Evangelical Lutheran Church in Namibia
| Evangelical Lutheran Church in Namibia | |
|---|---|
Symbol of Lutheranism | |
| Classification | Protestant |
| Orientation | Lutheran |
| Theology | Lutheran theology |
| Polity | Episcopal |
| Presiding Bishop | Shekutaamba Nambala |
| Associations | |
| Region | Namibia |
| Headquarters | Oniipa |
| Origin | 1954 Engela |
| Congregations | 123 |
| Members | 772,398 |
| Ministers | 143 |
| Secondary schools | 2 |
| Other name | Evangelical Lutheran Ovambo-Kavango Church |
| Official website | www |
The Evangelical Lutheran Church in Namibia (ELCIN) is a Lutheran denomination based in Namibia. It had a total membership of over 853,522 in 2023, mainly in northern Namibia. Formerly known as the Evangelical Lutheran Ovambo-Kavango Church (ELOC), it played a significant role in opposition to Apartheid in Namibia and was part of the Namibian independence struggle.
Other Lutheran churches in Namibia are the southern-based Evangelical Lutheran Church in the Republic of Namibia and the German-speaking Evangelical Lutheran Church in Namibia (GELK).
The last presiding bishop was Shekutaamba Nambala. He retired in 2021; by the end of 2022, the post was still vacant.
On the 14 August 2024 during Synod XXV at the ELCIN center in Ongwediva, two bishops were elected: Rev Hilja Ndatala - Eenyofi Nghaangulwa for the Eastern Diocese and Rev Gideon Niitenge for the Western Diocese. Hilja is the first female pastor to be elected as bishop.