Ordained women of GELC. Photo: GELC
Gossner Evangelical Lutheran Church, with 52 ordained women pastors, celebrates a quarter of a century of women’s ordination
(LWI) - The Gossner Evangelical Lutheran Church in Chotanagpur and Assam (GELC), one of India’s largest and most vibrant Lutheran communities based in Ranchi, Jharkhand, celebrated 25 years of women’s ordination on 23 October, marking a quarter-century of faithful witness to gender justice in the life and ministry of the church.
What began on 26 October 2000, with the ordination of Rev. Merian Minz, Rev. Isabella Barla, and Rev. Ashisan Kandulna, has grown so that today, GELC has 52 ordained women as pastors serving across its congregations. “This milestone marks a historic journey of faith, equality, and service, celebrating the invaluable contributions of women in ministry,” said Rev. Sosirita Kandulna, GELC Women’s Secretary.
More than 2,000 people gathered at the celebratory event held at the Lutheran Church in Ranchi, including two of the first women ordained pastors Barla and Kandulna. All the ordained women of the GELC and church workers were dressed in black in keeping with the ‘Thursdays in Black’ campaign, a global movement advocating for a world without rape and gender-based violence.
This milestone marks a historic journey of faith, equality, and service, celebrating the invaluable contributions of women in ministry
Rev. Sosirita Kandulna, GELC Women’s Secretary, Gossner
25 years of faithful service
GELC Moderator Bishop Marshel Kerketta called upon the gathering to honor all the ordained women who have faithfully served Christ and the church over the past 25 years, inspiring generations through their unwavering dedication and spiritual leadership.
He said that ordained women are actively engaged in ministry across the church, but they are yet to be represented in senior administrative positions. Bishop Kerketta expressed his hope that women would continue to be recognized for their commitment and service, and that opportunities for leadership would continue to expand in the years ahead.
GELC is one of the 14 churches that make up the United Evangelical Lutheran Churches in India (UELCI). In his reflection on the Canaanite woman’s faith (Matthew 15:23), UELCI Executive Secretary Dr Joshuva Peter noted that her strength lay in her consistency, through which Jesus healed her demon-possessed daughter. In today’s context, he compared the disciples—who said, “Lord, send her away”—to a patriarchal church leadership that continues to resist women’s leadership, while women still face countless challenges or evils.
Women observing Thursdays in Black. Photo: GELC
GELC Moderator and (left) Rev. Ashisan Kandulna and (right) Rev. Isabella Barla, two of the first three ordained women. Photo: GELC
GELC Moderator – Bishop Marshel Kerketta. Photo: GELC
At the centre stands Jesus, who responded to the woman’s faith and persistence. “We must seek forgiveness for excluding women for so long and learn to affirm their consistency,” Peter said.
Today, 12 UELCI’s churches have ordained women pastors. Out of the 300 theologically trained women, 200 are ordained, but only a few hold independent pastorates, he added.
Headway made, but unequal representation persists
The Lutheran World Federation (LWF) was represented by its Council Member Ms. Ranjita C Borgoary. While encouraging women to hold their heads high because they have come very far, she noted they still have a long way to go. “It is certainly time for a woman GELC Bishop,” she asserted.
GELC Women’s Secretary – Rev. Sosirita Kandulna. Photo: GELC
Ms. Ranjita C Borgoary, LWF Council Member, speaking about women's empowerment. Photo: GELC
Rev. Dr. Joshuva Peter, Executive Secretary, UELCI. Photo: GELC
Borgoary, a member of the Northern Evangelical Lutheran Church (NELC), noted that ordained women in India continue to face systemic challenges and remain less recognized than male pastors, despite having equal or higher theological education. Patriarchal traditions, harmful cultural practices, and a lack of awareness of equality still hinder women’s full participation in ministry. “The church needs to continue motivating the congregations on equal creation through transformative gender lenses,” she said.
Other church leaders at the event included NELC Bishop Isilash Basumatary and Rev. Jyoti Singh, Executive Secretary for Women's Concerns at the National Council of Churches of India. The state of Jharkhand was represented by Ms. Shilpi Neha Tirkey, Minister of Agriculture, Animal Husbandry and Cooperative. In addition to worship and speeches, music and dance to melodies of the tribal songs brought the event to life.
