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History Of LHRA

In 1953, the concern over racism in the church and society prompted members of the Synodical Conference and the Lutheran Church Missouri Synod (LCMS) to form the Lutheran Human Relations Association of America (LHRAA). The organization soon included members from other Lutheran bodies. Today, LHRA members belong to the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, Lutheran Church Missouri Synod and other ecumenical congregations/organizations. We welcome interfaith membership, dialogue, and work.

The first director, Andrew Schulze, was commissioned at the 1954 Summer Institute and served as director until 1966. He was succeeded by Karl Lutze who served as director until 1979, followed by directors Stephen Hitchcock, Susan and Charles Ruehle, Sharon Metz, Joyce Caldwell, and now Marilyn Miller (first person of color). The original office for LHRA was located at Valparaiso University, Indiana until 1981 when it was moved to Milwaukee, Wisconsin.

The resources offered by Lutheran Human Relations Association have always been important, especially to the Church. If you couldn’t find materials about racism and sexism elsewhere, you could call LHRA. As the demand grew, the selection grew and people came to LHRA for a network of caring Christians who were committed to eliminating racism and its consequences. Networking was not even a term being used then, but people found themselves doing it and being enriched from the contacts through LHRA. Even more important was the affirmation that so many felt when they attended the annual Institute of LHRA. New people learned and veterans came for renewal; ideas flowed and commitments were grounded in fellowship and theological reflection.

Through the years, the mission of Lutheran Human Relations Association has expanded from a focus on black/white race relations to encompass a broader understanding of how issues of human oppression are inter-connected. Today, the mission of LHRA remains grounded in the biblical understanding that through Creation everything is connected. The connection, however, was broken and all around us we seek to listen to God’s call to reconnect, cross bridges, and live as one – to be human together as Christ was human with us.