wfn.org | LWF Council 13-2005 Meeting Was a Sign of Solidarity with

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

LWF Council Meeting Was a Sign of Solidarity with Christians in the Holy
Land
Israeli-Palestinian Political Dimension Important 

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

PRESS RELEASE N0. 13-2005

JERUSALEM/BETHLEHEM, 7 September 2005 (LWI) * The President of the
Lutheran World Federation (LWF) Bishop Mark S. Hanson, said the 2005
meeting of the LWF Council meeting was significant especially because of
its location. 

Addressing journalists at the end of the 31 August * September 6
gathering hosted by the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Jordan and the
Holy Land (ELCJHL), Hanson said it was important for representatives of
LWF churches to be in the Holy Land and to stand in solidarity with the
ELCJHL which hosted the event. Solidarity means "to be present here,
accompanying one another, learning from one another while standing
shoulder to shoulder in the context of the other," he noted.

The theme of the Council meeting was "The Church: Called to a
Ministry of Reconciliation." 

LWF General Secretary Rev. Dr Ishmael Noko said coming to the Holy Land
also meant putting oneself in the situation and taking risks. "We saw
the checkpoints and the humiliation that people who live here must
experience daily," he stressed. Seeing with one's own eyes the
separation wall between Israel and Palestinian territories was very
important. When participants in the Council meeting return to their
respective home countries, they would be able to read news about the
region more critically, he observed.

The political dimension of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict was an
important aspect for the LWF governing body. During the week-long
meeting, LWF leaders held meetings with Palestinian Authority President
Mahmoud Abbas and Israeli President Moshe Katsav, as well as with other
senior government officials and religious representatives. 

ELCJHL Bishop Dr Munib A. Younan, spoke of the impact of the LWF
Council for the witness of Palestinian Christians in the Holy Land
especially for the cause of justice. "Our people will never forget the
experience they had here," he said, and expressed hope that there
would be more of such meetings in the region.

Next LWF Council in Geneva in 2006

The Council decided to hold its next meeting, 27 August * 2 September
2006 in Geneva. At this year's meeting, Council members agreed to the
LWF general secretary's proposal that the frequency of the governing
body's meetings be changed from every 12 months to a flexible period
of between 12 to 18 months. A wider spacing would provide more time for
the implementation of resolutions and decisions of the Council and
related committees, and provide sufficient time to accomplish follow-up
work.

Amendment to By-laws on Election of LWF General Secretary

At its meeting in Jerusalem/Bethlehem, the Council amended Section 8.1
of the LWF By-laws concerning the election the General Secretary and
his/her tenure in office. The governing body agreed that the General
Secretary, whose term is limited to seven years, "shall be eligible
for re-election once." Until now no limit had been set for re-election
with the by-law stating the position holder could "be eligible for
re-election." By-laws become effective one year after their adoption.

Concerning the rules of procedure for the Search Committee for an LWF
General Secretary, the Council agreed that "in due time before the end
of the General Secretary's term of office," the Council shall
appoint a Search Committee for this position consisting of seven
persons, four of whom shall be members of the Council. The Search
Committee's Rules of Procedure shall be defined by the Council. The
previous by-laws indicate the search committee would be appointed "one
year before the end of the General Secretary's term."

The Council also agreed that the Search Committee would also have the
mandate to consider other candidates other than those nominated by the
member churches. It would submit all nominations together with its
recommendation to the Council. Prior to this change, only member
churches would be invited to nominate candidates for the position of
General Secretary. (646 words) 

*Around 170 participants attended this year's Council meeting,
including representatives from the LWF member churches on the 49-member
governing body. Also attending were officials from LWF partner
organizations, invited guests, stewards, interpreters and translators,
and LWF staff. The Council is the annual governing body meeting between
Assemblies held every six years. The current Council was appointed at
the July 2003 Tenth Assembly in Winnipeg, Canada. It comprises the
President, Treasurer and 48 persons elected by the Assembly. Other
members include advisors, who are ordained and lay persons representing
the different LWF regions. 

*	*	*

(The LWF is a global communion of Christian churches in the Lutheran
tradition. Founded in 1947 in Lund, Sweden, the LWF currently has 140
member churches in 78 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
dateline of an article contains the notation (LWI), the material may be
freely reproduced with acknowledgment.]

*	*	*

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