LWF: Asian Youth Consultation

Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
November 22 to November 27, 2001

Youth from 10 different nations met to voice their opinions, experiences and their hopes for the Lutheran church in Asia at the LWF: Asian Youth Consultation in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia from November 22 to November 27, 2001. Brad Mittleholtz from Kitchener Ontario represented the ELCIC at the consultation. In addition to discussing the consultation theme: "A Reconciling Church for the Healing of the World" a "Vision and Action Plan" was developed to set out a strategy for youth ministry in the Asian Lutheran context.

Each representative presented a report to the consultation concerning their church and the theme of the consultation. Brad described how the Canadian churches work in partnership to address the issues presented by HIV/AIDS, violence against women, and interfaith dialogue. He spoke about reconciliation with First Nations people, restorative justice, social/community ministry by congregations, and Caring Conversations. This last was the most controversial. Brad received some criticism publicly but privately several participants thanked him. They praised our church for its bravery and asked for additional information about the Caring Conversation process.

Each day began with devotion and biblical study on the consultation theme by Dr. Rayon Yuen from the Lutheran Theological Seminary in Hong Kong. Brad found the tone surprisingly works oriented. Dr Yuen stressed holy living and internal and external holiness in the participants. Grace and living a life responding to God's grace was never mentioned.

Brad attended two of the four workshops held. He observed that for many attending the workshop on HIV/AIDS, speaking about sex and sexuality seemed taboo and it was difficult for the facilitators to promote discussion. One participant actually said that it wasn't a problem for their nation, because they are not "immoral." The workshop on Interfaith Relations convinced Brad that interfaith dialogue in the Asian context is vital. It may mean the difference between living in harmony and outright war.

In some Asian nations (Indonesia, Malaysia, India) the Christian church is a minority church, and experiences persecution in overt and covert ways. Interfaith dialogue in Canada rarely becomes a life or death issue to its participants as it does in these countries. Workshops were also held on Violence Against Women and Peace Building.

The participants also had time for cultural presentations, informal discussions, and worship --as well as eating lots of Asian food. The participants were concerned about Brad's diet, but he reassured them that Asian food is not that unusual in Canada.

Brad was amazed at the diversity of the international Lutheran church. His experience made him appreciate the gifts of the ELCIC. All too often we compare ourselves to the ELCA, and feel that we have few resources. This experience illustrates to me the wealth of God's riches within our church.

He was disturbed by the treatment of some of the women in the consultation. Their views were treated as inferior at times, and some of the male participants would openly debate the women in an attempt to silence them. He was also concerned about the silence of many on sensitive issues, especially those concerning sex and sexuality. Most of the participants were silent during the discussions concerning HIV/AIDS and he also learned few people spoke up during the discussion about violence against women. Brad greatly appreciated the opportunity to experience the wider Lutheran church, and the Asian culture that was represented at the Asian Youth Consultation. It was a wonderful experience. He hopes that it will be a catalyst for change in the Asian Lutheran context. Brad was encouraged to hear that the first ever North American regional youth consultation is being planned for 2003 and hopes that this consultation will provide a similar catalyst for growth in the ELCIC and the ELCA.

• LWF Regional Office in North America

• Lutheran World Federation

• Kuala Lumpur