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Africa
Poverty and the Mission of the Church
The scandal of poverty confronted as a spiritual journey © LWF/M. Filibus |
"Poverty ... robs people of their human dignity, health and well-being.”
Mission in Context
Through an emphasis on prophetic diakonia, the LWF urges member churches to participate in the struggles of the poor to overcome poverty and to seek greater justice.
In 2005, the Africa Lutheran Church Leadership Conference committed to witness against all forces that perpetuate poverty.
Consultation on Poverty and the Mission of the Church
The Maasai choir Upendo Kwaya joined the opening ceremony at the Arusha Town Lutheran Church, Arusha. |
The LWF Consultation on Poverty and the Mission of the Church in Africa held September 2006 in Arusha, Tanzania, focused on:
- Furthering the understanding of poverty trends in Africa and their perpetuating factors
- Further clarifying the church’s self-understanding, mission and diaconal task in the context of poverty in Africa
- Identifying strategies and concrete ways for the churches to engage the challenges of poverty in Africa
- Empowering churches to work together in pursuit of an “economy that serves life.”
Read the Message from the Arusha Consultation. 
The Arusha Action Plan
Participants at the LWF consultation on poverty and the mission of the church in Africa © LWF/S. Lim |
Being the church in Africa today is not only a privilege but also an obligation, according to the Arusha Consultation participants.
They committed to speak out and act more boldly as churches in concert with others. The Arusha Action Plan details specific steps that are to be taken to meet this commitment.
Consult the Arusha Action Plan.
Read More
"The Stewardship of Wealth and Overcoming Poverty"
"'Why are you standing here idle all day?' They said to him, 'Because no one has hired us.'" (Matthew 20:6-7) Dessy, Ethiopia |
Provides insight into the churches’ role in restoring justice and advocating the rightful redistribution of wealth to all God’s people, especially the poor. Includes feature articles from Africa and other LWF regions (including Africa).
An Lutheran World Information (LWI) special issue, October 2007
Download [1 MB]
For further information please contact:
Rev. Dr Elieshi Mungure, Area Secretary for Africa
Ms Margarita Thilby, Administrative Assistant
