wfn.org | LWF Council Affirms Call to Participate in Economic Globalization

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

Plans for New Study Program on Interfaith Dialogue, Conflict and
Peace

LWF Council Meeting, Wittenberg, Germany, 10-17 September 2002

Council Press Release No. 20

WITTENBERG, Germany/GENEVA, 17 September 2002 (LWI) * The Council
of the Lutheran World Federation (LWF) has affirmed "A Call to
Participate In Transforming Economic Globalization," a process
that urges LWF member churches to reflect on how to respond to
economic globalization and its effects in light of being part of a
global communion of churches.

A Council resolution of September 16, presented by the Program
Committee for Theology and Studies, asked the LWF General
Secretary, Rev. Dr. Ishmael Noko to distribute materials from the
study process to LWF member churches, agencies and institutions,
requesting that they forward their responses for consideration at
regional meetings in advance of the LWF Tenth Assembly in July
2003 in Winnipeg, Canada.

The Council also affirmed plans for a new study program on
"Interfaith Dialogue: Conflict and Peace." Some Council members
raised questions about the interfaith dialogue program, which
promotes theological study among Lutherans and Muslims.

The LWF Council approved plans for:
+ a new study program on "The Bible And Christian Formation,"
which encourages conversation among Lutheran congregations about
how Scripture shapes their spiritual, litrgical and ethical
development;
+ a diaconal ministry focus for "Lutheran Identity In Ecumenical
Relationships," which is an ongoing program of the LWF Office for
Ecumenical Affairs;
+ the continuation of "WorshipNet," which would use the Internet
and a semi-annual newsletter to share worship renewal resources
among Lutheran churches;
+ "Theological Assistance in DTS," which encourages visiting
theologians from LWF member churches to spend a year working in
the department; and
+ the further development of a study program focusing on questions
of power and authority in the church.

The Council also voted to continue its agreement with Dr. Choong
Chee Pang, LWF's Academic Consultant for Christian Studies in
Beijing, China, through August 2004. Rev. Dr. Joachim Track, from
Germany chairs the Program Committee for Theology and Studies.

(The LWF is a global communion of Christian churches in the
Lutheran tradition. Founded in 1947 in Lund (Sweden), the LWF now
has 136 member churches in 75 countries representing over 61.7
million of the 65.4 million Lutherans worldwide. The LWF acts on
behalf of its member churches in areas of common interest such as
ecumenical 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 information service of
the Lutheran World Federation (LWF). 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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