Churchwide activity in this sphere primarily involves the development of resources that aim to encompass the church's analysis of particular social concerns within the framework of basic Christian theology and morality. This sphere of activity includes the production of messages, study documents, and teaching materials, as well as the development of models and the preparation of resource persons for congregational deliberation. Approaches to study vary from issue to issue and group to group, but all approaches aim to encourage an inclusive, in-depth process of learning and deliberation about a consequential social concern. This sphere lends itself particularly well to periodic conversation experiences such as listening posts, continuing education events, and conferences on specific social concerns. Resources in this sphere of activity should be regularly under development for widespread use throughout the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America.
Messages are a particular means to encourage learning and moral discourse.
The Division for Church in Society shall be responsible for churchwide activities in this sphere of activity. It shall carry out its responsibility in accordance with the principle of interdependence. In developing study material, it shall assemble for most projects a team of persons, often including persons from congregations, seminaries, colleges, and social ministry organizations of this church. In selecting topics and developing resources, the division shall draw upon the wealth of expertise and interest in social concerns within this church and shall base its decisions upon ongoing and wide-ranging consultation with relevant members and groups throughout the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, including the Conference of Bishops. The board of the Division for Church in Society shall adopt the biennial program of study and shall review study material for publication and distribution.