A partnership ministry of the

Church in Society Program Unit of the

Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA),

Pennsylvania Lutheran synods, and

Pennsylvania-based ELCA agencies and institutions.

900 S. Arlington Avenue, Suite 117

Harrisburg, PA  17109

Telephone:  717-545-3500

Fax:  717-545-3501

Email:  lampa@lamp.org

Description of the Organization and Purpose:

     Lutheran Advocacy Ministry in Pennsylvania (LAMPa) is a ministry of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA).  It is a partnership ministry of the Church in Society Program Unit of the ELCA, the seven ELCA Synods in PA, the Lutheran Social Ministry Organizations (SMOs), Seminaries, Colleges and other agencies and institutions located in PA.  As an unincorporated entity, it dwells under the incorporation and taxation status of the ELCA.  The Ministry presents advocacy based on the Social Statements and Messages of the ELCA.  It is guided by the Constitution and continuing resolutions of the ELCA.  The Constitution commits the church, through the Church in Society Program Unit, “to assist this church to discern, understand and respond to the needs of human beings, communities, society, and the whole creation through direct human services and through addressing systems, structures, and policies of society, seeking to promote justice, peace and the care of the earth.”

     LAMPa engages the congregations in advocacy through exchange of information, enlistment of advocates and training.  Clergy and members provide grass root contact with public policy makers.

    LAMPa engages the Social Ministry Agencies and Institutions through structured communication patterns; distribution of action alerts to the Board members and staff, annual consultation among the Steering Committee of Lutheran Services in America-PA, the Executive Director of the Church in Society Program Unit and the Director of LAMPa; and by working with the industry organizations and lobbyists related to the SMOs. 

     LAMPa engages the church wide expression of the ELCA through the Church in Society Program Unit specifically by adhering to the Statements and Messages of the Church and by  relating to the ELCAWashington office of Public Policy and the other State Public Policy Offices.  LAMPa addresses the objectives of the ELCA Hunger Appeal by providing advocacy to PA public officials in addressing the systemic causes of hunger.

     LAMPa recognizes and welcomes the diversity of personal opinions held by Lutherans in Pennsylvania.  Sound research, theological foundation, and adequate study are primary in the development of LAMPa advocacy positions so that they may be carefully interpreted to the Lutheran constituency and society at large.

     It is the intent of LAMPa to provide a common voice for the Lutheran Church by speaking to public policy makers as it represents those who find it difficult or impossible to speak for themselves.  In the case of exceptional issues where LAMPa senses that there is not a common voice among LAMPa and its constituencies (Synods, Agencies and Institutions and Church in Society Program Unit), LAMPa will intentionally explore these issues with the constituencies involved..

      “People of faith must step boldly into the public square and exert their individual and collective political power for the sake of the common good.  This is not a choice but a moral imperative based on scripture, faith traditions and God’s call to live out our faith in the public world”  (Presiding Bishop Mark Hanson)

Governance of LAMPa:

     A Policy Council of 20 persons directs LAMPa.  The members are appointed as follows: each of the synods elects two persons, the SMOs chose three members (one of whom shall be from the LSA-PA steering committee—that person will serve on the LAMPa Personnel Committee, 2 persons are chosen by the PA Lutheran Network (PLN) to represent the other Lutheran agencies and institutions in PA and a Bishop from one of the Synods serves on a rotating basis.  The Council has the responsibility for planning the advocacy agenda, administrating finances and building constituency relationships.  The responsibility for supervising staff is shared by the Policy Council with the Church in Society Program Unit of the ELCA.  This cooperative supervision is provided through a personnel committee composed of representatives of the Policy Council and the Church in Society Program Unit.  The staff members are employees of Church in Society and subject to the personnel policies of the ELCA.

     As constituency relationships are strengthened and funding developed, the Policy Council will review the representation pattern, including ways to increase engagement with congregations.

Strategies for accomplishing LAMPa’s purpose:

     During the balance of 2006, the agenda for LAMPa will be focused on the following:

·        Taxation and Spending Priorities

·        Civic Engagement

·        Access to HealthCare

·        Violence in Life and Death.

     In all instances the work will be conducted to further the goals of the World Hunger Program of the ELCA.

     An advocacy agenda for 2007-2008 will be developed by the LAMPa Policy Committee in consultation with the LAMPa partnership during the fall of 2006.

     Strategies will include:

·        Building Relationship with policy makers in the Executive and Legislative Branches of PA government

·        Monitoring policy development within the Legislature and the priorities and regulations promulgated by  the Executive Branch, assuring LAMPa’s advocacy agenda is expressed consistently to both branches.

·        Facilitation of PA voters and Church leadership in addressing Federal issues that have an effect on the citizens of PA

·        Developing and equipping a network of advocates in congregations, institutions and agencies of the ELCA

·        Introducing current and future clergy to opportunities for advocacy

·        Preparing resources and assisting congregations in justice ministries

·        Assisting in the strengthening of the ministry of Lutheran agencies and institutions in PA through membership in the Pennsylvania Lutheran Network (PLN) and through other means identified by the agencies and institutions.

Measurable Outcomes:

·        Through an annual survey, positive judgment by synods, congregations, rostered leaders, SMOs and other Lutheran institutions and agencies that LAMPa has been faithful in its intent to speak with a common voice for the Lutheran church as it represents those who find it difficult or impossible to speak for themselves.

·        The existence of a two year agenda for legislative action that is adopted by the Policy Council in consultation with the , the Bishops, the leadership of the SMOs and Church in Society Program Unit.  The agenda is reviewed and updated annually.  Special attention has been given to actions taken by Synods in Assembly and Synod Councils and the priority issues identified by the leadership of the SMOs.

·        A track record on legislative changes (votes, amendments, etc.) that are in agreement with the stance taken by LAMPA  (8 per year)

·        Number of legislators that attend LAMPa sponsored events during the year  (60 legislators or legislator’s staff persons)

·        Number of staff interactions on a one on one basis with a legislator or her/his staff in a year (90)

·        The existence of plans for redesigning governmental programs developed at policy tables in partnership with the SMOs and other Lutheran agencies and institutions and other stakeholders, including organizations representing industries serving societal needs, that address long term issues of the commonwealth that are presented to staff of the Executive Branch in an interactive way.  (3 plans for redesign under consideration at any one time)

·        Calls to action through Actionet per year (1500 distribution--12 plus urgent calls)

·        Intersections published per year (3)

·        Seminary Students contacted (700) and engaged in advocacy (40)

·        Existence of resources for rostered persons, congregations and synods (4 written or media pieces)

·        Cluster Centers (locations disbursed throughout the state where advocates from congregations and agencies and institutions can be gathered 3 times each year for encouragement and information) developed in conjunction with the Council of Churches and other denominations (3 during the first year—ultimately 8 cluster centers)

·        Existence of strategy and initial pilot tests for shaping advocacy ministry in congregations.  (7 congregations in pilot)

·        Existence of structures that acknowledges, provides dialogue and processes agenda differences among LAMPa and LAMPA’s constituencies in a timely manner.

·        Existence of electronic access to leadership staff and board members of SMOs and other Lutheran agencies and institutions (900 total distribution) with the distribution of Action alerts of developing policy changes that will effect the Lutheran agencies and institutions (at least 12 per year).  These are in addition to the Actionet calls to action.

·        Annual Lutheran Day at the Capitol—(150 participants)

·        Signs of a developing relationship with the Lutheran Colleges and campus ministries in PA

     The above outcomes anticipate 2 full time executive staff.

Investment of person power: 

     To engage the strategies and produce the intended outcomes, LAMPa will engage leaders, staff and members of the following stakeholders: 

·        Church in Society Program Unit

·        Hunger Program of the Church

·        Bishops

·        Synodical units (WELCA, World Hunger committees, etc.)

·        SMOs

·        Seminaries

·        Colleges and campus ministries

·        Individuals

·        Congregations

     To be more effective and efficient, LAMPa will assist in the development and work of coalitions and other organizations, including but not limited to:

·        Interfaith Justice Coalition

·        Cooperation with the Council of Churches

·        Welfare Coalition

·        PA Housing Coalition

·        Living Wage (Minimum Wage) Coalition

·        Coalitions that develop around special issues and then disband after the issue is addressed.

     Staffing for LAMPa will include:

·        Executive Director (Arrive 12/1/06 or earlier)

·        Associate Director (Arrive 7/1/07) (Based on requests from the supporting Synods, this addition should be reviewed before implementation to determine if the funding for the position is solidly predictable.

·        Administrative Assistant (4 days per week-- position is currently filled)

·        4 Seminary field workers (2 each semester beginning with the second semester of 2006-2007. In following years LAMPA will have 4 seminary field workers or 1 intern each year).

·        As necessary, contracted part time staff for special assignments when extra income for that project is identified.  For example PLN work might be completed by a sub-contract)

Financial Resources:

     Requests will be made of constituencies and other sources.  The per-annum requests that will be made and projected income are as follows:

·        Church in Society Program Unit--$102,000 (began February 1, 2006) (71% from World Hunger Funds, 29% from the general budget of Church in Society). (43.5%)

·        Synods--$46,175 (began February 1, 2006) (19.7%)

·        LSA of PA (SMOs)--$35,000 beginning September 1, 2006 (14.9%)

·        Seminaries--$3,000 beginning February 1, 2007 (1.2%)

·        Congregations—$5,000  (2.1%)

·        Individuals—$7,000 ($4,000 to be raised by Feb 1, 2007.  Anticipated income thereafter will be $7,000 per year) (3%)

·        PLN – $15,000 (began February 1, 2006) (6.4%)

·        Grants from Foundations--$18,000 (7.7%)

·        Events--$3,500 (1.5%)

     Total annual income when all sources have been activated—$234,675

     The projected annual expenses when fully operational will be:

·        Staff, when fully staffed, including benefits--$186,475

·        Rental--$11,000

·        Publications--$7500

·        Postage—$4,000

·        Coalition Memberships--$1,500

·        Events--$5,000

·        Policy Council Expense--$2,500

·        Contracted Services--$8,000

·        Staff travel expenses--$4,200

·        Reserves and Contingency--$4,500

     Total annual expense when fully operational--$234,675

     The 2006-2007 Budget was reviewed and adopted by the Policy Council at its June 13-14 meeting.  A 2007-2008 Budget will be adopted at the December meeting of the Policy Council.

Program Budget:

     It is projected that in a fully operational year the expenditure by program activity will be as follows:

·        Advocacy with Public Officials                                                $110,500 (47%)

·        Research and strategy development                                             11,775   (5%)

·        Development of an advocacy network in congregations,

                             agencies and institutions of the church                    55,300 (24%)

·        Support and education of congregational leaders and

                  advocates and rostered persons                                       33,500 (14%)

·        Assistance with support and development of Lutheran

                           Agencies and Institutions in PA.                              19,100  (8%)

·        Reserves                                                                                      4,500  (2%)

     Expending funds in this manner will assure the distribution of resources so that the criteria of the World Hunger funds are met, the interests of the Seminaries and LSA of PA as described in the measurable outcomes are met and the responsibilities listed in the PLN contract are covered.  The overall expenditures of funds will meet the purposes of LAMPa as listed in the first section of this plan.

The Business Plan was adopted by the LAMPa Policy Council, June 14, 2006

Amended by the Policy Council, September 22, 2006