The consecration of the fifth Bishop of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Malaysia (ELCM) was a much-anticipated event. In fact, it had been planned for July 4 since Rev Steven Lawrence was elected as the new Bishop on 9 November 2019. Invitations were printed and sent around the world by ‘snail mail’, emphasising the solemnity […]

The consecration of the fifth Bishop of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Malaysia (ELCM) was a much-anticipated event. In fact, it had been planned for July 4 since Rev Steven Lawrence was elected as the new Bishop on 9 November 2019. Invitations were printed and sent around the world by ‘snail mail’, emphasising the solemnity of the occasion. Many of us who partner with this church, looked forward to celebrating in Kuala Lumpur with our brothers and sisters. That was, before COVID-19 restrictions.

Like so many of our activities during 2020, the service of consecration had to be re-designed, as the church sought to meet the new requirement of local authorities, in efforts to curb the spread of COVID-19. The congregation attending Zion Cathedral in downtown Kuala Lumpur was reduced to less than a third of capacity and congregants were physically distanced from each other. Presiding officials wore their usual liturgical vestments, together with new accessories, masks and gloves, and the vast majority of attendees to the ceremony joined via a live stream broadcast.

Despite these changes to plan, the service was a great celebration. It recognised the gifts Rev Steven brings to the office of Bishop and focused on the future for the ELCM, a relatively small church, serving in a country of some 35 million people, the vast majority of whom are Muslim.

Bishop-emeritus, Rev Dr Solomon Rajah, encouraged the incoming Bishop with words from the prophet Ezekiel. He reminded Bishop Steven that as he serves as the leader of the church, he will endure suffering as the community suffers. In the face of this, he should take courage in God’s promises and in the manner in which Jesus shares in our suffering. Bishop-emeritus Rev Dr Solomon called on Bishop Steven to be a watchman over his flock, warning against sin and evil, calling to repentance, but most importantly proclaiming forgiveness and life in Jesus’ name. He urged the new Bishop to gather and unify his flock around sound teaching and good order.

Two Anglican Bishops, who have a shared understanding of apostolic succession, joined Bishop-emeritus Rev Dr Solomon in the laying on of hands. The Bishop’s mitre and staff were placed on Bishop Steven’s head and in his hand, making him the fifth Bishop of the ELCM.

Bishop Steven grew up in a Christian family, among a Muslim-majority community in Penang on the northwestern coast of Malaysia. They cherish our relationships with one another and respect each other’s beliefs and traditions. Part of this closeness includes sharing meals in each other’s homes.

He was attached to the church from Sunday school and went on to become a youth leader in the late 1990s, as well as being was an active member of the Boys’ Brigade. During his high school years at the Saint Xavier’s Institution, he always felt this soft but persistent nudge to lead. His church leader at the time supported me a lot, and he gradually realised the call to serve the Lord in full-time capacity in the church.

At the age of 22, Bishop Steven joined the Seminari Theoloji Malaysia (STM), an interdenominational Protestant institution in Seremban city, graduating with a Diploma of Christian Ministry (2001), Bachelor of Theology (SEAGST 2005) and Masters of Ministry (2017). His first posting in 2003 to Seremban in Negeri Sembilan was as an intern student. He was responsible for two outreach ministries, congregations that were in the initial stages of becoming a church. They focused mostly on the children’s ministry, including Sunday School and tuition classes. They started with about 10 people attending worship on Sundays to 40-50 by the time Bishop Steven left in 2005. Rasah Lutheran Outreach grew into Seremban Lutheran Congregation, which today is one of the 26 ELCM congregations. Charis Lutheran Outreach is still an outreach area.

Through that work he realised the importance of sharing the gospel and how it can be a lifeline for others. Most of the times, together with other church workers, they were reaching out to people in disadvantaged communities, those classified by the government as B40 households, which means families living below a monthly income of Malaysian ringgit (RM) 2,500. That was very important for Bishop Steven, working in a context where we don’t just preach the Word of God, but it is made alive daily by seeing how the church helps to meet the actual needs of the people.

He remembers a conversation with then Bishop Paul, when he asked: why are there so many issues and problems in the church? Bishop Paul’s response was very profound: “Because we the people are the church, and there will always be problems. That is why God has entrusted us as leaders to share the gospel and take care of the church.”

Bishop Steven realised we have leaders in the church not because they are righteous and not because the church has issues and problems. Rather, God in God’s grace, has entrusted leaders as shepherds to share the gospel of Jesus Christ and in so doing, take care of God’s people. Bishop Paul’s views about leadership inspired Bishop Steven; he had been looking at church leadership in a very negative way of only solving problems. But he slowly learned it was a call and commitment to serve.

He was commissioned as Candidate to the Holy Ministry on 18 September 2005 by Bishop-emeritus Julius D. Paul and underwent his in-house training under the supervision of Bishop-emeritus Rev Dr Solomon Rajah.

While serving as a commissioned Candidate to the Holy Ministry, he married Susan Ann on 25 February 2006, a union that led to three children – Samantha Ann, Samuel Anbuselvan and Samson Anbunesan.

Bishop Steven was ordained as a pastor of the ELCM on 31 October 2006 at Zion Cathedral by then Bishop Julius D. Paul.

Since ordination, he has served a number of congregations and has been heavily committed to the diaconal ministry of the church, holding some of the most senior synodical positions in the ELCM.

From 2014-2017 Bishop Steven served as the Lutheran World Federation (LWF) Regional Officer and was responsible for implementing the program of the LWF Area Secretary for Asia, supporting partner churches, hosting conferences and providing opportunities for mutual support and networking. With this experience, Bishop Steven hopes to serve the interests of the ELCM and the community at large, as God Almighty grants him the wisdom, knowledge and understanding that he requires to serve God’s will (John 3: 16).

While I was disappointed not to be present with these dear brothers and sisters, it was a joy to participate from a distance, knowing that the Holy Spirit was working to equip Bishop Steven for the tasks of office. In a message to me later that night, Bishop Steven expressed his deep appreciation for our ‘virtual participation’ in this milestone for his church, and he humbly asked for the prayers of the people of the LCA as he takes up an incredibly challenging vocation.

Many of our partner churches are working in new territory for the kingdom of God; therefore, spiritual attack is their everyday reality. As a member of a congregation, school, or family, or a couple or individual, you are invited to commit to praying for our partners in mission. For regular prayer point updates, go to www.lca.org.au/international-mission/act-now/pray

Read more stories about our partner churches in Malaysia at https://www.lcamission.org.au/category/stories/international-partners/malaysia-peninsula/