How does the Episcopal Church shape its social policies? 

The Episcopal Church accepts its responsibility for witnessing to the Gospel through an active concern for all of God’s creation. The social ministry of the Church is based upon those policies that are enacted by the General Convention of the Church at its triennial meeting or, in the interim, at Executive Council. Only after debate and approval by the two houses of Convention, one comprised of Deputies and the other of Bishops, do their resolutions become the “policy” of the Church. The Deputies represent Episcopalians throughout the Church and may be either lay people or clergy.
 
Often, the General Convention and the Executive Council charge the national Episcopal Church staff with the implementation of these policies. The programs, action and ministry of the Episcopal Church Center and the Office of Government Relations are based entirely on those policies approved by the Church meeting in General Convention or by the Executive Council. The social policies are created to achieve the Church’s mission in the world. It is through the enactment of these resolutions that the Church speaks, and it is through the collective actions of its members that these policies are implemented.

Where can I see a summary of the Church’s social policies?  

“Policy for Action” is a booklet created by the Office of Government Relations summarizing the social policies of the church as set by the General Convention and Executive Council through resolutions  adopted between 1991 – 2003, plus prior selected resolutions.

It is also available online.

The full text of resolutions is available online through the Episcopal Church’s archives. More information is also available on the Office of Government Relations and Episcopal Public Policy Network website at www.episcopalchurch.org/eppn/.

How does the Episcopal Church follow through on its social policies? 

Peace and Justice Ministries develops resources and programs in response to social policy decisions of the Church’s GC and Executive Council.
 
The Office of Government Relations, located on Capitol Hill in Washington, DC, brings the policies of the Episcopal Church to our nation’s lawmakers. It represents the Church to Congress, the Executive Branch, and other religious and public interest organizations. It also informs Episcopalians on the status of legislative activity related to the Church’s positions.

Episcopal Migration Ministries, Ministries with Young People, Congregational Ministries, Ecumenical Relations, and Anglican and Global Relations also assist with this important work.