wfn.org | RESEND: LWF Invites International Lutheran Council Observer to

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

Please note Fourth paragraph should read *LWF Eleventh Assembly...*

LWF Invites International Lutheran Council Observer to Biblical Study
Process
2005 Joint ILC-LWF Meeting Discusses 500th Reformation Anniversary

GENEVA, 20 December 2005 (LWI) - A representative of the International
Lutheran Council (ILC) will be invited as an observer to the Lutheran
World Federation (LWF) study processes on the authority of the Bible and
biblical hermeneutics. This was agreed at the December 8-10 meeting
between representatives of both Lutheran world bodies, hosted by the LWF
in Geneva, Switzerland. 

The decision to invite an ILC observer to such study processes follows
an agreement of the 2003 joint meeting that both church bodies invite
observers to each other's official meetings and consultations. At this
month's meeting, the challenges related to biblical hermeneutics
concerning such matters as anthropology, human sexuality and
homosexuality were discussed. Currently a study process conducted by the
LWF Department for Theology and Studies, probes, among other issues, how
meaningful communication can occur within a communion of churches
despite the different ways of understanding the Bible.

Representatives at this year's meeting were informed about preparations
for the 2017 events regarding the 500th anniversary of Martin Luther's
nailing of 95 theses to the door of the Castle Church in Wittenberg,
effectively starting the Lutheran Reformation and its wider
ramifications. The need was expressed for information sharing between
the ILC and LWF and their respective member churches on planning these
events.

Co-chairperson, LWF General Secretary, Rev. Dr Ishmael Noko responded
to questions about the handling of the issue of homosexuality in the LWF
and its member churches. Other concerns included relations between the
LWF and World Council of Churches, and the September 2005 Council
decision to hold the LWF Eleventh Assembly in Stuttgart, Germany in
2010. 

Co-chairperson, ILC Executive Secretary, Rev. Dr Samuel H. Nafzger,
drew attention to the ILC's development from an ad hoc confessional
Lutheran gathering into an International Lutheran Conference (1973) and
the current ILC in 1993. The ILC does not aim at becoming a tightly
organized global body or communion of churches, rather it works to
nurture Lutheran confessional theology and relationships, he explained.

It was underlined during discussions that although the Lutheran Church
- Missouri Synod (LCMS), with 2.5 million members is the largest ILC
member church, the individual ILC member churches are all autonomous
bodies and should not be regarded as extended arms of the LCMS. 

The ILC comprises 29 Lutheran churches with a total membership of some
3.3 million people. The LWF has 140 member churches in 78 countries,
representing nearly 66 million of the world's 69 million Lutherans. Ten
churches have membership both in the LWF and ILC.

The ILC and LWF have maintained official forms of contact for two
decades. Major joint meetings were held in 2002 in Geneva and in 2003 in
Jaervenpaeae, Finland where reports were provided on the life and
relations of member churches in different parts of the world, and
theological issues were discussed. A March 2005 "Memorandum of
Understanding" endorses annual joint meetings with the aim to increase
mutual understanding between the two Lutheran world bodies and their
member churches. (509 words)

The full text of the statement of the joint ILC and LWF meeting in
Geneva is posted with this LWI article on the LWF Web site at:
http://www.lutheranworld.org/News/LWI/EN/1801.EN.html 

*	*	*

(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.]

*	*	*

LWI online: http://www.lutheranworld.org/News/Welcome.EN.html 

LUTHERAN WORLD INFORMATION
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Tel.: +41/22-791 63 69
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