wfn.org | LWF Council Affirms Role of Global Network of Churches and

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

LWF Council Affirms Role of Global Network of Churches and Agencies
LWF Maintains Collective Membership to ACT

LWF Council Meeting, Geneva, 1 - 7 September 2004

PRESS RELEASE NO. 21-2004

GENEVA, 12 September 2004 (LWI) - The Council of the Lutheran World
Federation (LWF) has affirmed the important role of Action by Churches
Together (ACT) in responding ecumenically to global emergencies, and
confirmed that the LWF shall maintain collective membership with regard to
ACT. The LWF is a founding member of the Geneva-based ACT, a worldwide
network of churches and their related agencies.

Acting on recommendations presented by the Program Committee for World
Service, the Council at its September 1-7 meeting near Geneva, confirmed the
principles and procedures that would form the basis of LWF input into
discussions concerning modifications related to the ACT statutes and
procedures related to membership. The Council underlined that the Act
International statutes (Article 5) should include a definition of founding
members and an elaboration of the understanding of collective membership. It
further confirmed that those outside of the LWF membership (and World Council
of Churches [WCC] * ACT co-founder) shall apply for membership directly to
ACT.

Presenting the report of the Program Committee for World Service to the
Council, committee chairperson Rev. Marie J. Barnett, Evangelical Lutheran
Church in Sierra Leone, said the LWF acknowledged the integrity of the ACT
governance structure. We are proud of ACT and value the opportunity to
partner with WCC member churches and agencies around the world, she noted.

On procedures for affiliation to ACT, the Council said this must be confirmed
by a registration process, that would be accomplished by completing a
registration form (developed by ACT and the founding members) and submitting
this to their respective umbrella organization - LWF or WCC.

It was also agreed that the LWF and WCC would take primary responsibility for
the registration process, and would confirm the enlistment of the member
churches. Members who wish to issue and implement appeals, would be expected
to meet certain criteria, established by ACT, in consultation with the
founding members and ACT governance, in order to ensure quality standards and
accountability. ACT would provide the approval related to this level of
participation.

In its discussions, the program committee had noted the LWF General
Secretarys proposal in his report, that consideration be given to the
establishment of a youth council in view of the inadequate support toward
commitments made to youth participation in the LWFs deliberative and
decision-making processes. Acting on a related recommendation from the world
service committee, the Council agreed that relative to the youth
representation on the LWF Council, the LWF ensure gender balance within the
youth category, and that the establishment of a youth council would not be
pursued at this time. 

Under the title healing of memories the program committee had noted that
2004 marked the tenth anniversary of the Rwandan genocide. The Council
acknowledged this tragic event through a minute of silence and prayer in
solidarity with the families of the many victims. 

The Council asked the LWF General Secretary to communicate to the family of
the late Rev. Dr Tapio Saraneva (former Director of FinnChurchAid)
appreciation for his contributions, including his passion and commitment to
serving the needs of the poor around the world. Saraneva passed away in
August 2003 following illness. Also remembered was Brazilian missionary
Sister Doraci Edinger, Evangelical Church of the Lutheran Confession in
Brazil, who was murdered in Nampula, Mozambique in February this year.

The LWF Department for World Service (DWS) work worldwide includes emergency
relief linked to disaster preparedness and sustainable development. With
field offices in more than 30 countries, LWF/DWS focuses on meeting the needs
of all people, irrespective of race, sex, creed, nationality or political
conviction. (611 words)
*	*	*

Around 100 church representatives including the 49-member Council attended
this year's meeting at Chavannes-de-Bogis near Geneva. In addition there were
70 participants consisting of invited guests, LWF staff persons,
interpreters, stewards and journalists. The Council is the LWF's governing
body between Assemblies, normally held every six years. The current Council
was elected at the July 2003 Tenth Assembly in Winnipeg, Canada, where it
held its first meeting. The Council comprises the President, the Treasurer
and ordained as well as lay persons drawn from the LWF member churches. The
LWF currently has 138 member churches in 77 countries all over the world,
with a membership of nearly 65 million people.

*	*	*

(The LWF is a global communion of Christian churches in the Lutheran
tradition. It was founded in 1947 in Lund, Sweden. 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.]

*	*	*

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