‘Getting together’ in the name of the Lord

Last month, LCANZ Bishop Paul Smith and LCA International Mission Program Officer Erin Kerber joined more than 850 delegates and 1,000 visitors in Siassi, Morobe Province, Papua New Guinea, for the 35th Synod of the Evangelical Lutheran Church of Papua New Guinea (ELCPNG). The ELCPNG represents a church of nearly two million members.

The Synod, held from 18–23 January 2026,  brought together pastors, lay leaders and district representatives under the theme ‘Stand firm, we are free’ (Galatians 5:1). The theme carried added significance as Papua New Guinea reflects on 50 years of independence in 2025, and as the ELCPNG marks 50 years since becoming a fully self-governing church in 1976.

Reflecting on the Synod, LCA International Mission’s Program Officer, Erin Kerber, said that attending the Synod reminded her again of the ‘resilience, faith and warmth of our partners in Christ across PNG’. ‘The Synod offered a vivid glimpse of a church alive with devotion, courage and a genuine desire to grow together in the freedom of Christ,’ she said.

Despite rain, muddy floors and unexpected delays, the spirit of the gathering remained ‘joyful’, she said. Markets on the Synod grounds sold meri blouses, Synod T-shirts and printed laplap cloths, while local congregations constructed accommodation for visiting districts.

Each lunchtime, young people from across the districts led song and dance. Bishop Paul Smith said a highlight was the Logen Ministry from Siassi, whose young men sang and danced to a gospel song, accompanied by bamboo tube instruments played like xylophones and backed by young women’s vocals.

‘It was inspiring to witness this community’s praise to our Lord Jesus Christ, performed by young people of the church,’ Bishop Smith said.

He said the ELCPNG welcomed the witness and service of young adults and placed it centre stage of each day’s proceedings, showing they are not simply ‘the church of the future’ but the church in the world today.

As Tok Pisin (English-based creole language) speakers say, ‘Yumi bung wantaim’, meaning, ‘We gather together.’