Guyanese Church Marks 270 Years of Witness

The Cross, Bible and Swan

(LWI) - The unveiling of commemorative postage stamps, a grand worship service and presentations by parishes marked the 270th anniversary of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Guyana (ELCG), held in the coastal city of New Amsterdam.

Over 600 members participated in the 16 October worship service at Ebenezer Lutheran Church, which ELCG President Rev. Moses Prashad described as one of the largest gatherings of Lutherans in Guyana for some time.

Founded on 15 October 1743, the church currently has 13,000 members in 14 regional parishes.

In collaboration with the Guyana Post Office, the ELCG on 6 October issued commemorative postage stamps at a national youth service. The 20 and 80 Guyanese dollars (10 and 40 US cents) denomination stamps bear the church’s logo of the cross, Bible and swan.

“When you look at 270 years for any organization, much less a church, it is symbolic and significant, and very, very important,” Prashad noted. He said that God has been good to the ELCG, which has struggled over the years with the migration of members and pastors.

However, he added, “we are still able to reach out to others and draw them into the church.”

Active Role of Pastors and Deacons

Prashad said that while the church faces the challenge of mobilizing able and well-equipped pastors, deacons and lay leaders for the future, he is grateful that in May the ELCG ordained five deacons as pastors.

It is the first Christian denomination in the Caribbean country to embark on local training for its members to become pastors and deacons. The ELCG Lutheran Lay Academy (LLA), launched in 2005, offers a two-year program with pastors serving as lecturers and resource persons for biblical studies, church history, homiletics, worship and liturgy. External experts in theology provide additional support.

Rev. Dr Patricia Cuyatti, area secretary for Latin America and the Caribbean at The Lutheran World Federation (LWF) said the active pastoral role of deacons makes it possible for the Guyanese church to develop innovative ways of responding to its ministry. The ELCG currently has 14 deacons working in its congregations.

“The active role of deacons and pastors in local congregations is key for supporting and developing the capacity of the ELCG, especially training and opportunities for lay leaders on issues of Lutheran identity,” Cuyatti said.

The Guyanese Lutheran church began in 1743, when a group of Dutch colonists assembled at the home of Lodewyk Abbensetts to start a church at Fort Nassau. Nine years later it received its first pastor, Johan Henrik Faerkenius, and constructed a sanctuary.

Describing itself as a national communion of Christian congregations in the Lutheran tradition, the ELCG attempts to relate the gospel to the needs of people in both its denominational and ecumenical witness. It considers its relationships with other churches and Christian organizations as important in developing sharper perspectives for its own ministries, struggles, weaknesses, strengths and gifts.

“The ELCG must be sensitive to issues such as marginalization, discrimination, poverty and gender bias, and use the Word of God to address these concerns,” Prashad noted.

A Guyanese pastor represented the church at the 1947 founding Assembly of the LWF. In 1950 the Evangelical Lutheran Church in then British Guiana was received into LWF membership.

Prashad said membership in the LWF exposes the ELCG to both diverse forms of celebration and the needs of people globally. “Partnerships that complement each other are very important,” he added.