Social Witness Policies and Resources by Topic
Topics
These policies address issues of church and state, voting rights, electoral and campaign finance reform, and Reformed faith and politics.
- 2022: Democratic process, "Lift Every Voice: Democracy, Voting Rights and Electoral Reform" (update to 2008)
- 2018: Church and State, "Honest Patriotism and two shorter resolutions on faith and politics"
- 2018: Church and State, "Religious Freedom Without Discrimination"
- 2016: Democratic process, "Election Protection and Integrity in Campaign Finance"
- 2008: Democratic process, "Lift Every Voice: Democracy, Voting Rights, and Electoral Reform (updated 2022)
- 1988: Church and State, "God Alone is Lord of the Conscience"
- 1983: Church and State, "Reformed Faith and Politics"
These policies relate to issues that affect local communities, such as housing, governance, education, and violence. See also Health Care and Access, and Local Social Policies.
- 2022: Guns and weapons, "Gun Violence: An action of the 225th General Assembly (updated 2010 document)
- 2022: Democratic process, "Lift Every Voice: Democracy, Voting Rights and Electoral Reform"
- 2016: Urban communities, "City Churches: Conviction, Conversation, and Call to Action"
- 2016: Democratic process, "Election Protection and Integrity in Campaign Finance"
- 2014: Urban communities, "The Gospel from Detroit: Renewing the Church’s Urban Vision"
- 2014: Taxation, "Tax Justice: A Christian Response to a Second Gilded Age"
- 2010: Education, "Loving our Neighbors: Equity and Quality in Public Education (K-12)"
- 2010: Guns and weapons, "Gun Violence, Gospel Values: Mobilizing in Response to God’s Call" (updated in 2022)
- 2008: Housing, "From Homelessness to Hope: Constructing Just, Sustainable Communities for All God’s People"
- 2006: Disability, "Living Into the Body of Christ: Towards Full Inclusion of People with Disabilities"
- 2004: Child sexual abuse, "Resolution on Allegations of Child Sexual Abuse Against Educators"
- 1999: Social division, "Building Community Among Strangers: A Report on Racism, Social Class Divisions, Sex-based Injustices, and Religious Intolerance and Conflict"
- 1991 & 1985: Rural communities, "The Church: Responding to Rural America" (1991) and "Rural Community in Crisis – A Study Paper" (1985)
- 1988: Pornography, "Pornography: Far From The Song of Songs"
- 1935–1996: Gambling, "Gambling — summary of resources"
These policies address matters of pay equity, economic uncertainty, and employment.
- 2014: Taxation, "Tax Justice: A Christian Response to a Second Gilded Age"
- 2014: Pay equity, "Fairness in Ministerial Compensation: Solidarity and Incentives"
- 2010: Economic crisis, "Living Through Economic Crisis: The Church’s Witness in Troubled Times"
- 2010: Pay equity, "Neither Poverty Nor Riches: Compassion, Equity, and the Unity of the Church"
- 2008: Pay equity, "God’s Work in Women’s Hands: Pay Equity and Just Compensation"
- 2008: Housing, "From Homelessness to Hope: Constructing Just, Sustainable Communities for All God’s People"
- 2006: Usury and debt, "A Reformed Understanding of Usury in the Twenty-First Century"
- 1995: Employment, God’s Work in Our Hands: Employment, Community, and Christian Vocation"
- 1991 & 1985: Rural communities, "The Church: Responding to Rural America (1991) and Rural Community in Crisis (1985) – A Study Paper
- 1959–2009: Employment, "Selected Social Witness Policies on Work as Vocation, Unions, and Collective Bargaining"
These policies speak to climate change, extractive industries, energy policies, and the restoration and protection of creation.
- 2022: Climate change, "Investing in a Green Future: A Vision for a Renewed Creation"
- 2018: Technology, "The Precautionary Principle: Managing Technological Risks to Protect Humanity and our Planet"
- 2008: Energy, "The Power to Change – U.S. Energy Policy and Global Warming"
- 2004: Water, "Report and Recommendations on Limited Water Resources and Takings (with Study Guide)"
- 2003: Globalization, "Globalization and the Environment – A Study Paper"
- 2002: Agriculture and sustainability, "We Are What We Eat"
- 1995: Pollution, "Hazardous Waste, Race, and the Environment"
- 1990: Creation care, "Restoring Creation for Ecology & Justice"
- 1981: Energy, "The Power to Speak Truth to Power"
These policies address a range of topics that affect or relate to families. See also Health Care and Access.
- 2018: Substance misuse, "Putting Healing Before Punishment"
- 2016: End-of-life, "Abiding Presence: Living Faithfully in End-of-Life Decisions"
- 2012: Discipline, "Anti-Corporal Punishment Resolution"
- 2012: Reproductive health, "Resolution on Reproductive Health"
- 2006: Older adults, "Economic Security for Older Adults"
- 2004: Family life and vocation, "Transforming Families"
- 2001: Older adults, "Resolution on the Ministry of Caregiving in Relation to Older Adults"
- 2001: Domestic violence, "Turn Mourning Into Dancing! A Policy Statement on Healing Domestic Violence and Study Guide"
- 1983: Reproductive health, "The Covenant of Life and The Caring Community & Covenant and Creation: Theological Reflections on Contraception and Abortion"
- 1973: Older adults, "Rights and Responsibilities of Older Persons
These policies address globalization, development, and international relationships.
- 2012: Economic justice, "World of Hurt, Word of Life: Renewing God’s Communion in the Work of Economic Reconstruction"
- 2010: Mission work, "Just Global Discipleship: A Mission Trip Preparation Guide for Students and Young Adults"
- 2006: Economic justice, "Resolution on Just Globalization, Justice, Ownership, and Accountability"
- 2003: Environment, "Globalization and the Environment – A Study Paper"
- 2003: Culture, "Globalization and Culture – A Study Paper"
- 2001: Employment, "The Employment Effects of Free Trade and Globalization – A Study Paper"
- 2001: Economic justice, "The Globalization of Economic Life: Challenge to the Church – A Study Paper"
- 1996: Just development, "Hope for a Global Future: Toward Just and Sustainable Human Development"
These policies address a range of health-related topics, including both health concerns and larger questions of access to care.
- 2024: Mental health, "Guide for Mental Health Ministry"
- 2023: Disability, "Disability Inclusion Toolkit"
- 2018: Substance misuse, "Putting Healing Before Punishment"
- 2016: Substance misuse, "Initial Drug Reform Report"
- 2012: Reproductive health, "Resolution on Reproductive Health"
- 2010: HIV/AIDS, "Becoming an HIV and AIDS Competent Church: Prophetic Witness and Compassionate Action"
- 2008: Mental health, "Comfort my People: A Policy Statement on Serious Mental Illness"
- 2006: Disability, "Living Into the Body of Christ: Towards Full Inclusion of People with Disabilities"
- 2002: Health care access, "Resolution on Advocacy on Behalf of the Uninsured"
- 2000: Disability, "Resolution on Disabilities: A Celebration of That All May Enter"
- 1993: Substance misuse, "Freedom and Substance Abuse"
- 1991: Health care access, "Resolution on Christian Responsibility and A National Medical Plan"
- 1988: Health care, "Life Abundant: Values, Choices, and Health Care"
- 1986: Substance misuse, "Alcohol Use & Abuse – Social and Health Effects"
- 1983: Reproductive health, "The Covenant of Life and The Caring Community & Covenant and Creation: Theological Reflections on Contraception and Abortion"
These policies relate to human rights in multiple contexts.
- 2016: Human trafficking, "Human Trafficking, Human Rights: Children of God, Not for Sale"
- 2016: Human trafficking, "Human Trafficking Statement of Concern"
- 2014: Sexual violence, "Sexual Violence in the U.S. Military: A Human Rights Update"
- 2012: Human Rights Update
- 2010: Human Rights Update
- 2008: Colombia, "Report on Human Rights in Colombia"
- 2006: Torture, "Resolution Against Torture: Human Rights in a Time of Terrorism"
- 2003–2004: Human Rights Update
- 2003: Incarceration, "Resolution Calling for the Abolition of For-Profit Private Prisons"
- 2002: Restorative justice, "Resolution on Restorative Justice"
- 1999: United Nations, "Resolution on the International Criminal Court"
These policies address issues including the welcoming of new immigrants and the legalization of immigrants residing in the U.S. Much more about the PC(USA) and immigration can be found on the Immigration page.
- 2017: Sanctuary, "Sanctuary: A Discernment Guide for Congregations"
- 2004: Immigration, "Resolution Calling for a Comprehensive Legalization Program for Immigrants Living and Working in the United States with Study Guide"
- 1999: Immigration, "Transformation of Churches and Society Through Encounters with New Neighbors"
These policies address specific global contexts, including situations of war, occupation, corruption, and human rights violations.
Latin America
- 2022: Central America, "Seeking Hope Amid Despair in Central America"
- 2016: Cuba, "New Hopes and Realities in Cuban American Relations: A ‘Nuevo Momento’"
2008: Colombia, "Report on Human Rights in Colombia"
Middle East & Africa
- 2022: Israel & Palestine, "Jerusalem 3, 2, 1: Three Faiths, Two Peoples, One Human Family"
- 2022: Afghanistan, "Afghanistan: A Time to Mend
- 2016: Israel & Palestine, "Israel-Palestine: For Human Values in the Absence of a Just Peace" with Study Guide
- 2014: Israel & Palestine, "Resolution on Equal Rights for All Inhabitants of Israel and Palestine, and for Conversations with Prophetic Voices"
- 2014: Western Sahara, "Western Sahara: Occupied, Non-Self-Governing Territory and Test Case for International Law"
- 2012: Arab World, "For Human Rights and Civic Freedom: Movements for Democratic Change in the Arab World"
- 2011: Palestine, "Kairos Palestine Document and Study Guide"
- 2010 & 2012: Middle East, "Breaking Down the Walls Middle East Report & Supplement"
- 2008: Iraq, "To Repent, to Restore, to Rebuild, and to Reconcile – A Study Paper on Costly Lessons of the Iraq War"
- 2008: Iraq, "On Building Peace in Iraq"
- 2005: Africa, "Resolution on Africa: A Study Guide and Reflection"
- 2004, Iraq, "Iraq: Our Responsibility and the Future"
- 1997: Middle East, "Resolution on the Middle East"
International Affairs
The PC(USA) works through the General Assembly Committee on Ecumenical and Interreligious Relations, as well as other partners, to encourage relationships across religious traditions.
- 2025: Christian relations, "Confronting White Christian Nationalism: FAQs and a liturgy"
- 2022: Interfaith relations, "Denouncing Antisemitism and Islamophobia" Study Document
- 2022: Interfaith relations, "Jerusalem 3, 2, 1: Three Faiths, Two Peoples, One Human Family"
- 2014: Interfaith relations, "The Interreligious Stance of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.)"
- 2008: Christian relations, "The Ecumenical Stance of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.)"
- 2008: Christian relations, "Social Creed for the 21st Century: Connecting to the Creed"
These policies address the church’s witness related to the call for strategic boycotts, corporate divestment, and the U.S. government’s practice of imposing sanctions.
- 2022: Climate change, "Investing in a Green Future: A Vision for a Renewed Creation"
- 2022: Sanctions, "Resolution on Sanctions"
- 2020: Boycott, Divestment, and Sanctions, "A Prayerful Study of Boycott, Divestment & Sanctions"
- 2014: Divestment, "Divestment from corporations supporting the occupation of Palestine"
- 2012: Boycott, "Call to Boycott Products from Israeli Settlements"
- 1991: Divestment, "Statement on Divestment from Corporations engaged in Military-Related Production"
- 1984: Divestment, "The Divestment Strategy: Principles and Criteria"
- 1979: Boycott, "Boycotts: Policy Analysis and Criteria"
These policies address emerge from local communities, including sessions and mid-councils. Has your session or mid-council issued a statement or policy on a social issue? Let us know: [email protected].
- 2026: Minneapolis, MN: "Statement from the Session: A Call to Courageous Love" from the Session of Westminster, Minneapolis
- 2026: Claremont, CA: "Statement from Claremont Presbyterian Church on ICE's Assassination of Renee Good in Minneapolis"
- 2025: Chicago, IL, "Invitation to Creative Action and Stubborn Hope" from the Presbytery of Chicago
- 2025: Albany, NY, "We Cannot Remain Silent: A Statement on the National Moment from Albany Presbytery, PCUSA"
- 2025: Maplewood, NJ, "Statement of Inclusion" from the Session of Prospect Presbyterian Church, Maplewood
- 2024: Salt Lake City, UT, "The Gospel From Utah" (226th General Assembly)
- 2022: Louisville, KY, "A Witness of Lament & Hope From the Presbytery of Mid-Kentucky" (225th General Assembly)
- 2016: Urban ministry, "City Churches: Conviction, Conversation, and Call to Action"
- 2014: Detroit, MI, "The Gospel from Detroit: Renewing the Church’s Urban Vision" (221st General Assembly)
- 1991 & 1985: Rural ministry, "The Church: Responding to Rural America (1991) and Rural Community in Crisis (1985) – A Study Paper"
These policies promote the church’s peacemaking ministries and addresses topics including nuclear weapons, drones and surveillance, terrorism, international intervention, and humanitarian rescue.
- 2022: Weapons, violence, "Gun Violence: An action of the 225th General Assembly" (update to 2010)
- 2020: Peacemaking, "Commitment to Peacemaking (English)" and Companion Guide
2020: Peacemaking, "Commitment to Peacemaking (Spanish)"
2020: Peacemaking, "Commitment to Peacemaking (Korean)" - 2019–2020: Peacemaking, "Biblical Witness to Peacemaking: A 3-year daily lectionary bearing witness to God’s gift of peace and Christ’s call to live as peacemakers"
- 2016: Peacemaking, "Risking Peace in a Violent World: Five New Peacemaking Affirmations" and Study Guide
- 2015–2016: Peacemaking, "Biblical Witness to Peacemaking: A daily lectionary bearing witness to God’s gift of peace and Christ’s call to live as peacemakers"
- 2014: Weapons, warfare, "Drones, War, and Surveillance"
- 2014: Sexual violence, "Sexual Violence in the U.S. Military: A Human Rights Update"
- 2012: Peacemaking, "Peace Discernment Interim Report: Encountering the Gospel of Peace Anew — An Invitation to Discernment and Witness"
- 2010: Weapons, violence, "Gun Violence, Gospel Values: Mobilizing in Response to God’s Call" (updated 2022)
- 2010: Peacemaking, "On Strengthening the Peacemaking Program"
- 2006: Torture, "Resolution Against Torture: Human Rights in a Time of Terrorism"
- 2004: Terrorism, "Resolution on Violence, Religion, and Terrorism" and Study Guide
- 1998: Humanitarian intervention, "Resolution on Just Peacemaking and the Call for International Intervention for Humanitarian Rescue"
- 1988: Weapons, nuclear, "Christian Obedience in a Nuclear Age"
- 1985: Peacemaking, "Presbyterians and Peacemaking: Are We Now Called To Resistance?" Study Guide
- 1980: Peacemaking, "Peacemaking: The Believers’ Calling"
These policies include address racism, gender-based injustice and exploitation, LGBTQIA+ inclusion, and social division.
- 2022: Antiracism, "Report of the Special Committee on Racism Truth and Reconciliation to the 225th General Assembly"
- 2022: LGBTQIA+ inclusion, "FAQs: LGBTQIA+ Inclusion in the Church" Resource
- 2022: LGBTQIA+ inclusion, "LGBTQIA+ Bibliography — Inclusion in the Church" Resource
- 2022: LGBTQIA+ inclusion, "Deepening our Understanding: A Resource in Transgender Identity"
- 2022: Antiracism, reparations, "Race, Reparative Justice and the PC(USA)"
- 2016: Antiracism, "Facing Racism: A Vision of the Intercultural Community — Churchwide Antiracism Policy," and Study Guides
- 2012: Reproductive health, "Resolution on Reproductive Health"
- 2008: Pay equity, "God’s Work in Women’s Hands: Pay Equity and Just Compensation
- 2008: Housing, "From Homelessness to Hope: Constructing Just, Sustainable Communities for All God’s People"
- 1999: Antiracism, "Facing Racism: A Vision of the Beloved Community"
- 1999: Social division, "Building Community Among Strangers: A Report on Racism, Social Class Divisions, Sex-based Injustices, and Religious Intolerance and Conflict"
- 1995: Pollution, "Hazardous Waste, Race, and the Environment"
- 1993: Sexual abuse, "Hearing the Silence, Healing the Pain: Sexual Abuse in the Church"
- 1986: Gender justice, "Violations Against the Image of God Exploitation of Women"
- 1982: Sexual harassment, "Naming the Unnamed: Sexual Harassment in the Church"
These policies address topics including restorative justice, capital punishment, for-profit private prisons, gun violence, torture, and the international criminal court.
- 2022: Weapons, violence, "Gun Violence: An action of the 225th General Assembly" (update to 2010)
- 2018: Substance misuse, "Putting Healing Before Punishment"
- 2010: Weapons, violence, "Gun Violence, Gospel Values: Mobilizing in Response to God’s Call" (updated 2022)
- 2006: Torture, "Resolution Against Torture: Human Rights in a Time of Terrorism"
- 2003: Incarceration, "Resolution Calling for the Abolition of For-Profit Private Prisons"
- 2002: Restorative justice, "Resolution on Restorative Justice"
- 2000: Capital Punishment, "Moratorium on Capital Punishment"
- 1999: International law, "Resolution on International Criminal Court"
These resources are foundational for the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.)’s social policy witness and explain why we engage in social witness.
Social Witness Policies, Studies, and Resources
Click on a topic below to access social witness policies and related studies and resources by topic and date. If you are looking for a policy or topic and can't find it here, please contact [email protected].