By Eric Howard
When I was a kid, I used to love playing with kaleidoscopes. The shapes, colors, and movement could transform everyday objects into infinite complexity and beauty. As an adult, kaleidoscopes still inspire me to look at the world in a new way. If you pointed the scope at the work of equity, for example, what might you see? What if the light of our faith shaped it?
In March 2020, the Minneapolis Area Synod Council took a historic step toward financial equity in a vote to initiate an “equity lens study of the current funding strategies.” As a starting point, our Vice President Felecia Boone introduced us to our own reflection tool for this work, a “Racial Equity Impact Tool,” which she noted in her VP’s address at the 2021 Synod Assembly.
This “lens” considers the struggles of the global pandemic, the anguish and unrest over George Floyd’s murder, and the inequities felt throughout the synod. The Synod Council’s vote, coupled with the impact tool, holds us more firmly accountable to racial equity outcomes.
The scope and impact
The study looks explicitly at the synod’s 12 immigrant, ethnic-specific, BIPOC, New Starts, and Strategic Ministries. What is the goal? Every dollar the synod grants would stay accountable to racial equity outcomes. The study aims to create stronger, more resilient ministries that fully reflect the dignity of every person.
And, because equity lifts us all, the impact of this work will ripple through all 143 churches.
What’s happened?
In November 2020, the Synod Council reserved $200,000 from the Resurrection Fund to make this impact a reality. In January this year, seven pastors and lay leaders designed a proposal, articulated their own hopes and dreams for this study, and started executing a plan.
Over the past three months, nine leaders (many from the synod’s Mission Table) interviewed 25 pastors, deacons, and lay leaders from the 12 targeted ministries. Together, they explored the questions: What does equity look and feel like for you? How can the synod invest in the most vital parts of your ministry?
Early insights
After months of careful planning, training, and 18 hours of interviews, a few early insights from the 12 ministries have surfaced:
- More opportunities to give and receive God’s abundance: Ministries offer unique strengths; they inspire leaders differently; they teach and reach people worldwide; and there is much to learn from their resiliency.
- Greater connection: Pastors and lay leaders would like more deliberate opportunities to deepen their ties with other synod congregations. Language, geography, and cultural competency can be a barrier.
- Targeted leadership development: Leadership development is a crucial piece of building self-sufficiency, sustainability, and sharing ministry strengths. Administration, fundraising, visionaries, pastors, and deacons were noted.
- Resources for youth ministries: Cultivating the talents and passions of youth is vital to the future and sustainability of our ministries.
To me, the scope of equity can feel equally complex and beautiful, like the movement and dimensions of a kaleidoscope. This equity lens work can enable us to see a brighter, more dynamic future.
Opportunities to act:
- Donate: Equity takes talents, food, stipends. Send a check to the synod with the memo “MAS Equity Lens Work.”
- Tune into the (hybrid) Racial Justice Summit on November 6: There more lessons and insights will be discussed.
- Tell us what you think: What does equity look like and feel like for you? (Submit your response here).