LWF Youth lead global Reformation prayer

In this time of physical distancing, the Lutheran World Federation will gather online to unite in prayer on Reformation Day 2020. LWF Youth from around the world will lead our liturgy that focuses on baptism, which reconciles us to God and all creation. By water and Word, the one Spirit unites us through time and space into one body of Christ, and enlightens us with one hope to live our vocation in trust and courage. We will hear messages of hope from around the world and dance to music by Grupo Anima, theology students at Faculdades EST, Brazil.

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Event languages: English, Spanish, French, German

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Participants share how youth-inspired projects contribute to ongoing reformation in the church

In its second phase, the LWF Global Young Reformers Network (GYRN) provides a platform for youth in the member churches to work around focus areas identified at the Twelfth LWF Assembly. These include three priorities namely, revival of churches, equity and education, and two cross-cutting themes-- climate justice and youth participation. The goal is to inspire and empower youth to engage and participate in the ongoing reformation of the church.

During the regional meeting, the young reformers will report on youth-led initiatives among the 31 LWF member churches in Africa, identify best practices and set priorities for the coming years.

Facilitated by LWF Communion Office staff, the online meeting will include smaller group discussions around the main topics.

Zoom Registration Link

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Participants explore youth contribution toward sustainable change in the Lutheran communion

The second phase of the LWF Global Young Reformers Network (GYRN)  invites youth contribution to three priorities--revival of churches, equity and education; and two cross-cutting themes-- climate justice and youth participation. The goal is to inspire and empower youth to engage in the ongoing reformation of the church. 

This online meeting provides an opportunity for LWF member church representatives from Latin America & the Caribbean (LAC) and North America (NA) to: 

• Connect with fellow young reformers in the LAC and NA regions  
• Explore through mutual sharing and reflection the identity of GYRN and the role of its members 
• Identify ways to participate in the Lutheran communion and contribute to ongoing reformation  

The meeting will continue on 6 February, concluding with action plans on working toward sustainable change in the Lutheran communion.

Event languages: English and Spanish

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Read more Young reformers from Latin America & the Caribbean and North America continue discussion on their role as change agents in the Lutheran communion.

Global Young Reformers 2.0 regional meeting for LAC and NA delegates: Webinar 2

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Global Young Reformers Network 2.0

Participants explore youth contribution toward sustainable change in the Lutheran communion

The second phase of the LWF Global Young Reformers Network (GYRN)  invites youth contribution to three priorities--revival of churches, equity and education; and two cross-cutting themes-- climate justice and youth participation. The goal is to inspire and empower youth to engage in the ongoing reformation of the church. 

This online meeting provides an opportunity for LWF member church representatives from Latin America & the Caribbean (LAC) and North America (NA) to: 

• Connect with fellow young reformers in the LAC and NA regions  
• Explore through mutual sharing and reflection the identity of GYRN and the role of its members 
• Identify ways to participate in the Lutheran communion and contribute to ongoing reformation  

The meeting will conclude with action plans on working toward sustainable change in the Lutheran communion.

Event languages: English and Spanish

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Read more Young reformers from LWF’s Latin America & the Caribbean and North America regions discuss their role as change agents in the Lutheran communion.

Global Young Reformers 2.0 regional meeting for LAC and NA delegates: Webinar 1

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Online meeting of the LWF Council

The Lutheran World Federation's annual governance meeting takes place online, from 18 to 23 June 2021. This will be an exceptional online meeting because of the COVID-19 pandemic. An in-person meeting is scheduled for November 2021. On 16 June the LWF Executive Committee will meet.

The LWF Council meets once a year and is responsible for LWF business between Assemblies. It consists of:

• the President
• the Chairperson of the Finance Committee
• 48 lay or ordained people, from LWF member churches in seven regions.

Members of this Council were appointed at the 2017 Twelfth Assembly.

More information:

View More News

LWF Council News

Finance chairperson thanks LWF’s churches and partners for “faithful support” 22 June 2021 GENEVA Junge highlights LWF’s agility, resilience, clarity of mission 21 June 2021 GENEVA, Switzerland LWF elects Estonian Anne Burghardt as new General Secretary 19 June 2021 GENEVA, Switzerland LWF President: “Be witnesses of radical hope” 18 June 2021 GENEVA, Switzerland

View All Resources

Resources

Council 2021 documents 16 June 2021 Download exhibits and other Council 2021 related documents Department for Planning and Coordination

Practical collaboration based on joint calling and distinct mandates

The joint calling and distinct mandates of LWF’s member churches and World Service programs provide opportunities for collaboration guided by the communion’s vision of working toward a just, peaceful and reconciled world. The new Guidance Note aims to deepen mutual understanding of holistic witness and serving people in need, and inspire meaningful ways of joint engagement in different countries around the world.

The online launch will include opening remarks by LWF General Secretary Rev. Dr Martin Junge, presentation of the document’s purpose, target groups and content, as well as testimonies about joint collaboration from people working at the local level.

Register for the Zoom webinar

Event languages: English (Spanish and French with simultaneous interpretation)

Registration deadline: 2 May 2021

Read the Guidance Note

Pastors encouraged to apply for new course on self-understanding “To be Lutheran is to be ecumenical”

LWF’s rich ecumenical history of more than 60 years includes milestones such as the Lutheran-Catholic Joint Declaration on the Doctrine of Justification (JDDJ), which by its 20th anniversary in 2019 had developed into a five-partner agreement including the Methodists, Anglicans and the Reformed. Several other study documents resulting from various bilateral and multilateral agreements, and from dialogues with the Mennonites, the Orthodox and Pentecostals offer a wide range of resources.

Dialogue outcome reception or transmission, especially to the younger generation of Lutheran pastors and theologians is important so that ecumenical achievements can continue to influence relations between churches. As ecumenism is not often taught at many universities or seminaries where Lutherans are educated, the Strasbourg Institute seminar provides space to hand over this knowledge.

Building on experience from the inaugural seminar in 2019, participants will also report on the relations between churches in their respective countries, and discuss how the contemporary experiences of LWF’s member churches can be used to develop steps for a rapprochement between churches. It is the first time the event will take place online due to the COVID-19 pandemic restrictions.

Institute for Ecumenical Research in Strasbourg - Application Information

Registration requirements: Candidates require church endorsement

Language: English

Deadline: 31 July 2021

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Joint Declaration on the Doctrine of Justification

Potential for bridge building between Christian ecumenical work and other intrareligious dialogues

Modern societies are pluralistic in many senses, including religious. The three great monotheistic religions of Judaism, Christianity and Islam in particular often occur within the same countries and live together. In addition, there are differences between groups within the respective religions. Classical ecumenism in the Christian domain is concerned with denominational divisions and seeks to overcome them. But Judaism, Islam and Buddhism also have internal divisions that are often fought out in bitter quarrels, as in Christianity.

The seminar will examine how conflicts can be overcome in the coexistence of different currents within a religion and between different religions. Can bridges be built between Christian ecumenical work and other intrareligious dialogues, such as within Islam?

It is the first time the annual event will take place online due to the COVID-19 pandemic restrictions.

Institute for Ecumenical Research in Strasbourg - Application Information

Registration requirements: Candidates require church endorsement

Language: English

Deadline: 31 May 2021

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LWF Regional Consultation

After a keynote address by the LWF General Secretary, the church representatives will discuss common opportunities and challenges ahead. An information session on important processes within the LWF will be as much part of this meeting as a time for church leaders to pray together. Moreover, this consultation is a vital opportunity for the LWF Council members of the region to hear the voices of the member churches, which will enable them to represent these churches fully at the LWF Council meeting later in June.

Registration deadline: 21 May 2021

Languages: English and German

LWF Regional Consultation

After a keynote address by the LWF General Secretary, the church representatives will discuss about common opportunities and challenges in the time ahead. An information session on important processes within the LWF will be as much part of this meeting as a time for church leaders to pray together. Moreover, this consultation is a vital opportunity for the LWF Council members of the region to hear the voices of the member churches, which will enable them to represent these churches fully at the LWF Council meeting later in June.

Registration deadline: 1 June 2021

Languages: English and German