By Bishop Michael Rinehart

Our goal was to be 10% persons of color in the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) by 1998. In 2016, we are still 96% white. In this synod we are 92% white – better but not good for a synod which includes Houston, which is 50% Latino, and New Orleans, which is 50% African American.

In our neck of the woods, the Anglo population is actually in decline. The Latino population is swelling, as well as the Asian population. Under the age of 25, 70% of Houston is Latino. Do the math. Just from the vantage point of enlightened self-interest, the Lutheran Church must look at this. There are, however, much more important reasons.

Asians, African Americans, Latinos, Anglos et al have a different angle of vision, based on their life circumstances and location in society. Those more likely to be living in poverty, less…