By the Rev. Dr. Phyllis Blair Milton
Recently, George Kegley asked me to share my thoughts about the apology, the Declaration of the ELCA to People of African Descent, that was presented and accepted at the Churchwide Assembly in August 2019.
In this apology, the ELCA recognizes and takes responsibility for this Body of Christ's lack of fulfillment of its baptismal promises in not following the example of Jesus to strive for justice for all people (my interpretation).
It is good to confess, and it is good to receive forgiveness, but it is even better to begin to take the action steps that are needed toward full inclusion and equity for all.
When George asked me for my response, I must admit that I said, "Why me?" Oh, yeah, I was the "rostered person of color representative elected by the Virginia Synod".
An article that I thought would be an easy task to write, has turned into an introspective look at not only my role as an ordained pastor in a predominately white denomination, but an honest and realistic look at what may be my own Synod's struggle as well.
I became a Lutheran in 2006, affirming my baptism at Reformation Lutheran Church, Newport News. Until that time, I was a tried and true Southern Baptist. But in 2006, discerning a different path for my life which would include pastoral ministry, I left the Southern Baptist Convention in search of a more inclusive faith group. I was looking for diversity, and the opportunity to share my gifting as an African American female, giftings which were often not appreciated because of my gender and skin color. I set out to find a place I could call home. And that place was the ELCA.
I did not know at the time, but the ELCA was having its own challenges with inclusion. But in my opinion, the difference was, the ELCA was trying to be better and do better, which brings us to the Declaration.
I was excited to be elected to be one of our Synod's representatives at our Churchwide Assembly. I enjoyed the worship and seeing how we as Lutherans take care of the business of the Church. I especially enjoyed being around other Lutherans of color and sharing our varied experiences.
I have to admit I wasn't aware of the Declaration before it was presented at the Assembly. I researched the origins of the Declaration. The African Descent Lutheran Association in 2015 called upon the 2016 Churchwide Assembly to "draft a formal letter of repentance" for the Church's past complicity in slavery and its present struggle with racism. This apology was offered and accepted by the African Descent Lutheran Association at this summer's Assembly. As I understand it, the request had its basis in the1993 social statement on Freed in Christ: Race, Ethnicity and Culture.
So, we (African Descent Lutherans) received an apology that we had to ask for? Does that mean that no apology would have ever been given? Did we not recognize or were we not aware that processes (e.g., call process, compensation) were not equitable for all within our denomination? A look at comparative statistics within our denomination would have easily shown us that all was not well.
Romans 15:7 (Voice) says, " So accept one another in the same way the Anointed has accepted you so that God will get the praise He is due."
To me, The Declaration has come to mean that my denomination is moving from just being welcoming, toward being intentional in offering respect, acceptance and opportunity. I feel that the varied expressions of bishops that were elected this year clearly speaks of new levels of respect, acceptance and opportunity.
The Declaration, hopefully, is the first step toward many more steps, where my denomination makes "a recommitment to the process of right and equitable relations with this church" for all of us.
