Who we are

The Advisory Committee on Social Witness Policy (ACSWP) is a servant of the General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.). We develop, interpret and monitor policies that encourage and challenge the Church and society to reflect and act in faithful response to God's call to do justice.

• About us
• Function of ACSWP
• The history of ACSWP

Letter from Chris Iosso

Prophetic choices before the 218th General Assembly

At tax time, with a recession taking hold — in the midst of a very exciting political primary season — with two wars grinding on — and before Pentecost, I write to share with you information on a number of items going to this year’s General Assembly and on several other matters. We use links rather than attachments and I urge you to look at the resources made available, especially posted copies of the policies themselves. The core of all this effort is the conviction that the Church must speak and act on matters of grave social concern as part of our witness to Jesus Christ. [Read more]

ACSWP Reports to the 218th General Assembly (2008)

Download a printer-friendly flier with a list of ACSWP studies and recommendations for action.

• ACSWP Agency Summary.
• Comfort My People: A Policy Statement on Serious Mental Illness
  Affirming the gifts of those living with mental illness.
• A New Social Creed
  A practical, ecumenical vision for renewing our country and its role in the world.
• Costly Lessons of the Iraq War
  What can we learn from the invasion and occupation, and what responsibilities do we have?
• From Homelessness to Hope: Constructing Just, Sustainable Communities for All God's People.
  Proposes next steps for society and offers tested programs
  to the church.
• God's Work in Women's Hands: Pay Equity and Just Compensation
  Ethical analysis, strategies and tools.
• Lift Every Voice: Democracy, Voting Rights and Electoral Reform.
  Appendix: Election Logistics 101.
  This resolution presents new and tested measures to protect voting rights and strengthen our democracy.
• Struck Down But Not Destroyed: From Hurricane Katrina To a More Equitable Future.
  While thousands of wonderful volunteers continue to help rebuild the Gulf Coast, reconstruction lags and diaspora continues. Recommended: ways to build on hope and end abandonment.
• The Power to Change: U.S. Energy Policy and Global Warming.
  This resolution lays out a clear and well documented path toward sustainability and equity to protect future generations.
• Report on Human Rights in Colombia.
  How do we stand with our partners in a country beset by long patterns of human rights violations?

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