LCMS Questions I July 19, 2022

Earlier this week, we shared the questions sent to us from the Synodical Offices of The Lutheran Church–Missouri Synod. In today's video, LRJ Co-Founders, Rev. Matthew Ryan González + Josh Salzberg, respond to the first question:

"What are 'the barriers' to racial diversity, equity, and inclusion that exist within [the] context” of the Synod?"

We're grateful for this first invitation to engage and welcome the opportunity to share and clarify LRJ's mission as we strive to embody Scriptural and Synodical teachings on racism. We'll share responses to the other questions in the coming days.

For further reading on the history of LCMS educational institutions and Black church workers, check out this article from Matthew E. Borrasso.

Not every aspect of this conversation has been covered in this one video. We hope that it is the first step to a constructive dialogue in fostering multiethnic church and school cultures as we pursue racial equity, justice, and healing within the communities of the LCMS.

The goal of LRJ community is not to get stuck in an academic ideological debate, but to better understand and better exude Christ's love for the sake of the images of God in our congregations, schools, communities, and world.

Thank you for your interest in these efforts!

In today's video, LRJ Co-Founders, Rev. Matthew Ryan González + Josh Salzberg, respond to this second question:

"In some places on your website, you use the term 'equality,' and in others 'equity.' What specifically do you mean?"

Not every aspect of this conversation has been covered in this one video. We hope that it is the first step to a constructive dialogue in fostering multiethnic church and school cultures as we pursue racial equity, justice, and healing within the communities of the LCMS. We'll share responses to the other questions in the coming days.

For a visual illustration that unpacks some of the ideas we discussed, please check out this video from The BibleProject on the Biblical concept of justice.

The goal of LRJ community is not to get stuck in an academic ideological debate, but to better understand and better exude Christ's love for the sake of the images of God in our congregations, schools, communities, and world.

Today, Matt and Josh respond to question #3:

"You use the phrase 'Diversity, equity, and inclusion' in certain places. You may be aware that others in the Synod connect this with Marxism. What does “diversity, equity, and inclusion” mean in your usage of it?"

Matt and Josh provide helpful definitions for diversity, equity, and inclusion, and unpack the potential pitfalls of emphasizing diversity quotas vs. creating communities that value belonging.  These videos are not the end of an answer but the starting point for a broader conversation about the topics covered in these questions. We're grateful for this invitation to share and clarify LRJ's mission as we strive to embody Scriptural and Synodical teachings on racism.

For further reading on why some connect racial justice work to Marxism, check out Rev. Keith Haney's interview with Bradly Mason about the history of Critical Race Theory.

"You state as a goal the dismantling of the 'systems of racism within our congregations, communities, and church body.' What precisely are these systems of racism in congregations, and in our church body, and how are they to be dismantled?"

In response to the last question posed to LRJ, Matt unpacks the concept of paternalism and three examples of common teachings that stray from The Great Commission. Josh shares a few ways that racism is already beginning to be dismantled in our church body.

How are they to be dismantled?

Several LCMS Districts are currently studying the historical relationship between the district and the diverse communities that they serve and will be providing recommendations to their congregations. We encourage more Districts (and congregations and schools) to adopt similar studies. Learn more: https://lutheransforracialjustice.com/let-it-shine-i-a-proposal

Lutherans for Racial Justice 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). 

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