Lutheran Church of Rwanda

The LCR started officially on May 23, 1995. The challenge that confronted the LCR and Rwanda in December 1994 was truly extraordinary. Thirty-two years of country divisionism, more than eight years of economic collapse, and four years of civil war and 90 days of savage genocide had left one million people dead, a collapsed nation and economy, and infrastructure destroyed. The violent legacy of genocide, civil war and of an authoritarian state has caused poverty, political instability and social and spiritual fragility.
After the war and the genocide, about four million Rwandan refugees were repatriated, resettled, and reintegrated peacefully. Among the returnees were Lutheran Christians and pastors, mostly from Evangelical Lutheran Church in Tanzania (ELCT), who had lived in exile for about 45 years. Most of the Lutheran returnees settled in Rusumo and Rukira Districts of Kibungo Province, while some others went to the northeast, central and northern parts of Rwanda. Christians returned with their pastors and evangelists who had had theological education in Tanzania and Kenya. They wanted to retain their tradition as Lutheran Christians.
To enable parishes to sustain its pastors, the church leadership has coordinated and conducted seminars and workshops for church and community leaders to help them develop participatory methods of sustainable peacebuilding, reconciliation and parish development. Today, the number of Christians served by the LCR is estimated to be 20,000 in 50 parishes and four districts making up what is referred to as a “synod.” The synod is the highest decision-making body of the church and is composed of congregations and district representatives elected by church members. The synod convenes once a year. The synod is responsible for electing church leadership as provided for by the church constitution. The Bishop is the head of the church, assisted by a Dean and a General Secretary, as well as senior employees of the church. The Lutheran church was officially registered as a Non-Governmental Organization (NGO) in July 2002. The LCR is a member of the Lutheran World Federation (LWF) and the Lutheran Communion in Central & Eastern Africa (LUCCEA).