Justice

Consider this mandate from the ELCA and your congregation’s constitution:
†C9.03. Pastors Shall: “Speak publicly to the world in solidarity with the poor and oppressed, calling for justice and proclaiming God’s love for the world.“

†C4.02. Congregations Shall: “Serve in response to God’s love to meet human needs, caring for the sick and the aged, advocating dignity and justice for all people, working for peace and reconciliation among the nations, and standing with the poor and powerless, and committing itself to their needs.”

The work of justice is foundational to the work of the Church in the world.

In the Gulf Coast Synod, we are seeking to grow the work of justice by growing congregations that are AMMPARO “welcoming” congregations and Reconciling in Christ (RIC) congregations.

Learn more about AMMPARO [the ELCA strategy to Accompany Migrant Minors with Protection, Advocacy, Representation and Opportunities] and the church’s work of welcoming refugees here.

Learn more about our synod’s work of including, welcoming and celebrating of LGBTQIA persons here.

The synod’s Anti-Racism Team (ART) has made a commitment to educate and explore racism within our communities.

Nothing is as consistent to the message of the prophets than the persistent call to justice. This call mentions numerous times a very specific triad: the orphan, the widow, and the stranger. The prophets were concerned for the least of these — the most vulnerable of society.

Jesus embodied this same passion in the Sermon on the Mount, in his many stories of widows and in the Good Samaritan’s witness to loving the stranger.

Then the king will say to those at his right hand, “Come, you that are blessed by my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world; for I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me, I was naked and you gave me clothing, I was sick and you took care of me, I was in prison and you visited me.

— Matthew 25:34-36

As followers of Christ, we respond with the love he showed for those in greatest need. We speak to the challenges of those who are suffering. We give to those who are hungry. We welcome those who are strangers. We visit those who are in prison and those who are sick.

There are many ways to organize people around this work. Too many churches have a social ministry team or an outreach committee that does all the serving for the congregation. Such teams would do better to ask, “How do we invite as many people as possible into this life-transforming work?”

Relationships

Justice is about being in relationship. Collecting green beans for the local food pantry is a noble thing to do, but it can also become a way to avoid being in relationship to those who are poor and homeless in our communities. Without that relationship our serving can become patronizing and sometimes harmful. Robert Lupton’s book, Toxic Charity, makes a strong case that charity without relationships can be toxic. It can actually exacerbate problems.

As you consider your congregation’s approach to justice ministries, contemplate the following questions:

Who is in greatest need in our community?
What are those needs?
What are the gifs of our faith community, and how might they best be put to use?
Who else in our community is addressing these needs?
When do we need to speak up for those who are being oppressed?
How will we do so?
Do we have a network of small groups that could be invited to serve?
What guidelines will we set up so that we don’t risk falling into toxic charity?
How will we engage those in need locally?
How will we engage those in need globally?

“

Take away from me the noise of your songs; I will not listen to the melody of your harps. But let justice roll down like waters, and righteousness like an ever-flowing stream.

~ Amos 5

“

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Contact Pastor Ele Clay:

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While working for the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), Dorie served as a crisis counselor, developing curriculum and teaching peer and crisis support training for federal, state, local, and tribal law enforcement agencies. In 2016, Dorie left government work to expand her reach through her training company, Crisis Support Solutions, LLC. During the last seven years, Dorie has developed and delivered training that teaches personnel how to provide care and offer hope to peers overwhelmed by crisis and struggling with stress.

Dorie has Masters in Divinity from McAfee School of Theology (MDiv) at Mercer University and a Masters in Social Work (MSW) from Savannah State University, Savannah, GA in 2005. After entering the candidacy process for Word and Service, Dorie completed a Certificate of Advanced Theological Study (CATS) at Pacific Lutheran Theological Seminary (PLTS) in Berkeley, CA. A candidate for the diaconate, Dorie serving her internship at St. Francis of the City in Houston.

She is currently working with Louisiana leaders to deal with the salt water crisis in New Orleans. Having avoided hurricanes so far this season, she and the Disaster Team are working on disaster mitigation and preparation.

If you need to contact Dorie, she can be reached at dorie@gulfcoastsynod.org.

Chris is passionate about networking and identifying new ways to support individuals and congregations as they grow a deeper, bolder, more consequential faith. Chris maintains the LEAD website, supports LEAD's signature coaching, and collaborates on the 10 Minute Toolbox.

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Peggy Hahn serves as the Executive Director for LEAD, aligning passionate leaders, resources, and practices to grow Christian leaders who grow faith communities in our world. Peggy is a frequent speaker and author who is never without a pile of books to read and seeks coaches and mentors for herself in an ongoing quest to learn and grow. Peggy is committed to listening to pastors and leaders of all ages for insight into the ways they are growing in their own faith and what LEAD can do to support them in their development as leaders.

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John Roalson began his work in the Texas-Louisiana Gulf Coast Synod in May of 2023 as the gift planner with Lutheran Foundation of the Southwest.

John received his undergraduate degree from Texas Lutheran University. Prior to coming to the foundation, John worked in the financial services industry for 20 years. He resides in Katy with his wife, Paula and has two daughters, Hannah & Abigail – all of whom also graduated from Texas Lutheran. John is a member of Christ the King Lutheran Church in Houston.

John is available to meet with individuals and couples to help them plan legacy gifts that will bless family and loved ones, the ministries of our church, and other non-profit organizations that are important to them. He also works with congregations to assist them in being prepared to receive, celebrate, and steward legacy gifts from members and friends of the congregation. Low-cost, professionally managed investment options for congregations and other ministries are available through Lutheran Foundation of the Southwest and the ELCA Foundation.

I have been an office administrator for 15+ years, with a great amount of time in the health industry. I love making organizations organized and running smoothly.

I have lived in Texas most of my life. My husband Ernie and I have 3 grown daughters and 2 grandchildren. Outside of work I love to work on our small farm, crochet, cook and spend time with family and friends.

Contact Beth Morris:

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Pastor Escalera and his wife Magda come to us from the New Jersey Synod. He has a bachelor's degree in finance and a master's degree in theology from the Lutheran Theological Seminary in Philadelphia. He is a trained mission developer who has served congregations in Puerto Rico and New Jersey. In his current call, he is re-developing Temple Lutheran Church, while launching a new Latino ministry, Misión Luterana Reconciliación. He is the police, fire, and EMS chaplain in the town where he serves.

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Prior to serving on Synod Staff, Tracey Breashears Schultz served Zion Lutheran Church in Houston, Texas. Prior to that, she served at MacArthur Park Lutheran Church in San Antonio. A graduate of The University of Arkansas, Tracey received her Masters of Divinity from Wartburg Theological Seminary, and her Doctor of Ministry from the Lutheran School of Theology at Chicago.

Before her journey toward ordained ministry, Tracey was a Spanish teacher and a trainer for a medical software company.

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Serving as bishop of the Texas-Louisiana Gulf Coast Synod of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America since 2007 is an honor, a challenge, and a joy. It has given me the opportunity to work with many gifted pastors and committed people of faith. We’re creating communities that make disciples who serve the world in Jesus’ name.

For information updated weekly (sometimes daily) on news, events, ideas, books, schedules, and so on, visit my blog.

Evangelism is one of my passions, and our synod’s highest priority. Evangelism is making fully devoted followers of Christ, who taught love of God and neighbor as the greatest commandments. Every congregation is a mission, and every pastor is a missionary.

Together we plant new congregations, send missionaries, prepare rostered leaders, support companion synods, camps, campus ministries, and more. Our vision is to be a network of growing, Christ-centered, outwardly-focused congregations passing the faith to the next generation.

Biographical Information

Born: August 2, 1961, Columbus, Ohio

Wife: Susan

Children: John and Yuliana

Parents: Warren and Patricia Rinehart

Undergraduate studies: Bachelor of Music in organ performance from Valparaiso University, a Lutheran university in northern Indiana, 1983

Seminary: Masters of Divinity from Trinity Lutheran Seminary, Columbus, Ohio, 1988.

Calls:

St. Paul Lutheran Church, Davenport, Iowa (1988-1994)
Christ Lutheran Church, Charlotte, North Carolina (1994-1997)
Grace Lutheran Church, Conroe, Texas (1997-2007)
Bishop, Texas-Louisiana Gulf Coast Synod (2007-present)

Currently Serving:

Texas Lutheran University Corporation Board
Houston Coalition for Immigration Reform
Board of the Houston Coalition for Mutual Respect

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