Written by Rev. Lu Guan Hoe

The Summer School started on 3 July evening, but I joined them on the 5th morning as 4th July was the starting of our 2nd New Generation Lutherans (NGL) Program, for which I was the person-in-charge.

The theme for this year’s Summer School 2026 is “Public Witness – Salt and Light”. Before this Summer School actually started, there were two Zoom meetings to get to know each other before we met face to face. There were about 30 participants from Argentina, Brazil, Cambodia, Congo, Costa Rica, Kenya, Mozambique, Papua New Guinea, Philippine, Sabah, Singapore, Sweden, Tanzania and West Malaysia.

Public Witness: Salt and Light

Public witness is rooted in the Christian belief that we are justified by grace, not by our own deeds. The Augsburg Confession of 1530 reminds us that faith is not merely private but shapes how we live together. Christians are called to speak boldly about their hope and demonstrate the Gospel through actions that promote justice, dignity, and inclusion. The theme was expressed by these three areas:

1. Church and Democracy

The Church finds its strength in God’s love, not in numbers, wealth, or performance. It proclaims the Gospel by being present in people’s lives and defending human dignity, democratic values, and participation in society. Christians are called to transform their communities by becoming salt and light.

2. Transformative Diaconia

The Church’s mission extends beyond charity to addressing the root causes of injustice. Through practical service and the proclamation of God’s Word, Christians are called to challenge oppression, empower marginalized people, and transform relationships and social structures to promote justice and dignified living.

3. Interreligious Dialogue

In a religiously diverse world, Christians must engage in ecumenical and interfaith dialogue with humility, respect, and patient listening. While remaining faithful to the Gospel, we should work with people of other faiths to address shared challenges and promote peaceful coexistence.

Through these three areas, the Church bears authentic public witness, making God’s love visible and bringing transformation to society.

As part of the Summer School programme, we visited the City Mission Café and Friedenskirche (Peace Church) in Bayreuth, Germany, witnessing how faith is expressed through practical service and hospitality.

The City Mission Café was founded by Volker Sommerfeldt, who was assigned to a parish just one day before the COVID-19 lockdown. Seeking God’s guidance, he started a ministry providing food for people in need.

From a few volunteers, it has grown to over 100 volunteers, serving at least 250 people in the community. Beyond providing food, the Café hosts Bible studies on Tuesday mornings and Wednesday afternoons and worship services every Sunday evening.

As someone remarked, Volker had turned a café into a church. His ministry demonstrates how a small act of obedience to God’s calling can grow into a meaningful community of faith, especially at a time when many church buildings in Europe are being repurposed.

In the afternoon, we visited Friedenskirche, which welcomes an active Iranian Christian community. In response to the refugee crisis, local pastors and volunteers offered refugees practical assistance with asylum procedures, German language learning, spiritual support and Christian education. Over time, many became active members, even leading Persian-speaking fellowship groups.

These visits demonstrated how the church can be the salt and light of the world through service, welcome, and inclusion. I also learned that whatever ministry we engage in, we must seek God’s guidance and serve others with compassion and care. Even if a ministry starts small, as long as we faithfully respond to God’s call and are willing to take the first step in faith, it can gradually grow under God’s guidance. May God continue to bless these two ministries, enabling more people to experience His love and grace.

Participating in this year’s summer school has been very beneficial for me. I had the opportunity to learn about the struggles, challenges, and problems faced by different countries and churches, and I also gained a deeper understanding of how the church responds to people’s needs and bears witness to the faith in different social situations.

A Swedish female deacon shared insights into the loneliness faced by young people in her area. Many young people fear being different and find it difficult to express their thoughts and beliefs. However, after a year of confirmation classes, almost all participants said it was a wonderful year for them because they made many new friends and felt the care and attention of their leaders. This showed me that the church can help young people build a sense of belonging and feel seen, accepted, and valued through fellowship and companionship.

A pastor from the Orang Asli church in Malaysia shared the ongoing struggles of indigenous communities seeking recognition and protection of their customary lands. Churches seek to stand alongside them by advocating for justice, dignity, and environmental stewardship, guided by Proverbs 31:8 “Speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves, for the rights of all who are destitute.”

A pastor from Sabah shared that Bahasa-speaking Christians in their church face challenges from local Islamic organizations, supported by authorities, who use welfare, education, employment, and marriage as means of systematic proselytization, especially influencing young people studying at public universities. This serves as a reminder for the church to strengthen youth ministry, care for vulnerable groups, and help young people uphold their faith amidst societal pressures.

This exchange has been very beneficial to me. It has given me a better understanding of the challenges and needs of churches in different places, and made me realize that we are called to serve faithfully in different circumstances, to live out the gospel through our actions, and to be the salt and light of the world.

Lastly, I thank God and the Lutheran Church in Singapore (LCS) for this invaluable learning opportunity, allowing me to attend the 2026 Summer School in Bavaria, Germany. This experience not only broadened my horizons but also deepened my understanding of the church’s mission and public witness. I pray that God will continue to guide and bless our church, enabling us to faithfully respond to His calling in different circumstances, and allowing more people to see the love of Christ through our lives and service.

2026年德国暑期学校（7月3日至21日）

卢元和牧师

暑期学校于7月3日晚上开始，但我在7月5日早上才加入，因为7月4日是我们第二届 NGL（下一代信义宗信徒）培训计划的开始，而我是该计划的负责人。

今年暑期学校的主题是“公共见证——盐与光”（Public Witness – Salt and Light）。在正式开始之前，我们先进行了两次线上 Zoom 会议，让大家在见面之前有机会彼此认识。本届暑期学校约有30位参加者，分别来自阿根廷、巴西、柬埔寨、刚果、哥斯达黎加、肯尼亚、莫桑比克、巴布亚新几内亚、菲律宾、沙巴、新加坡、瑞典、坦桑尼亚和西马。

公共见证：盐与光

公共见证建基于基督教的信仰：我们得以称义，是因着上帝的恩典，而不是靠自己的行为。1530年的《奥格斯堡信条》提醒我们，信仰不只是个人私下的信念，也会塑造我们如何在社会中共同生活。基督徒蒙召是要勇敢地宣扬心中盼望，并通过实际行动彰显福音，促进公义、尊严与包容。今年暑期学校的主题主要围绕以下三个领域展开讨论：

1. 教会与民主

教会的力量来自上帝的爱，而不是人数、财富或表现。教会通过参与人们的生活来宣扬福音，并在教会内部及社会中维护人的尊严、民主价值和参与社会。基督徒蒙召成为世上的盐和光，为社区带来改变。

2. 转化性的服侍（Transformative Diaconia）

教会的使命不只是提供慈善援助，更要处理不公义的根源。基督徒通过实际服侍和宣讲上帝的话语，挑战压迫，赋予弱势群体权力，并改变人际关系和社会结构，以促进公义，让人们能够有尊严地生活。

3. 跨宗教对话

在宗教多元的世界中，基督徒应当以谦卑、尊重和耐心聆听的态度，参与普世合一运动及跨宗教对话。在忠于福音的同时，我们也应与其他信仰的人士携手合作，共同面对挑战，促进和平共处。

通过这三个领域，教会能够作出真实的公共见证，让上帝的爱显明出来，并为社会带来改变。

作为暑期学校课程的一部分，我们参访了德国拜罗伊特（Bayreuth）的城市宣教咖啡馆（City Mission Café）与和平教会（Friedenskirche），亲眼看见信仰如何通过实际服侍与接待他人来表达。

城市宣教咖啡馆由 Volker Sommerfeldt 创办。当时，他受委派到拜罗伊特的一间堂会服侍，但就在他上任的前一天，当地因新冠疫情而开始封锁。他向上帝寻求指引，上帝带领他开始这项事工，为社区中有需要的人提供食物。

这项事工起初只有几位志愿者，如今已发展至超过100位志愿者，为社区中至少250人提供服务。除了供应食物，咖啡馆每逢星期二上午和星期三下午也举办查经聚会。每逢星期日晚上6时，咖啡馆还会举行崇拜。

我们当中有人说，Volker 把一间咖啡馆变成了教会。他的事工表明，对上帝呼召的微小顺服，如何能发展成为一个意义深远的信仰群体，尤其是在当下欧洲许多教堂建筑却被改作其他用途。

下午，我们参访了拜罗伊特的和平教会。这是一间信义会教堂，也拥有一个活跃的伊朗基督徒群体。为了应对难民危机，当地的牧师和志愿者为难民提供庇护申请方面的实际帮助、德语学习、属灵支持和基督教教育。随着时间的推移，许多难民成为了堂会的活跃会友，甚至带领波斯语团契小组。

这些参访展现了教会如何通过服侍、欢迎和包容成为世上的盐和光。我也学习到无论我们从事什么事工，都必须寻求上帝的引导，并以怜悯和关怀的心去服侍他人。即使事工起初规模很小，只要忠心回应上帝的呼召，愿意踏出信心的第一步，也可能在上帝的带领下逐渐成长。愿上帝继续赐福这两个事工，使更多人经历祂的爱与恩典。

这次的暑期学校让我认识来自不同国家与教会的人。

一位来自瑞典的女会吏分享了当地年轻人所面对的孤独问题。许多年轻人害怕与众不同，也难以表达自己的想法和信仰。然而，经过一年的坚信礼课程后，几乎所有参加者都表示，那是他们非常美好的一年，因为他们结交了许多新朋友，也感受到带领者对他们的关心和重视。这让我看见，教会可以通过团契与陪伴，帮助年轻人建立归属感，感受到自己被看见、被接纳和被珍惜。

一位来自马来西亚原住民教会的牧师分享，许多原住民社区至今仍在争取被承认和保护他们的传统土地。教会努力与他们同行，为公义、尊严和上帝创造万物的保护发声。这也提醒我们，要实践《箴言》31章8节的教导：“你当为不能自辩的人开口，为一切孤苦无助的人伸冤。”

一位来自沙巴的牧师分享，他们教会中讲马来语的基督徒面对当地伊斯兰组织, 在有关当局支持下，通过福利、教育、就业及婚姻等方式进行劝诱，尤其是影响在公立大学求学的年轻人。这提醒教会加强青年事工，关怀弱势群体，并帮助年轻人在社会压力中坚守信仰。

这次的交流，使我获益良多。它让我更了解各地教会的挑战与需要，并体会到我们蒙召在不同处境中忠心服侍，以行动活出福音，成为世上的盐和光。

最后，我要感谢上帝，也感谢新加坡信义会（LCS）给予我这宝贵的学习机会，让我能够前往德国巴伐利亚参加2026年暑期学校。这次的经历不仅扩展了我的视野，也加深了我对教会使命和公共见证的认识。我祈愿上帝继续带领和赐福我们的教会，使我们在不同的处境中忠心回应祂的呼召，让更多人通过我们的生命与服侍，看见基督的爱。