Lutheran leaders, politicians attend synod

 HUNDREDS of Lutherans have converged on Karkar Island, in Madang, for the church’s 29th synod.

Among those, there were Prime Minister Peter O’Neill, Speaker Theo Zurenuoc, Attorney-General Kerenga Kua, Morobe Governor Kelly Naru, Fisheries Minister Mao Zeming, Kabwum MP Bob Dadae, Nawaeb MP Gisuwat Siniwin, Daulo MP Ron Ganarafo, Chief Secretary Manasupe Zurenuoc and former Madang Governor Sir Arnold Amet.

Christians came from as far as Pangia in the highlands, West Papua, Australia and America.

Members of the church’s 17 districts include Yabim, Kote, Madang, Goroka, Chimbu, Mt Hagen, Siassi, Papua, New Guinea Islands Region, Jiwaka, Immanuel District, Karkar, Mumeng, Kainantu, Ukata, Boana and East Chimbu attended.  

The synod was held at the Karkar High School in Madang.

The synod is when members of the Evangelical Lutheran Church and their leaders come together to discuss issues related to the church and chart its directions for the future. Lutheran Church of Australia head bishop Rev John Anderson said they should not think about worldly things nor forget Jesus and His teachings.

“As time goes by, we tend to forget Jesus because of many things in our lives,” he said. “The world is changing very fast. And with changes we sometimes lose our faith. We must believe and walk with Jesus.”

ELC-PNG head bishop Giegire Wenge said the church and the Government needed to work in partnership because they served the same people.