Here you can read statements of the participants:

Transcription

1 The 16 th International Seminar from November 4 th until November 18 th, 2017 Theme: Luther as teacher and preacher - Prof. Dr. Theodor Dieter (Institute for Ecumenical Research in Strasbourg) and Prof. Dr. Sarah Hinlicky-Wilson (St. Louis, USA) Here you can read statements of the participants: A very pleasant stay in very pleasant surroundings - I enjoyed my colleges, the professors and the leaders of the seminar. Hard work with central texts of Luther was very giving. I will recommend the seminar to my colleagues in Denmark. Pastor Henrik Guldbrandt Kjær, Evangelical Lutheran Church of Denmark Viborg Diocese Visiting the 16th International Seminar of LWF in Wittenberg was for me a great experience - not only did it help me better to understand some parts of Luther's theology, but also and mostly I could learn a lot from Lutheran pastors all around the world. Thanks be to God and to LWF! Vicar Rastislav Pečeňa, The Silesian Evangelical Church of the Augsburg Confession Unpacking the theme "Luther as a Preacher and Teacher", for the 16th International Seminar of LWF, has been essential because it transformed the participants from the contemporary situation of less pietistic habitual reading of the Bible and forensic application of Reformation Theology. Thus, the exposure of the participants to late medieval trend as the background of Reformation, and rhetoric and disputation as the epistemology of Luther `s communiques, well informed them to understand Lutheran confession and enhance their missionary endeavors- in accordance with cultural sharing and ecumenism. Best wishes to facilitators and long live to the project. Pastor Mpho Mosweu, Evangelical Lutheran Church in Botswana

2 I am so incredibly thankful for my time at the 16. International Seminar in Wittenberg! This seminar has challenged me in my understanding of Luther, his works and theology, and has forced me to reflect critically on how I use these understandings in my ministry. Being with so many wonderful co-laborers in the Gospel has brought me deep joy and reinvigorated my sense of call. Peace! Rev. Annabelle P. Markey, ELCA, Metropolitan Washington D.C. Synod This one my statement durated two weeks following 16th International Seminar within the Luther-Decade Lutheran Theology in Wittenberg: Encounter Theology with Cultures will open new Paradigm to understanding New Era Lutheran Theological, to grow up Christian Faith through Scriptura. Thank you. Rev. Benni Maklianto Siregar, M.Th., Christian Protestant Angkola Church (Indonesia) It has been an incredible experience for me to study Luther's writings directly under the guidance of two competent Luther scholars Professor Theodore Dieter and Professor Sarah Hinlicky right in Lutherstadt Wittenberg. I thank LWF for this fabulous opportunity. Rev. Martin Yee, Lutheran Church in Singapore The opportunity to study some of Martin Luther s most important writings in the actual place were he lived and worked is just a true blessing. In addition to the great depth in knowledge of the professors, coordinators and participants, we had the chance to get to know many important places where the reformation movement began. I leave Wittenberg with a deep feeling of gratitude to God and to LWF and with a greater understanding that we are part of someting really big! Pastor Dr. Mauro Souza, The Evangelical Church of the Lutheran Confession in Brazil

3 Considering this opportunity granted to me and others in this LWF's 16th international seminar in this important and historic city of Wittenberg, I sincerely appreciate this great opportunity because it has left me with a huge knowledge of my church heritage. Bishop M.M.S Dube, Evangelical Lutheran Church in Zimbabwe, Western Diocese Almost each night a wonderful dinner, cooked e.g. by a woman from India, or prepared by a pastor from Jerusalem, Estonian desert, Tanzanian Spices - our Wittenberg Seminar made this explotion of tastes real. Deep insights into the theologie of Martin Luther presented by two wonderful professors and proved out by questioning, disscusion and answering enlarged not only my theological knowledge but also my empathie. By leaving wittenberg after two weeks we may well leave behind the center of the Lutheran world, but we surely have gained a strong relationship between 20 brothers and sisters all over the world. Pastor Thomas Markert, Kemnitz, Saxony, Germany, Evangelisch-Lutherische Landeskirche Sachsens Attending the Lutheran World Federation s International Pastors Seminar in Lutherstadt Wittenberg has been the opportunity of a lifetime. Not only have I had access to two top-flight scholars for the past two weeks, but I ve also been able to explore Luther s thought in the company of pastors from all over the world. Getting to hear their perspectives on and struggles with issues unique to their settings through our common lens of grace has been powerful experience and one I will never forget. Pastor Robert O Berg, ELCA, California-Synod

4 The 16th International Pastors Seminar sponsored in Wittenberg by the LWF has been an outstanding experience for me, one that I will never forget. Professors Dieter and Wilson have challenged us and fed us in our study of Luther, the group's interaction has truly been a blessing, and the LWF staff here in Wittenberg have been great. I give God thanks for all these people! Pastor Don Larsen, Sudbury, Massachusetts, USA The seminar helped me to join the worldwide community of Lutheran pastors where we shared a table for talks, like Luther did, we shared the body and blood of Christ, like Luther did. What I have now is full of treasures: reformed heart and renewed faith. Pastor Katalin Chikan, The Evangelical Lutheran Church in Hungary What an astonishing privilege to attend the 16th International Seminar during the 500th Anniversary of Reformation. I am blessed and my Church is blessed as well. All glory to Jesus. Thank you. Rev. Dr. J. Priestly Balasingh M. Th., S.T.M., D.D., IELC - President, Tamil Nadu, India It is my humbly submission to thank the LWF and its personnel for providing me/us with such an educative and inspiring opportunity. May the Lord bless you all. Thank you. Rev. Markus Hafeni Ndeutapo, Evangelical Lutheran Church of Angola

5 Excellent Seminar we had. Diverse in culture, here I learned the history of reformation, and more touching Luther himself and that has impacted my life. I appreciate Luther s work that God used him in Wittenberg, and now an influence on the whole world even after 5OO years of reformation. I will never forget the experience with all the participants. More over the hard work of our professors, Theodor Dieter, and Sarah Hinlicky-Wilson for their devoted time. Joachim, Hans and Annette - remain blessed. Rev. Rebecca Maduley Kurubai, ELCT Southern Diocese (Tanzania) The 16th International Seminar of the LWF was my theological afterparty to the 2017 Reformation celebrations. To study Luther's writings in Wittenberg with Lutherans from all over the world was an exhilarating experience and I feel that we have planted not one but several apple trees of Lutheran theology during this very rich and blessed (and extremely well organized) fortnight. Pastor Ulrich Noetzel, Ev.-Luth. Landeskirche Hannovers, Germany It is hard to put into words, what this seminar meant to me. On the one hand it did not bring many dramatically new insights (also good, as it showed that our South African Lutheran education was solid) - but the intensity of the study and discussion did help me focus and integrate my understanding in a new way. The international encounter was deeply enriching and I go back with a renewed sense of calling particularly to the ecumenical ministry which deepens identity while strengthening openness to brothers and sisters all over the world. Pastor Dr. Gertrud Tönsing, Evangelical Lutheran Church in Southern Africa (N-T)

6 This conference revealed to me the strong unity I have with my sisters and brothers who came from all over the Lutheran World. I enjoyed the diversity we have among us Lutherans, yet with a great unity in Christ Jesus our Lord. This experience indeed enriched my life and certainly expanded my knowledge. Thanks to the Lutheran World Federation for this wonderful opportunity they provided for us. Pastor Fursan Zumot, The Evangelical Lutheran Church in Jordan and Holy Land The theology renewed my spiritual strength and increased my faith, also regarding my ministry. Rev. Valarmathi Rajamanickam, Tamil Evangelical Lutheran Church, India I find this seminar to be a wonderful way for rediscovering the common basis for our faith and ministry all over the Lutheran world. This is the best way LWF can work to build up a communion that rests not just on documents but on mutual love, shared experience and, last not least, on clear Lutheran teaching. May God bless this work and give us creative ideas how to develop this networking that is a sign of God s kingdom among us. Rev. Annika Laats, The Estonian Lutheran Church, Estonia