In a group work session, delegates at the consultationdiscussed how youth in many churches that are experiencing membership growth are a driving force for mission across all generations. Participants shared strategies on focus themes, resource mobilization, and inspiring activities that help to get more youth engaged in what the church is doing. Photo: LWF/S. Gallay
A group of over 80 people representing all LWF regions recently met in Geneva mid-November and discussed a vast variety of topics related to Contemporary Mission in Global Christianity.
Rev. Julianne-Barlow, Assistant to the Bishop in Alberta, Evangelical Lutheran Church in Canada, presenting the North American context, called for a shift from questions about self-interest and self-preservation to God-centered questions. Photo: LWF/S. Gallay
Consultation participants Holiharifetra Rakotondramiadana, South-South Program of the Malagasy Lutheran Church, and Gabriele Hoerschelmann, Mission EineWelt, Germany. Photo: LWF/S. Gallay
Attending the consultation were Lutheran church leaders Rev. Wilma-Rommel, vice-president of the United Evangelical Lutheran Church (Argentina); Rev. Roberto Federico Trejo Haager, Mexican Lutheran Church, and Rev. Alvaro Michellin, a guest from the Waldensian Evangelical Church in Argentina. Photo: LWF/S. Gallay
Mutual accompaniment was a key theme at the LWF consultation; Rev. Risto Jukko, Evangelical Lutheran Church of Finland (left) and Bishop Kombo Poro Danladi, Evangelical Lutheran Church of Cameroon, exchange views. Photo: LWF/S. Gallay
Secularism is widespread in former communist countries in Central Eastern Europe, Rev. Tauno Toompuu, Estonian Evangelical Lutheran Church, said in his presentation. Photo: LWF/S. Gallay
God’s mission calls Christians to articulate a model of mutually life-sustaining relationships that are experienced in community, said Indian theologian Rev. Dr Chandran Paul Martin, the South Asia consulting regional representative for the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America Global Mission. Photo: LWF/S. Gallay
In group work, delegates at the mission consultation discussed the role of religion in development and the response of churches as governments increasingly take responsibility in providing services such as health, education and care for the elderly, which have largely been the responsibility of churches. Photo: LWF/S. Gallay
