Black Clergy Caucus meets during ‘time of transition’

(From left) The Rev. Dr. S T Williams Jr., president of the Black Clergy Caucus (BCC), is pictured with the Rev. Dr. Geoffrey Robinson, LCMS Indiana District outreach executive, and the Rev. Gregory Manning, BCC chaplain, during the opening session of the BCC spring conference, held at Concordia Theological Seminary, Fort Wayne (CTSFW), in April. (CTSFW/Glen Werling)

By Kristine Bruss

The Black Clergy Caucus (BCC) of The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod (LCMS) held its spring conference April 9–11 at Concordia Theological Seminary, Fort Wayne (CTSFW), the alma mater of many BCC members. The group has held its most recent conferences in Atlanta, Jacksonville and Houston.

“When Immanuel Lutheran Seminary in Greensboro, North Carolina, closed in 1961, African American students started coming to Concordia Theological Seminary in Springfield, Illinois, then later to Fort Wayne, for their pastoral formation,” said the Rev. Matthew Wietfeldt, assistant vice-president of admission at CTSFW. “We wanted to invite the BCC to Fort Wayne to celebrate that legacy and have a homecoming with alumni and friends.”

The conference kicked off with greetings and short presentations from various attendees, including CTSFW President Rev. Dr. Lawrence R. Rast Jr.; the Rev. Dr. Terry Chan, representing the Multi-Asian Gathering; the Rev. Dr. Hargewen Kinde, who works with the Mekane Yesus Seminary of the Ethiopian Evangelical Church Mekane Yesus (EECMY); and Lophane Laurent of Mission: Haiti, who reported on the grim conditions in his country due to gang violence.

LCMS President Rev. Dr. Matthew C. Harrison also greeted the group via video. In his greeting, Harrison commented on the recent retirement of the Rev. Dr. Roosevelt Gray Jr. from his position as director of LCMS Black Ministry for the LCMS Office of National Mission (ONM), a position he held for over a decade.

“We recognize that we’re in a time of transition,” said Harrison. “We’re very thankful for Roosevelt Gray’s time of service and wish him God’s richest blessings in his retirement. He has been a blessing to many for a long time.” Harrison then assured the BCC that they would “continue to have a voice during and after the transition.”

Having that voice is an important goal for the BCC as they work to achieve their vision: “Empowering and Advancing the Next Generation through Communication, Ministry Focus, Ownership, Recruitment and Revitalization.”

“In preparation for the Black Ministry Family Convocation July 9–12, 2025, and the 150th anniversary of Black Ministry in 2027, African Americans, African immigrants, Caribbean, Asian and Hispanic church leaders and members need a voice at the table in the LCMS,” said the Rev. Dr. S T Williams Jr., BCC president. “Our beloved Synod is an international church body; therefore, it will be important that we involve all ethnic groups in the decisions of circuits, districts and the Synod. This is something we should be proud of and celebrate as we carry out our Gospel mandate in Matthew 28:18–20, John 3:16–17 and Revelation 7.”

After a day of presentations focused on that vision, the group headed to downtown Fort Wayne for dinner and a Divine Service at Emmanuel Lutheran Church, where Black Ministry got its start at the 1877 convention of the Lutheran Synodical Conference. In that historically significant location, the Rev. Stephen Wiggins Sr., pastor of St. Paul Lutheran Church in Jacksonville, Fla., preached a sermon focused on the future, with 2 Kings 7:1–9 as his text.

“If we’re going to advance the next generation,” said Wiggins, “we’ve got to trust the Word of God. We’ve got to be willing to try something different. We must be willing to tread into enemy territory and take back what the devil has stolen. Then, God help us, we’ve got to tell somebody the Good News!”

A new approach to Black Ministry

The Rev. Dr. Mark Wood, managing director of Church Planting, Renewal and Support for the ONM, gave a nod to Wiggins’ sermon in his presentation the next day, noting his willingness to “try something different” as the Synod and BCC move forward in the wake of Gray’s retirement.

Wood’s presentation provided an opportunity to discuss the future of Black Ministry in the LCMS, particularly in light of the decision by the ONM to expand Gray’s position from specifically Black and African immigrant ministry to a more expansive All Nations Ministry. That decision has sparked considerable concern in the BCC about Black Ministry representation.

“The ending of the director of Black Ministry position is being grieved by those of us in the church who understand the literal blood, sweat, tears, resolutions and convention actions that it took in the 1960s and 1970s to make this 70-year dream a reality,” said Williams. “We are praying as a body that our beloved LCMS Board for National Mission and Office of National Mission will consider these key factors moving forward.”

Prior to Wood’s presentation, the Rev. Gregory Manning, conference chaplain, offered a prayer, saying, “As we enter into this difficult discussion, God, let Your grace abound, let Your peace abound, and let a common understanding emerge.” Williams then read Gray’s retirement letter and gave Wood the floor.

“What I’ve really appreciated more than anything else at this conference is hearing your stories,” said Wood, who earlier in the day had heard many stories from BCC members at a student convocation. “I’d like to share my story too.”

Wood talked about his blended family, his children and grandchildren, and his experience in the Air Force, where “everyone is blue.” His story also included his work at the Synod, including who does what, who has decision-making authority and how the ONM works.

“The ONM works through districts to support congregations and schools. It’s also responsible for the Synod’s triennial emphasis, ‘Making Disciples for Life,’” he explained.

In his position, Wood reports to the executive director of the ONM, the Rev. Daniel Galchutt, and is charged with overseeing the newly created All Nations Ministry, which will provide leadership and resources for LCMS ethnic and immigrant, multi-ethnic, Hispanic and Black ministries and entities working in those contexts. Wood noted that several factors led to the formation of All Nations Ministry, including a long-standing lack of representation for some ministries (e.g., Hispanic and Asian) and a 2023 convention resolution directing the ONM to increase mission efforts with ethnic and immigrant ministry (Res. 1-05A).

Funding was also a consideration. “Black and African immigrant ministry was funded by unrestricted dollars — the dollars we don’t have,” said Wood. “All Nations Ministry has received a sizeable grant from the Bolick Foundation that gives us the opportunity to staff it — not with just one staff member but two, a manager and a director.” Wood and Galchutt met with the Executive Committee of the BCC in February and assured them that they would have a voice in the selection of the director.

Near the end of his presentation, Wood introduced the idea of an All Nations Ministry Council, which prompted several questions about composition and function.

“This is a work in progress,” said Wood. “This is not a solution. It’s working toward a solution. Don’t be afraid of doing something different, right?”

Degrees conferred

One highlight of the conference was the conferral of two degrees after the April 10 morning chapel service in CTSFW’s Kramer Chapel. The Rev. Dr. Charles Gieschen, CTSFW provost, presented the awards with Rast, noting that the BCC’s presence on the campus was a good reason to do so during the conference rather than at commencement in May.

“Both individuals receiving degrees are well-known and close friends of the many guests on this campus this week for the LCMS Black Clergy Caucus,” said Gieschen. “We are very thankful to have all of you with us to honor these two pastors.”

The first honoree was the Rev. Aubrey Watson Jr., pastor of Holy Cross Lutheran Church in New Orleans. Watson completed six years of study in CTSFW’s Distance Education Leading to Ordination (DELTO) program but was not awarded a degree due to accreditation standards at the time. CTSFW awarded him a Master of Arts in Pastoral Studies in recognition of his prior academic work, including the DELTO coursework.

Also honored was the Rev. James Wiggins Sr., LCMS pastor emeritus, who received a Doctor of Divinity, honoris causa, for his faithful service and powerful witness to Christ as a parish pastor of LCMS congregations in Alabama, for his exemplary service to the LCMS Southern District, and for inspiring numerous men and women to become LCMS pastors and teachers. The honor was accepted by Wiggins’ son, the Rev. Stephen Wiggins Sr., on behalf of Wiggins, who was unable to attend but watched the livestream.

“When my dad first received the news, he said, ‘Man, I retired in 1995. It’s been a while, and I don’t quite know what to do with the honor now,” said Stephen Wiggins. “But as time has passed, he’s now saying, ‘God is good, even in this season.’ He’s 91 now, still working, still being faithful in the church. He says, ‘God is still gracious, even at 91.’”

Kristine Bruss serves as director of communications for Concordia Theological Seminary, Fort Wayne.

Posted June 7, 2024