Holger Siebert officially appointed Director of the ELM

On Whit Monday, during the ecumenical regional service organised by the parishes of Faßberg-Müden, Hermannsburg, Bergen and Sülze at Lönsstein between Hermannsburg and Müden, Pastor Holger Siebert was officially installed as the new director of the Evangelical Lutheran The installation was conducted by Regional Bishop Ralf Meister (Hanover). Among the more than 300 guests were representatives from international partner churches, church districts, parishes and the political sphere.

The service had an international flavour: liturgical contributions and musical elements from various church contexts reflected the ELM’s global network. Words of welcome expressed the sense of connection with the organisation.

Siebert focused his sermon on John 20:19–23, the account of the risen Jesus’ encounter with his disciples. He explained his understanding of mission using the image of a radio broadcast: God’s mission begins precisely where people are marked by fear, exhaustion or hopelessness – “On Air”, the red light comes on.

A central theme of the sermon was Jesus’ greeting of peace to the disciples. Peace, Siebert said, is not a mere consolation, but God’s concrete care for people in difficult situations. In doing so, Jesus does not ignore wounds, but shows his own. In this context, Siebert quoted the writer Hanns Dieter Hüsch, who describes the words “Peace be with you” as a source of support in times burdened by history. With an eye to current crises and conflicts, Siebert placed this idea within the context of contemporary global politics.

In his own words, Siebert does not view mission as a one-way street. He spoke of a “partnership-based, learning community of journey-makers, in which no one elevates themselves above the other”. In doing so, he clearly aligned himself with the LWF’s current self-understanding, which views its international partnerships as a mutual, dialogue-based process rather than a one-sided proclamation.

In his sermon, Siebert also addressed critical issues. Specifically, he mentioned the need to come to terms with colonial continuities in the history of the ELM, to name instances of sexual and spiritual violence, and to reflect on the Church’s shared responsibility for anti-Semitic patterns of thought. He also commented on the Church’s social responsibility: in the face of exclusion, hatred and social polarisation, the Christian faith must not retreat into the role of an observer.

Drawing on the story of the prophet Isaiah’s calling, Siebert formulated the key question: “Whom shall I send?”. God’s mission does not begin with human self-assurance, but is set in motion by God’s Spirit. The task of Christians is to stand by people who feel burnt out, degraded or discouraged.

Holger Siebert has been leading the ELM since November 2025. The theologian has many years of experience in ecumenical and international partnership work.