Stewards: growing young leaders
Young leaders share their gifts with the global communion through participation in the LWF Assembly Stewards program. Throughout the Assembly, stewards are engaged in many different aspects of the meeting.
Stewards from around the LWF member churches pictured together with Rebecca Sangeetha Daniel, Stewards Program Coordinator and Savanna Sullivan, LWF Program Executive for Youth. Photo: LWF/Johanan Celine Valeriano
Creating the leaders of future assemblies
(LWI) - The Stewards Program of The Lutheran World Federation (LWF) Assembly has a long and rich history. Providing a space for sharing ideas and leadership development, many of the participants in the program have gone on to other leadership roles in their churches, as well as the LWF and other ecumenical organizations.
Stewards pictured together with Rebecca Sangeetha, Stewards Program Coordinator. Photo: LWF/Johanan Celine Valeriano
“They are already leaders with lots of leadership skills,” said Rebecca Daniel, who coordinates the stewards’ team at the LWF Thirteenth Assembly. “They are here to share their gifts from the global communion and also learn from their peer groups.”
Throughout the Assembly, stewards are engaged in many different aspects of the gathering, including information technology, communications, plenary sessions, worship, the Jarmark exhibition space and more.
To prepare for the Assembly, stewards have been meeting online since the beginning of February this year. While reviewing their responsibilities each time they met, they also build relationships and community around Bible study. A successful application for the program comes with significant commitment to the position. In addition to the monthly meetings, stewards participated in the Youth Pre-assembly, which included the development of the Youth Message.
Albertina Shihepo from the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Namibia said that she feels lucky to have the opportunity to participate at the Assembly as a steward. “This has been an opportunity for me to learn and increase leadership skills as I am interested in youth development,” she said, noting that part of the expectation of the program is that she will communicate her work and role at the Assembly when she returns home.
Albertina Shihepo from the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Namibia. Photo: LWF/Erick A. Kinyanguli
Rodolfo Uturunco from the Bolivian Evangelical Lutheran Church. Photo: LWF/Erick A. Kinyanguli
Meeting different people from different countries and cultures has been a highlight for Rodolfo Uturunco’s steward experience. In addition, being a steward has provided him with, “an opportunity to understand Lutheranism,” through conversations with others at the Assembly and hearing about what is happening in other parts of the world, said the youth from the Bolivian Evangelical Lutheran Church.
Although the stewards have a very involved schedule during their time at the Assembly, Marysol Charras from the Union of Protestant Churches of Alsace and Lorraine in France feels this, “has been a good experience.” Her work as part of the worship team, "has touched her heart,” she said.
Often being a steward is a first step toward greater engagement for youth in the life of the LWF.
“I’m happy to be a steward as I plan to be a delegate [at the next Assembly], so this is a good experience for me,” said Charras.
Marysol Charras from the Union of Protestant Churches of Alsace and Lorraine in France. Photo: LWF/Erick A. Kinyanguli
Daniel agrees, noting one of the goals of the program is to assist youth in continuing to grow, “particularly in leadership roles in their churches and in the LWF. Rev. Dr Martin Junge was once a steward, and he became a General Secretary of the LWF.”
LWF Stewards Program
The application-based Stewards Program provides space for LWF youth, aged 18-30 for the sharing of ideas, leadership development, and gaining increased understanding of the LWF and the role of its highest decision-making body, the Assembly. Young leaders throughout the communion commit time, energy, skills and knowledge to assist in the success of Assembly.
