wfn.org | LWF to empower women, support women's ordination

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LWF - 97-HK-E33-AH

         HONG KONG, July 16 (lwi)   The Lutheran World Federation (LWF),
meeting in Assembly here voted to use theological and economic training,
investment programs and its own funds to empower women for  full inclusion
in society." In another action the Assembly reaffirmed its commitment to
the ordination of women.
         The Lutheran World Federation is a worldwide communion of 124
member churches.  The Assembly pledged to  assign a percentage of the
global budget to programs and projects which aim to empower women" and
assure that its own women's programs are well-funded.
         The amended action asked the LWF council to  ensure that only
those theological schools that provide equal access to theological
education for women and men receive funds from the LWF."
         The Assembly resolved to promote economic literacy and leadership
training for women; make small-scale credit accessible to women; and
instill gender awareness and make sure that gender is taken seriously in
all projects."
         Dr. Diane Jacobson, who made the amendment regarding theological
education, said  Women, as well as men, need to have access to a depth of
understanding of the gospel so that we may all be given the ability to
spread the Word to a world in need.  Women, as well as men, need the best
theological training."  Jacobson is a professor of New Testament at Luther
Seminary, St. Paul, Minn., USA.
         The Assembly voted to  reaffirm the commitment to women's
ordination as an expression of the communion of all the baptized in giving
witness to the gospel."  The action supports discussion on ordination of
women among LWF member churches
in a spirit of mutual love and respect" and undertake study of  practical
methods for women to enter ordained ministry in all member churches."
About 30 percent of LWF churches do not ordain women.
         The Assembly action calls upon all member churches  to provide
intensive theological education for women and ordination for women."  The
LWF will work on the implications of ordained ministry for its
understanding of itself as a communion in full fellowship." 
         After long discussion on earlier motions, the issue was resolved
when Rev. Ragnar Persenius of the Church of Sweden offered a substitute
that was quickly adopted.

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