LWF Supports Mozambican Church in Strengthening Leadership and Strategic Planning

LWF supports Mozambican church to build skills, strengthen collaboration and better respond to local needs.

Participants in the training workshop aimed at strengthening the leadership capacity of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Mozambique and establish better planning of its strategic goals. Photo: LWF/Y. Bovey

Learning together. Working together. Realistic goals. The Lutheran World Federation and the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Mozambique (IELM) identified these priorities during a recent workshop aimed at strengthening the church’s capacity to achieve its goals and serve communities in need.

The Project Design Training took place from 23 to 24 July in the capital Maputo, attended by IELM national leaders, congregational pastors, and coordinators of women and youth ministries, against a background of institutional changes in the church and growing needs in society. It was supported by the LWF Member church projects program.

The workshop also helped participants connect project planning with the realities of their communities. Gender justice and women’s empowerment were highlighted as important focus areas which are critical in helping the church to respond to cases of early marriage among girls and child pregnancy. They explored how to identify the root causes of problems and include the contribution of church members and communities in shaping responses.

IELM is a growing church that is still building its leadership capacity, while sharing hope through the gospel. Its ministries among marginalized communities address pressing issues such as irregular migration, gender-based violence, and environmental degradation.

Leaders of various ministries of the IELM working in small group sessions on the church’s priorities. Photo: LWF/Y. Bovey

At the workshop, participants said they had gained a clearer understanding of project development as a shared task rather than the sole responsibility of one church official. “We realized how to develop a project following the LWF model, with the aim of promoting a sustainable church that also serves the public good,” one person said.

LWF Regional Secretary for Africa Rev. Dr Samuel Dawai and Mr Yann Bovey, Support Officer for Diakonia, jointly led the sessions focused on identifying challenges, setting realistic objectives, planning activities, measuring results and developing budgets. It was also an opportunity for participants to gain a clearer understanding of how the LWF works, including its 2025–2031 strategy.

Bishop Solomon Bernardo Matsimbe emphasized the church’s commitment to work together and build a stronger church. “As the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Mozambique, we are determined to serve our communities with integrity and compassion.”

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