The Diversity and Inclusion Team at Light of Christ aims to focus on the development of practices that are inclusive and inviting of all. Please read below to learn about our Mission Statement, Core Values, and Vision. We also invite you to take time to look over our “resources” section for additional reading. Check out the Light of Christ Facebook page for events and additional resources.
GUIDING VERSE
“Honor all people. Love the Community.” 1 Peter 2:17
OUR MISSION STATEMENT
The Diversity and Inclusion team will invite the church to grow in its understanding of issues influencing genuine inclusion of all God’s children. We commit to embrace God’s perfectly designed differences in all people, to actively live out Jesus’ call to love our neighbors, and to foster authentic relationships in our community. (Mark 12:31)
OUR CORE VALUES
- We affirm that all are created in the image of God, and our differences are cause for celebration. (Genesis 1:27)
- We affirm that God’s love is inclusive and excludes no one. To this end, we believe that all people must be welcomed into communities of worship. (Romans 15:7)
- We affirm that having minds open to learning about one another serves as a catalyst for deeper cross-cultural relationships.
OUR VISION
- We will offer ongoing education opportunities to the LOC congregation to increase awareness and understanding of issues faced by marginalized communities. We will welcome discussions about racism and inequality as they relate to the structures within our church.
- We will intentionally seek out and share perspectives from diverse communities in our worship, messaging, and education practices.
- We will intentionally participate in and collaborate on joint events with the diverse communities around us, fostering relationships, and joining together to serve the wider community.
RESOURCES
Sermon Videos from Light of Christ Church
Additional Video Resources
- Evangelical Lutheran Church of America Justice Portal
- Two Evangelical Lutheran Church of America Pastors Discuss Racism and Faith
- Center for Prevention Minnesota "What is Implicit Bias?"
- Anti-Racism Glossary
- Black History
- Hispanic Heritage
- Ted Talk: Let's Get to the Root of Racial Injustice
- act.tv: Systemic Racism
Articles
- Explanation of the Declaration of the Evangelical Lutheran Church of America to People of African Decent
- Anti-Racism Resources for the Whole Family
Books
- The Color of Compromise: The Truth About the American Church’s Complicity in Racism by Jemar Tisby
- How to Fight Racism by Jemar Tisby
- Strength to Love by Martin Luther King Jr.
- A Testament of Hope: The Essential Writings and Speeches - Letter From Birmingham Jail, by Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.
- The Very Good Gospel by Lisa Sharon Harper
- I’m Still Here by Austin Channing Brown
- Black Like Me by John Howard Griffin
- Tears We Cannot Stop: A Sermon to White America by Michael Eric Dyson
- God Who Sees: Immigrants, The Bible, and The Journey to Belong by Karen Gonzalez
- Jesus and the Disinherited by Howard Thurman