Africa
© Lohnes/epd-Bild |
The cultural understanding of life as community and family strengthens the Lutheran communion in Africa, which finds expression in several ways.
Notable is the formation of the All Africa Lutheran Conference in 1955, and more recently the three sub-regional expressions-the Lutheran Communion in Central and Eastern Africa (LUCCEA), Lutheran Communion in Southern Africa (LUCSA), and
Lutheran Communion in Western Africa (LUCWA). These sub-regional set-ups bring the member churches closer together.
The set-ups are forums for mutual understanding, trust, and inter-dependence. Member churches are willing to listen to and learn from one another to sharpen each other's understanding of life, faith, mission and ministry. The regional and sub-regional expressions also enhance ecumenical understanding with other Christian denominations, for example through participation in the All Africa Conference of Churches.
In 2002, the representatives of Lutheran churches in Africa committed themselves to the establishment of a Lutheran Council in Africa. Through such a council, the Lutheran communion hopes to contribute to the ecumenical movement in Africa, enhance Christian unity, mediate in conflict situations, facilitate communication and address common concerns.
The future of the Lutheran communion in Africa is very promising.
