So That All May Belong: Lutheran Roots for Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Justice

Introduction¹

Institutions that make up the Network of the ELCA Colleges and Universities (NECU) share a common calling of “equipping graduates who are called and empowered to serve the neighbor so that all may flourish.”² Although their mission statements vary, these institutions are committed to providing students of all backgrounds an excellent education and preparing them to use their unique strengths to contribute to the flourishing of people and our planet.

These commitments are rooted in educational reforms and a specific notion of calling or vocation promoted by Martin Luther in the 16th century. At a time when education was limited to the wealthy or to monks, nuns, and priests, Lutheran reformers claimed that all are called to use their unique gifts and strengths to love others, seek justice, and contribute to the common good. Thus, the various ways that people serve others, whether at home, work, or in civic life, are worthy callings. This simple but powerful concept of vocation led to a radical idea at the time: everyone should have access to education.

This concept of vocation informs NECU’s commitment not only to provide education for students of all backgrounds, but also to promote diversity, equity, inclusion, and justice (DEIJ). Doing so fosters belonging, honors the contributions of the diverse members of our campus communities, and aligns with the mission of NECU institutions. Furthermore, as we actively strive to cultivate campus communities where all feel a sense of belonging and DEIJ thrives, NECU institutions are called to not only reject and address unjust or harmful institutional legacies and practices, but also to acknowledge where they have been active agents in the creation and maintenance of such legacies and practices. This call to acknowledge and redress harm is in line with the Lutheran spirit of reform and its commitment to justice.

One important way to strengthen DEIJ efforts is to emphasize how they are grounded in and supported by the missions and Lutheran roots of NECU institutions. Thus, this document highlights vital connections between NECU’s Lutheran roots and DEIJ efforts so that faculty, staff, students, administrators, and board members might better understand and more actively support this work. Understanding these connections can spur campus-wide support for DEIJ by dispelling a common misconception that DEIJ efforts and the Lutheran tradition are in conflict. Supporting DEIJ benefits all stakeholders because it fosters belonging, enriches community, and creates a vibrant educational environment where diverse backgrounds, ideas, perspectives, and experiences are integral to academic life.

Definitions, Connection to Lutheran Roots, and Calls to Action³

DIVERSITY

Definition: Diversity refers to the various backgrounds, lived experiences, values, and worldviews of individuals and communities that stem from differences in culture and circumstance. This includes race, ethnicity, gender and gender expression, age, religion, nationality, language, (dis)ability, sexual orientation, socioeconomic status, political ideology, geographic region, and more. Diversity reflects the broad spectrum of human identity and experience, and it shapes how we understand the world and interact with one another.

Lutheran Roots: Lutheran theology affirms the goodness and diversity of creation and claims all persons are made in the image of God, thereby possessing equal dignity and worth. Furthermore, Lutheran theology claims that although human beings can know much about God and the world, the universe is complex, and human understanding is always limited. Recognizing creation’s diversity and the limits of human knowledge, Lutheran theology embraces diversity and emphasizes the significance of wonder, academic freedom, intellectual humility, life-long learning, and building a world in which all people and our planet flourish.

Shaped by these notions, Lutheran higher education embraces diversity as a core value that enriches both the academic environment and the broader community. This commitment to diversity is not limited to demographic representation; it is about cultivating an environment where all voices are heard, respected, and valued. By engaging with diverse perspectives, Lutheran higher education helps individuals better understand the complex and dynamic world we live in and equips them with the skills to navigate and positively impact that world.

Call to Action: Diversity requires more than just acknowledgment—it demands action and commitment from all members of the community. To create a truly diverse and inclusive environment, each of us must play an active role in embracing difference and seeking out new perspectives. This work is ongoing and requires continuous learning, self-awareness, and a willingness to engage with others in meaningful ways.

We call on our Lutheran colleges and universities to:

• Focus on recruitment and retention: Work to recruit and retain people from diverse communities (students, faculty, staff and administration).
• Appreciate cultural wealth: Recognize and appreciate the richness that comes from diverse backgrounds, experiences, and identities. Intentionally engage with our own identities and experiences as well as those of people whose identities and experiences differ from our own.
• Challenge bias and discrimination: Educate ourselves about diverse communities and issues to more effectively take an active stance against behaviors, practices, and policies that marginalize or disadvantage individuals or groups.

By committing to these actions, we strengthen our community and ensure that diversity is not just something we tolerate but something we embrace as part of the goodness of creation. These actions also make possible ample opportunities to engage with individuals from diverse backgrounds and perspectives.

EQUITY

Definition: Equity is the active process of identifying and reducing or eliminating the structural barriers related to race, class, disability, gender, and other identities that limit access to, or prevent full participation in, our institutions and communal life. It requires understanding the root causes of disparities, identifying these barriers, and addressing the exclusion of historically marginalized groups within society. Equity is about ensuring that individuals and communities receive the specific resources and support they need to thrive, based on their unique circumstances.

Lutheran Roots: Lutheran theology affirms the dignity and worth of all persons and claims all are called to use their unique gifts and strengths to love and serve others. Lutheran tradition is therefore always reforming institutions and values various roles and responsibilities that contribute to the common good.

Lutheran colleges and universities seek to foster communities where every individual can succeed and contribute meaningfully. This requires recognizing that while everyone is of equal worth, not everyone starts from the same place or faces the same challenges. Equity goes beyond equality by acknowledging these differences and working to remove barriers that prevent full participation, particularly for those from historically marginalized groups.

By providing targeted support and addressing barriers related to race, class, disability, gender, and other social identities, Lutheran institutions aim to create an environment where everyone can thrive and fully engage in academic and community life.

Call to Action: Equity requires active engagement from all members of the community. Achieving equity is an ongoing process that involves addressing both visible and invisible barriers to participation, particularly for those from historically underrepresented groups. It demands a commitment to understanding the unique challenges faced by different individuals and working collectively to create solutions that promote access and opportunity for all.

We call on our Lutheran colleges and universities to:

• Identify and address barriers: Examine the policies, practices, and structures within our institutions that may unintentionally disadvantage certain groups. Commit to actively working to reduce or eliminate these barriers.
• Provide targeted support: Recognize that different individuals and communities may need different forms of support to fully participate and succeed. Advocate for resources, support, and opportunities that are tailored to meet these specific needs.
• Foster accountability: Create mechanisms that hold our institutions and ourselves accountable for promoting equity. This includes regularly assessing the impact of policies and practices on marginalized groups and making adjustments when necessary.
• Promote equity through education and advocacy: Engage in ongoing learning about the root causes of disparities and advocate for initiatives that promote equity, both within our institutions and in the wider community.

By committing to these actions, we uphold the dignity of all persons and move closer to creating an equitable community where everyone, regardless of background or identity, can succeed. Equity is not just about fairness for individuals—it is about building a more inclusive and just society for all.

INCLUSION

Definition: Inclusion is the intentional act of embracing difference and creating environments where any individual or group is welcomed, respected, supported, valued, and given the opportunity to fully participate. Inclusion fosters a sense of belonging through centering and valuing the voices and perspectives of all individuals.

Lutheran Roots: Lutheran theology affirms that everyone is called to use their unique gifts and strengths to contribute to the common good. Building on their gifts, all people are free to pursue questions; seek truth, justice, and beauty; and share what they discover with others.

Inclusion is fundamental to the mission of Lutheran higher education: to cultivate individuals who are thoughtful, engaged, and compassionate citizens. It is about creating spaces where students, faculty, and staff from all backgrounds are valued and supported, allowing them to fully participate in academic, social, and civic life.

In this context, inclusion is not only about welcoming difference, but also about creating conditions where each person can contribute their unique perspectives and talents, enriching the entire community. By centering voices that have historically been marginalized, Lutheran institutions aim to foster environments where everyone is empowered to succeed. This inclusive approach ensures that the education provided prepares students not only for careers, but also for their roles as leaders in an increasingly diverse world.

Call to Action: Inclusion requires intentionality and action. Each member of the academic community—students, faculty, staff, and administration—has a role to play in fostering an inclusive environment. To fully live out the principles of inclusion, we must actively challenge behaviors and practices that exclude or marginalize individuals or groups.

We call on our Lutheran colleges and universities to:

• Engage in self-reflection: Consider how our own identities, actions, assumptions, and biases may impact others and work to build greater awareness and understanding.
• Create inclusive spaces: Work to ensure that everyone in the community feels welcomed and valued, regardless of their background or identity. This means being mindful of how spaces, both physical and social, can include or exclude certain groups.
• Foster dialogue and understanding: Encourage open conversations about diversity and inclusion and engage in respectful dialogue that promotes mutual understanding. Be willing to listen, learn, and grow from interactions with others whose experiences and perspectives may be different from your own.
• Advocate for inclusive policies and practices: Advocate for and support initiatives that promote full access and participation, particularly from underrepresented groups.

By committing to these actions, we strengthen our community, affirm that all are called to use their unique gifts to serve the world, and ensure that our institutions remain places where everyone can belong, contribute, and succeed. Inclusion is a shared responsibility, and together, we can create a more welcoming and inclusive environment for all.

JUSTICE

Definition: Justice is the outcome of dismantling barriers to resources and opportunities for people who live in marginalized communities. Justice occurs when all individuals can live a full and dignified life, and all communities can thrive.

Lutheran Roots: In line with its affirmation of God’s good creation, the dignity of all persons, and its robust concept of vocation, Lutheran theology emphasizes the development of the whole person (mind, body, spirit), love of neighbor, and social and environmental justice. Relationships and institutions, though fallible, are necessary for promoting the well-being of individuals, families, communities, and the planet.

In the context of Lutheran higher education, justice is not an abstract concept, but a lived commitment to creating environments where fairness, equity, and compassion are at the core of community life. Lutheran values align closely with justice by promoting the common good through service to others, care for the vulnerable, and environmental protection.

Lutheran higher education actively works to eliminate the barriers—whether social, economic, or structural—that prevent individuals and groups from accessing the full range of opportunities available. This ensures no one is unfairly disadvantaged by circumstances beyond their control.

Call to Action: Justice requires action. To realize a just and equitable community, we must commit to actively dismantling the barriers that exclude, marginalize, or disadvantage certain groups. This work is ongoing and demands continuous self-reflection, collaboration, and advocacy. Each member of the community has a role to play in promoting justice.

We call on our Lutheran colleges and universities to:

• Build solidarity: Stand alongside those who are fighting for social and environmental justice, and use our voices, influence, and resources to support efforts that dismantle inequities and create pathways for all people to thrive.
• Dismantle systemic and physical barriers: Identify and remedy institutional practices, policies, and structures that may unintentionally perpetuate inequality or exclusion, particularly for marginalized groups.
• Uplift marginalized voices: Actively listen to and amplify the perspectives of individuals and groups who have historically been excluded or oppressed. Recognize their experiences and contributions as essential to creating a more just community.
• Engage in service and advocacy: Support initiatives both on and off campus that work toward justice, from service to the neighbor to advocating for equitable policies.

By taking these steps, we move closer to the goal of justice and love of neighbor: a community where every person can live a full life, and where the structures that uphold inequity are transformed into systems that foster greater accessibility and collective flourishing.

Cultivating a Sense of Belonging through DEIJ

The intersection of DEIJ principles and Lutheran higher education creates a unique educational environment that promotes belonging and sets NECU institutions apart. Belonging is the extent to which people know and feel that they are valued, respected, included, and celebrated for their individual and unique contributions and identities. This is the outcome of DEIJ at work.

NECU institutions are called to offer a unique environment where students, faculty, and staff are not only included, but also celebrated, supported, and given the opportunity to thrive within a community grounded in faith and justice. This distinctive approach sets Lutheran institutions apart from other colleges and universities. These institutions can continue to differentiate themselves by offering an educational experience where belonging is not just a byproduct of DEIJ initiatives, but an integral part of the mission.

As these institutions look to the future, continued emphasis on belonging will further distinguish them as leaders in creating inclusive, supportive, and justice-driven educational environments that are intellectually rigorous and socially responsible, involving:

• Enhancing support for underrepresented groups, ensuring that all students, faculty, and staff have access to the resources they need to thrive academically, professionally, and personally.
• Expanding the definition of community, creating spaces where individuals from diverse backgrounds can engage with one another in meaningful ways.
• Deepening partnerships with local and global communities, reflecting the Lutheran commitment to service and global citizenship.
• Innovating our approaches to DEIJ work, grounded in the theological principles of grace, justice, and reconciliation, ensuring that belonging is not only inclusive but also spiritually and socially transformative.
• Allocating resources (human and financial) for accountability to outcomes that foster belonging for all members of the community.

Lutheran rootedness and commitments to diversity, equity, inclusion, and justice are in alignment with each other. Therefore, NECU institutions are called to foster opportunities for strategic connections and collaborations across departments and offices to facilitate this work. Together we must equip individuals not only with the knowledge but also with the tools to actively contribute to a more just, equitable, and inclusive society that fosters belonging for all.

Endnotes

1. A shortened version of this document also appears in this issue of Intersections.

2. Rooted And Open: The Common Calling of the Network of ELCA Colleges and Universities.

3. Definitions of Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Justice in this document are adapted from the National Association of Diversity Officers in Higher Education (NADOHE).