Department for Mission and Development

LWF Representatives Speak on Youth Participation and Sharing of Resources

HAMBURG, Germany/ GENEVA, 14 May 2013 (LWI) – Questions of justice and a responsible economy were a central focus of the 34^th German Protestant Kirchentag, which took place from 1 to 5 May 2013 in Hamburg.

The Kirchentag is a German Protestant lay movement and the theme for this gathering was “As much as you need” (Exodus 16:18). Almost 120,000 full-time participants attended worship services; exchanged ideas about faith; and engaged in discussion about current political affairs with representatives from the church, civil society and political sphere. The guest speakers included German Federal President Joachim Gauck, who is a former Lutheran pastor, and Chancellor Angela Merkel.

Asia Church Leadership Conference

BANGKOK, Thailand/GENEVA, 2 May 2013 (LWI) – Lutheran churches in Asia have embarked on a reformation of their theological understanding and reflection on holistic mission and Lutheran identity in the context of the region’s rapid secularization.

Sixty-five leaders from Asia’s Lutheran churches and mission partners met in Bangkok, Thailand, 12-16 April, for the Asian Church Leadership Conference (ACLC), organized by The Lutheran World Federation (LWF) Department for Mission and Development (DMD) under the theme “Strengthening the Asian Communion in Changing Times.” The ACLC is convened every two years with the aim to discuss strategies and programs of the regional Lutheran communion, which includes 52 LWF member churches.

LWF Launches Global Virtual Conference on Diakonia

GENEVA, 12 April 2013 (LWI) – The Lutheran World Federation (LWF) will break new ground in its continuing efforts to strengthen social services efforts by Lutheran congregations around the world by holding a virtual conference on diakonia on 5 June.

Organized by the LWF Department for Mission and Development (DMD) the one-day Internet-based conference is framed around the theme “Stand Up and Walk,” based on the story about Jesus healing a paralytic (Mark 2: 9-12).

Mekong Mission Forum Says Biblical Foundation Key to Identity

PHNOM PENH, Cambodia/GENEVA, 10 April 2013 (LWI) – Lutheran churches in Asia’s Mekong Delta are developing a stronger identity by strengthening the biblical and theological basis for diaconal and church ministries, participants in the annual Mekong Mission Forum (MMF) said.

Meeting 4-7 April in Phnom Penh, Cambodia, 45 participants representing 16 member churches and mission partners discussed ways to revitalize the theological foundation of MMF’s work and enhance Lutheran identity in the region.

Diaconal Response to Ukraine’s Social and Economic Challenges

ODESSA, Ukraine, 26 February 2013 (LWI) – Morning classes are over in the Black Sea port city of Odessa, and some of the children head to a day-care center in the Suvorovsky neighborhood.

At “Living Hope” they can enjoy a meal, do their homework and participate in extracurricular activities, including lessons in English and German. The young Ukrainian and German volunteers who help run the center cook together with the children, talk to them about their school day and offer help with homework. Outside there is a brightly painted playground.

General Secretary Junge Grateful for Outstanding Leadership with Passion for the Church

GENEVA, 30 January 2013 (LWI) – Rev. Dr Musa Panti Filibus, director of the Department for Mission and Development (DMD) at The Lutheran World Federation (LWF), has accepted a calling by the Lutheran Church of Christ in Nigeria (LCCN) to serve as bishop of the Mayo Belwa Diocese.

“I received this news with both joy and sadness,” LWF General Secretary Rev. Martin Junge wrote in a letter today to the LWF Council, informing the governing body of the DMD director’s response to the LCCN.

“Conviviality” Concept to Guide Approaches in Diverse Contexts

ODESSA, Ukraine/GENEVA, 25 January 2013 (LWI) – A broad framework for an action plan on reforming community diakonia in the aftermath of the financial crisis affecting most of Europe since 2008 has been agreed by a core group of Lutherans working in this field.

The outline adopted by representatives from all three European regions of The Lutheran World Federation (LWF) incorporates practical actions with a combined strategy to achieve a more holistic approach to diakonia (church social service) for diaconal workers and decision-makers in churches in Europe.

Second LWF Workshop on Community Diakonia in Europe

ODESSA, Ukraine/GENEVA, 21 January 2013 (LWI) – A group of Lutheran pastors, educators and diaconal workers (working in church social services) met in the Black Sea port city of Odessa for an ongoing initiative of The Lutheran World Federation (LWF) European region on reforming community diakonia on the continent.