The Evangelical Church of the Lutheran Confession in Brazil (ECLCB) elects Rev. Silvia Beatrice Genz
(Lutheran World Information Center) The Evangelical Church of the Lutheran Confession in Brazil (ECLCB) has for the first time elected a woman to the office of president.
Rev. Silvia Beatrice Genz will take office in January.
Participants from the ECLCB’s eighteen synods met to discuss issues relating to the life and governance of the church, under the motto “Living out the gospel: empathy, compassion, fellowship…”.
They announced that the ECLCB presidency would consist of the elected president, Pastor Genz, the first vice-president, Pastor Odair Braun, and the second vice-president, Pastor Mauro Batista de Souza.
Rev. Genz was born in the district of Linha Nova, in southern Brazil. Her work in congregations was focused on building communities, organizing leadership courses, joint activities and resolving conflicts through reconciliation. As a theologian, she represents an Evangelical Lutheran theology with an ecumenical stance.
Between 2011 and 2014, Rev. Genz served as second vice-president, and since January 2015 as first vice-president, which gave her the opportunity to follow the church council, as well as communication with pastors and synodical pastors, and with sister churches in Brazil and abroad.
From her experience working as a parish pastor and participating in synod meetings, she has gained the conviction that the church’s leadership must come closer to the leadership of the communities, which the presence of synodical pastors will foster.
Reflection on faith, gratitude and trust must be fostered; the community must encourage as many people as possible to participate, – the elected president, Pastor Silvia Beatrice Genz.
Rev. Genz believes that the sustainability of the church lies in the congregations. “It is important to foster reflection on faith, gratitude and trust; the community must encourage as many people as possible to participate, both in existing activities and in planning new mission fields.” She likewise emphasizes that communities must concentrate on ministry, using the principle of the tithe rather than social quotas or membership fees.
The church’s public witness is important, because it makes it possible to speak about its identity in specific situations, declaring that it is “a safe space, a community where faith is experienced, a democratic environment that recognizes women and men as persons created in the image and likeness of God, it reaffirms dialogue as a means of ensuring respect for differences and preserving the meaning of being a seed of peace and hope amid situations of war and conflict.” The ECLCB’s public witness must focus on constructing peace processes, without ceasing to express clear solidarity with those who suffer and experience sorrow,” said Rev. Genz.
Rev. Judith VanOsdol, executive director of the LWF’s program for gender justice and the strengthening of women’s rights, said that the LWF community received the news that the ECLCB had elected its first woman president with joy and gratitude. The voting members recognized Rev. Genz’s leadership in parish ministry, as well as her service as the church’s second and then first vice-president.
“Parabéns – congratulations, Pastor Silvia. May the blessing of joy and peace be with you as you begin your ministry with the ECLCB,” said Rev. VanOsdol.
Curitiba, Brazil/Geneva
| 22.10.2018.
Source: The Lutheran World Federation