A group of students at the Institute for Ecumenical Research in Strasbourg. Photo: Institute for Ecumenical Research in Strasbourg
Applications welcome until 25 September for online course
(LWI) - With a view to fostering dialogue and stronger ties among Lutheran churches and those of other denominations, the Institute for Ecumenical Research in Strasbourg invites applications from Lutheran pastors and students of advanced theology for its upcoming course on ecumenism.
The online course will run from 6 to 10 October 2025 and will be conducted in English. Five webinars will be held on those days from 13.00 to 16.00 (CET) and participants are expected to attend all sessions. Before the start of the course, participants will receive five pre-recorded videos and supporting documents to study ahead of time. The cost is €100 for the week, and upon completion, participants will be awarded a certificate of participation.
The aim of the course is to provide insights into the historic ecumenical achievements of the Lutheran World Federation (LWF). Key milestones on this journey include the 1999 Joint Declaration on the Doctrine of Justification with the Roman Catholic Church, the marking of reconciliation between Lutherans and Mennonites at the 2010 Stuttgart Assembly and the 2016 ecumenical prayer service in Lund, Sweden, with Pope Francis and LWF leaders commemorating 500 years of the Reformation.
Since the 1960s, the Institute for Ecumenical Research has always been at the heart of the ecumenical movement
Prof. Dr Dirk Lange, LW Assistant General Secretary for Ecumenical Relations
The Strasbourg Institute has been actively involved in all these ecumenical processes and is committed to passing on its rich knowledge of ecumenical dialogues to as many Lutheran pastors and students as possible. The course also offers important opportunities for transcultural dialogue with participants from diverse global contexts, deepening understanding of ecumenical theology and practice. It also provides space for reflection on personal and local church experiences considering LWF’s ecumenical history, developing analytical skills that can serve to nurture reconciliation in the local contexts.
In 1963, the Third Assembly of the LWF in Helsinki, Finland, established the Foundation for Interconfessional Research in Strasbourg. Two years later, the Foundation set up the Institute for Ecumenical Research which, today, consists of a multinational team of theologians who provide formation and education resources, as well as theological analysis and advice to churches in their efforts to understand and articulate the visible unity of the Church.
LWF’s Assistant General Secretary for Ecumenical Relations, Prof. Dr Dirk Lange said: “Since the 1960s, the Institute for Ecumenical Research has always been at the heart of the ecumenical movement. Its research and work have significantly propelled ecumenical dialogues, especially in developing the methodology of differentiated consensus. I encourage all pastors and theology students interested in ecumenism to take advantage of the many opportunities this course offers”
The deadline for applications to take part in this online course is 25 September 2025 and all applicants are expected to have the endorsement of their local church leader. Further details and an application form are available below.
