Member churches in the Lutheran communion in Africa collaborate in their holistic mission, addressing poverty and economic injustice, learning together to improve their skills to advocate for change.
Challenges of Holistic Mission
Communication between churches in the communion in Africa is important because of its diverse cultures and traditions. Poor infrastructure is a major communication challenge.
Most of the people in the rural areas are not fluent in languages used to communicate with other regions, which limits access to materials from abroad.
The region’s limited financial resources make member churches dependent on outside sources, which is a stumbling block for diaconal work.
There is little opportunity for communities to utilize local resources.
Communion Relationships
Church leaders come together as a communion in the Lutheran Council in Africa (LUCA) to reflect on what it means to be part of the LWF regionally and work together to challenge poverty and inequality.
LWF’s holistic mission initiatives are acted on through member churches while theological institutions collaborate in developing themes that are important for communion relationships.
Minority Church Context
Some member churches are located in Muslim majority countries such as Senegal while others, including those in Congo Brazzaville and Zambia, are smaller, more recently established churches.
Networks & Partners
Women theologians’ networks
The networks of women theologians are active.
Lutheran Communion in Southern Africa
The Lutheran Communion in Southern Africa (LUCSA) is very active.
Lutheran Communion in Central and Eastern Africa
The Lutheran Communion in Central and Eastern Africa (LUCCEA) is active and strong in some churches.
Lutheran Communion in Central and Western Africa
The Lutheran Communion in Central and Western Africa (LUCWA) is being established.
LWF Task Group on Poverty
The LWF Task Group on Poverty (TFP) is a team of 12 drawn from the member churches.
African Lutheran Communication and Information Network
The African Lutheran Communication and Information Network (ALCINET) is team of eight communicators from the member churches.
Partners
Brot für die Welt
Church of Sweden
Evangelical Lutheran Church in America
Evangelical Lutheran Church in Bavaria
Evangelical Lutheran Church in Northern Germany
Finn Church Aid
Finnish Evangelical Lutheran Mission
Norwegian Church Aid
Partners contribute to financial support and, in some cases, also serve on joint mission boards as a further way of strengthening relationships and mutual learning.
