IN MEMORY OF THEM

SOME REFLECTIVE VIEWS ON THE ORDINATION OF WOMEN IN THE EVANGELICAL CHURCH OF LUTHERAN CONFESSION IN BRAZIL

Abstract

The objective of the article is to reflect on the ordination of women in the Evangelical Church of Lutheran Confession in Brazil (ECLCB). The article seeks to answer the following problem question: How and when did the ordination of women to the ministry(ies) occur in the ECLCB? The research and writing of the article included a bibliographic review and documentary research. The research framework is the methodology of theology and feminist theory, placing women's experience at the center of theological reflection. The ordination of women in the ECLCB is the result of the women's demand movement. It was in the 1970s of the 20th century that the first woman completed her theological studies at the Faculty of Theology but was ordained in Germany. The sending to pastoral work in a parish occurred at the end of the 1970s, and the first ordination only took place at the beginning of the 1980s of the 20th century. In 2000, changes occurred in theological studies, and the catechetical, missionary, and diaconal ministries also received ordination. The research shows that in these ministries, the first ordained were women. In 2024, the ECLCB celebrates 200 years of Lutheran presence on Brazilian soil; however, only 42 years of ordination of women to pastoral ministry.