Africa
Holistic mission. Diakonia. Solidarity.
Opportunities and challenges for holistic mission
Identifying good governance and accountability, encouraging youth participation, supporting gender justice, and accessing theological education and formation are priority for holistic mission for the Lutheran communion in Africa.
The challenges to carrying out this mission in Africa are limited financial resources, few local resources, poor communication infrastructure, and diverse languages among the churches.
Communion relations
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 ease issues related to poverty and inequity in the region.
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.
A symbolic moment during the 60th anniverary of the first all-Africa Lutheran conference, held in 2015. Photo: Photo: LWF/ Tsion Alemayehu
More than 80 participants representing leadership levels of LWF's 31 member churches in Africa attended the 29 June- 1 July Africa Lutheran Church Leadership Consultation in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. Photo: LWF/ALCINET Erick Adolph
The ALCLC started with an opening eucharistic service at the Mekane Yesus Seminary chapel in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. Seen here, Bishop Dr Jean Baiguele (Cameroon) and Rev. Tseganech Ayele (Ethiopia) distributing Holy Communion. Photo: LWF/ALCINET Erick Adolph
Networks
Networks facilitate mutual accompaniment, especially for smaller churches.
Women theologians’ networks, Lutheran Communion in Southern Africa, Lutheran Communion in Central and Eastern Africa, Lutheran Communion in Central and Western Africa, LWF Task Group on Poverty, African Lutheran Communication and Information Network
Partners
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.
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
