To Direct Commission on Theology and Church Relations to Examine, and Provide Guidance on Public Teaching and Engagement of, Lutherans for Racial Justice and to Clarify Lutheran Teaching on Justice

Ov. 4-15

To Direct Commission on Theology and Church Relations to Examine, and Provide Guidance on Public Teaching and Engagement of, Lutherans for Racial Justice and to Clarify Lutheran Teaching on Justice

WHEREAS, Holy Scripture commands love of neighbor and justice without partiality (Micah 6:8; Luke 10:25–37); and

WHEREAS, The Synod has repeatedly condemned racism and urged Christian action (e.g., 2019 Res. 11-04A); and

WHEREAS, Lutherans for Racial Justice (LRJ) publicly states it is a “grassroots coalition committed to fostering multiethnic church and school cultures as we pursue racial equity, justice, and healing” (lutheransforracialjustice.com/about-us-1); and

WHEREAS, LRJ’s public resources curate materials that engage contemporary frameworks (e.g., Black Lives Matter and Critical Race Theory), which may, if treated normatively, conflict with the primacy of Scripture and the Lutheran Confessions; and

WHEREAS, Our Lord testifies, “Wherever the corpse is, there the vultures will gather” (Matt. 24:28), indicating that falsehood and decay inevitably attract those who feed on them, and Scripture more broadly teaches that teaching bears discernible fruit (Matt. 7:15– 20); and

WHEREAS, Concerns have been raised regarding the character of public discourse surrounding LRJ’s materials and whether such discourse reflects alignment with confessional Lutheran teaching or instead draws upon ideological frameworks foreign to the Synod’s doctrine and practice; and

WHEREAS, LRJ has publicly critiqued Synod leadership on matters of immigration and public theology (e.g., responses to President Harrison’s statements), and has amplified narratives and resources that appear to place political advocacy ahead of confessional unity, raising legitimate questions under Romans 13 and the Lutheran doctrine of vocation; and

WHEREAS, LRJ has promoted or circulated materials that encourage resistance to civil authorities (e.g., “Everyone is

welcome here except ICE ,” facebook.com/L4RacialJustice, accessed Mar. 19, 2026), potentially exposing congregations and schools to legal and financial risks and blurring the distinction between Christian mercy and political activism (FC Ep III); and

WHEREAS, Certain rostered pastors and teachers within the Synod are publicly associated with LRJ as founders, contributors, or promoters, raising pastoral and ecclesial questions regarding confessional fidelity, public witness, and doctrinal unity; and

WHEREAS, LRJ’s partnerships and resource curation draw significantly from heterodox entities such as organizations affiliated with the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America and groups such as Global Refuge (formerly Lutheran Immigration and Refugee Service), whose theological frameworks and public advocacy priorities differ from the Synod’s confessional positions; and

WHEREAS, LRJ endorses or promotes authors and materials associated with social -gospel theology, liberation theology, and other interpretive approaches that risk subordinating the Gospel to social or political agendas, thereby creating confusion regarding the proper distinction of Law and Gospel; therefore be it

Resolved, That the Commission on Theology and Church Relations (CTCR) be directed to examine LRJ’s official claims, public resources, partnerships, and advocacy in light of the Holy Scripture, the Lutheran Confessions, and adopted Synod resolutions; and be it further

Resolved, That the CTCR clarify for the Synod the proper Lutheran understanding of justice, mercy, and public witness, distinguishing clearly between confessional teaching and extra - biblical ideological frameworks; and be it further

Resolved, That the CTCR evaluate whether LRJ’s public teaching and resource curation create confusion or conflict with Synod doctrine, and provide theological and pastoral guidance accordingly; and be it further

Resolved, That should the CTCR find LRJ’s teachings or practices to be inconsistent with the Lutheran Confessions, it recommend appropriate admonition and corrective steps under Synod Bylaws; and be it further

Resolved, That the Synod reaffirm both its condemnation of racism and its commitment to pursue justice and mercy within confessional and lawful bounds, rejecting both ideological extremism and political coercion as incompatible with faithful Christian witness; and be it finally

Resolved, That congregations, schools, and church workers be encouraged to rely on confessional Synod resources when addressing matters of race, justice, and mercy, rather than materials that may obscure the Gospel or compromise the doctrine of the two kingdoms.

Circuit 12 (Western Michigan)

English District