The 2023 Northeastern Iowa Synod Assembly approved forming a Task Force to "identify barriers that prevent people from minoritized communities from serving as leaders in our synod and to expand the pool of pastoral candidates available to serve our congregations." An ELCA Strategy Towards Authentic Diversity (STAD) grant provided a coach to advise the Task Force in their work.

 

In July 2026, the Task Force presented the final report to the Synod Council and in September 2026, the Task Force and Council met together for conversation about the report with an eye towards next steps. The report includes achievable, actionable items (40 in all) for the Synod staff, council, and committees; recommendations for congregations; recommendations to ELCA Churchwide and regional partners; and encouragement to seminary, college, and camp partners. It is because of our faith in and commitment to the Gospel of Jesus Christ that we step into the work of addressing the systems and ways we have knowingly and unknowingly caused harm to our siblings in Christ. Jesus' call to repentance is not a call to feel guilty. It is an invitation to turn and participate in the healing work already begun in Christ.  I am happy to share that a number of the items are already in progress. 

 

It is with deep gratitude to the members of the Task Force, their coach, and the people who shared personal experiences of systemic and overt racism in our church, that we share this final report. 

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Rev. Kevin T Jones, Bishop

Northeastern Iowa Synod ELCA