Younger folks majority of latest students in theology and diakonia research

(LWI) – Youth comprised greater than half of the candidates searching for to pursue research via The Lutheran World Federation (LWF) Scholarships program in 2023.

The LWF acquired 306 functions by candidates from 60 LWF member church buildings in 2022. The requests included 16 group functions.

“Out of all of the candidates, greater than half of these thinking about theological research had been younger folks (18-30 years). Youth additionally made up over 80 p.c of all candidates for diakonia and improvement,” stated Rev. Katariina Kiilunen, LWF Program Government for Capability Constructing and Management Improvement.

On the finish of final yr, the LWF Scholarship Committee authorised scholarships for 122 candidates whose research will start this yr: 70 within the diakonia class and 52 in theology.

Standards for choosing these to be granted LWF scholarships embody equitable illustration of the respective areas and church buildings, and assembly the gender threshold of 40 p.c feminine, 40 p.c male and 20 p.c youth participation. Kiilunen famous that whereas the variety of candidates in 2022 was increased than earlier years, many member church buildings didn’t respect the gender quota. The choice standards, she stated, are vital in affirming LWF’s dedication to inclusive participation.

Connecting college students on-line

Since 2021 the LWF’s management improvement program via scholarships contains on-line quarterly ‘Coming Collectively’ conferences for college students to replicate on their instructional journey, and focus on topical topics comparable to Lutheran identification, gender justice and modern points of their contexts and world wide. Kiilunen stated the platform has turn into “a fantastic alternative for college students to be linked and expertise the present of being a part of the worldwide communion of church buildings.”

“The Coming collectively conferences are a really good area to get to know different college students. I’m trying ahead to assembly the newly chosen candidates on the conferences in 2023,” stated Ms Laura Saravia from the Salvadoran Lutheran Church (SLS). She is at the moment finding out theology on the Augsburg Lutheran Seminary (SEMLA) in Mexico.

Saravia, an energetic member of the SLS Youth Council is among the many 111 college students who had been granted LWF scholarships for 2022. She says her name to review additional was impressed by the church’s diaconal work with the youth and youngsters in several communities in El Salvador. “Taking over theology as a proper educational course of is an excellent place to begin to study God,” she says. Her second semester at SEMLA contains on-line lessons “with lecturers who’ve many expertise and plenty of experiences,” she notes. Whereas it’s a Lutheran seminary, “I even have the chance to have classmates from completely different church buildings and that makes it an much more stunning expertise,” she provides.

In a video Saravia shares her inspiration for finding out theology and being a part of the LWF group of scholarship holders.

The ‘Coming Collectively’ conferences are a really good area to get to know different college students. I’m trying ahead to assembly the newly chosen candidates on the conferences in 2023. – Ms Laura Saravia, Salvadoran Lutheran Church

The LWF will develop the scholarships’ program additional by introducing a brand new management course later this yr. “I’m very enthusiastic about this new coaching which incorporates six modules, aimed toward elevating consciousness and equipping students with expertise and capacities that strengthen them for management. It is a superb alternative to interact and encourage the longer term church leaders for steady studying within the Lutheran communion,” Kiilunen added.

There are 300 LWF scholarship holders from church buildings principally in creating nations, who’re pursuing research in theology and diakonia associated fields. A majority are enrolled in establishments of their house nations or areas. The annual name for scholarships opens on 1 August and the deadline for submitting functions is 15 October. All candidates should be endorsed by the pinnacle of their respective LWF member church.