The Washington Office: a public policy ministry
The Presbyterian Washington Office is the public policy information and advocacy
office of the General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.). Its task
is to advocate, and help the church to advocate, the social witness perspectives
and policies of the Presbyterian General Assembly. The church has a long history
of applying these biblically and theologically-based insights to issues that
affect the public — maintaining a public policy ministry in the nation's
capital since 1946.
Reformed theology teaches that because a sovereign God is
at work in all the world, the church and Christian citizens should be concerned
about public policy. In addition, Presbyterian forefather John Calvin wrote, "Civil
magistery is a calling not only holy and legitimate, but by far the most sacred
and honorable in human life."
A presence in Washington, D.C.
Ministry in Washington offers a chance to translate the church's deep convictions
about justice, peace and freedom from words into reality. The political process
is where decisions are made that help or harm people; decisions that help to
make the kind of world God intends.
Washington Office staff members visit national
policy-makers and their staff, write letters, make phone calls and occasionally
testify before Congress or facilitate the testimony of church leaders. This involvement
helps to clarify the moral and ethical issues at stake in public policy. The
goal is to make clear to people in government what the General Assembly is concerned
about, why, and what can be done to respond to those concerns.
By adopting a study
entitled, "Why and How the Church Makes a Social Policy
Witness", the 205th General Assembly (1993) emphasized the importance of
the church's social witness policies and programs. Along with affirming that
God alone is Lord of the conscience, the study affirms "the responsibility
and authority of the church to make a social witness policy which guides that
witness. The church, if it is to remain true to its biblical roots, theological
heritage, and contemporary practice, must not fall silent. It must speak faithfully,
truthfully, persuasively, humbly, boldly and urgently."
Over 60 Years ...
In 1936, the former United Presbyterian Church in the USA
developed the Department of Social Education and Action. Presbyterians have always
been known as political advocates; however this new Department created the first
organized national effort. Knowing the value of Washington representation, the
Department hired Fern Colborn in 1946 to maintain an office and a secretary on
Eleventh St. NW in Washington, DC. This became the first Presbyterian Washington
Office. Since then, the Washington Office has been led by several directors and
many dedicated issue staff.
Make a Difference ... Enroll as a Presbyterian Advocate!
An important part of the Washington Office ministry is to
provide ways for all Presbyterians to express their concerns to people in government
in a timely and effective manner. Toward this end, Presbyterians can join the
Witness in Washington Weekly (WiWW) program of public
policy advocacy. Once subscribed to WiWW, Presbyterians will receive a weekly
email message on issues in Washington. Participants receive action bulletins,
special action alerts, theological and General Assembly guidance, and the bimonthly
Washington Report to Presbyterians. When someone makes a personal commitment
to WiWW, he/she joins with many other Presbyterians working to seek justice and
peace in our nation and world. To subscribe to either WiWW the weekly message
or the online version of the bi-monthly Report to Presbyterians from Washington,
visit our subscription page.
What Does Scripture Say About Justice?
Throughout the Bible, scripture reveals God's will
to do justice. The Hebrew prophets continually remind God's people "...What does the Lord require
of you but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your
God?" (Micah 6:8). The prophets give specific warning to those who seek
only their own well-being and ignore the well-being of the marginalized and oppressed.
Israel's failure to be just and righteous is clearly seen as disobedient to God
and the reason for national decay and destruction.
Jesus frequently witnessed
to the priority of the poor in the reign of God. He challenged the rich young
ruler, he sharply criticized the hard-heartedness of religious leaders, and he
taught that those who reached out to marginalized persons were serving him (Luke
18:18-25, Matthew 19:16-24 and Luke 10:25-37). In addition, Christ speaks of
the accountability of nations to do justice in Matthew 25 and states, "Truly
I tell you, just as you did it to one of the least of these who are members of
my family, you did it to me."
Biblical & Theological Perspectives
Over the years, leading Presbyterians have written perspectives for the Washington
Office concerning the church and politics. We have compiled several essays into
one resource. To download the essays, visit our theology
page.
Christian & Citizen Election Year Resource
This election year resource
is available online. It
contains various items of use to congregations during an election year and in
preparation for Christian & Citizen Sunday on the Presbyterian Planning Calendar. |
