Advocacy in the ELCA and the FAN network

By the Rev. Paul Benz,  FAN director of legislative affairs, 206-625-9790, benz@fanwa.org

The advocacy ministry of the ELCA is about God's baptismal call for His people to use their voice on behalf of their neighbors in need in the halls of power where decisions are made that affect people's lives — particularly the poor and vulnerable.

This baptismal call is hear most clearly in our Rite of Confirmation (ELW Pg. 243) where those affirming their baptism make five commitments, one of which is "to strive for justice and peace in all the earth." Biblical examples of God's servants speaking to the earthly powers about those who are marginalized and vulnerable are (to name a few): Moses, Esther, Amos, Isaish and the Apostle Paul. One could say that much of Jesus' ministry was reaching out to and speaking up for our oppressed neighbors. 

We know that Martin Luther wrote many letters to those in power, and to others regarding the critical issues of his day and used his voice to bring attention to those on the margins of life.

In Washington, Faith Action Network (FAN) is the new union of Lutheran Public Policy Office and the Washington Association of Churches. FAN continues the tradition of LPPO as being the ELCA's state policy office here in our state. FAN is doing its core work not only across denominations but now across all faiths present here in Washignton. FAN's mission is to bring people of faith together to take courageous public action for justice so that all might thrive.

FAN is building a movement of the faithful through two networks. The first is a group of advocating faith communities that through a discernment process affirm that advocacy and speaking up for justice is part of their mission. They pledge to partner with FAN to do that. This is a growing network with 61 faith communities, seven of them in the Southwestern Washington Synod.

A second network is our individual faith advocates who are in every legislative and congressional district in our state. They receive our alerts, communicate with their elected officials, come to our Interfaith Advocacy Days in Olympia, and collaborate with  FAN and its partners to have a more effective and powerful voice in their own districts.

Visit the FAN website at www.fanwa.org to learn more and get involved. The legislative session continues until April 28. Use the 800-562-6000 legislative hotline to leave a message of your concern. In one call, you can leave a message with each of your three state legislators and the governor.

FAN's main message right now regarding the state udget is: As a person of faith, I understand your primary responsibility is to balance the budget. I believe that revenue is needed to do this to reduce the severity of cuts to health and human service programs and to our education system that have taken place in the past five years.

FAN is very willing to preach and teach about advocacy in your congregation. You can contact me, and thank you for your using your voice and hands to be God's advocate for our neighbors in need.