Ronel participants in the Castle Church in Wittenberg, Germany. Exploring historical sites in Luther’s home town was part of the program. Photo: LWF/ K. Kiilunen
“A unique experience of communion”
(LWI) – For ten days, The Lutheran World Federation (LWF) functioned in five official languages: In addition to English, French, and Spanish, the retreat for newly elected church leaders was also conducted in Portuguese and Thai – accommodating bishops from Mozambique and Thailand. The group included one of the first female church leaders in Cambodia, as well as bishops from South Africa, Estonia, Eritrea, Senegal, India, Nicaragua, Liberia, Chile, the United Kingdom, and the United States. This diverse gathering highlights how the Reformation has become a truly global movement.
Discerning what it means to be church
Fifteen bishops and church presidents from 13 countries attended the retreat, held from 29 September to 8 October 2024, in Geneva and Wittenberg. While the retreat aims to familiarize participants with the LWF, its primary purpose is to foster mutual exchange and learning, said Rev. Sonia Skupch, LWF Regional Secretary for Latin America and the Caribbean, and North America: “This is a unique experience of communion for bishops and church presidents.”
She continued: "The demands on churches are greater now, as is the need for discernment. In earlier times, it might have been clearer—though not easier—what the church’s role should be. In today’s world, marked by war, conflict, polarization, and division, it can be much harder to find a path forward. Yet, people look to church leaders for guidance.”
Female bishops with a statue of Katharina von Bora in Wittenberg. Photo: LWF/ Cheryl Peterson
People expect church leaders to offer a message of hope.
Rev. Sonia SKUPCH, LWF Regional Secretary for Latin America and the Caribbean, and North America
Global presence of Lutheranism
“I really enjoyed the retreat. It was great to be with other bishops, hearing their challenges, joys, and reflections on what it means to be the church,” said Bishop Sreyliak Tuch of the Lutheran Church in Cambodia, one of the first female church leaders in her country. “We need to come together and build God’s kingdom on Earth. We need each other to bring the gospel—the word of Jesus—to people, so they may live in hope.”
“For me, this feels like family,” echoed Bishop Boonmee Jarupong of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Thailand. Both lead churches that witness as minorities in predominantly Buddhist nations and valued the opportunity to connect with other Lutheran leaders.
President Pastor Latyr Diouf of the Lutheran Church of Senegal added: “It’s inspiring to meet other bishops and learn about the global presence of Lutheranism.”
During their time in Geneva, the retreat’s participants were introduced to the different working areas of the LWF, from responsible theology and inclusive leadership to the public voice, diaconal and humanitarian work.
“I particularly enjoyed the session on advocacy, on how we become a voice for those who cannot speak for themselves. How we cannot act just from our desire to help them, but we need to listen, to hear from them what their needs are.” Bishop Phyllis Blair Milton of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America said.
Presentation of the LWF's humanitarian and development work in World Service. Bishops Eduardo Matsimbe (Evangelical Lutheran Church in Mozambique, left) and Phyllis Blair Milton (ELCA) study the new LWF World Service strategy. Photo: LWF/ C. Kästner-Meyer
Morning Prayer in the Chapel. Photo: LWF/S. Gallay
Focusing on well-being
In addition to sessions on the LWF’s areas of work, the topic of self-care came up often, Regional Secretary Skupch noted. “Leadership can be very isolating. Many churches face conflicts, human rights violations, internal tensions, and shrinking membership. It can be overwhelming.” At the same time, people look to church leaders as “spiritual role models,” not just administrators, she says. “People expect church leaders to offer a message of hope.”
To support this, the retreat included many spiritual practices, such as prayer and meditation. Some participants expressed the desire to stay in touch after returning to their home countries.
