The Evangelical Lutheran Church in America has joined faith-based groups and other organizations in endorsing standards of conduct for the upcoming U.S. presidential debates. The standards are proposed by the National Institute for Civil Discourse.

The institute created standards for the presidential candidates, audience members and moderators. The standards for the candidates expect that they be respectful of others in speech and behavior, and make ideas and feelings known without intentionally disrespecting others.

Standards for the audience include when faced with incivility, speak against it by reminding candidates it is not acceptable. Moderators are expected to hold candidates accountable by challenging each candidate to speak the truth and act with integrity.

ELCA Presiding Bishop Elizabeth A. Eaton addressed civic discourse in her May 2016 column for Living Lutheran magazine.

“I understand that the world is a dangerous place; I understand that many in our country feel left behind and left out,” Eaton wrote. “There are legitimate security, foreign policy and domestic policy concerns. Candidates and political parties have the duty to speak to these concerns and make the case for their platform.”

Eaton emphasized, though, that “political speech that doesn’t ensure that the ‘other’ is treated with the same respect and care that we would wish for our own brother or sister or father or mother is not what God intends for God’s beloved community.”

Border Servant Corps invites partner congregations to support BSC, volunteers, and service sites through intentional prayer.
Each month, they will share a prayer petition that may be used, if desired, during worship services. They are grateful for your continued partnership and support of BSC during the 2016-2017 year of service. 

October 2016 Prayer Petition: For Angie O’Brien, Border Servant Corps volunteer serving as a Removal Defense Unit Caseworker at Diocesan Migrant & Refugee Services, Inc., an immigration law clinic providing free or low cost legal services to eligible immigrants who wish to immigrate to or become citizens of the United States.