A Leadership Development Cohort in Public Theology For Latine Clergy

A 12-month journey from GCORR designed for pastors called to engage faith, justice, and community life with theological depth and cultural wisdom.

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INTRODUCTION

Where does it hurt, and how does faith speak to the hurt?

This is the simple but urgent question that public theology asks because it’s faith that engages the world.

Public theology brings theological reflection, faith-based ethics, and pastoral leadership into conversation with the realities shaping our communities.

This program equips clergy to interpret scripture and tradition in ways that speak clearly and responsibly in the public square.

DETAILS

Three Movements of Formation

  • A. Intro to Public Theology

    Origins of Public Theology, Historical Analysis and the Pastor as a Public Theologian This course examines the origins and development of Public Theology, tracing how the church has understood and exercised its prophetic vocation across diverse social, cultural, and political contexts.

    B. Theology of Lucha, Suffering, and Hope

    Rooted in biblical witness and contextual theologies, particularly Latin American and U.S. Latine liberation traditions, the course explores how faith emerges and endures amid social, political, economic, migration, and cultural adversity.

    C. Self-Determination, Identity & Liberative Praxis

    Centering the lived experiences of historically marginalized communities, the course examines how cultural identity, social location, memory, and embodied experience shape theological reflection and faithful action in the world.

  • A. Theological Foundations for Racial Justice

    This course engages racial justice as a pressing theological and ethical crisis for the church and a core commitment of faithful pastoral practice.

    B. Decolonizing Theology, Identity, and Ministry

    Participants will engage theological voices that expose the theological justifications of colonialism while recovering indigenous, Afro-Latine, and religious expressions created through immigration and lived experiences in multi-ethnic communities as vital sources of theological wisdom.

    C. Public Theology & Cultural Humility

    The course equips pastoral leaders to engage public life with theological integrity and examine how humility functions not as passivity, but as a disciplined practice of accountability, solidarity, and ethical engagement.

  • A. Community Engagement & Advocacy

    The course equips pastoral leaders to practice social holiness through justice-centered community engagement and advocacy. It examines models of faith-based community organizing and coalition-building that move beyond charity toward transformative action rooted in dignity, mutuality, and empowerment.

    B. Proclamation in the Public Square

    This course equips pastoral leaders to understand proclamation as a public, formative, and transformative practice that extends beyond the pulpit into the life of the community, centering liturgy and worship as public theology.

    C. Politics & the Pulpit

    Centered on the art of theological reflection as a spiritual practice, this course invites participants to cultivate habits of prayerful listening, critical analysis, and faithful interpretation that shape preaching and public engagement.

Two Ways of Study

In-Person

The in-person gathering will take place:

  • January 4 - 8, 2027

  • Candler School of Theology (Atlanta, GA)

Virtual

In between gatherings, the cohort will hold:

  • Webinars

  • Mentorship

  • Guided Assignments

One Cohort

The initiative is a cohort-based program designed for 20 Hispanic/Latine clergy leaders who bring cultural depth and public commitment to their ministry. Eligibility criteria includes:

  • Clergy - from the United Methodist Church and other Christian traditions

  • Bilingual & Bicultural - leaders with strong English and Spanish communication

  • Engaged - in justice, advocacy, and community witness

Instructors

  • Rev. Dr. Lydia E. Muñoz - Program Director

    PROGRAM DIRECTOR

    Currently serving as the executive director of El Plan for Hispanic/Latine Ministry of the United Methodist Church will also serve as the program manager of La Plaza. Rev. Muñoz is an ordained elder in the UMC with over 30 years of experience as a pastor, public theologian, worship leader and activist in the public square. Rev. Muñoz is a graduate of Penn State University, and has an M.Div from Wesley Theological Seminary and D.Min with a concentration in Public Theology from Drew Seminary. The daughter of church planters from Puerto Rico, Lydia has a commitment to the development of principled leaders committed to the Gospel message of Jesus and the expansion of the beloved community.

  • Rev. Dr. Joanne Solis Walker

    ASSOCIATE DEAN OF LA MESA ACADEMY FOR THEOLOGICAL STUDIES

    Rev. Dr. Joanne Solis-Walker (she/her) serves as Associate Dean and Professor in the Practice of Leadership at Candler School of Theology. In this role, she focuses on expanding access to Candler-based theological education by collaborating with congregations, denominations, and community organizations to ensure the school’s offerings meet their educational and ministerial needs. She is a practical theologian with extensive experience in leadership, global missions, and pastoral ministry, and is known for her innovative work in Christian higher education, particularly in developing theological programs for diverse communities in both Spanish and English.

    A frequent speaker at theological institutions, universities, and churches both within the U.S. and globally, Joanne is actively involved in several organizations. Joanne holds a PhD in Organizational Leadership and Development with an emphasis on Ecclesial Leadership. In her free time, she enjoys traveling with her family.

  • Rev. Dr. Juan Carlos Huerta

    Juan Carlos Huertas is the Minister of Proclamation & Practice of Justice at First-Plymouth Congregational Church in Lincoln, NE, and a graduate of Candler School of Theology at Emory University in Atlanta, GA. Before his position at First-Plymouth, Juan Carlos served United Methodist churches throughout the state of Louisiana for sixteen years. A native of Puerto Rico, he is passionate about helping congregations get reconnected to their neighborhoods, about a decolonized church, and about worship that expresses the human need for ritual and spiritual community in the messiness of life.

  • Dr. Miguel de la Torre

    Rev. Dr. Miguel A. De La Torre, Professor of Social Ethics and Latinx Studies at the Iliff School of Theology in Denver, Colorado. He has served as the elected 2012 President of the Society of Christian Ethics and served as the Executive Officer for the Society of Race, Ethnicity and Religion (2012-17). Dr. De La Torre is a recognized international Fulbright scholar who has taught courses around the globe. A favorite of El Plan!

  • Rev. Dr. Guesnerth Josué Perea

    Guesnerth Josue Perea serves as Director of Black Lives and Contemplation for and also as Executive Director of the afrolatin@ forum. He was also the Executive Producer of the documentary "Faith in Blackness". His perspectives on AfroLatinidad and spirituality have been featured in prominent publications such as the New York Times, the New Yorker, and USA Today and his writing has been featured in Sojourners, the Los Angeles Review of Books, and anthologies such as Let Spirit Speak!, Revista de Estudios Colombianos and Engaging Religion. A dedicated Brooklynite, he embodies Biggie's call to spread love the Brooklyn way.

  • More Instructors to come!

PARTNERS

Who Makes This Work Possible

La Plaza is a programmatic initiative of the General Commission on Religion and Race (GCORR) of The United Methodist Church, in collaboration with El Plan for Hispanic/Latine Ministry and the Candler School of Theology at Emory University. The program integrates Methodist Studies and La Mesa for Theological Studies, creating a shared space for theological reflection, leadership development, and public engagement.

This program is made possible through the National Initiative to Strengthen Hispanic Leadership, supported by the Lilly Endowment Inc.

  • The General Commission on Religion and Race is a ministry of The United Methodist Church that works to challenge and dismantle racism in church and society. GCORR provides leadership development, education, and resources that help congregations and church leaders advance racial justice and build more equitable communities.

  • El Plan for Hispanic/Latine Ministry is a denominational initiative of The United Methodist Church focused on strengthening Hispanic and Latine leadership, congregations, and ministries. It supports clergy and lay leaders through leadership development, theological formation, and initiatives that equip communities for faithful service and mission.

  • Candler School of Theology at Emory University prepares leaders for ministry, scholarship, and service through rigorous theological education. Located in Atlanta, Candler forms pastors and scholars committed to the church’s witness in a diverse and changing world.

  • La Mesa for Theological Studies is an initiative that convenes Hispanic and Latine theologians, pastors, and scholars to strengthen theological reflection, leadership formation, and scholarship rooted in the lived experiences of Latine communities.

  • The National Initiative to Strengthen Hispanic Leadership is a program funded by Lilly Endowment Inc. that supports projects designed to strengthen leadership development, theological education, and ministry within Hispanic and Latine Christian communities.

HOW TO APPLY

Join a cohort of pastors preparing to engage faith and public life with theological depth and cultural wisdom.

The program welcomes participants across race, gender, age, ability, theological perspective, and sexual orientation.

Application Fee = $30

Lead with clarity.
Speak with courage.
Serve with purpose.

Apply Here