Principles for Public Advocacy

The Principles for Public Advocacy of the Pennsylvania Council of Churches contains the underlying principles for the Council’s Advocacy Ministry. Because the Council’s advocacy efforts often extend beyond those directed solely at federal or state legislators, these principles reflect a broader view of our responsibility to be faithful advocates, recognizing the call for all Christians to engage in faithful witness in all aspects of public life.

The Council’s Board of Directors approved the most recent edition of the Principles on October 23, 2012.

For a printer friendly version of the Principles for Public Advocacy

Legislative Priorities

The Legislative Priorities of the Pennsylvania Council of Churches contains the underlying principles for the Council’s Advocacy Ministry. Because the Council’s advocacy efforts often extend beyond those directed solely at federal or state legislators, these principles reflect a broader view of our responsibility to be faithful advocates, recognizing the call for all Christians to engage in faithful witness in all aspects of public life.

Printer friendly version of the 2021-22 Legislative Priorities

With this new set of priorities, we seek to enhance understanding about the connections/interactions among the issues and processes that affect the work of the Public Witness Ministry. For example, we recognize the connection between “othering” (e.g., racism) and issues (e.g., criminal justice), and how this connection affects outcomes for those that get tangled in these systems. We also recognize how our political system affects whether or not our concerns can be heard, much less acted upon, because of the impacts of money and power factors on that system. None of these factors exist in a vacuum. We wish to seek better ways to educate our network regarding how legislation and policies that are part of our advocacy efforts work to resolve or avoid negative outcomes, and why it is important that we engage in this work. Read the 2021-22 2021-22 Advocacy Priorities addendumAddendum.

Board of Directors/Council resolutions

Council Statements