Members of the LWF Intergenerational Justice Policy Task Force, at the first in-person meeting in Amman, Jordan. Photo: LWF/S. Sullivan
LWF task force members lay groundwork at inaugural meeting
(LWI) – The Lutheran World Federation (LWF) has laid the groundwork for a policy to mainstream inclusion of all age groups in Lutheran theological reflection, the church’s life together, and the communion’s decision-making processes.
At the inaugural meeting of the Intergenerational Justice Policy Task Force, 26 February-4 March, the group’s members representing all LWF regions, delved into the theological and sociological foundations of intergenerational justice. They underscored the importance of integrating insights from the diverse contexts of the member churches.
In 2023, LWF’s Thirteenth Assembly called for a policy that would foster meaningful encounters and exchange between generations and promote youth leadership.
Ms Savanna Sullivan, LWF Program Executive for Youth. Photo: LWF/S. Sullivan
Rev. Filip Lipinski (Poland), and Ms Charlotte Frank (Germany) during one of the working sessions. Photo: LWF/S. Sullivan
The task force members reaffirmed the biblical calling of intergenerational justice, highlighting stories such as David’s anointment as king despite being the youngest among his brothers, Moses’ strength and leadership in his advanced age, and Jesus Christ’s ministry. They referred to the LWF Gender Justice Policy as a source of inspiration for the promising work ahead. Also, insights from regional leaders who were consulted before the meeting were shared.
The task force chairperson Mr Natan Schumann, Evangelical Church of the Lutheran Confession in Brazil (IECLB), noted it was important for the process to be inclusive in order to facilitate the policy’s future implementation within the member churches. “We left the meeting with great enthusiasm, confident that the policy will be a valuable contribution to the LWF communion and its participation in God’s mission,” added Schumann, who is a youth leader in the IECLB.
We left the meeting with great enthusiasm, confident that the policy will be a valuable contribution to the LWF communion and its participation in God’s mission
Mr Natan Schumann, Evangelical Church of the Lutheran Confession in Brazil
The other members of the task force are Rev. Katherine Gohm (Evangelical Lutheran Church in Canada), Ms Rutendo Gora (Northeastern Evangelical Lutheran Church in South Africa), Presiding Bishop Kenneth Sibanda (Evangelical Lutheran Church in Zimbabwe), Ms Charlotte Frank (Evangelical Lutheran Church in Central Germany), Rev. Rodny Said (ELCJHL), Rev. Filip Lipinski (Evangelical Church of the Augsburg Confession in Poland), Rev. Veronica Pålsson (Church of Sweden) and Ms Savanna Sullivan, LWF Program Executive for Youth.
Sullivan underlined the important contribution of the global LWF Youth network “that has gotten us here.” The call to have an intergenerational policy, she noted, arose from activities in this network, and addressing the quest for faithful and just relationships between all generations. “The task force is committed to reflecting further on what it means to follow the call of the gospel to be communities that love our neighbor of every generation,” she added.
The ELCJHL hosted the in-person meeting, and the task force members visited significant Christian sites in Jordan. Photo: LWF/S. Sullivan
Ms Rutendo Gora (South Africa). Photo: LWF/S. Sullivan
Work continues online
Until the next in-person meeting in July 2026, online work will continue under three sub-groups focused on: defining the core principles, theological background, and deepening the understanding of intergenerational justice. Consultations will also continue with leaders in the regions and experts in respective fields.
The task force members expressed appreciation to the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Jordan and the Holy Land (ELCJHL) for “offering exceptional hospitality that enriched” their experience. Members also visited significant sites, including Christ’s baptismal location in Bethany Beyond Jordan, and attended a service at the Good Shepherd Lutheran Church in Amman.
