Lutheran church leaders to meet in Ethiopia for regional consultation
Gottesdienst in der lutherischen Gemeinde Saint Andrew in Monrovia, Liberia. Foto: LWB/Albin Hillert
(LWI) – Leaders of The Lutheran World Federation (LWF) member churches in Africa will gather, 27 June -1 July, in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, for the Africa Lutheran Church Leadership Consultation (ALCLC), held normally every year. The meeting’s theme is: “Lord to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life (Jn 6:68).”
Over the past few years, church leaders in the region have identified theological education and formation as key priorities, as they seek to increasingly ground their witness and service on a strong Lutheran identity and solid hermeneutical skills. The role of the church as an agent for transformation in society will thus feature prominently at the consultation, the first in-person regional gathering of the 31 LWF member churches in Africa since the COVID-19 pandemic.
Around 70 participants are expected, including members of the LWF Council, heads of churches, women and youth leaders. Coordinators of networks that represent the churches’ work in gender justice, youth and women’s empowerment, diaconal services, theological education and formation, and communication will also attend.
LWF General Secretary Rev. Anne Burghardt will address the consultation on the shared witness of churches in the Lutheran communion. The keynote presentation by Rev. Dr Fidon Mwombeki, General Secretary of the All Africa Conference of Churches, and follow-up group discussions, will focus on misleading theologies in Africa. Delegates will also hear updates on preparations toward LWF’s Thirteenth Assembly in 2023, as well as churches’ contribution to advocacy on global issues that affect people’s daily lives.
The consultation offers space to interact again and reflect together on the pertinent theological issues in the region, and engage constructively on possible approaches.
– Rev. Dr Elieshi Ayo Mungure, LWF Regional Secretary for Africa
“While the COVID-19 pandemic hit the churches in the region particularly hard, they remained pillars of hope for people who were struggling to stay safe and care for others during very challenging times,” noted Rev. Dr Elieshi Ayo Mungure, the Regional Secretary for Africa. “The consultation offers space to interact again and reflect together on the pertinent theological issues in the region and engage constructively on possible approaches,” she added.
Worship is an integral part of LWF’s church leadership gatherings. Each day will start with Bible study and close with a devotion.
The ALCLC was originally scheduled to meet in Yaoundé, thus the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Cameroon is jointly hosting the event with the Ethiopian Evangelical Church Mekane Yesus.
By LWF/P. Mumia
The Africa Lutheran Church Leadership Consultation (ALCLC) brings together delegates representing leadership levels of LWF’s member churches in Africa. The objective of the 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 will be jointly hosted by the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Cameroon and the Ethiopian Evangelical Church Mekane Yesus, in Addis Ababa.
