Civic Issues?” Leader’s Guide | VIEW PDF | WATCH VIDEO

  • Session 3: “What Are Lutheran Views on Civic Life?” Leader’s Guide | VIEW PDF | WATCH VIDEO

  • Session 4: “What Are the Objectives of Democracy in the United States? Leader’s Guide | VIEW PDF | WATCH VIDEO

  • Session 5: “What's Faith-based Living Got to Do With Civic Life?” Leader’s Guide | VIEW PDF | WATCH VIDEO

  • Session 6: “How Do We Go in Peace to Love and Serve the Lord in Civic Life?” Leader’s Guide | VIEW PDF | WATCH VIDEO

Supplemental Materials:

To download the study and learn more about the task force's work, go to elca.org/civicsandfaith. If you have questions, please reach out to civicsandfaith@elca.org.

With gratitude,

  • Roger Willer, Director, Theological Ethics

  • Carmelo Santos, Director, Theological Diversity and Engagement

  • Office of the Presiding Bishop