Asian church leaders meet at their Pre-Assembly in Malaysia in June 2023. Photo: LWF/Jothan Lee
Delegates from 46 member churches across the Asia region gather in Hong Kong to discuss ways of building thriving churches
(LWI) - ‘Abound in hope for thriving churches’ is the theme of the Asia Church Leadership Conference (ACLC) which is taking place in Hong Kong from 7 to 12 November. Over 100 participants from 46 member churches of the Lutheran World Federation (LWF) in 14 countries are gathering to discuss the challenges and opportunities they face in their very diverse contexts across the Asia region.
LWF President Bishop Henrik Stubkjær is attending the meeting, which is hosted by four local churches belonging to the Hong Kong Lutheran Federation. Stubkjær will discuss the LWF as a communion of hope, reflecting on the new LWF Strategy which sets out four priority areas for sharing hope to empower churches and impact wider society over the coming years. Vice President of the Evangelical Lutheran Church of Hong Kong, Rev. Jennifer Mei Ying Leung, will respond, offering reflections on the theme of hope in the Asian context.
Three participants from churches in Myanmar, in Jordan and the Holy Land and in Taiwan will share stories of how they are seeking to nurture hope amid very challenging circumstances.
The ACLC “is a chance for participants to understand the strengths, but also the responsibilities that come from being part of a global communion of churches.
Rev. Dr Rospita Siahaan, LWF Regional Secretary for Asia
“One of the main objectives of this meeting is to encourage mutual learning among participants living in different parts of this vast region,” says LWF Regional Secretary for Asia, Rev. Dr Rospita Siahaan.
A second goal of the ACLC, she continues, is to “develop a deeper understanding of the role of the LWF and its new strategy,” encouraging churches “to explore its relevance and opportunities for implementation at local levels. It is a chance for participants to understand the strengths of the worldwide communion but also the responsibilities that come from being part of a global communion of churches.”
LWF Vice-President for Asia, Rev. Ben Chun-Wa Chang notes that churches in the Asia region are facing many challenges, including economic hardship in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, but also the devastating effects of climate change, political tensions and the difficulties of existing as minority churches. “In some countries, like Myanmar or the Holy Land, they are also dealing with warfare and conflict,” he adds.
Hong Kong context
“In my own country, Hong Kong,” he says, “our churches were seeing a regular 3 or 4 percent increase each year. But after the 2019 protests and the lockdown which lasted for more than two years, we have experienced a 30 to 40 percent decrease in membership as so many people emigrated to the UK, to Canada or elsewhere.”
“We are working hard to build connections, to offer pastoral encouragement and to nurture those who have remained, but it is not easy,” he says. People feel tired and isolated or depressed – that is why the theme of hope is so important for us. We need to hold tight to the mission and the vision of our church and to develop leaders who can help to rebuild thriving communities.”
During the Asia Church Leadership Conference, participants will meet with Catholic and Anglican leaders in Hong Kong to hear how churches are working and worshiping together across the different denominations. “We hope that the meeting will be a moment to showcase our ecumenical commitment, as well as an opportunity to discuss, to pray and to enjoy fellowship together as Lutheran churches across the region,” Rev. Chang concludes.
