Inspiring others through theological education

Awareness about diversity  

Mr Karl Michael Barría, Lutheran Church in Chile (ILCH), is an undergraduate student at Faculdades EST, the theological university of the Evangelical Church of the Lutheran Confession in Brazil (IECLB) in São Leopoldo. At the institute, “focus on liberation theology is very strong, and the concern for marginalized people has especially changed my mindset,” he said, citing the work to empower youth, promote gender justice and diaconal service. Michael said his studies have made him more aware and compassionate about experiences that connect people’s pain and suffering. It has also been about lessons learned from living alongside fellow students and working with his professors in tasks such as preparing the liturgy together, “not in a hierarchical way but in a horizontal manner,” he added.     

Ms Rutendo Immaculate Gora, who was born in Zimbabwe and lives in South Africa, where she is a member of the Northeastern Evangelical Lutheran Church in South Africa (NELCSA), is studying at the Stellenbosch University in Western Cape. Theological education and active participation in the predominantly white German-speaking NELCSA has introduced her to diverse people. “It has an impact on understanding the world through my faith; through the lens of African religion and spirituality and innovative thinking.”   

Christian foundation 

For Mr Adrian Lopez, Evangelical Lutheran Church in Malaysia (ELCM), theology is a new career path. He had settled down as a manager in the construction sector, serving the church as a lay person, when the ELCM bishop enquired if he was interested in studying theology. It was at the height of the COVID-19 pandemic “and definitely not the time to quit my job with these uncertainties looming around”. But he was excited about the opportunity to be better equipped when serving the church and community. 

At the Seminari Theologi Malaysia, Lopez has become more aware of the need for the church to insist on theological formation from a very young age. A major focus of his education is Sunday School ministry, which he describes as an important foundation for a Christian child in a multicultural and multiracial country. The encounters with other seminarians from other backgrounds and denominations are enriching experiences. 

Tamil Evangelical Lutheran Church pastor Rev. William Charles Jayaraj is doing his doctoral research with the Gurukul Lutheran Theological College and Research Institute in India. He is interested in the children’s and youth ministry and how theology applies to the needs of those who are excluded in the church and society. Jayaraj hopes his research on the pneumatological (spiritual) image of God “can help the church to realize its calling to bring and accept everyone inside the church including the transgender people, the LGBTQ+ and others.”

Different themes 

Rev. Katariina Kiilunen, LWF Program Executive for Capacity Building and Leadership Development coordinates the scholarship program. It includes regular online “Coming Together” meetings of current scholars to exchange ideas, resources and innovative ideas. The journal writing project was an open invitation that was shared on the platform and in the end a group of 10 students are involved. “I am grateful for their commitment, creativity and enthusiasm and I hope their stories will serve as an inspiration for many and contribute to the global discussion on the impact of theological education in LWF member churches.”  

The other workshop participants included gender studies PhD candidate Rev. Mimii Kwerakwiza Brown Rubindamayugi (ELCT),Tumaini Makumira University; and Rev. Kagiso Harry Morudu (Evangelical Lutheran Church in Southern Africa), post-graduate studies on masculinity, University of KwaZulu Natal. Mr Tristan Kruger (NELCSA) and Mr Hans-Christoph Thapelo Lange (Evangelical Lutheran Church in Southern Africa- Cape Church) are undergraduate students at the Stellenbosch University, South Africa. Doctoral student Ms Kidist Bahru (Ethiopian Evangelical Church Mekane Yesus), is researching how the 16th century Ethiopian Orthodox Church Andǝmta Commentary of Psalms interprets questions to God in the context of grief at the Institute for Orthodox Christian Studies at Anglian Ruskin University, United Kingdom.