2005 Synod Assembly
Resolution 2005-09:
Advocate for Poor and Working Poor Neighbors
Passed
WHEREAS, there is no calling for Christians higher than that which leads
to the cross of Christ; and
WHEREAS, the cross connects us to the sacrifice of Christ as the power to
sacrifice all for the sake of Christ; and
WHEREAS, the needs of the neighbor as identified by Jesus in the
parable of the Good Samaritan are the object of the Christian's
sacrifice; and
WHEREAS, as citizens of this state and nation we share responsibility with
the whole community for the welfare of all other citizen-neighbors and a
responsibility, as Christian citizens, to focus particular attention on
the needs of the poor; and
WHEREAS, budget proposals pending before both the state and federal
legislatures demand huge sacrifices from the poor without demanding
greater sacrifice from the rest of us; and
WHEREAS, the six ELCA bishops in Minnesota have joined other
religious leaders in signing a declaration of principles for work on
overcoming poverty entitled A Common Foundation (attached); and
WHEREAS, Lutheran Social Service (LSS) of Minnesota, in pursuit of
its mission to "express the love of Christ for all people through acts of
service," seeks as a top priority to address the needs of poor and
working poor neighbors with services proven to lead toward
self-sufficiency; and
WHEREAS, LSS across the state is witnessing a precipitous and accelerating
decline in government funding for meeting those needs, resulting in
serious hardship among our most vulnerable neighbors; and
WHEREAS, contributed support for LSS services from individuals and
congregations is vital but cannot replace the basic funding required from
tax dollars to meet needs;
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that every congregation of the Southeastern
Minnesota Synod encourage their pastors and lay leaders to provide
opportunity within the life of the congregation to discuss these issues of
public policy and their impact on the poor as a matter of moral urgency,
utilizing the principles in A Common Foundation as the basis for
reflection; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the congregations of this synod, as full,
legitimate, and essential participants in civil society, be encouraged to
stand up for and speak publicly to elected leaders at the state and
federal level in support of the moral imperative to care for the poor; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that this synod, through its bishop and in concert
with the other five ELCA synods in Minnesota and their bishops, take a
public stand during the current debate about taxes and spending priorities
in support of a public policy position with respect to the poor that calls
upon those with greater resources to make greater sacrifices through
additional taxes in order that the poor not be asked to sacrifice further
even as matters of national security, homeland defense and growing
deficits demand attention; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that during this period of public debate about how
we will respond as civil society to the needs of our poor and working poor
neighbors, congregations and individual members of those congregations be
encouraged to consider generous additional contributions to services in
areas hardest hit by recent and looming budget cuts (for example,
community-based and preventive services for vulnerable youth, working poor
families and individuals, and fragile seniors).
Submitted by Pastor Keith Homstad and approved by the Cannon River
Conference on 2/13/05. Written by the Rev. Alan Loose, Director, LSS
Office of Cooperative Ministries (651-969-2282) on behalf of Lutheran
Social Service of Minnesota.
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2005-10
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Resolution List A Common
Foundation
Shared Principles for Work on Overcoming Poverty
As a people of faith, with varying theologies
and traditions, we are convinced of a remarkable convergence on fundamental
principles that call us to common work in combating poverty and walking with
people living in poverty:
We believe it is the
Creator's intent that all people are provided those things that protect
human dignity and make for healthy life: adequate food and shelter,
meaningful work, safe communities, healthcare, and education. We believe we are
intended to live well together as a whole community, seeking the common
good, avoiding wide disparities between those who have too little to live
on and those who have a disproportionate share of the world's goods. We believe we are all
called to work to overcome poverty, and that this work transcends both any
particular political theory or party and any particular economic theory or
structure. We believe that overcoming poverty requires the use of private
and public resources. We believe we are called
to make alliances within the faith community and with others in society
who share the commitment to overcome poverty. We believe that
overcoming poverty involves both acts of direct service to alleviate the
outcomes of poverty and advocacy to change those structures that result in
people living in poverty. We believe government is
neither solely responsible for alleviating poverty, nor removed from this
responsibility. We believe government is the vehicle by which people order
their lives based on their shared vision. We believe society is well
served when people of faith bring their values into the public arena. It
is this remarkable convergence around issues of poverty and the common
good that leads people of varying faith traditions to unite in calling on
government to make a critical commitment to overcoming poverty. We believe the desire to
overcome poverty is not simply a human idea, but is the desire of our
Creator, and that the work to create a more just and whole society will be
empowered by the Creator's presence.
We invite each faith tradition
to make explicit their expression of faith and how it understands this
common foundation. On these shared principles, we together commit ourselves
to work to ensure that no person is forced to live in poverty.
Written by Bishop Peter Rogness
Signed on to by 31 Minnesota leaders of faith communities
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2005-10
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