A Lesson on Justice

The Bible offers many lessons on justice. Jesus, in his very life, shows us what Christian Justice looks like. Luke 15 (The Prodigal Son) is a great picture of two primary forms of justice and the very questions we face as a Christian community wrestling to “do justice.”

— Matthew 25:34-36

The wayward brother has seriously messed up. He disrespected his family by asking for his inheritance early, then went out and squandered it. Out of desperation, he returned home, ready to beg for his father’s forgiveness. You can feel the tension between the older brother and the father as they respond in two very different ways—two “just” responses to one situation.

The older brother is angry and wants accountability… Retributive Justice: Punishment justified on grounds that the wrongdoing committed by a criminal has created an imbalance in the social order that must be addressed by action.

On the other hand, the father comes running to welcome his lost son, even going so far as to throw him party, giving us a great illustration of…

Restorative Justice: An intentional response that emphasizes healing the wounds of victims, offenders and communities to restore wholeness.

Jesus uses this parable to show us God’s loving forgiveness and response to brokenness as a model for what it means to love our neighbor as ourself (Matthew 22:39.)

This parable also helps us understand the tension between charity and justice. Both are needed yet it is only justice that heals and restores relationships to health. The younger brother returns home ready to beg “I am no longer worthy to be called your son; treat me like one of your hired hands.” (Luke 15:19) asking for his father’s charity. Yet the father brings him in as a full member of the family, showing us Christian justice.

Charity: Responding to the immediate needs of hurting people in our world. This is expressed through food pantries, homeless shelters, programs and service, etc.

Justice: Changing the systems to reduce suffering and removing barriers that keep people separated. This is expressed through advocacy, community organizing, cultural immersions and accompaniment, etc.

Both responses are important, yet only justice has the capacity to make lasting changes that reduce the need for charity. Christian Justice welcomes and respects all people.

Global Justice – Working side by side with global companions to seek justice.

Domestic Justice – Ecumenical partnership to end poverty in our country.

Local Justice – Community action by congregations to support their neighbor.

“

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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Born and raised in Taiwan, moved to Houston in 2014, Evangeline speaks Mandarin, Taiwanese, and English. She joined Faith Lutheran Church in Bellaire in 2015, moved to Berkeley for seminary in 2018, and recently returned to Houston after one year internship in Torrance and obtained her MDiv degree with Evangelism and Justice concentration. She had multiple work experiences for administrative tasks, including part-time assistant in TEEM office at PLTS. She embraces diversity, has passion for justice and service work, and commits to support the ministries of the Church.

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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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Lizbeth began her work in the Texas-Louisiana Gulf Coast Synod in the fall of 2014 as the gift planner with Lutheran Foundation of the Southwest.

Lizbeth received her undergraduate degree at Texas State, and master degree and doctorate from the University of Houston. She resides in Houston with her husband Gary and has one daughter, son-in-law, and two grandchildren living in San Antonio. As deployed staff living in Magnolia, she participates in worship at a different synod church each Sunday.

The ministry is partnered with the ELCA Foundation to help congregation establish new revenue streams through endowments that provide a quarterly distribution for ministry. The gift planner helps to build the endowment with the generosity of congregation members who leave legacy gifts for ministry in their wills or estate planning. The gift planner facilitates tax-advantaged ways to bless family and the church.

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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.

A native Houstonian, Chris graduated from Concordia University in Austin and went to seminary in Berkeley. His first call was in Philadelphia. In 2003, he moved to New Orleans to serve as Mission Redeveloper for House of Prayer in Harvey. Following Hurricane Katrina, Chris relocated to Houston where he was called as Mission Developer and founding pastor of Celebration in Cypress, where he served for over 7 years. Chris is a member of the Order of Lutheran Franciscans. He enjoys traveling and joining friends for trivia at local venues.

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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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