Final message from regional church leadership consultation
More than 80 participants representing leadership levels of LWF's 31 member churches in Africa attended the 29 June- 1 July Africa Lutheran Church Leadership Consultation in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. Photo: LWF/ALCINET Erick Adolph
(LWI) – In the final message from the Africa Lutheran Church Leadership Consultation (ALCLC), delegates highlighted the need to strengthen the theological identity of churches in the region and increase their bold engagement in the public space for the sake of peace and justice.
The 80 delegates from The Lutheran World Federation (LWF) member churches in the African region met in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, 27 June – 1 July. They included heads of churches, LWF Council members, women and youth leaders, coordinators of gender justice work, diaconal actors, church communicators, and those engaged in theological education and formation.
The ALCLC resolved to address misleading theologies and their negative impact on churches and communities on the continent, and to strengthen the focus on transformative theological education and leadership.
Church leaders underlined the importance of peace and stability on the continent and urged churches to speak out boldly and work for peace and justice in the region.
Expressing concern over the impact of the war in Ukraine on global peace and security, food security, and development and humanitarian aid, they called for an end to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. “We stand in solidarity with the people and communities affected by this war,” they stated.
The church leaders stressed their commitment to gender justice and to strengthening youth participation and leadership in the Lutheran communion. They also highlighted the dire impacts of climate change on communities in Africa and reiterated their commitment to climate justice.
They reaffirmed the “prophetic voice of the church in Africa as a foundational part of our holistic mission.” In this regard, they received the LWF Advocacy Framework as a useful resource for strengthening the capacity of churches and accompanying them in their advocacy work.
LWF/P. Mumia
The Africa Lutheran Church Leadership Consultation (ALCLC) brings together delegates representing all leadership levels of LWF’s member churches in Africa. The objective of the bi- annual meeting is to support churches in deepening relationships, building a shared theological understanding and reflecting together on being a resilient church in times of challenges. The 27 June -1 July ALCLC was jointly hosted by the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Cameroon and the Ethiopian Evangelical Church Mekane Yesus, in Addis Ababa.
