Members of the LWF Council welcome three new members to the communion. Photo: LWF/Albin Hillert
Geographic reach of LWF extends to include Cuba
(LWI) - The LWF Council has voted to welcome with joy three new member churches to the Lutheran World Federation (LWF). They are the Christ Lutheran Church (India), the United Evangelical Church en Cuba – Lutheran Synod, and the Augustinian Lutheran Church of Guatemala. This brings the number of member churches to 148 and the countries to 99.
“We welcome you into the LWF’s journey of mutuality and solidarity. Centered in Christ and holding fast to the gift of liberation by God’s grace, you are invited to share your talents as we jointly work towards justice, peace and reconciliation in our world,” said LWF General Secretary Rev. Dr Martin Junge as the Council approved the new member churches.
We welcome you into the LWF’s journey of mutuality and solidarity.
The Christ Lutheran Church (India), is made up of 54 congregations and outreach centers in six states. Congregations are served by 18 ordained pastors and 18 evangelists. Membership of the church stands at just over 2700.
The United Evangelical Church en Cuba - Lutheran Synod, extends the communion’s geographic reach to a new country. It has 1500 members, 11 congregations in seven provinces, seven ordained pastors, a bishop and an auxiliary bishop, six ordained deacons and 15 preachers.
The Augustinian Lutheran Church of Guatemala is made up of 3000 members in 17 congregations, located in El Quiché, Cobán, Alta Verapáz, Petén and Guatemala City. The church counts eight ordained pastors, two catechists, an evangelist, a preacher, a minister for Eucharist, as well as 16 health promoters and various volunteers.
Churches that apply for LWF membership accept the doctrinal basis of the LWF, must be autonomous bodies, legally recognized in their respective country, and consisting of more than one local congregation.
The 2018 LWF Council meeting takes place in Geneva from 27 June - 2 July. The theme of the Council is “Freely you have received, freely give” (Matthew 10:8, NIV). The LWF Council meets yearly and is the highest authority of the LWF between assemblies. It consists of the President, the Chairperson of the Finance Committee, and 48 members from LWF member churches in seven regions.
