Women pastors from the Evangelical Church of the River Plate and the United Evangelical Lutheran Church gathered in Uruguay for the Fourth Women Ministers’ Gathering. Photo: Evangelical Service of Diakonia (SEDI)
Women in ordained ministry from Argentina and Uruguay focus on the impact of fundamentalism on church life
(LWI) - A meeting of women pastors and deacons from Argentina and Uruguay took place in early June to discuss ways of responding to the growing challenges of fundamentalism in their countries. The fourth meeting of ordained women from the Evangelical Church of the River Plate (IERP) and the United Evangelical Lutheran Church (IELU) was held at the Emmanuel Center in Colonia Valdense, Uruguay, bringing together 17 pastors from both churches, as well as guests from the region.
The gathering, supported by the Lutheran World Federation (LWF), offered space for theological reflection, celebration and strengthening the pastoral work of women in the South American region. It was part of a series of meetings that began in 2016, after an earlier cycle of encounters that took place during the 2000s. After a pandemic-related pause, the meetings resumed in 2023, with the next one planned for 2027.
This year’s focus was on contemporary forms of fundamentalism and their impact on church life, as well as on the personal and ministerial work of women pastors. “We reflected on how these trends affect our communities, our pastoral practices, and our own journeys in ministry,” said Pastor Karla Steilmann of IERP.
Even though women’s ministry is a reality in Southern Cone churches, there is a sense of regression in our visibility and voice.
IELU President Rev. Mariela Pereyra
The program included Bible study focused on the Book of Ezra, communal worship, and space for critical reflection. The Evangelical Service of Diakonia (SEDI) also presented a new Spanish language resource “Is It from God?”, which was followed by a participatory session on addressing social issues from a diaconal perspective.
Participants included six pastors from IERP, eight from IELU, and three guests: Bishop Izani Bruch of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Chile (IELCH), LWF Program Executive for Gender Justice and Women’s Empowerment Rev. Dr Marcia Blasi, and Rev. Carmen Michel from the Evangelical Church of the Lutheran Confession in Brazil (IECLB), a coordinator of the Women’s Network for Latin America and the Caribbean.
Participants reflected together on how to support each other and strengthen their pastoral ministry. Photo: Karla Steilmann
'The meeting of women in the ordained ministry coincided with the 10th anniversary of a march calling for an end to femicide and violence against women'. Photo: Evangelical Service of Diakonia (SEDI)
Worship and Bible study were an important part of the meeting which focused on strategies to combat rising fundamentalism in the region. Photo: Karla Steilmann
One of the most valued aspects of the gathering was the opportunity to share experiences in a setting of mutual trust and care. “One goal was to coordinate strategies of sisterhood to sustain each other through ongoing challenges. Even though women’s ministry is a reality in Southern Cone churches, there is a sense of regression in our visibility and voice, as fundamentalist contexts impact churches and female ministers alike,” said IELU President Rev. Mariela Pereyra.
The women also discussed structural challenges in ministry, especially regarding power dynamics in the church. Participants emphasized the need for more honest dialogue between women and men in ministry, and for stronger critical biblical formation to support more contextual and liberating pastoral practices.
The 3-4 June event ended with a strong sense of renewal and commitment. Blasi said: “Gatherings like this are vital for women in ministry to share their experiences and feel supported by other colleagues. LWF reaffirms its commitment and support to women in ministry.” Participants expressed their determination to keep building such spaces and highlighted the need for institutional and financial support to ensure their sustainability.
