wfn.org | LWF General Secretary Noko: The Uniqueness of Pre-Assemblies

["Frank Imhoff" <FRANKI@elca.org>]

Women's Gathering Paves Way for First LWF Assembly in 21st Century

MONTREUX, Switzerland/GENEVA, 17 November 2002 (LWI) - There is a
new impetus about every Lutheran World Federation (LWF) Assembly,
"but Winnipeg will not be unique unless the pre-assemblies are
unique." The LWF General Secretary, Rev. Dr Ishmael Noko made
these remarks when he addressed participants in the first
gathering in preparation for the Federation's Tenth Assembly that
will take place in Winnipeg, Canada, 21-31 July 2003.

The November 14-17 Pre-Assembly Women's Gathering, with around 60
representatives from member churches worldwide, is the first in a
process of seven such gatherings that will include five regional
pre-assemblies and one global youth conference.

An Assembly is a milestone in the Federation's life, Noko stressed
and went on to highlight some concerns for the forthcoming
assembly, the first in the 21st century. Assembly delegates from
all LWF member churches will be meeting in the context of the
World Council of Churches Decade to Overcome Violence (2001-2010),
he said, and cited "LWF's humble contribution to this process" -
the document "Churches Say 'No' to Violence against Women," -
produced by the desk for Women in Church and Society (WICAS) in
the Department for Mission and Development (DMD). WICAS is hosting
the women's pre-assembly.

Noko noted that the document has been widely shared not only among
member churches, but also with ecumenical delegations and
gatherngs, and the wider public including some United Nations
agencies. "The increasing violence in our communities -
significantly affecting women, children and young people must be
addressed with peace initiatives at all levels," he said.

Other issues include what it means to be an inclusive church, and
women's ordination. The general secretary pointed out that
although there is notable progress in the latter, about one-third
of the 136 LWF member churches are not ordaining women. The
partnership between men and women, and young and old is crucial,
he said pointing out that Assembly delegates must include 50
percent men and women, and 20 percent youth. He was concerned that
nomination of young adult delegates has so far not attained the
required representation, but stressed the need to achieve this
level.

Addressing the gathering, Rev. Dr Peri Rasolondraibe, DMD
Director, explained the purpose of pre-assemblies - to prepare,
equip and empower delegates for full participation and meaningful
contribution to the Assembly. The department is responsible for
all pre-assembly consultations.

Rasolondraibe described the women's pre-assembly as special in
that it will have a chance to influence what will happen in
Winnipeg. "This meeting does not end here. The Assembly begins
here," he said. Each of the five regional pre-assemblies includes
a day set aside for women delegates. "You will bring your
experiences from here to the regions and Winnipeg," the DMD
director said.

Speaking about women's participation in the LWF, WICAS Secretary,
Ms Priscilla Singh cited the progress made since the Federation's
founding 56 years ago, and the challenges that still lie ahead.

Although women's participation in the LWF was present through
occasional conferences and declarations from 1947-1970, it was not
until 1972 that the first staff person was appointed to develop
women's programs in member churches. The first women's
pre-assembly in 1976, resolved to create a forum for women from
the member churches. Consequent issueat women's pre-assemblies
included a plan to ensure representation in the 1997 Ninth
Assembly in Hong Kong, China.

The last Assembly reaffirmed its commitment to open ways for women
to enter the ordained ministry in all LWF member churches. It also
resolved to promote economic literacy; and actively examine, study
and promote gender awareness to ensure that gender issues are
taken seriously.

Singh pointed out that there are 18 women bishops including one
to-be-ordained early next year in LWF churches in Europe and North
America. There are four women presidents heading churches in Latin
America, Asia and Africa, and one church inspector in Europe. The
number of women in leadership positions, she said, is expected to
increase in Northern churches because 60 percent of theological
students there are women.

The WICAS secretary reiterated gender mainstreaming as a tool of
analysis for better understanding that leads towards
transformation in churches, families and communities.

(The LWF is a global communion of Christian churches in the
Lutheran tradition. Founded in 1947 in Lund (Sweden), the LWF now
has 136 member churches in 76 countries representing over 61.7
million of the 65.4 mllion Lutherans worldwide. The LWF acts on
behalf of its member churches in areas of common interest such as
ecumenical relations, theology, humanitarian assistance, human
rights, communication, and the various aspects of mission and
development work. Its secretariat is located in Geneva,
Switzerland.

[Lutheran World Information (LWI) is the information service of
the Lutheran World Federation (LWF). Unless specifically noted,
material presented does not represent positions or opinions of the
LWF or of its various units. Where the dateline of an article
contains the notation (LWI), the material may be freely reproduced
with acknowledgment.]

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