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LRJ

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WELCOME.

LRJ I A CALL TO ACTION

Lutherans for Racial Justice (LRJ) is a grassroots coalition committed to fostering multiethnic church and school cultures as we pursue racial equity, justice, and healing within the communities of The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod (LCMS).


Lutherans for Racial Justice (LRJ) strives to embody the ​Synod’s teaching on racism​: 


“Be it resolved that the members of the congregations of the Synod be encouraged to work toward racial reconciliation and equality within the Church and within society-at-large, praying that those who advocate racist ideologies and those who are deceived by them be brought to repentance, and that justice and healing come to those who have been wounded.”  - Excerpt from the LCMS’ 2019 Convention Resolutions 

WHAT IS RACIAL JUSTICE?

We define justice as Scripture defines it, which is well-summarized in ​this video​. The Bible says that all people were created in God’s image (Genesis 1:26-27) and that we, having received Christ’s righteousness (Romans 3:22), are called to love our neighbor as ourselves (Luke 10:25-37), offering our bodies as living sacrifices (Romans 12), to do justice and righteousness and deliver the oppressed (Jeremiah 22), so that they may know God’s promises for all people (Isaiah 49:6, Revelation 7:9).


LRJ acknowledges that the world will not be rid of racism until the day when Christ makes all things new (Revelation 21:5). Provisional as it may be, this faithful pursuit of racial equity anticipates the fulfillment of that promise as we seek to heed the Scriptural call, incumbent upon us all, to do justice, love mercy, and walk humbly with our God (Micah 6:8). 

HOW DOES LRJ PURSUE RACIAL JUSTICE?

FOSTER EMPATHY + AWARENESS

about the range of cultural experiences in LCMS congregations, schools, and communities by:


  • Prioritizing the voices and work of BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, People of Color).
  • Curating & creating educational resources & opportunities for conversation.

STRENGTHEN EXISTING EFFORTS

in the Lutheran world around racial empathy, equity, and justice by:


  • Connecting LCMS pastors, teachers, leaders, and laypeople within the LRJ Network.
  • Encouraging & equipping regional/interest group leaders to better-support others’ efforts.

MOBILIZE LCMS ORGANIZATIONS

including congregations, schools, circuits, districts, RSOs, and Synodical leadership to:
 

  • Form a sustainable racial justice initiative to assess the barriers to racial diversity, equity, and inclusion that exist within their particular context.
  • Work with BIPOC partners to form an intentional policy plan to remove those barriers. 
  • Partner with their community to dismantle racism and end racially motivated violence and discrimination, in the faithful pursuit of equal opportunity, voice, and respect for all. 


Have questions or ideas or want to learn more?

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LRJ I A Call To Action (pdf)

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LRJ LEADERSHIP

REV. MATTHEW RYAN GONZÁLEZ

REV. MATTHEW RYAN GONZÁLEZ

REV. MATTHEW RYAN GONZÁLEZ

Pastor, Trinity Evangelical Lutheran Church

- The Bronx, NY -

Matt is an LCMS pastor of Puerto Rican descent, raised in the Church in the NYC metro area. He has been serving in the Bronx, NY for over ten years, specifically serving the Black and Brown communities that make up the Bronx’s neighborhoods and locale. Alongside his passion for p

Pastor, Trinity Evangelical Lutheran Church

- The Bronx, NY -

Matt is an LCMS pastor of Puerto Rican descent, raised in the Church in the NYC metro area. He has been serving in the Bronx, NY for over ten years, specifically serving the Black and Brown communities that make up the Bronx’s neighborhoods and locale. Alongside his passion for pastoral ministry, Matt is a ‘die-hard’ New York Yankees fan and avid sports zealot. More importantly, he is doing his best to be a loving father and husband while serving faithfully in his calling as an under-shepherd of the Good Shepherd.

JOSHUA SALZBERG

REV. MATTHEW RYAN GONZÁLEZ

REV. MATTHEW RYAN GONZÁLEZ

Layperson, First Lutheran Church

- Culver City, CA -

Josh was born in Saint Louis, MO and had the great fortune to attend exceptional Lutheran elementary and secondary schools. It was there that countless teachers and church workers encouraged him to pursue a career in the arts. After attending film school in Chicago, he moved to Los Angele

Layperson, First Lutheran Church

- Culver City, CA -

Josh was born in Saint Louis, MO and had the great fortune to attend exceptional Lutheran elementary and secondary schools. It was there that countless teachers and church workers encouraged him to pursue a career in the arts. After attending film school in Chicago, he moved to Los Angeles with no place to live. First Lutheran Church offered to house Josh in their parsonage, rent free, which enabled him to accept unpaid internships in Hollywood. Those internships led to a career as a film editor and screenwriter. Josh & Sarah Salzberg have two children, both Baptized Members of the First Lutheran family.

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