What is the ELCA’s Social Statement on Peace

Within the past decade, the global community of nations has entered a new era in international relations। We have witnessed the end of 50 years of Cold War between the United States and the Soviet Union, along with their respective allies, and the resulting dramatic reduction of the threat of global war. At the same time, the 1990s has seen a surge in regional and local armed conflict and ethnic rivalry. New opportunities and challenges raise fresh questions about our nation’s role in promoting global peace and justice.

Lutherans in the United States have a longstanding interest in and concern for peace among the nations। Lutheran church bodies have spoken officially on war and peace since at least 1922. Such statements express a range of theological perspectives and ethical emphases, in part conditioned by the historical circumstances surrounding each statement. Yet, there are common themes, including the recognition that "peacemaking" is a Christian responsibility, and that peace is linked with other issues including economic development, human rights and international institutions.

The Evangelical Lutheran Church in America inherited the concern for peace expressed in social statements of its predecessor bodies। In 1991, the Division for Church in Society appointed a Task Force to assist staff in the preparation of a social statement on international peace. The Task Force of fifteen included pastors, theologians, a biblical scholar, specialists in international relations, a four star general recently retired from the U.S. Army, peace advocates and others who provided a wide range of background and perspectives. This group published a study, Peace: God’s Gift. Our Task, in the Fall of 1993 and a first draft of the social statement in the spring of 1994. Both documents called for and received responses from individuals, congregations and other groups of the church. In the Fall of 1994, a series of hearings were held across the country to gain additional feedback in order to help shape the final proposal to be brought to the Churchwide Assembly in 1995. For Peace in God’s World was presented to voting members of the Assembly, and after discussion and amendment, was adopted by a vote of 803-30.

The central message of the statement is contained in the opening paragraph: "We of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America share with the Church of Jesus Christ in all times and places the calling to be peacemakers।" And then, "That calling is to proclaim the Gospel of God’s final peace and to work for earthly peace." The statement begins theologically, with the God of peace, and continues by affirming that the church is a community for peace. It explains a Lutheran understanding of the role of citizens and governments, including questions about the legitimacy of the use of military force. The study presents a multidimensional array of tasks for keeping, making and building international peace today. It concludes with a series of implementing resolutions.

Leaders of the study need to be familiar with the purposes of the statement। As an ELCA social statement, For Peace in God’s World is intended to offer theological and ethical perspectives to equip the ELCA and its members to fulfill their calling to serve God in the world. It is intended to guide staff, pastors, teachers and other lay persons in their response to issues of war and conflict among the nations and to the challenges of peacemaking.

The concern of this statement is our calling to be peacemakers in the international arena. Although, its focus is not the equally challenging tasks of peacemaking in our families or local communities, this guide offers opportunity for participants to connect the issues of global peace to personal and community concerns. You may want to consult the ELCA Church Council’s "Message on Community Violence," listed in the Resources section at the back of this guide. Note also that the statement is not a comprehensive Bible study on peace. Biblical references, however, are included in the statement, and the session plans do offer some opportunity for biblical reflection. Several excellent Bible studies on peace are listed in the Resources section.