wfn.org | The Spiritual Journeys of Christians from Different Cultures

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

The Spiritual Journeys of Christians from Different Cultures 
Publications from LWF Study Program on "Spiritual Life in
Community"

GENEVA, 30 September 2003 (LWI) - The Lutheran World Federation
(LWF) has recently published three booklets focusing on the shape
of Christian community, scriptural meditation and worship. 

Produced by the desk for Worship and Congregational Life in the
LWF Department for Theology and Studies, the publications are a
result of a three-year study program Spiritual Life in
Community. The booklets  Community in Christ, Gathered for
Worship, and Praying the Word present descriptions of the
spiritual journeys of Christians from different cultures in
situations of poverty, hunger and war, or relative peace and
prosperity. They reflect on the rich and diverse tapestry of life
in which Lutheran churches worship God and serve humankind today.

A team of nine persons studied Lutheran congregations and
communities in Brazil, Germany, India, Tanzania and the United
States of America, 2001-2002, in order to learn something about
their ways of life, expressions of prayer, hospitality and
solidarity. The authors describe patterns and practices that
shape the lives of the communities visited and the worldwide
church.

The LWF study on spirituality and community aims at promoting a
theology that refers to God through various communal acts. These
include infant and adult baptism, Holy Communion distribution,
hospitality to strangers, expression of solidarity with the poor,
and burying the dead. These patterns and practices embody the
churchs faith, life and prayer.

The study seeks to help churches at all levels to focus on and
strengthen basic Christian practices. Lutherans worldwide are
invited to read, pray and meditate the essays in groups and
individually. The booklets are available in English, French,
German and Portuguese.

Copies can be ordered free of charge from The Lutheran World
Federation, Department for Theology and Studies, 150 Route de
Ferney, P.O. Box 2100, CH-1211 Geneva 2, Switzerland. Tel. +41 22
791 6111, Fax +41 22 791 6630, E-mail cmu@lutheranworld.org. For
further information please contact Rev. Dr Paivi Jussila, study
secretary for Worship and Congregational Life,
pju@lutheranworld.org. (331 words)

(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 76 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 and interfaith 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 LWF' 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 a article contains the notation (LWI), the
material may be freely reproduced with acknowledgment.]

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Pauline Mumia
Editor - English
The Lutheran World Federation
Office for Communication Services
150, route de Ferney
P. O. Box 2100
CH-1211 Geneva 2
SWITZERLAND

Telephone   +41 22 791 61 11
Direct Line   +41 22 791 63 54
Telefax        +41 22 791 66 30
E-mail		pmu@lutheranworld.org