Our Council governs the LWF between Assemblies. Its members are elected by the Assembly.
The LWF Council consists of member churches representatives, elected by the Assembly. It meets once a year to ensure that LWF is satisfactorily organized and run according to its defined purpose and in accordance with resolutions made by the Assembly.
- The Council shall decide on the budget of the LWF and safeguard the proper control and management of the LWF’s assets.
- The Council shall receive the audited annual financial statements of the LWF and approve them.
- The Council may, when necessary, authorize the Executive Committee to approve the audited annual financial statements.
- The Council shall define the strategy of the LWF according to decisions and actions made by the Assembly.
- It elects the General Secretary. It meets once a year.
![Council Members raise green cards to vote in favor of a motion as the newly LWF Council convenes for their first session following the Lutheran World Federation (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 Members raise green cards to vote in favor of a motion as the newly LWF Council convenes for their first session following the Lutheran World Federation (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](/sites/default/files/styles/ino_plain_1x_xs/public/2024-02/council-vote-september-2023.jpg.webp?itok=gaQuFkp8)
Council Members raise green cards to vote in favor of a motion as the newly LWF Council convenes for their first session following the Lutheran World Federation (LWF) Thirteenth Assembly. Photo: LWF/Albin Hillert
Meet the 49 Council Members
- Africa ¶
- Asia ¶
- Central Eastern Europe ¶
- Central Western Europe ¶
- Latin America and the Caribbean ¶
- Nordic Countries ¶
- North America ¶
ADA EPSE MAINA, Rev. Dr Jeanette, Evangelical Lutheran Church in CAMEROON
DIBISA, Rev. Dr Yonas Yigezu, The Ethiopian Evangelical Lutheran Church Mekane Yesus (ETHIOPIA)
GABEE, Ms Agnes, Evangelical Lutheran Church of PAPUA NEW GUINEA
HANEKOM, Mr Petrus Johannes, Northeastern Evangelical Lutheran Church in SOUTH AFRICA
MANANATO, Ms Toromare, Malagasy Lutheran Church (MADAGASCAR)
MATROOS, Ms Susan, Evangelical Lutheran Church in Southern Africa (SOUTH AFRICA)
MOMOH, Mr Moses Sanganwo, Evangelical Lutheran Church in SIERRA LEONE
NDAWANAPO, Bishop Tomás, Evangelical Lutheran Church of ANGOLA
NUHU, Mr Ishaya, The Lutheran Church of Christ in NIGERIA
RAM, Mr Michael, Evangelical Lutheran Church in GUYANA
SHOO, Presiding Bishop, Fredrick Onael, Evangelical Lutheran Church in TANZANIA
UWASE, Ms Phiona, Lutheran Church of RWANDA
BALASINGH, Bishop Jacob Priestly, INDIA Evangelical Lutheran Church
BORGOARY, Ms Ranjita Christi, Northern Evangelical Lutheran Church (INDIA)
CHANG, Bishop Chun Wa, The Evangelical Lutheran Church of HONG KONG
HOMMA, Ms Ibuki, JAPAN Evangelical Lutheran Church
LIN, Ms Mei-Ting (Terry), The Lutheran Church of TAIWAN
LAWRENCE, Bishop Steven, Evangelical Lutheran Church in MALAYSIA
RACHEL SOREN, Ms Rinki, NEPAL Evangelical Lutheran Church
SINAGA, Rev. Dr Deonal, Protestant Christian Batak Church (INDONESIA)
TELAMBANUA, Rev. Mesrawati, The Protestant Christian Church (INDONESIA)
FABINY, Bishop Dr Tamás, The Evangelical Lutheran Church in HUNGARY
JAVORNIK, Mr Martin Jan, Slovak Evangelical Church of Augsburg Confession in SERBIA
NAVRÁTILOVÁ, Rev. Dr Olga, Evangelical Church of Czech Brethren (CZECH REPUBLIC)
POŠKIENĖ, Ms Milita, The Evangelical Lutheran Church of LITHUANIA
SOJKA, Prof. Dr Jerzy, Evangelical Church of the Augsburg Confession in POLAND
DANTINE, Superintendent Olivier, Evangelical Church of the Augsburg Confession in AUSTRIA
FARROW, Rev. Sarah, Lutheran Church in GREAT BRITAIN
GÖTZ, Mr Tim, Evangelical Lutheran Church in Bavaria (GERMANY)
HORN, Ms Charlotte, Evangelical Lutheran Church in Württemberg (GERMANY)
KÜHNBAUM-SCHMIDT, Bishop Kristina, Evangelical Lutheran Church in Northern GERMANY
MARTIN, Oberkirchenrat Michael, Evangelical Lutheran Church in Bavaria (GERMANY)
STELTER, Oberkirchenrat Dirk, Evangelical Lutheran Church of Hanover (GERMANY)
WESTFELD, Ms Bettina, Evangelical Lutheran of Saxony (GERMANY)
HERNÁNDEZ MIRANDA, Bishop Atahualpa, Evangelical Lutheran Church of COLOMBIA
REIMANN GNAS, Ms Isabella, Evangelical Church of the Lutheran Confession in BRAZIL
ROMMEL, Rev. Wilma Elisabet, United Evangelical Lutheran Church (ARGENTINA, URUGUAY)
GUĐMUNDSDÓTTIR, Rev. Dr Arnfriđur, Evangelical Lutheran Church of ICELAND
LODBERG, Prof. Dr Peter, Evangelical Lutheran Church in DENMARK
LUOMA, Rev. Jussi, Evangelical Lutheran Church of FINLAND
PÅLSSON, Rev. Veronica, Church of SWEDEN
SAMNØEN, Mr Øystein, The Evangelical Lutheran Free Church of NORWAY
SANDMÆL, The Very Rev. Kristine, Church of NORWAY
FLIPPIN JR., Rev. William Edward, Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (USA)
GOHM, Rev. Katherine Maria, Evangelical Lutheran Church in CANADA
ISLAM, Ms Khadijah, Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (USA)
LUND, Rev. Barbara, Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (USA)
ORTIZ, Bishop Leila, Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (USA)
WENDEL, Mr Brad, Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (USA)
The Executive Committee oversees the proper functioning of the LWF between Council meetings.
The Executive Committee shall normally meet semi annually, with one meeting in conjunction with the Council meeting.
The Council appoints from its membership committees and sub-committees to direct specific areas of work as needed and designates their chairpersons.
In addition, the Council may elect up to 21 advisers to the Committees to provide professional competence and expertise.
Previous Council Documents
- LWF Council 2022 | “In Christ, all things hold together”
- LWF Council 2021 | “Be witnesses of radical hope”
- LWF Council 2019 | "Because we know God’s voice."
- LWF Council 2018 | "Freely you have received, freely give."
- LWF Council 2016 | "Grounded in God’s love – discerning God’s future."
- LWF Council 2015 | "Hope does not disappoint."
- LWF Council 2014 | “Like a Tree Planted by Streams of Water.”
- LWF Council 2013 | “Called to be disciples in today’s world.”
![LWF Council members in 2019, in Geneva, Switzerland. Photo: LWF LWF Council members in 2019, in Geneva, Switzerland. Photo: LWF](/sites/default/files/styles/ino_plain_1x_xs/public/2024-02/20190618%20Council-41_0.png.webp?itok=dhNn2F30)
LWF Council members in 2019, in Geneva, Switzerland. Photo: LWF
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