The ELCA Church Council has unanimously adopted a new social message titled: “Government and Civic Engagement in the United States: Discipleship in a Democracy” This project was called for at the 2019 ELCA Churchwide Assembly, with an intention that it be ready to read before the national election this fall. The social message defines government as a gift from God that can also be abused and misused. It also delves into how we can view civic engagement as Lutherans. This writing project was requested by the 2019 Churchwide Assembly and was adopted in June 2020 by the ELCA Church Council. Social messages are teaching documents of the ELCA focused on particular social topics. They are intended to focus attention and urge action on timely, pressing matters of social concern to church and society. Read the social message here: “Government and Civic Engagement in the United States: Discipleship in a Democracy”