New Racial Justice Learning Cohorts Offer Support, Community, and Practical Tools for 2025

Racial Justice Learning Cohorts Launch in January for Pastors, Councils, Youth Leaders & Synod Staff

Registration is now open for a series of four national 8-week Racial Justice Learning Cohorts, beginning in mid-January 2025, and designed specifically for pastors, church councils, youth leaders, and synod leaders. These weekly gatherings meet online at noon on their respective days and offer early-bird registration pricing through December 1.

These cohorts—created and led by racial justice educator and Lutheran leader David Scherer (AGAPE)*—provide something many leaders are longing for right now: a faithful, shame-free, theologically grounded community where they can learn, ask real questions, and receive support for justice work in complex, polarized times.

Why Cohorts? Why Now?

Across our synod and the wider church, leaders are telling us they feel overwhelmed, isolated, or unsure how to live out their promises to “work for peace and justice in all the earth” while also pastoring and leading in divided contexts. Many worry about saying the wrong thing or causing harm, and some are unsure where to begin.

David Scherer reminds us that Luther spoke of the “mutual consolation and conversation of the saints.” Without safe and supportive spaces like these cohorts, immobilizing guilt, fear, or shame can cause good and faithful people to withdraw from needed justice work.

These cohorts are intentionally built as the opposite of guilt-driven antiracism spaces. They offer real community, practical tools, biblical grounding, and developmentally appropriate frameworks to help leaders grow with courage and clarity.

What Participants Will Do Each Week

Participants across all cohort tracks will:

  • CONNECT with peers willing to share best practices

  • UNPACK real issues in real time with real people

  • EXPLORE topics of culture, power, and race (CPR) through a biblical lens

  • LEARN frameworks for leading social change in ministry settings

  • IDENTIFY goals and next faithful steps for themselves and their organizations

Each cohort also features guest presenters who bring wisdom from across the country.

Cohort Options & Registration

Each gathering meets weekly at noon from mid-January through early March (8 sessions total):

Flyers with full details are included below.

These cohorts are an opportunity for leaders across the country—including those in our Grand Canyon Synod—to learn in community, deepen their faith-rooted justice commitments, and grow in courage, clarity, and hope.

For questions or to explore which cohort may be best for your setting, visit JUSTmoveculture.com.

Grand Canyon SynodBrian FlatgardRacial JusticeComment