28.10.2009
LWF General Secretary-Elect Advocates Relationships That Enhance Sustainability
LWI Council Press Release No. 13/2009Call to Keep Ecumenism Alive
GENEVA, 28 October 2009 (LWI) - The General Secretary-elect of the Lutheran World Federation (LWF) sees sustainability as one of the major challenges for the global Lutheran communion. "It is not only about finances, but it has to do with the quality of relationships outside and within the LWF," said Rev. Martin Junge, elected on 26 October during the organization's Council meeting at Chavannes-de-Bogis near Geneva, Switzerland.
"Communion is a concept about relationships, about strengthening the reason to be. It is the gift of being able to meet, talk, listen to stories and experiences, and have open encounters at the table," Junge stressed, when he addressed a press conference on 27 October. He outlined his vision for an LWF that continues to affirm the relevance of churches in society especially for people who are marginalized.
Responding to a question on whether the various positions of LWF member churches on human sexuality could eventually lead to division in the communion, the general secretary-elect underlined that the LWF was already dealing with the issue. It was therefore important to build up on the process instituted by the LWF Council to facilitate discussion on this topic, Junge explained.
He pointed out that the "Proposed Guidelines and Processes for Respectful Dialogue on Marriage, Family and Human Sexuality" produced by a Council-appointed task force in 2007, offered both theological insights and methodology in dealing with this subject. From previous LWF encounters, documents and the current Council meeting, "I perceive energy that the members [churches] want to keep the unity and stay in the communion," he remarked. He said he foresees "a strengthened LWF coming out of this dialogue."
On LWF's engagement in ecumenical dialogues, Junge affirmed the important ongoing work by the various dialogue groups and commissions, saying, "We must keep ecumenism alive."
He noted that as president of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Chile (IELC) he had participated in the process which led to the 1999 signing of the document "Mutual Recognition of Baptism" by the Roman Catholic Church, Syrian Orthodox Church, Anglican Church, Evangelical Lutheran Church, Reformed churches, Methodist Church and several Pentecostal churches.
On the current global financial crisis, Junge said it was especially important to assess the implications for "the moral and social fabric of those who have been severely affected." Such difficult times "call for mutual accountability and responsibility, and solidarity," he said.
He said it was important to continue strengthening the LWF at the grassroots not only at the global and regional levels but also at the level of church members."
General secretary-elect Junge emphasized the important role of communication, as already pointed out in various LWF processes including a 2007 communication audit. "Communion without communication is not sustainable," he said, adding the need to take up this as a core issue in the LWF renewal process.
He underscored the LWF itself "as an on-going process" with a strong sense of passion for people, churches, peace, reconciliation and justice. The task now, he added, was to see "how to continue writing the story."
Junge, 48, is currently area secretary for the Latin American and Caribbean region at the LWF Department for Mission and Development. He will succeed Zimbabwean theologian Rev. Dr Ishmael Noko, who is scheduled to leave office at the end of October 2010. (555 words)
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Around 75 representatives from LWF member churches and partner organizations attended this year's Council meeting at Chavannes de Bogis near Geneva, Switzerland. An additional 90 registered participants included invited guests, stewards, interpreters and translators, media persons and LWF staff.
The 49-member Council is the LWF's governing body, meeting every 12-18 months between Assemblies held every six years. The current Council was appointed at the July 2003 Tenth Assembly in Winnipeg, Canada. It comprises the President, Treasurer as well as lay and ordained persons, representing the different LWF regions.
The Council host church, the Federation of Evangelical Lutheran Churches in Switzerland and the Principality of Liechtenstein has 6,818 members, and has been an LWF member church since 1979. It is headed by Ms Dagmar Magold.
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