Council Members raise green cards to vote in favor of a motion as the newly LWF Council convenes for their first session following the Lutheran World Federation (LWF) Thirteenth Assembly, held in Krakow, Poland on 13-19 September 2023 under the theme of ’One Body, One Spirit, One Hope’. Photo: LWF/Albin Hillert

Council

Our Council governs the LWF between Assemblies. Its members are elected by the Assembly.

The LWF Council consists of member churches representatives, elected by the Assembly. It meets once a year to ensure that LWF is satisfactorily organized and run according to its defined purpose and in accordance with resolutions made by the Assembly. 

  • The Council shall decide on the budget of the LWF and safeguard the proper control and management of the LWF’s assets.
  • The Council shall receive the audited annual financial statements of the LWF and approve them.
  • The Council may, when necessary, authorize the Executive Committee to approve the audited annual financial statements.
  • The Council shall define the strategy of the LWF according to decisions and actions made by the Assembly.
  • It elects the General Secretary. It meets once a year.

Meet the 49 Council Members

Newly elected Council members stand to be recognized upon their election at the LWF Thirteenth Assembly. Photo: LWF/Albin Hillert

ADA EPSE MAINA, Rev. Dr Jeanette, Evangelical Lutheran Church in CAMEROON

BALASINGH, Bishop Jacob Priestly, INDIA Evangelical Lutheran Church

BORGOARY, Ms Ranjita Christi, Northern Evangelical Lutheran Church (INDIA)

CHANG, Bishop Chun Wa, The Evangelical Lutheran Church of HONG KONG

DANTINE, Superintendent Olivier, Evangelical Church of the Augsburg Confession in AUSTRIA

DIBISA, Rev. Dr Yonas Yigezu, The Ethiopian Evangelical Lutheran Church Mekane Yesus (ETHIOPIA)

FABINY, Bishop Dr Tamás, The Evangelical Lutheran Church in HUNGARY

FLIPPIN JR., Rev. William Edward, Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (USA)

GABEE, Ms Agnes, Evangelical Lutheran Church of PAPUA NEW GUINEA

GOHM, Rev. Katherine Maria, Evangelical Lutheran Church in CANADA

GÖTZ, Mr Tim, Evangelical Lutheran Church in Bavaria (GERMANY)

GUĐMUNDSDÓTTIR, Rev. Dr Arnfriđur, Evangelical Lutheran Church of ICELAND

HANEKOM, Mr Petrus Johannes, Northeastern Evangelical Lutheran Church in SOUTH AFRICA

HERNÁNDEZ MIRANDA, Bishop Atahualpa, Evangelical Lutheran Church of COLOMBIA

HOMMA, Ms Ibuki, JAPAN Evangelical Lutheran Church

HORN, Ms Charlotte, Evangelical Lutheran Church in Württemberg (GERMANY)

ISLAM, Ms Khadijah, Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (USA)

JAVORNIK, Mr Martin Jan, Slovak Evangelical Church of Augsburg Confession in SERBIA

KRAUSS, Dr Anna Hildegard, Lutheran Church in GREAT BRITAIN

KÜHNBAUM-SCHMIDT, Bishop Kristina, Evangelical Lutheran Church in Northern GERMANY

LAWRENCE, Bishop Steven, Evangelical Lutheran Church in MALAYSIA

LIN, Ms Mei-Ting (Terry), The Lutheran Church of TAIWAN

LODBERG, Prof. Dr Peter, Evangelical Lutheran Church in DENMARK

LUND, Rev. Barbara, Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (USA)

LUOMA, Rev. Jussi, Evangelical Lutheran Church of FINLAND

MANANATO, Ms Toromare, Malagasy Lutheran Church (MADAGASCAR)

MARTIN, Oberkirchenrat Michael, Evangelical Lutheran Church in Bavaria (GERMANY)

MATROOS, Ms Susan, Evangelical Lutheran Church in Southern Africa (SOUTH AFRICA)

MOMOH, Mr Moses Sanganwo, Evangelical Lutheran Church in SIERRA LEONE

NAVRÁTILOVÁ, Rev. Dr Olga, Evangelical Church of Czech Brethren (CZECH REPUBLIC)

NDAWANAPO, Bishop Tomás, Evangelical Lutheran Church of ANGOLA

NUHU, Mr Ishaya, The Lutheran Church of Christ in NIGERIA

ORTIZ, Bishop Leila, Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (USA)

PÅLSSON, Rev. Veronica, Church of SWEDEN

POŠKIENĖ, Ms Milita, The Evangelical Lutheran Church of LITHUANIA

RACHEL SOREN, Ms Rinki, NEPAL Evangelical Lutheran Church

RAM, Mr Michael, Evangelical Lutheran Church in GUYANA

REIMANN GNAS, Ms Isabella, Evangelical Church of the Lutheran Confession in BRAZIL

ROMMEL, Rev. Wilma Elisabet, United Evangelical Lutheran Church (ARGENTINA, URUGUAY)

SAMNØEN, Mr Øystein, The Evangelical Lutheran Free Church of NORWAY

SANDMÆL, The Very Rev. Kristine, Church of NORWAY

SHOO, Presiding Bishop, Fredrick Onael, Evangelical Lutheran Church in TANZANIA

SINAGA, Rev. Dr Deonal, Protestant Christian Batak Church (INDONESIA)

SOJKA, Prof. Dr Jerzy, Evangelical Church of the Augsburg Confession in POLAND

STELTER, Oberkirchenrat Dirk, Evangelical Lutheran Church of Hanover (GERMANY)

TELAMBANUA, Rev. Mesrawati, The Protestant Christian Church (INDONESIA)

UWASE, Ms Phiona, Lutheran Church of RWANDA

WENDEL, Mr Brad, Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (USA)

WESTFELD, Ms Bettina, Evangelical Lutheran of Saxony (GERMANY)

Membership

The LWF Constitution stipulates due representation of ordained and lay persons, women, men and youth.

The term of office for Council members ends at the close of the next ordinary Assembly. Members are eligible for one re-election.

Previous Council (2017-2023)

Bishop Henrik Stubjaer, LWF President. Photo: LWF/Albin Hillert
Bishop
Henrik Stubkjær
Elected by the Assembly

The Executive Committee oversees the proper functioning of the LWF between Council meetings.

The Executive Committee shall normally meet semi annually, with one meeting in conjunction with the Council meeting. 

The Council appoints from its membership committees and sub-committees to direct specific areas of work as needed and designates their chairpersons.

In addition, the Council may elect up to 21 advisers to the Committees to provide professional competence and expertise.

Previous Council Documents