Hundreds of Lutherans Across the Globe Gather Online for green&just

GENEVA, 18 May 2012 (LWI) – An initial poll of some of the 400 people who took part in The Lutheran World Federation (LWF) first virtual conference on the church’s role in environmental justice say the event prompted their greater involvement in ecological justice issues.

Most of the participants surveyed for the 12 May “green&just” virtual conference—who logged on from Africa, Asia and the Pacific, Europe, Latin America and North America—stayed online for more than three hours. In the preliminary survey of a smaller group, more than two-thirds of the respondents said they were likely or would definitely become actively engaged in issues on ecological justice.

European Church Leaders Meet in Ostrava, Czech Republic

OSTRAVA, Czech Republic/GENEVA, 16 May 2012 (LWI) – Churches must be global citizens addressing issues that can only be tackled at the worldwide level, Rev. Martin Junge, general secretary of The Lutheran World Federation (LWF) told Lutheran leaders from Europe.

In a keynote address to the LWF European Leadership Consultation in Ostrava, Czech Republic, held 11-14 May, Junge noted that the church’s global citizenship is rooted in the call to participate in God’s mission in the world.

“This notion of ‘global citizenship’ calls upon the LWF member churches to express their role in its global dimension, becoming actively involved in the burning global issues that no longer allow for narrow national or regional approaches,” he said at the meeting jointly hosted by the Evangelical Church of Czech Brethren and the Silesian Evangelical Church of the Augsburg Confession.

“Churches,” stressed Junge, “need to address the moral question of why resources are available to rescue a financial system that collapsed because of its ’casino’ addiction, while few resources are found for the unemployed, young families and those with HIV and AIDS.”

“More than ever before, the church is called into the public arena and to advocate for those becoming victims, and those being marginalized in our world,” Junge said.

Expressing Communion in Different Contexts

In his address titled, “On the Way to 2017: The Church in Transformation in Changing Times,” The general secretary elaborated the LWF’s approach to the 500^th anniversary of the reformation and outlined three cornerstones; Lutheran reformation as global citizenship; ecumenical sensitivity and accountability; and churches in ongoing reform. He also emphasized the gift of communion among churches in their respective contexts.

Referring to the challenges arising from the fact that churches are rooted in different contexts he underscored: “Let us meet each other with the basic assumption that churches in their diverse theological traditions, piety, and contextual challenges are altogether indeed attempting to faithfully relate to the Scriptures.”

The Chilean theologian underlined relationship building as a core dimension of the Christian faith, saying the gathering of Lutheran leaders presented a prophetic sign. “It powerfully questions the painful consequences of today’s general tendency to withdraw into comfort zones, and to accept hostile fragmentation as an unchangeable reality in our world,” he said.

In their feedback to the keynote address, the different regions emphasized the need to focus on studying Luther’s notion of authority in conjunction with the Reformation anniversary; assessing the role of women in the Reformation; and the possibility of Roman Catholic and Orthodox involvement in the 2017 events. They also deliberated on issues facing larger churches and the challenges of assisting the needy while attempting to build confidence in the church itself as a relevant institution.

In their greetings to the LWF gathering, Silesian Bishop Jan Waclawek and Rev. Joel Ruml, Moderator of the Evangelical Church of Czech Brethren, expressed their delight that this meeting was taking place in the country.

The consultation participants and other worshippers attended a festive Eucharist service at the Christ Church in Ostrava, which is shared by the Silesian and the Czech Brethren congregations. There was daily prayer life at the conference venue, and Sunday parish visits and worship.

Bishop Waclawek described the Christ Church as a strong expression of ‘communio’ in Central Eastern Europe. “Although the two LWF member churches in this country have been shaped by different historical and Lutheran traditions, our unique context has challenged us over the years to share and learn from each other’s strengths and support each other. Each Sunday and for many other events like this one, this church building becomes a living example of that solidarity,” he added. (622 words)

(Written for LWI by Aleš Wrana, Ostrava, Czech Republic.)

LWF Symposium Underlines Centrality of Trust in Relationships

GENEVA, 15 May 2012 (LWI) – Churches accompanying forced migrants should consider adding “remembering and reconciliation as a fifth and sixth ‘R’ to the ‘4R’” approach in refugee work, a Lutheran pastor told participants in a Lutheran World Federation (LWF) symposium discussing the notion of trust in a multi-disciplinary approach to work.

LWF and Local Church Assist Families

FATICK, Senegal/GENEVA, 4 May 2012 (LWI) – Residents of Fangad village in southwestern Senegal have been living off the beautiful but austere land for generations, always knowing it to be the safest of employers. But things are changing in the Fatick region.

LWF Regional Conference Focuses on Lutheran Identity

FLORIANÓPOLIS, Brazil/GENEVA, 4 May 2012 (LWI) – Brazilian theologian Rev. Dr Nestor Friedrich called upon Lutheran leaders in Latin America and the Caribbean to promote the use of interactive communication in order to encourage congregations’ active involvement in addressing justice issues and in promoting inclusion in society.

Insights from Ethics, Sociology, Theology and Electronic Media

GENEVA, 2 May 2012(LWI) – “Trust” is the focus of the second in a series of theological seminars on work and faith organized by The Lutheran World Federation (LWF) on 3 May at the Ecumenical Center in Geneva.

Head of Greenpeace International to Deliver Keynote Address

GENEVA, 2 May 2012 (LWI) – Environmental activists, theologians, health practitioners and development workers are among speakers from across the globe who will be sharing their experiences at the Internet-based “green&just” conference organized by The Lutheran World Federation (LWF) on 12 May.

Structures Have Implications for Identity, Says LWF General Secretary Junge

OSLO, Norway/GENEVA, 27 April 2012 (LWI) – The process has started in Norway to end a 500-year state-church tradition of the King/Government appointing bishops. A constitutional change in May 2012 will shift the responsibility for the appointment of bishops of Church of Norway from the state to the church.