Asian churches explore opportunities to bear witness in an environment of religious and cultural pluralism
From 2 to 6 May, a seminar was held in Hong Kong on the theme of the role of the Holy Spirit in shaping Lutheran identity. It brought together participants from eight Asian countries. The meeting was attended by representatives from 20 churches of the region, students of the local Lutheran theological seminary, and staff of the Lutheran World Federation (hereinafter LWF), discussing the ways in which other religions influence the expressions of Lutheran identity in the region (Lutheran World Information Centre).
The main goals of the Asia Lutheran Identity seminar were to respond to the priorities that were identified at the 2017 Asia Church Leadership Conference and to prepare for the LWF Global Consultation on Lutheran Identity, which will take place this year in Ethiopia. The seminar was also co-organised by the Evangelical Lutheran Church of Hong Kong (ELCHK), which is one of four churches belonging to the LWF in the country.
The challenges of charismatic renewal
Through presentations, reflection and case studies, the participants explored two themes: “The Holy Spirit as gift and promise: the Spirit calls us by name and in baptism” and “Liberated and shaped: the spiritual gifts and calling of the universal priesthood.” The participants pointed to the pluralism of religions and traditional cultures in Asia, which influences the ways in which Lutheran identity is expressed in the region. They acknowledged that some member churches are rooted in the Reformed tradition, while others cannot openly articulate their Lutheran identity.
The seminar paid special attention to the challenges and opportunities created by the growing charismatic renewal movement in Asia. The participants noted that in some churches there is confusion and fear about the practices of spiritual gifts, and that church leaders must be cautious against the commodification or abuse of such practices.
Closing message and recommendations
In the closing message, the participants outlined five recommendations that would help churches teach and guide their members toward a holistic understanding of Lutheran identity, rather than merely reacting to the challenges they encounter. The report also calls for constructive dialogue with various local charismatic movements.
“Our distinctive Lutheran identity is ‘more than sufficient to provide theological and practical solutions to the evident disputes caused by the superficial and superstitious practices of ‘spiritual’ gifts in many of today’s churches,” emphasises Bishop Rev. Chen of the Lutheran Church of the Republic of China.
At the end of the seminar, the participants expressed their appreciation to the LWF for raising these complex and acutely important issues. Cheung Oi-sze, Executive Secretary of the Chung Chi Mission in Hong Kong, said that “it is good to raise the question of how the Holy Spirit shapes our Lutheran identity. I believe that the LWF Communion Office understands the needs of the Asian churches, and [..] I also hope that the LWF will continue to cooperate more closely with the churches in identifying and addressing problems important to the Asian region. Not all global issues are equally hot in Asia.”
Bishop Rev. Chen of the Lutheran Church of the Republic of China likewise shared reflections on the results of the seminar, saying that our distinctive Lutheran identity is “more than sufficient to provide theological and practical solutions to the evident disputes caused by the superficial and superstitious practices of ‘spiritual’ gifts in many of today’s churches. Therefore, let us work to offer in the future programmes that are biblical and confessional, practical and pastoral, which will provide member churches with the knowledge their ministries need.”
In one part of the programme, the ALIS participants also had the joy and privilege of taking part in a worship service at the Truth Lutheran Church, which is a member congregation of the Evangelical Lutheran Church of Hong Kong.
15/05/2019.
Hong Kong / Geneva
Source: LWF news
Photo: LWF/ P. Lok