wfn.org | Brazilian Lutheran churches seek broader stance

[FRANK_IMHOFF.parti@ecunet.org (FRANK IMHOFF)]

"Effort in mutual approach and in the development of common projects"
encouraged

JOINVILLE, Brazil/GENEVA, 14 September 1998 (alc/lwi) - In an effort to
promote the Cooperation Agreement between the Evangelical Lutheran Church
of Brazil (IELB) and the Evangelical Church of the Lutheran Confession of
Brazil (IECLB), leaders from both bodies will meet in the city of Rodeio 12
from October 29 to November 1 and analyze themes of common interest and
commemorate Reformation Day, October 31.

The theme of the First Inter-Lutheran National Conference, "Unity and
Mission of Lutheran Churches in Brazil", will be explored by theologians
Gottfried Brakemeir of the IECLB and Nestor Beck of the IELB, speaking from
Biblical, confessional and modern perspectives.

The two Churches have already signed a Cooperation Agreement to seek out
"conditions to achieve communion and the Sacraments... according to the
will of Jesus Christ". This broader approach is reflected in the areas of
literature, theological formation, worship and music, as well as mission,
educational responsibility and public presence.

The IELB, with 250,000 members, and the IECLB, with 800,000 members, are
the two largest members of the Lutheran community of Brazil and in Latin
America. Only the IECLB is a member of the Lutheran World Federation.

The agreement recalls that in the past 25 years the Churches carried out
many joint programs, such as the publication of the Selected Works of
Martin Luther.

In the agreement, the Churches also acknowledge that "despite their origin
and common commitments, they have not invested the due effort in mutual
approach and in the development of common projects".

Each Church will designate three representatives to each of the eight
working groups. These groups will evaluate the possibilities for joint
action in the areas of communication, theological formation, confessional
schools, liturgy, worship, mission, public responsibility, social service
and community life together.

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Lutheran World Information
Editorial Assistant: Janet Bond-Nash
E-mail: jbn@lutheranworld.org
http://www.lutheranworld.org/