Communion Office
The LWF Communion Office comprises staff who are based in Geneva and other cities around the world.
The Communion Office carries out LWF’s work as mandated by the Assembly and Council. It facilitates collaboration with the member churches, related agencies, theological institutions, ecumenical and other partners. The chief executive officer of the LWF is the General Secretary, who is supported by the Communion Office Leadership Team. The overall work is implemented through the Office of the General Secretary and three other departments.
![LWF General Secretary Anne Burghardt](/sites/default/files/styles/custom_crop_image_style/public/2022-09/LWF%20Council%202022%20-%20June%2009%20-%2005%20General%20Secretary%27s%20Report%2020.jpg?itok=81GtSNFi)
LWF General Secretary, Rev. Dr Anne Burghardt. Photo: LWF/S. Gallay
Rev. Dr Anne Burghardt is the General Secretary of the Lutheran World Federation.
![Office of the General Secretary](/sites/default/files/styles/custom_crop_image_style/public/2021-12/Days%20of%20Meetings%202019-21.png?itok=nOoXjfnO)
LWF Days of Meetings, Ecumenical Center, Geneva (Switzerland), 15-17 October 2019. Photo: LWF/S. Gallay
The Office of the General Secretary has primary responsibility for nurturing and promoting communion relations and promoting Christian unity.
![Department for Theology, Mission and Justice](/sites/default/files/styles/custom_crop_image_style/public/2021-12/addis-ababa-october-2019_48951400423_o%402x.png?itok=H9MdVjpd)
Rev. Dr Mari-Anna Auvinen in a response panel during the global consultation on Lutheran identities held in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, in October 2019. Photo: LWF/Albin Hillert
The Department for Theology, Mission and Justice is responsible for programs that support the presence and witness of the LWF member churches.
![Deparment for World Service](/sites/default/files/styles/custom_crop_image_style/public/2021-12/RTMLalibela2019-day5-group%402x.png?itok=w31TNDEP)
World Service Regional Team Meeting in Lalibela, Ethiopia, October 2019. Photo: LWF World Service
Through LWF World Service we respond to humanitarian emergencies and support people in need. The Department for World Service is responsible for LWF’s humanitarian and development work which is implemented in country and emergency programs in 25 countries in Africa, Asia, and Latin America.
![Department for Planning and Coordination](/sites/default/files/styles/custom_crop_image_style/public/2022-06/LWF%20Days%20of%20Meetings%202017-078.jpg?itok=QauTKPtJ)
Group works during the 2017 Days of Meeting. Photo: LWF/S. Gallay
Coordinating the work of the Communion Office
![2023 Communion Office Leadership Team](/sites/default/files/styles/custom_crop_image_style/public/2023-01/COLT-202212.jpg?itok=hOAa3q9E)
Communion Office Leadership Team, left to right: Ms Maria Immonen, Rev. Árni Svanur Daníelsson, Rev. Dr Anne Burghardt, Mr Szabolcs Lörincz, Rev. Dr Sivin Kit. Photos: LWF/S. Gallay, LWF/A. Daníelsson
The Communion Office Leadership Team supports the General Secretary in leading and managing the LWF Communion Office
Visit us
Want to know more about the LWF? Consider a visit to the Communion Office.
The Lutheran World Federation
Chemin du Pavillon 2
1218 Le Grand-Saconnex, Geneva
Switzerland