LWF general secretary Rev. Dr Anne Burghardt delivers an opening address at the European Church Leadership Consultation taking place in Riga, Latvia. Photo: LWF/A. Hillert
LWF General Secretary Burghardt reflects on roots of hope at European Church Leadership Consultation in Riga
(LWI) – In our polarized world, where fundamentalism, racism and popularism are on the rise, “embodying hope means practicing reconciliation and listening, while not giving up the values we stand for.”
That was the challenge which the General Secretary of the Lutheran World Federation (LWF) Rev. Dr Anne Burghardt posed for leaders of churches across the three European regions – Western, Eastern and Nordic – who are meeting together in the Latvian capital, Riga, from 6 to 9 October. The European Church Leadership Consultation is focusing on the theme of ‘Embodying Hope, Making the Difference’.
LWF general secretary Rev. Dr Anne Burghardt delivers the opening address to European Church Leadership Consultation. Photo: LWF/A. Hillert
LWF vice-presidents for the three European regions give a concluding blessing at a Eucharist celebrated at the Luther Academy in Riga where the European Church Leadership Consultation is taking place. Photo: LWF/A. Hillert
Discussions take place among church leaders attending the European Church Leadership Consultation at the Luther Academy in Riga. Photo: LWF/A. HIllert
During the opening session, the LWF leader outlined the differences between easy, often illusory, optimism for the future and the lasting hope of faith in God’s word which endures forever. This deep-rooted hope, she noted, stands at the center of the LWF Strategy and is grounded in the theology of incarnation, when “the Word became flesh and lived among us.”
Seeking justice and respectful relationships
Reflecting on the characteristics of this “incarnate theology,” she said it is always contextual, “discerning where the gospel must challenge cultural practices” or unjust systems and find a language that can be understood in the local context. It is both personal and communal, she noted, “for no one can be church alone and we cannot be truly human apart from others.” It embraces the whole of creation, “recognizing our responsibility to care for the earth and all living things,” she said.
Incarnate theology, Burghardt continued, “speaks with a prophetic voice,” not shying away from suffering, but seeking “justice and respectful relationships.” It is also compassionate and rooted in God’s mercy, she added, noting the importance of recognizing that “the suffering of our neighbor is our own suffering.” But she warned that this incarnate theology “becomes credible only when it is authentic, when it is lived out, when words are translated into deeds.”
In a world where democracy is being undermined, international cooperation questioned, and self-interest and protectionism promoted as top priorities by populist politicians, churches must remain inclusive, inviting and open to diversity and to the needs of others, she said. “The witness of the LWF can serve as an example of how to keep one’s identity yet maintain an openness” to others, the General Secretary insisted.
Professor Aivita Putnina from the University of Latvia speaks about Embodying Hope to participants at the European Church Leadership Consultation taking place in Riga’s Luther Academy. Photo: LWF/A. HIllert
Bishop Pavlo Shvarts of the German Evangelical Lutheran Church of Ukraine speaks about his context at the European Church Leadership Consultation. Photo: LWF/A. HIllert
Rev. Sarah Farrow of the Lutheran Church in Great Britain speaks at the European Church Leadership Consultation. Photo: LWF/A. HIllert
Reflecting on hope from an anthropological perspective, Latvian Professor Aivita Putnina noted that scientists “are successful in demonstrating the diverse ways people imagine [a better] world but fail to put these imaginings and differences into practice.” Drawing on her research into the attitudes of women in different faith communities, she explored responses to the search for equality in society and in the churches.
Analysing women’s responses to situations of conflict, she suggested that in today’s complex world, the church has instruments” to end violence and to share hope by modelling listening, “empathy and care for the feelings of others.”
Representatives of the different European regions shared reflections focused on hope that can be found in community, when people come together to challenge injustice and stand in solidarity with vulnerable communities. Rev. Sarah Farrow, a university chaplain in London, spoke of interfaith solidarity in the face of growing hate speech and xenophobia in Britain.
Bishop Pavlo Shvarts from the German Evangelical Lutheran Church in Ukraine spoke of finding hope in the presence of people who come to visit his congregations in the midst of the war, “to pray and talk and share communion together.” Rev. Veronica Pålsson, a young pastor from the Church of Sweden, said despite the many disheartening trends in societies today, she finds hope in people who have “the courage of their convictions” to stand up for justice and equality. “When a crisis hits, people turn to the church,” she said, “and this makes me hopeful that we stand for something different from what politicians and social media can offer, something that people can trust.”
