The Asia Church Leadership Conference (ACLC) is organised as part of the Lutheran World Federation’s (LWF) commitment to strengthening communion relationships between member churches in every region. ACLC is an expression of what it means to be in communion and brought more closely in solidarity with Lutheran churches across the Asian region. This year’s ACLC […]

The Asia Church Leadership Conference (ACLC) is organised as part of the Lutheran World Federation’s (LWF) commitment to strengthening communion relationships between member churches in every region. ACLC is an expression of what it means to be in communion and brought more closely in solidarity with Lutheran churches across the Asian region. This year’s ACLC took place in Hong Kong from 7-12 November, hosted by the Hong Kong Lutheran Federation. Under the theme “Abound in hope for a thriving church” the conference brought together leaders of churches in 14 countries.

During ACLC, participants joined three local congregations for Sunday services and enjoyed daily worship led by members of different churches throughout the region. They also visited Saint John’s Anglican Cathedral and the Catholic Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception, where they were warmly welcomed by leaders of those communities. Anglican Archbishop Andrew Chan Au-ming and Catholic Cardinal Stephen Chow Sau-yan underlined the importance of shared worship and work for unity and cooperation as “a vital witness in times of declining trust” in the world.

As part of the ACLC, participants from Australia joined the Southeast Asia Lutheran Communion (SEALUC) which is a regional network comprised of Lutheran churches from nine countries across southeast Asia- Indonesia, Cambodia, Malaysia, Myanmar, Papua New Guinea, Singapore, Philippines, Thailand and Australia. Each SEALUC member church operates in distinctive social and political contexts, yet they share a unified commitment to service, justice, and the promotion of Christian faith. SEALUC provides a platform for these churches to collaborate, exchange ideas, and support each other’s missions. Through shared programs, training opportunities, and joint initiatives, SEALUC strengthens the collective resilience and impact of each member church, allowing them to better serve their communities despite diverse challenges. While some SEALUC members, for instance, face restrictions of religious freedom or lack of resources, others are able to provide robust support and solidarity. SEALUC facilitates an exchange of expertise and resources that allows for mutual learning and growth and creates a supportive network that enables each church to maximise its impact in the local community.

In the opening session of ACLC, LWF President Henrik Stubkjær praised the work of churches across Asia “that demonstrate resilience and innovative approaches to ministry, often as faithful minorities, bringing hope to their societies.” 

President Stubkjær challenged participants to help build “a communion of hope” within their diverse cultures and faith contexts. From the bustling megacities to the remotest villages, he said “churches live out their Lutheran identity in contextual ways, while remaining deeply connected to the global family. LWF, as a global communion of churches, is an ever-expanding circle that values the beauty of diversity, while fostering unity that comes from a shared baptism.”

From a biblical perspective, he noted, “hope is more than an optimistic outlook, it is grounded in the certainty of God’s presence and promises, an enduring gift that transforms us and sustains us. We bring hope, not because we are strong in numbers but because we are strong in faith and service, not because we have all the answers but because we trust God’s promises, not because we are perfect but because we are called and empowered by God’s grace – let us continue to strengthen one another in this calling.”

This story was also published in the December 2024 edition of Border Crossings, the magazine of LCA International Mission.

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