“Ordination is the affirmation by God of a woman’s calling”
The Evangelical Lutheran Church in Thailand (ELCT), which is a member of the Lutheran World Federation, called its first women to join the ordained ministry of Word and Sacrament.
The ordination of Jongkolnee Sampahanyanon Sima and Somporn Kulahote on 27 April is a significant step in four decades of ministry in the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Thailand, says the LWF Area Secretary for Asia, Rev. Dr. Philip Lok Oi Peng. “Women have been involved in the ministry of the church for many years; they served as evangelists and preachers and carried out practically all the duties of a pastor, except for the consecration of Holy Communion. The church has therefore recognized the contribution of women and affirmed their calling.”
Both Jongkolnee and Somporn converted to Christianity. They obtained their initial theological education at the Lutheran seminary in Thailand. After completing their studies, they were assigned to ministry in congregations in various parts of the country. Rev. Somporn worked on founding congregations from 2000 onward, establishing new congregations in various places.
Fulfilling the call to ministry
Both women were ordained at the closing worship service of the church’s 2018 general assembly. The worship service took place at the central headquarters of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Thailand.
Rev. Jongkolnee explained her motivation for being ordained by saying that she simply wished to serve her congregation fully – as a pastor. “With ordination, I will have the opportunity to consecrate the Sacrament, which was not possible before.”
“I am grateful that the church has fully affirmed my calling to the ministry of a pastor and that now I can serve people with Word and Sacrament,” Rev. Somporn Kulahote.
Like Jongkolnee, Somporn also shared her feelings: “I am grateful that the church has fully affirmed my calling to the ministry of a pastor and that now I can serve people with Word and Sacrament.”
Encouragement to other women
The newly ordained pastors are ready for the challenges associated with their new offices. “Our Thai culture, like many other Asian cultures, has gender prejudices against women. It will be interesting to observe how the congregation members react to my new duties. They know only male pastors,” said Somporn. One of her first acts as an ordained pastor was to administer Holy Communion to her bishop, Amnuay Yodwong.
Rev. Jongkolnee wishes to inspire other women who have felt a call to ministry. “I encourage them to obtain appropriate training and to confidently aspire to ordination, because it is an affirmation of God’s calling.”
At the same worship service, Amnuay Yodwong was installed in the office of bishop of the church for four years, and a third candidate, Wirot Kaeosart, was also ordained.
In 1994, the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Thailand became a member church of the LWF. The church has 5,000 congregation members, who gather in 56 congregations and evangelization centres.
Source: Lutheran World Federation news; Photo: LWF/P.Lok
Bangkok, Thailand/Geneva