Anti-Racism
The Evangelical Lutheran Church in American (ELCA) holds a scriptural and constitutional commitment to address racism within the church itself.
Four foundational documents support anti-racism and racial justice work.
These include:
In 2005, we strengthened our commitment by creating and placing the anti-racism staff position in the Office of the Presiding Bishop. The Coordinator for Anti-racism Education and Training works in close partnership with the Director for Racial Justice Ministries located in the Multicultural Ministries program unit. Together staff work to resource ELCA educational, technical and organizing needs toward becoming an anti-racist church.
The purpose of the ELCA anti-racism work is to collaboratively leverage voice, leadership and resources toward affecting structural changes so that the ELCA may fulfill its constitutional commitment in becoming less racially exclusive.
Within the ELCA, focused areas of anti-racism work and partnerships include: the Church Council; the Churchwide Organization; the Conference of Bishops; and Synods through a network of synod anti-racism teams.
ELCA anti-racism work is also done in collaboration with ecumenical partner bodies and collaboratives. These include:
Churches Uniting in Christ – Racial Justice Task Force
National Council of Churches
Ecumenical Justice Partners Network