“Making the life and work of LWF more visible and accessible”
(LWI) - The Lutheran World Federation (LWF) launched a new website on 15 November, offering a fast, mobile-friendly, and accessible online experience for visitors seeking news, information, resources and networking opportunities within the global Lutheran communion. Initially launched in English, it will also be available German, French and Spanish in the coming weeks.
The website was formally launched by LWF President Archbishop Panti Filibus Musa, at a meeting of the LWF’s Executive Committee, which is taking place in Krakow, Poland, this week.
“This is a significant step forward in making the life and work of the global communion of churches more visible and accessible to our member churches, partners, and everyone interested in following the LWF,” said LWF General Secretary Rev. Anne Burghardt.
This is a significant step forward in making the life and work of the global communion of churches more visible and accessible to our member churches, partners, and everyone interested in following the LWF.
Rev. Anne Burghardt, LWF General Secretary
Mobile and desktop friendly
“The new website is at the heart of our communications work, showcasing clearly who we are, what we do, and inviting churches, people, and partners from many different walks of life to be to be a part of our journey towards a more just, peaceful and reconciled world,” says Rev Arni Danielsson, LWF Head of Communications. "We continue to produce publications, printed resources and other traditional forms of communication, but today digital and online information comes first.”
The structure of the website has been simplified, putting at the center an introduction to the LWF, its work and the member churches. It is an invitation to explore the diverse working areas of the LWF, from theological formation and ecumenical dialogues to humanitarian, development and advocacy work. It offers updates on LWF’s global, regional and local work, providing opportunities to support or participate in those activities. "We hope it will open up new possibilities for sharing and grass rooting the work of the LWF within local communities,” says Danielsson.
The new website was designed above all with mobile devices in mind. “Three out of every five visitors are using mobile devices,” Danielsson notes. Building on an agile, modern, content management system, the site is also designed to be accessible in areas where internet speeds are slower, connecting LWF’s 149 member churches in 99 countries, plus almost 9,000 LWF field staff, many of whom live and work in remote locations, to the global communion.
The website was developed by ICON Worldwide, a digital agency based in Zurich, Switzerland, and Sofia, Bulgaria. “We have been very happy with the strong collaboration with ICON. They have designed a beautiful website which builds on strong, modern technology,” said Ms. Noemí Torrecillas, LWF Communication Support Officer, who coordinated work on the new website.
Ongoing renewal
“Online communication practices and platforms develop quickly and the new LWF website will be no exception,” says Danielsson. “The launch is a significant milestone for us, but rather than marking an end it is a beginning. There is a Lutheran principle of the church being in ongoing reformation, or in Latin ‘semper reformanda’. Our approach to the website and communications work is similar: we are committed to an ongoing process of learning and improving our work, so that we can better serve our churches and communities.”
In that spirit, the LWF Office for Communication welcomes feedback, Danielsson emphasizes: “We want the new site to work well for all friends of the LWF and would be grateful for any suggestions for improvement!” Comments, suggestions and critique can be sent to [email protected].
