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Social
Statements | For Peace in
God's World | Study
Guide Index
Using the Social Statement in Your Congregation This guide will assist those who intend to lead a study of the ELCA’s social statement, For Peace in God’s World. It includes:
Jump to the table of contents. The study process is designed not only to help participants understand the statement but also to reflect on its implications for themselves and their congregation. As leader, you will need a copy of this guide and a copy of For Peace in God’s World. Participants should have their own copies of the statement to study and mark. The ELCA grants permission to copy the social statement for congregational study, providing each copy displays the copyright found on the back page of the booklet. Or you may order copies by calling the Augsburg Fortress at 1-800-328-4648 and asking for item number 69-3920. What is the ELCA’s Social Statement on
Peace 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. Steps to Planning and Leading a Discussion Aims for the Study 2. Deepen their awareness of the biblical and theological basis for our calling to be peacemakers; 3. Explore the implications of this calling for their lives as people of faith and as citizens and for our church; 4. Increase their understanding of the many dimensions of making, building and keeping peace in the world today; 5. Provide an opportunity for participants to support one another in their calling to be peacemakers. The Setting for the Study
If one of these options is used, you will need to make the necessary adjustments that participants may do the necessary preparatory work for each session. The study is designed to be used in groups that include men and women of a variety of ages. If you are leading a study with a particular group, such as women or youth, you will want to tailor the study to your participants. The Resource section includes materials on peace prepared for use with the WELCA and with youth groups which may be helpful in making necessary adaptations to fit your group. For Further Study Laying the Groundwork 2. Assemble or order the resource materials that you will need to lead the study, including copies of the statement for yourself and all the participants in the study. We also recommend you obtain the following resources from Augsburg Fortress (1-800-328-4648):
3. Read carefully the statement For Peace in God’s World and review this guide prior to session planning, paying particular attention to the "Guideposts to Learning" section below. Change and adapt the plans suggested in this guide to your particular audience and setting. 4. Work closely with your parish education committee, director of Christian education or others responsible for education in your congregation so that this study will fit with the overall educational plan. 5. Decide on your intended audience and the time frame for the study. 6. Develop a plan for recruiting participants. You will want to include those with a diversity of backgrounds, ages, political perspectives, etc. Specifically invite the participation of people in your congregation who have been in the military, been active for peace, lived overseas, or worked in military industries. Publicize the study opportunity well ahead of time through your church newsletter and bulletin. 7. This guide offers specific suggestions for a brief opening devotion at the beginning of each session. You and/or members of the study group might offer a closing prayer at the conclusion of each session. 8. If your room and group size permit it, arrange the chairs so that participants can face one another. 9. You will need an easel with a large pad of newsprint (or a blackboard) for each session as well as wall space to post several sheets simultaneously. When the sessions call for recording ideas on newsprint, you might designate someone to assist you with this task. 10. You might also make or purchase a tri-panel cardboard display board (or poster board) to display newspaper and magazine clippings. 11. Before each session, review what you need to prepare and assemble the materials you want to bring. Guideposts to Learning
Each of these three legs is important to achieving the aims of the process. The statement is a tool to help the church and its members reflect upon the past and present and discern opportunities for the future. You will want to take particular responsibility for keeping in touch with the three legs. In your first session, assess your group and seek ways to build on its strengths. Recognize that your group will probably include those who have relatively little sense of personal connection to the issues of war and peace as well as those who have a much greater sense of connection-for example, those who have served in the military or in military-related industries, or those who have protested specific wars. With this variation in mind, you will want to affirm the importance of the statement and the study process for all participants, and the need for hearing the contributions of each member. The statement carefully affirms the role of individual conscience in making particular choices related to the calling to be peacemakers. Make it a point to help participants understand that people experience that calling in different ways. Your group discussion itself can be an expression of peace as you show respect for diverse viewpoints and listen thoughtfully to increase understanding of other points of view. This topic may elicit the expression of strong feelings. Help participants affirm that it is all right to express feelings as well as their opinions. Remind people that emotions, by themselves, are neither right nor wrong; they are simply signs of our humanity. When strong feelings are expressed by a member of the group, encourage others to listen and to avoid judgmental responses. Consider whether or not it is an appropriate time to invite others to share feelings on the issue under discussion. As group leader, you will want to give those expressing their feelings feedback that indicates they have been heard. A study group that provides a positive, "safe" environment for its participants to express diverse feelings and points of view is a blessing to each of its members and to the church! Index of Sessions Session One
Session Two
Session Three
Session Four
Session Five
Suggestion for Additional Activities and Projects
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