LWF Council 2016

Grounded in God's love - discerning God's future

The Lutheran World Federation's annual governance meeting took place in the historic town of Wittenberg, Germany, from 15 to 21 June 2016, with the theme, Grounded in God’s love – discerning God’s future.

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 and 48 lay or ordained people, from LWF member churches in seven regions. Members of this Council were appointed at the 2010 Eleventh Assembly.

This meeting was significant in that it was the last full Council meeting before the Twelfth Assembly, to be held in 2017. As such, much of the business related to preparations for the Assembly.

Council business

• The President’s address and the General Secretary’s report on the past year and on future prospects for the LWF
• The report of the Chairperson of the Finance Committee
• Efforts to protect human rights, with a focus on refugees and climate injustice
• The significant progress in ecumenical relations and an update on the Joint Ecumenical Commemoration in Lund on 31 October 2016
• The sustainability of the LWF
• An update on the Twelfth Assembly in Namibia and 2017 Reformation anniversary

Opening worship, the Meeting of Officers and the Pre-Council Women and Youth meetings started on 15 June and concluded the next day.

Wittenberg Pilgrimage

A variety of activities were held in conjunction with the meeting. The opening service and morning prayers took place in the city church, Stadtkirche. On one occasion, morning prayers were held in the Catholic church. Several churches in the Wittenberg surrounds hosted worship on 19 June. In the lead-up to the meeting, a pilgrimage organized by Council hosts, the LWF German National Committee and the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Middle Germany took place. German President and Lutheran pastor Joachim Gauck welcomed Council participants to Wittenberg. With LWF President Bishop Dr Munib A. Younan, he inaugurated a sculpture, Himmelskreuz, in the Luthergarten.

Council 2016 Documents

Council news

Council blog

Council Photo Gallery

Council schedule

Media invitation

Follow Activities Online:

• #LWFCouncil
• #LWFPilgrimage