DMD Themes
HIV and AIDS
Think PositHIVe! © LWF/J. Schep |
There are an estimated 40 million people (2005) living with HIV and AIDS worldwide. For member churches in Africa, the AIDS pandemic is the most life-threatening reality for their people. The societal impact is not yet so pervasive in Latin America and the Caribbean or Eastern Europe and Russia, but Asia is at risk for an impact comparable to Africa.
LWF Action Plan on HIV and AIDS
The LWF launched a global campaign against HIV and AIDS in 2002. It includes an LWF action plan on HIV and AIDS, with the theme, "Compassion, Conversion, Care: Responding as Churches to the HIV/AIDS Pandemic" (Requires Adobe Acrobat Reader) 
, aimed at engaging LWF member churches in open discussion about the disease, and promoting their active participation.
At the end of the first three-year phase of the campaign, an increasing number of church leaders are speaking openly about HIV and AIDS and there is a substantial increase in initiatives (ranging from first steps to large scale outreach programs) implemented by member churches and LWF field programs.
The key indicators for success in the campaign are whether the churches are willing to internalize the challenges of HIV and AIDS, whether they continue to see AIDS as “them” or “among us,” and whether the churches become AIDS competent.
Becoming AIDS competent as a church includes:
- having a sound theological understanding of the ethical questions surrounding AIDS;
- having up-to-date knowledge about prevention, counseling, testing and treatment possibilities;
- having a good AIDS policy and a designated AIDS resource person in place; and
- ensuring that all workers in the church, both clergy and lay, are aware of these policies and of the new and adjusted theological understanding within the church.
LWI Special Issue: “PositHIVe Church”
PositHIVe church |
“POSITHIVE CHURCH” is a special issue of Lutheran World Information published to mark World AIDS Day on 1 December 2005. It is a public testimony to the challenges, failures and, at times, courageous initiatives of churches and others in facing HIV and AIDS. In many stories and testimonies, including projects coordinated through DMD, it presents the vision and commitments of the Lutheran communion in facing this pandemic.
Click for information to download a copy of the LWI Special Issue: “PositHIVe Church”. (Requires Adobe Acrobat Reader)
LWF manual for the grassroots
An LWF manual is in development to assist those working with HIV and AIDS at the grassroots level, especially pastors and other church workers. Theologians and technical experts in HIV and AIDS are presenting existing theological resources with a Lutheran perspective, and developing chapters on clinical aspects as well as best practices in home-based care, counseling and advocacy. The first five chapters are anticipated in mid-2006.
For further information please contact:
DMD Director
Rev. Kjell Nordstokke
HIV and AIDS Desk Administrative Assistant
Claudia Hoffmann-Denarié
