The Northeastern Iowa Synod’s Racial Justice Network is seeking names for a new task force to address the lack of diversity in congregational leadership.
The task force is being formed in response to a resolution passed at the 2023 Synod Assembly:
- RESOLVED, That the Northeastern Iowa Synod make a deliberate effort to include candidates of color in their call processes, especially if the call would be available to a recent seminary graduate.
- RESOLVED, That the Northeastern Iowa Synod create a taskforce to identify and address barriers within the call process that limit candidates of minoritized groups.
The synod received $2,300 though the ELCA Impact Church Ministry: Strategy Towards Authentic Diversity Grant to support this effort. The funds will be used to contract with a coach to keep the task force on track to develop and execute a plan for this work.
HOW TO SUBMIT NAMES
The task force will be made up of lay and ordained people who are willing to learn about the call process and identify what parts of it may be barriers to congregations calling pastors from racially minoritized groups. The task force will also seek input from pastors from these groups to understand their experience and the things that may prevent them from accepting a call to our synod.
To submit names for consideration for the task force, please email [email protected] by Dec. 31, 2024.
