Reflecting on the theme of the Leadership Conference of the Americas, participants have shared challenges and hopes prevailing in the regions.
Rev. Sílvia Genz, Pastor President of the Evangelical Church of the Lutheran Confession in Brazil (IELCB) which is hosting the COL during the opening worship. Photo: LWF/Gabriela Giese
Message of encouragement at the Leadership Conference of the Americas
(LWI) - „Do not be afraid!“ was the message of the opening service of the Leadership Conference of the Americas (COL). „God rekindles in us, through faith, the flame of hope!“
The conference brings together Church leaders, youth and women, representatives of theological education institutions, Council members and partners from Latin America and the Caribbean and North America in São Leopoldo, Brazil, from 15 to 19 April. The theme of the conference is “Do not be afraid! There is Good News!”
In her sermon, Rev. Sílvia Genz, Pastor President of the hosting Evangelical Church of the Lutheran Confession in Brazil (IELCB), said, „Do not be afraid! The Risen One, God, summons all people, humanity, and creation to be part of God’s saving project, leading them to life in fullness. The invitation is inclusive and unconditional.“
Sharing fear, worries, inspiration, and hope
A thematic session on the conference theme was aimed at encouraging joint reflection on the challenges the churches face and encouraging them to overcome these challenges to move forward.
A world café session took participants through four stations: fear, worries, inspiration, and hope.
A world café session took participants through four stations: fear, worries, inspiration, and hope. Photo: LWF/Gabriela Giese
Presenting the outcomes of the world café, group moderators said that generally, fears and worries in participants’ churches concerned the polarization of people in churches and societies, churches’ sustainability regarding financial and human resources, and conflict and violence in the region.
However, the subsequent exchange also showed that many fears and worries can be transformed by inspiration and hope. Fear motivates change.
For example, there was the worry about small numbers of young people taking up a church vocation. Still, the hopeful experience was seeing very committed young people engaged in the church.
Also, the fear of a pandemic ruining communion and communities sometimes resulted in innovative ways of creating and maintaining them.
“Our collective moments of worship, respectful conversations and positive interaction with a regional focus serve as a platform for attentive listening, fresh reception of God’s message, and the revitalization of our commitment to God’s mission amidst these challenging times. Furthermore, the churches enrich the global communion with their unique insights and contribution,” said Rev. Dr. Sivin Kit, Director of the LWF Department for Theology, Mission and Justice.
“It is a strong sign of hope in our regions and for our churches realizing that we are more than an accumulation of individual churches. We are a Lutheran communion based on the Gospel and centered in Jesus Christ,” said Rev. Sonia Skupch, Regional Secretary of Latin America and the Caribbean and North America.
