Lutheran Perspectives

A Lutheran Response to Political and Racial Divides

Rev. Dr. John Nunes, President of Concordia College New York, along with his wife Monique, who serves as a Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Coach at Concordia University Irvine, joined the Concordia St. Paul community for two virtual events on November 4. The morning event was a virtual convocation titled Meant for More: Conversations on Purpose in Times of Racial Injustice. John’s latest book, Meant for More: In, With Monique and Rev. Dr. John Nunes and Under the Ordinary, was recently released by Concordia Publishing House. The idea of being “meant for more,” John proposes, applies that people can live out their calling (or vocation) to serve them and what we can do differently,” John common ground and a passion for seeking justice,” she shares. Reformation Lecture, the theme of which was based off another Within a short time, Christianity’s physical presence has shifted Moved by the news of a 16 year old girl’s suicide on the south from Europe to Africa, Asia and Latin America. John explains that, side of Chicago, John came up with the title of this book on the because of these shifts, the average Lutheran is an east African. spot. “God had put a divine design in her life so that she could “[Western Lutherans] have a choice to listen to the faith as is it see more, do more, and achieve more,” he recalls. expressed, interpreted and understood in various places around especially well to racial and political divides. “We are incredibly He focused on the ministry and growth of the Ethiopian divided as a nation; this nation has issues,” John observes. “What Evangelical Church Mekane Yesus as an example. Founded in I try to do through the book is show that we as people of faith 1959 as a conglomeration of different church bodies, EECMY are meant for more and meant to do more to speak into the membership numbered 65,000 people. Now, more than 60 years divide and bring reconciliation to the divide.” later, their membership nears 10 million people. “The EECMY is an John explained that it’s in ordinary relationships and places experience,” John contends. others and bridge these divides. “When you have a burning This explosive growth, some believe, was driven in part by the passion for something, it’s not called work; it’s called vocation,” Marxist regime in Ethiopia that threatened, persecuted, and killed Monique shares. many Christians, including theologian Gudina Tumsa, the Because they grew up in a post 9/11 world, explains Tumsa’s belief that the Gospel were children during the 2008 financial Everyone is created in the is “too powerful to be compromised by crisis, have seen and experienced inflamed image of God and is meant any social or political system.” racial tensions, and are dealing presently for more... you can still have with COVID-19, John believes today’s conservations and common American Christians can learn from this college students are uniquely equipped for a vocation of reconciliation. “Because of how much they have suffered, they have an ground and a passion for seeking justice." experience, Nunes argues, observing that they typically “tend to divide predictably along political party lines in their positions insight into life and about the world around –Monique Nunes on diversity, race, and justice.” remarks. Nunes contends that Lutheran theology Monique reminded the audience that everyone, whether sin and its effects, hold to a robust understanding of civic a person of faith or not, has dignity and deserves respect in righteousness, and are Christ-centered, reconciliation is possible. challenging conversations. “Everyone is created in the image of “Despite sin, despite the situation we find ourselves in, despite God and is meant for more... you can still have conservations and pluralism...God’s mercy has the last word,” he exclaims. That evening, John spoke at the annual Vern Gundermann “reimagined koinonia” that comes from the cross. He concludes: the world,” he observes. amazing church body, and I believe it bears us listening to their “Dietrich Bonhoeffer of Africa.” Nunes helps reimagine these divides. Because Lutherans understand Nunes referred to this reconciliation between divided people as a of John’s books, Wittenberg Meets the World: Reimagining the “[It is a] theologically determined inclusion, motivated by a Reformation at the Margins. In this lecture, John shared that the deep commitment to scripture, the confessions, the gospel, and global impact of the Reformation helps address the challenging church history and grounded in an expansive, eschatological issues in our world today. global approach to ecclesial identity.”

Alumnus Reflects on Serving the Church During COVID-19 and Racial Unrest

CSP alumnus Louis Johnson, BA ’86 sat down with us to share his journey from CSP, what he does today with Concordia Plans, and thoughts on addressing racism and injustice. He serves as Director of Ministry Engagement at Concordia Plans and lives in Wildwood, Mo. with his wife, Jennifer. They have a grown son, Evan, who is married and lives in Plymouth, Minn. Louis and Jennifer are members of St. Mark’s Lutheran Church in Eureka, Mo., and are both active in the music ministry there.

1. Tell us about your path from CSP to Concordia Plans. How did CSP help prepare you for that journey?

In February 2011, while serving on the CSP Board of Regents, I was approached by fellow regent Eustolio Gomez about a position at Concordia Plans that he thought I would be perfect for, which I then began in October of that year. Had I not been serving on the Board, I doubt that I would be at Concordia Plans today.

Looking back, I didn’t fully appreciate the spiritual growth opportunities available to me as a college student. Despite my parents instilling faith in me, growing up in the church, and attending LCMS schools, I didn’t intensely focus on my faith at that time. Unlike many of my friends at CSP studying to be a pastor or teacher, I was studying accounting.

As I look back 34 years later, I clearly see God displayed through the actions of my professors like Tom Hanson and Wilbur Thomas. I see God displayed through my coaches who coached to win, implored us to use the physical and mental gifts that God had blessed us with, and reminded us that God was most important. These were all things that I didn’t recognize or fully appreciate at the time.

2. What does Concordia Plans do?

Created over 50 years ago by the LCMS, the mission of Concordia Plans is to serve ministries and care for workers, so that the Word of God continues to spread! As the non-profit benefits administrator of the LCMS, we pool the contributions of our churches, schools, colleges/universities, seminaries and social service ministries into various trusts, using those dollars to provide health, retirement, and disability and survivor benefits for workers and their families. Only ministries affiliated with the LCMS can participate in the plans, so Concordia Plans is where the church comes together to care for one another!

3. How has Concordia Plans changed or adapted due to COVID-19? What’s been the biggest challenge for your work?

The biggest change is working remotely, which we’ve been doing since March 17. Thank God for Zoom and Microsoft Teams! The biggest challenge for my team and me is staying connected with our ministries. We’re used to visiting ministries in person to see and hear what’s going on. Utilizing technology though, has in many ways allowed us to connect with more ministries because it’s freed up time normally spent in planes or cars. 4. How is Concordia Plans responding to mental health challenges caused by COVID-19?

Worker wellness, both physical and emotional, has been a hallmark of our health benefits. We have a great partner in Cigna that manages our Employee Assistance Program and helped create our Pastoral Support Network.

We’ve recently held virtual sessions for LCMS education executives and high school administrators, with the goal or providing tools and support for their engagement with their teachers and staff, along with resources to help them personally. Additionally, we communicate our resources regularly to our workers and ministries.

5. You’re passionate about facilitating conversations about race and racism. What was the catalyst for starting them?

The murder of George Floyd was the tipping point, but it had been building since the 2016 election.

6. What can individuals do to have these conversations in their families and circles of influence?

We need to be comfortable with having uncomfortable conversations, and they need to be conversations, not debates.

When someone makes a racially insensitive comment, ask “what do you mean by that?”, or “why do you feel that way?”, or “help me understand… ”

7. How can the church effectively foster such conversations more broadly?

We need to start by having these conversations throughout the LCMS itself. For example, suburban ministries rarely have any interaction with our urban ministries outside of servant events. We can’t engage our communities if we can’t have these conversations within our denomination.

8. As a dynamic, urban, multicultural Lutheran university, how can Concordia, faculty, staff, students, and alumni be a part of addressing issues of race and racism?

CSP is perfectly positioned because the composition of the campus community reflects the world in which we live. Every day you get to develop relationships with people of different backgrounds, ethnicities, and beliefs. There has been an intentionality about being a community that welcomes everyone and fosters conversations. I witnessed that during my time on the board under President Holst, and it has been furthered under the leadership of Presidents Ries and Friedrich.