German summary: Diese ELM-Seminarreihe beschäftigt sich mit der Zukunftsfähigkeit von Kirchen international. Gemeinsam mit Christ*innen aus der internationalen Ökumene suchen wir nach kreativen und hoffnungsbewegten Lösungen für typische Probleme unserer Kirchengemeinden. Die Konferenzsprache ist Englisch.

This ELM seminar series deals with the future viability of churches internationally. Together with Christians from the international ecumenical movement, we seek creative and hopeful solutions to typical problems facing our church communities. This seminar unit is about dealing with the fact, that congregational life might not be as appealing as personal spirituality and faith: “Jesus is great – just his ground staff is disappointing!” Do our congregations just appeal to a (diminishing) segment of society? Is your Sunday Service a support or rather a burden to your faith and spiritual life? Can you be a Christian going solo (without a congregation)?

This topic is certainly relevant in Germany, where usually only 2,5% of church members actually attend a Sunday service – the other 97,5% don’t attend – for various reasons. Some are not interested in faith and spiritual life, but appreciate the churches presence in certain specific occasions in life – such as weddings and funerals and others appreciate and support the diaconical work the church does. There is also a group for whom spiritual life is important, but who do not see the Sunday service or the church activities as being helpful to them in this regard. What could the churches answer be?

We are pleased to once again welcome two wonderful speakers who will engage us on this topic:

• Rev. Morwaeng Motswasele currently serves as the Christian Education Desk Coordinator at LUCSA, the regional communion of all Lutheran churches in Southern Africa. In the past he has served as a pastor in various parishes in ELCSA Western Diocese, has worked in several NGO’s and was the ELM Partnership Secretary in Hermannsburg, Germany for some years.
• Dr Mirjam Laaser is the ELM Head of Department of International Church Cooperation. A sociologist by profession she has in the past driven the professionalisation of project cooperation between ELM and partner churches.

Please register before 12 noon on 6th November 2026. The participation link will be sent by email in advance.