Global Lutheran Bodies to Explore Common Commemorations of Reformation Anniversary

Communiqué from ILC-LWF Meeting Affirms Value of Global Conversations

Representatives of The Lutheran World Federation (LWF) and the International Lutheran Council (ILC) highlighted in their meeting this year the need to continue conversations about common commemorations of the 500th anniversary of the Reformation in 2017.

In a communiqué following their annual meeting, 27-29 March in Geneva, the ILC and LWF stated they had discussed a number of positive developments that had taken place among their member churches since they last met in 2008. In view of the Reformation anniversary, they expressed the hope to work together through seminars, educational events and publications, and agreed to update each other on their continuing plans.

“Both the ILC and the LWF thanked one another and affirmed the positive spirit of the meeting in which frank and candid conversation could be shared about mutual concerns, while building upon a common Lutheran heritage in Christ’s Church,” the communiqué stated.

The meeting hosted by the LWF, was co-chaired by General Secretary Rev. Martin Junge and Interim ILC Executive Secretary Rev. Dr Ralph Mayan.

Mayan reported that the ILC will consider at its September 2012 Conference, the LWF Council invitation to join in the “Mennonite Action” of repentance and reconciliation, which Lutherans and Mennonites endorsed at the July 2010 LWF Eleventh Assembly in Stuttgart, Germany. Junge pointed out that the action had proved to be a profoundly moving experience, which “resulted in unexpected fruits including a new trilateral dialogue on Baptism involving the LWF, Roman Catholics and Mennonites.”

Discussion also focused on a number of local situations where tensions have occurred, particularly in the Philippines, Papua New Guinea and the United States, with the meeting encouraging “ongoing communication in all these situations.” With respect to the Lutheran Church in the Philippines, the LWF and ILC representatives agreed to send a joint letter to the church, encouraging continued dialogue toward reconciliation.

They acknowledged the value of the global conversations between both bodies, and underlined the need to encourage member churches to seek opportunities for interaction at the local and regional levels.

Also discussed were a number of theological topics including the different expressions of faithfulness to Scriptures, the meaning of “confessional Lutherans,” human sexuality, ministry and biblical hermeneutics.

Wittenberg, Germany, was suggested as a possible venue for the next meeting, scheduled for November 2013.

The ILC and LWF meetings are held under the auspices of a 2005 “Memorandum of Understanding,” which agreed to regular gatherings to increase mutual understanding between the two Lutheran world bodies and their member churches.

The ILC was established in 1958 as an association of confessional Lutheran church bodies that support one another and study theological issues together. Founded in 1947, the LWF currently has 145 member churches. Some of the LWF member churches also have membership in the ILC.

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