Participants of the recent biennial LUCSA Bishops Conference. Photo: LUCSA
Bishops Conference strengthens collaboration
(LWI) – Bishops of The Lutheran Communion in Southern Africa (LUCSA), one of the three subregional expressions of The Lutheran World Federation (LWF) in the Africa region, met in Johannesburg, South Africa, at the end of February under the theme “Envisioning a Cooperative Future.”
LUCSA is a communion and fellowship of the 15 LWF member churches in 10 Southern African countries. Its biennial Bishops Conference brings together church leaders for joint reflection, sharing, and collaboration. It equips them with tools to lead their churches effectively and serves as a platform to address current challenges in the region’s churches.
Several new leaders have been elected and installed. Therefore, the conference also served as an orientation for the bishops’ new roles. One was Hilja Hamukwaya, who was recently installed as the first woman bishop of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Namibia (ELCIN) Eastern Diocese. She appreciated the opportunity to gain deeper insight into the new position's responsibilities: “It was very helpful to reflect on the function of a bishop and their role as a leader for other leaders. My expectations were met.”
Female bishops currently serving in LUCSA churches: (from left) Bishop Rochelle Petrus from the Moravian Church in South Africa (MCSA), Bishop Hilja Hamukwaya from the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Namibia (ELCIN) Eastern Diocese, and Bishop Naledzani Sikhwari from the Northern Diocese of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Southern Africa (ELCSA). Photo: LUCSA
It was very helpful to reflect on the function of a bishop and their role as a leader for other leaders.
Bishop Hilja Hamukwaya, Evangelical Lutheran Church in Namibia (ELCIN)
Conference participants discussed the role of bishops as shepherds of faith communities, tasked with maintaining church structures, legislation, and decision-making processes. They reinforced the importance of ethical leadership, accountability, and transparency in daily ministry. The bishops also explored how to navigate conflicts within their churches while upholding the values of unity and pastoral care.
The conference also discussed the spiritual and personal qualities required for effective leadership, such as wisdom, passion, sacrificial love, patience, prayer, and deep engagement with Scripture. Recognizing that leadership is a divine calling, bishops were reminded to lead by example and foster trust and spiritual growth within their communities.
Valuable networking opportunity
Bishop Hamukwaya also commended the opportunity to meet her two fellow female bishops in LUCSA, namely Bishop Naledzani Sikhwari from the Northern Diocese of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Southern Africa (ELCSA) and Bishop Rochelle Petrus from the Moravian Church in South Africa (MCSA): “As the first women in this office, we shared ideas, encouraged one another, and found motivation in our joint experiences,” Hamukwaya said.
Gender justice and the representation of women in leadership played a significant role during the conference. Discussions reinforced the need for continued efforts toward gender equity in church leadership, corresponding with LWF's commitment to justice, inclusion, and transformative leadership.
The church leaders commended the agenda of the LUCSA Bishops Conference. They requested additional leadership development workshops and training opportunities to better equip them for their roles and foster strong, accountable, and inclusive church leadership in the subregion.
