A speaker at the National Council of Churches pointed out the difference between advocacy and lobbying.

Lobbying is exerting influence on behalf of those with power and money.

Advocacy is exerting influence on behalf of those without power and money.

I found the distinction helpful.

To serve the poor without addressing the root causes of poverty is silly. To decry racism and hate without attempting to dismantle systems of institutionalized racism is hypocritical.

The church must do advocacy. It is part of the prophetic witness. The prophets influenced kings on behalf of the poor, the orphan, the widow, the resident alien.