Some ethical interpretations and implications of these theological affirmations for the discussion of welfare reform today. Some specific public policy positions that can be deduced from the above. In moving from broad affirmations to specific positions, ELCA members are likely to have significant differences and to give different weight to the various principles. As a church we encourage ongoing deliberation as to what policies will best serve God's intentions for persons in community. Although the positions cited here are intended to serve as a. current basis for ELCA public policy advocacy, they are subject to change in the future, especially through the study and deliberative processes that will occur as part of the development of an ELCA economic social statement.
Government is responsible to establish just welfare policy.
This includes determining who receives welfare and raising necessary revenues. As human beings we are dependent on God for all we have and are . Human beings are intended by God to live in interdependent relationships with one another. A society and the persons in it have mutual responsibilities toward one another. In the public realm, this interdependence is reflected in income-support programs that transfer funds from taxpayers to a designated group of persons within a society.