Setting the tone for the communion in coming years
âFreely you have received, freely giveâ (Mt 10:8) is the theme of the Council. Photo: LWF/Albin Hillert
LWF Council to meet in Geneva 28 June - 2 July
(LWI) – “Freely you have received, freely give” (Mt 10:8) is the theme of the first full meeting of the Lutheran World Federation (LWF) Council which takes place in Geneva from 28 June to 2 July. A high point of Council’s agenda is the new strategy for the LWF, which will set priorities for the communion’s work in the coming years. The Council meeting opens with a worship service in the chapel of the Ecumenical Centre, at which Council member Rev. Yonas Yigezu Dibisi, president of the Evangelical Lutheran Church of Mekane Yesus in Ethiopia, will preach.
The new Council was elected at the Twelfth Assembly in Windhoek, Namibia, in May last year. It is the principle authority of the LWF during the period between Assemblies. Its 48 members represent the LWF member churches in seven regions, together with the LWF President and the Chairperson of the Finance Committee. A special induction session on 27 June will introduce them to the work of the Council.
The Council is preceded by meetings of women, youth and a meeting of the Executive Committee on 26 and 27 June.
A new strategy for the LWF
The new LWF strategy builds upon the outcomes of the Twelfth Assembly of the LWF: its message, public statements and resolutions, all of which provide direction for the LWF. It builds on the existing strategy and a mid-term review of that strategy conducted in 2016. It also takes into account extensive analysis of the context in which the LWF and its member churches witness.
The strategy was developed through an iterative process that involved members of the LWF Council, representatives of LWF member churches and input from related organizations. The new strategy will be presented to the Council for decision-making. A new strategy for LWF World Service will also be presented at the Council.
Also on the agenda are the address of LWF President Archbishop Dr Panti Filibus Musa, the report of the LWF General Secretary Rev Dr. Martin Junge, the report of the Chairperson of the Finance Committee Oberkirchenrat Olaf Johannes Mirgeler and the setting of the budget for 2019.
Another item on the agenda is an interim report of a task force assessing the location of the LWF communion office. The report will be presented by the chairperson of the taskforce, National Bishop Susan Johnson, Evangelical Lutheran Church in Canada. The Council will also receive a report of a special committee set up to evaluate the Twelfth Assembly of the LWF in Windhoek, Namibia. The committee was chaired by Mr. Christian Albecker, president of the Union of Protestant Churches of Alsace and Lorraine.
Daily worship and Bible study will offer a chance to reflect on the theme for the Council “Freely you have received, freely give” (Mt 10:8, NIV).
The proceedings and results of the 2018 LWF Council meeting can be followed online and in the LWF social media channels. The hashtag #LWFcouncil will be used during the meeting.
