Charles “Chuck” Lutz
For more than 50 years, Charles “Chuck” Lutz has been an effective advocate for peace and justice issues at the congregational, regional and national levels, and in denominational, ecumenical and interfaith arenas. The son of a Lutheran pastor, Lutz began exploring peace and social justice issues while studying at Wartburg College in Iowa during the civil rights era. He went on to earn a divinity degree in 1957 from Trinity Lutheran Seminary in Columbus, OH.
Serving as a layperson, he began his career in communications – writing, editing and speaking on the social concerns of the Lutheran church. He later founded and directed an ecumenical training center for urban ministry in the Twin Cities. From 1969 to 1974, he worked on war and conscience issues, counseling conscientious objectors and ministering to returning Vietnam veterans. He then joined the staff of the American Lutheran Church in Minneapolis, focusing in the areas of world hunger and social justice. Later in his career, he served as editor of The Metro Lutheran.
Lutz has written a number of books relating to peace and justice as well as frequent articles and church policy documents. He has done adjunct teaching in peace/justice and social ethics at Wartburg College, Luther Seminary, St. Paul, and United Theological Seminary, New Brighton, MN.
In retirement, he continues to be active in Joint Peace with Justice Committee of the Minneapolis and St. Paul Area synods, the College of Retired Church Workers, and People of Faith Peacemakers. His primary retirement endeavor, however, has been serving as Minnesota volunteer coordinator with Churches for Middle East Peace, a coalition of 24 national agencies advocating for a just peace in the Holy Land. In that capacity, he has coordinated a half dozen group visits to Israel/Palestine.
He and his wife Hertha are members of Lutheran Church of Christ the Redeemer in Minneapolis.