Who We Are

We are a global communion of churches in the Lutheran tradition, living and working together for a just, peaceful, and reconciled world

We strive to put our Christian faith into action through humanitarian and development work, advocacy, shared witness, and dialogue

With Passion for the Church and for the World

What we do    Our strategy     Our organization

Living and working together as a Communion

The overarching framework for our ongoing witness is provided by the calling of LWF member churches to live and work together as a communion of churches in ongoing need of reformation.

Supporting churches’ presence and vibrant witness in the world

We are passionate about the churches holistically witnessing to Christ in their contexts. We seek to equip and resource each other to witness to the liberating grace of God

Promoting human dignity, justice, and peace

Out of faith convictions and theological reflections, we are committed to uphold human dignity and work for justice and peace. As a communion we also support people in need, including refugees, internally displaced people and host communities

Vision and Values

"Liberated by God’s grace, a communion in Christ, living and working together for a just, peaceful, and reconciled world."

150.Member Churches
Our churches represent over 78 million people from the Lutheran tradition
99.Countries
The LWF covers seven geographic regions and a diverse array of contexts
48.Council Members
Elected by the Assembly, representing our Member Churches
7.Areas of Work
Promoting justice, peace, reconciliation and dignity for individuals and communities.

Our Lutheran Identity

Our identity as Lutherans is rooted in the Bible and our history. Our member church contexts continue to shape our faith, theology and understanding of God’s mission.

Governance and Oversight

The Assembly elects the LWF President and the Council which governs between Assemblies and approves the LWF Strategy which gives direction for the Communion's work. The LWF Communion Office carries out tasks mandated by our Council.

The new LWF President, Bishop Henrik Stubkjær of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Denmark. Photo: LWF/Albin Hillert

The new LWF President, Bishop Henrik Stubkjær of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Denmark. Photo: LWF/Albin Hillert

President

Danish Bishop Henrik Stubkjær, serves as the President of the LWF since 2023.

LWF Council members pictured at their first meeting following the LWF Thirteenth Assembly, held in Krakow, Poland on 13-19 September 2023 under the theme of ’One Body, One Spirit, One Hope’. Photo: LWF/Albin Hillert

LWF Council members pictured at their first meeting following the LWF Thirteenth Assembly, held in Krakow, Poland on 13-19 September 2023 under the theme of ’One Body, One Spirit, One Hope’. Photo: LWF/Albin Hillert

Council

The members of the Council are elected by the Assembly, representing the seven regions and churches of the communion

LWF General Secretary Rev. Anne Burghardt. Photo: LWF

General Secretary

Our General Secretary, Rev. Dr Anne Burghardt, is the first woman and first person from Central Eastern Europe to hold this office

Communion Office

LWF Communion office, in the Ecumenical Center in Geneva, until February 2024. Photo: LWF

Communion Office

The LWF Communion Office comprises staff who are based in Geneva and worldwide.

Accountability

LWF is committed to transparency in our aims, processes, decisions, and use of resources and to being accountable to the people we serve, our member churches, partners, and donors.

History

The LWF was founded in the wake of the Second World War, at a time when Lutheran churches aspired for greater fellowship and solidarity among themselves. It relies on four pillars:

  • Rescue the needy
  • Common initiatives in mission
  • Joints efforts in theology
  • A common response to the ecumenical challenge.

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