Rethink mission in church and society, says Lutheran leader

In a constantly changing scenario world over "we have to rethink our spirituality and thereby rethink our mission in church and society," said Rev. Dr. Augustine Jeyakumar, who was re-elected as the Executive Secretary of the United Evangelical Lutheran Churches in India (UELCI) for a second consecutive triennium.

In his speech at the 28th UELCI General Body Meeting/Triennial Conference held at the TTDC Resort, Chennai, Jeyakumar said, "engaging in mission in a pluralistic context such as India is a challenge but we must not be unfazed by the challenges."

Around 100 ordained, lay, women and youth from the twelve UELCI member churches attended the meeting held from 26-28 September.

During the meeting of the highest decision-making body of the UELCI, the delegates discussed issues of concern in church and society under the theme 'Participating in the Mission of God'.

"Though freedom of religion is guaranteed by the Constitution of India there remains a tendency to discriminate Christian minorities," noted the report of the Division of Social Action of UELCI.

Caste, according to many, has been the most heinous of all systems of discrimination, keeping a large section of the people under the bondage of several forms of slavery. "The existence of such a system in itself is an invitation, a calling to participate in the journey for justice for dalits and other marginalized communities in India," said Rev. Chandran Paul Martin the Lutheran World Federation (LWF) Deputy General Secretary in his keynote address.

Issues concerning gender justice, youth leadership, capacity building, HIV & AIDS concern, peace building, purpose-driven church, health ministry, human resource development, were discussed by the delegates in the meeting.

Discussion on women ordination was strongly emphasized by the Women in Church and Society (WICAS) desk of UELCI. "Women ordination is not a right, it is a call," said Rev. Dr. Elaine Neunfeldt the LWF WICAS Secretary during the discussion on the topic. Two of the twelve member churches of UELCI have not ordained women. The historic first women ordination was in the year 1991 and was orchestrated by the Arcot Lutheran Church (ALC).

In the closing sermon Rev. Vijayakumar the Bishop of ALC said, "We have to rethink our mission strategy and goals according to our context."

"We live in the mission of God each and every day. Mission is part of God's nature, and it is meant to become part of our nature too. It is not just an option, it is a mandate," he added.

The General Body unanimously re-elected the new office bearers, a key agenda in the meeting, for a second consecutive term. As one of the senior bishops in the communion Rev. Nelson Lakra the Moderator of the Gossner Evangelical Lutheran Church (GELC) installed new vice presidents and executive secretaries. Rev. Godwin Nag, Bishop, Evangelical Lutheran Church in the Himalayan States, was elected as the new President.