The value of international church partnerships

Partnerships between church districts or congregations in Germany and South Africa have often existed for a long time. The ELM's annual partnership conference aims to encourage new forms of partnership work, namely to be active locally.

In the wake of financial cuts and a declining number of committed people in the church sector, rising living costs and a changing social zeitgeist in Germany (but also in South Africa), international church partnerships find themselves in a field of tension. How do they deal with external criticism, but also with internal challenges? How can they use their expertise to make a contribution to the church and society?

22 active members from 14 different partnerships from three Ev.-luth regional churches (Hanover, Schaumburg-Lippe and Kurhessen-Waldeck) were invited by the Ev.-luth Mission in Lower Saxony (ELM) to address these questions from 7 to 9 November 2025 and developed ideas on how partnership work can gain more ground. "It became clear which specific and critical questions are asked of partnership work, but also which competences partnerships have. Areas for action can be derived from this," said conference leader Marlene Altebockwinkel, International Partnerships Officer at the ELM. "Those involved in partnerships can tackle local social challenges and tasks with the experience, knowledge and inspiration that they have gained from working with partner churches in South Africa."

An important task for partnerships is to increase their visibility in the church district and thus emphasise the importance of their work for the church and society.

At the conference, possible fields of activity for partnerships in the local church district were developed that meet the needs of our society. For example: thematic work on democracy, poverty or climate justice or offering a storytelling café in the church district that brings people into dialogue with each other. As an expression of international solidarity, a partnership could bring senior citizens from Germany and South Africa into contact with each other or celebrate children's worship together via video conference. Raising awareness of the partnership in the church district can be achieved not only through commitment or networking with other organisations, but also through things like partnership candles in church services, regular intercessions or a partnership T-shirt that is worn at events. It is important that each partnership formulates a goal for itself with which it is travelling.

The participants' annual reports made it clear that partnership continues, albeit under different circumstances. Everywhere in the regional church there are young people with new ideas who are getting involved in the work. The same applies to the South African side. Partnerships harbour great potential to have an impact on the church and society.

Another highlight of the conference was the detailed input from Dr Joe Lüdemann (ELM Advisor for Ecumenical Cooperation South Africa, Botswana, Eswatini) on "News from politics, church and society in South Africa".

Anne Matthys (Ecumenical Exchange Pastor and ELM staff member from Botswana/South Africa) reported on her experiences in the Hanover Regional Church, where she has now been working for two years. She says: "My two years in Germany allowed me to grow a lot in understanding different cultures and church environments. Despite our different ways of living and believing, I have learnt that we can still be one and learn from each other because we all have the same goal: To serve God. This experience has shaped my mission here, and when I return I want to take a lot of it with me - both for my work in church administration and for my personal life, in which I have learnt to take care of myself too."

The South Africa Partnership Conference is a network meeting of people involved in partnerships from different church districts. It is a community that supports and encourages each other with love and trust. Ideas and impulses are exchanged. We would like to take this opportunity to invite you to the next meeting!