wfn.org | LWF Active Engagement Sought in Achieving Broader Ecumenical

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

LWF Active Engagement Sought in Achieving Broader Ecumenical Assembly
Consultation on LWF Future in the Context of Ecumenical Reconfiguration

GENEVA, 13 June 2005 (LWI) * Participants in a Lutheran World
Federation (LWF) international consultation at Chavannes-de-Bogis near
here, proposed that the LWF work actively toward the goal of holding a
broad ecumenical assembly where Christian World Communions (CWCs) could
"have their specific space." They declared: "Our vision for ecumenical
work is to be visibly united for the sake of participating in the Triune
God's mission for the healing of the world."

The consultation held June 1-3, brought together representatives from
some of the LWF member churches, national committees, regional
expressions, and major partner organizations for mission and
humanitarian relief and development. It was organized under the theme
"The Future of the LWF in the Context of Ecumenical Reconfiguration."
Its objectives included exploring how more effective coordination might
occur within the Lutheran communion and ecumenically, and clarifying
tensions and aspects of the present pattern of cooperation. 

After considerable discussion to correct some previous impressions, it
became clear to participants that "bilateral and multilateral" ways of
working to serve human need "both contribute to the vitality of the
LWF and should be seen as complementary" rather than in competition with
each other. As a communion of churches, the LWF includes diaconal and
mission organizations, as well as other partners, who are called to
relate to each other "in a spirit of mutual recognition and
accountability," participants observed.

A report on the consultation cites the need to secure the faith-based
identity and visibility of the LWF Department for World Service (DWS),
as well as a clear mandate with the necessary freedom corresponding to
the work it carries out. The theological basis of diakonia must be
upheld "in ways that affirm who we are as a communion of churches, and
that effectively engage the contextual needs and affirm the dignity of
the people and communities that diakonia serves." 

The participants also recommended that the LWF continue its active
engagement in shaping the proposed ecumenical alliance for development,
with particular attention to DWS' special contributions to global
ecumenical humanitarian efforts. The proposed alliance, they insisted,
needs to be inclusive of all regions and to engage all partners of the
LWF communion in addressing its objectives. 

The consultation's perspectives were also intended to contribute
toward the ongoing discussions of ecumenical reconfiguration. The LWF
was encouraged to participate in these discussions actively, and to
"seek more concrete ways of collaborating especially with the WCC, and
to demonstrate the crucial contributions CWCs play in the ecumenical
movement." It was noted that efforts should also be made to include
churches and families of churches that currently were not members of
ecumenical organizations.

Participants noted that further strategic planning in the LWF, as
requested by the LWF Council in 2004, should involve a broader array of
stakeholders. The report from this consultation will become part of the
strategic planning report that the General Secretary will bring to the
September 2005 LWF Council meeting for consideration. (504 words)

(The LWF is a global communion of Christian churches in the Lutheran
tradition. Founded in 1947 in Lund, Sweden, the LWF currently has 138
member churches in 77 countries all over the world, with a membership of
nearly 66 million. 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
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* * *

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