Church in Society in the
Indiana-Kentucky Synod:

The Indiana-Kentucky Synod, ELCA, Church in Society delegation met with Senator Lugar's staff during the 2007 Ecumenical Advocacy Days 2007. In the Senate Foreign Relations Committee room are: Dan Bardua, Erik Hansen, Kaye Hill, Rev. Charles Allen, Rev. Cindy Geisen, staff member, Jeff Schacht (IU campus pastor), and two other Lugar staff members.

Currently, the focus of our work is 2-fold:

Now available for sale and for free download online:

"God's Mission in the World: An Ecumenical Christian Study Guide on Global Poverty and the Millennium Development Goals"

Asa follow-up to Resolution # R-1-06, which was presented at the synod assembly, we are crafting a study guide that will identify justice issues with the Synod and will provide tools for becoming effective advocates.

Download and print the ELCA Social Ministry Social Statement.

 

Cultivating Communities of Moral Discernment: Exploring Best Practices for Teaching and Preaching about Justice

April 26, 2010 A day of focused conversation among rostered leaders who feel called to teach and preach about justice, and who are interested in exploring issues Learn more.

The concern of the Church in Society committee is to empower, equip, and encourage mission centers of the synod to step forward as part of a public church that witnesses boldly to God's love for all that God has created.

This is accomplished by:

1. Cultivating communities of moral deliberation.

a. This primarily consists of equipping congregations to have constructive, open, respectful, and discerning conversations about difficult social issues.

a. This focus includes encouraging congregations and individuals to participate in advocacy for justice in political, global, and corporate arenas at the local, state, and federal levels.

a. This primarily means encouraging congregations and individuals toward action on behalf of the disadvantaged, dispossessed, and displaced in our society at the local and national levels.

Church in Society Committee
Cindy Geisen, Chair	matterofcat@hotmail.com
Bill Gafkjen, Synod Staff Liaison	bgafkjen@iksynod.org
Chad Adamik	cra74red@yahoo.com
Kaye Hill	kayehill@bloomington.in.us
Jeff Schacht	jschacht@indiana.edu
David Smith	djs1959@earthlink.net
Paul & Darlene Scherer	pscherer@iusb.edu
Joe Swanson, ONE Campaign	gailandjoe@alltel.net
Walda Helvie, World Hunger	Walda.helvie@insightbb.com

 

Helpful Links
Called To Be a Public Church: 2008 ELCA Voting and Civic Participation Guide
I-K Synod World Hunger Task Force I-K Synod World Hunger Newsletter		Vital Congregations: Just Communities
Statistics from "Stand Up, Speak Out" Workshop at the 2006 ELCA Youth Gathering	Basic Principles of Advocacy Ministry
	What the ELCA Says About Public Life: Social Statements and Messages	Indiana Kentucky Synod Assembly 2006 Resolution #R-1-06 Resolution Concerning State "Moral Budgets"
Free in Christ to Serve the Neighbor: Lutherans Talk about Human Sexuality	Join the e-Advocacy Network!	CLOUT
"God's Mission in the World: An Ecumenical Christian Study Guide on Global Poverty and the Millennium Development Goals"	Questions? Contact Pr. Cindy Geisen at matterofcat@hotmail.com	"Sexuality: Some Common Convictions" approved by the ELCA Church Council on November 9, 1996

 

Other Links of Interest
Resources	Social Ministries for Congregations	Congress.org ToGo Track your Senators' and Representative's votes by e-mail
ELCA Division for Church in Society	ELCA Social Statements and Resolutions	ELCA World Hunger Appeal
Lutheran World Relief	ELCA Domestic Disaster Response	Habitat for Humanity
Lutheran Services in America	Lutheran Immigration & Refugee Service	Lutheran Office of Governmental Affairs