wfn.org | LWF Council 05-2005 - LWF General Secretary Noko Proposes

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

LWF General Secretary Noko Proposes 'New' LWF by 2010 
Participation in Ecumenical Reconfiguration Discussion Is an Obligation

LWF Council Meeting in Jerusalem/Bethlehem
31 August * 6 September 2005

PRESS RELEASE N0. 05-2005

JERUSALEM/BETHLEHEM, 1 September 2005 (LWI) * The General Secretary of
the Lutheran World Federation (LWF), Rev. Dr Ishmael Noko has urged the
LWF Council to consider putting in place "a new LWF" by the year 2010.

By the time of the next Assembly, 20 years will have passed since the
Eighth Assembly in Curitiba, Brazil, established the current structure,
Noko told participants in this year's Council meeting taking place in
Jerusalem and Bethlehem. "The changes that have occurred since the 1990
Assembly require a new LWF," he said in the General Secretary's Report
to the Council.

"The times in which we live are very ambiguous, and [therefore]
self-definition becomes necessary," Noko said. He noted that since the
LWF understands itself as both an instrument for Lutheran unity and for
wider ecumenical movement, "participation in the reconfiguration
discussion is not an option but an obligation." His report also
contained other proposals especially in view of the ongoing discussion
on the reconfiguration of the ecumenical movement, initiated by the
World Council of Churches (WCC).

On the outcome of the June 2005 consultation on "The Future of the LWF
in the Context of Ecumenical Reconfiguration," Noko asked the Council to
consider authorizing the Executive Committee to appoint at its next
meeting a Renewal Committee to deal with this issue. 

He however pointed out that the reconfiguration process was not a
matter of structures only, but it also involved theology and
self-understanding, and would have direct consequences also for the
renewal of the LWF as body that brings together member churches. 

He underlined the need to ensure an inclusive process in the renewal
process, and suggested that the committee also focus on additional
topics including, among others, the LWF's financial sustainability in
the future and the Constitution and Bylaws. The renewal committee should
also focus on a review of the governing bodies*size and composition of
the Council, Executive Committee, Program and Standing Committees model
of working; location and size of the Geneva secretariat; and the role of
regional and sub-regional offices. The time-rhythm, size and relation of
the LWF Assemblies to those of the WCC and World Alliance of Reformed
Churches should also be considered.

The general secretary pointed out that some of the agencies have
expressed concern that they felt kept "at arm's length when it comes
to making core decisions in the Federation, except when finances are
needed for the organization." He asked the Council to consider asking
the proposed Renewal Committee to suggest an affiliation status for
related agencies and mission organizations in the future constitution.

Use of Excommunication in Churches

Noko expressed concern about the use of excommunication in ways that
raise serious theological and pastoral questions. He pointed out that
this form of church discipline can only be used as the last resort with
the aim to preserve the integrity of the church, its witness, and the
faith of its members. 

The LWF general secretary said the exercise of excommunication by
church leadership in power struggles in order to marginalize persons who
criticize or oppose them was "a grave misuse of a pastoral form of
discipline, turning it into a weapon of self-preservation by those in
power." Such practice not only flouts the very core of the gospel and
breaks up the church's spiritual communion, it also diminishes the
credibility of the church in the eyes of others. 

He also spoke about conflicts in the LWF member churches relating to
problems with power relationships, ethnic tensions, theological disputes
and ethical issues; and explained the LWF's intervention by sending
pastoral delegations to churches experiencing such conflict. "It is
evident that these conflicts undermine the integrity of both the church
and its witness," he said. The gospel, he observed, always needs to be
maintained and proclaimed, not least in cases of tension and such
conflict. 

Establishment of an Advisory Doctrinal Commission 

The general secretary reiterated his earlier proposal for the
establishment of a doctrinal commission for the LWF. An Advisory
Doctrinal Commission (ADC), he said, would assist the Federation's
governing bodies in preparation for deliberations and actions that have
doctrinal aspects.

He explained that the "governing bodies of the LWF will not themselves,
on the basis of advice from the ADC, begin to take decisions binding the
churches." He noted that many issues that the Council, in particular, is
required to handle often have doctrinal aspects, and cited the Joint
Declaration on the Doctrine of Justification, economic globalization and
human sexuality as among these concerns. Such a commission, Noko
explained, "cannot, and should not, in any way infringe on the authority
that each LWF member church holds in matters of church teaching and
discipline." 

On the issue of illegitimate debt, Noko reiterated the LWF Tenth
Assembly affirmation that substantial parts of the external debts of
countries in Africa, Asia, Latin America and the Caribbean are illegal
in view of the fact that they result from loans granted to illegitimate
and undemocratic governments. The LWF has launched a program that
supports the work of its Latin American member churches in this area. It
is expected that a forthcoming consultation in Buenos Aires on this
issue would establish a new foundation for action on this question by
the LWF as a whole.

LWF's 60th Anniversary in 2007

Noko requested the Council to consider combining its 2007 meeting with
a celebration of the 60th anniversary of the LWF. Leaders of LWF member
churches could be invited not only for the celebration but also for a
joint encounter with the Council. He proposed the city of Lund, where
the LWF was founded, as an appropriate venue.

On staffing in the Geneva secretariat, the general secretary expressed
his constant concern at the steady decrease in the number of staff
employed at headquarters and in the field. There were 70 persons with
permanent contracts and seven interns employed at the headquarters on 1
July 2005. This represents a reduction of 30 percent compared to the 94
persons employed at the end of 2001.

The general secretary said staffing was "now approaching a critical
level" and asked Council members, as they discuss the LWF's strategic
planning during this meeting, "to do all that is within your ability" to
improve the member churches' financial contributions to enable the
Federation overcome the present constraints. (1,062words)

During the Council Meeting, the LWF Office for Communication Services
can be reached at mobile telephone No. +972 52 378 1673.

*	*	*

 (The LWF is a global communion of Christian churches in the Lutheran
tradition. Founded in 1947 in Lund, Sweden, the LWF currently has 138
member churches in 77 countries all over the world, with a total
membership of nearly 66 million. The LWF acts on behalf of its member
churches in areas of common interest such as ecumenical and inter-faith
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 LWF's information service.
Unless specifically noted, material presented does not represent
positions or opinions of the LWF or of its various units. Where the
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*	*	*

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