“Abound in Hope” (Rom. 15:13)

The Lutheran World Federation's annual governance meeting takes place in Geneva, Switzerland, from 13-18 June 2024.

On 12 June the LWF Executive Committee will meet and Pre-Council meetings for youth, women, and men will take place.

The LWF Council meets once a year and is responsible for LWF business between Assemblies. It consists of:

• the President
• the Chairperson of the Finance Committee
• 48 lay or ordained people, from LWF member churches in seven regions.

Members of this Council were appointed at the Thirteen Assembly in 2023.

Leadership Training for LWF Scholarship Holders

This new online training consists of eight (three hour) modules designed to develop leadership skills, increase self-awareness, motivate and consolidate networks for wellbeing and mutual support.

The course is offered to LWF scholarship holders who are studying theology in different parts of the global communion, supporting them for individual growth and inspiring them for life-long learning.

Modules will focus on the following topics:

1. 25 January: Leadership awareness 
2. 26 January: Leadership in Biblical perspective 
3. 15 February: Leadership in church context 
4. 16 February: Leadership values 
5. 29 February: Gender Justice and leadership 
6. 1 March: Leadership as dialogue 
7. 14 March: Intergenerational justice and youth leadership 
8. 15 March: Mentorship and leading to the future 

Leadership and Episcopal Ministry in the LWF Communion

The LWF invites newly elected church leaders - Bishops, Pastor Presidents - in its member churches to its annual Retreat of Newly Elected Leaders (RoNEL). 

Participants explore and reflect together on the understanding of leadership, share insights of how it is practiced across the communion, and deliberate on being leaders in the Lutheran communion. 

The retreat is a space where church leaders can: 

• strengthen relationships among themselves 
• connect and support each other 
• contribute through mutual learning and sharing of experiences 
• enhance understanding of the LWF Communion Office as a resource for the member churches 
• share in daily worship and prayer 

The LWF Department for Theology, Mission and Justice coordinates the program in close collaboration with the Office of the General Secretary and the LWF Center in Wittenberg, Germany. 

Locations:

• 19 to 23 November - GENEVA, Switzerland
• 24 to 27 November - WITTENBERG, Germany

One Body, One Spirit, One Hope

The Study Guide for the Thirteenth Assembly was published in March. On Wednesday 29 March the LWF Communion Office will host a launch event to give you a look behind the scenes and answer questions about how the Study Guide was prepared, how it is structured and how it will be used across the communion as we prepare for the assembly.

Join in the Ecumenical Centre in Geneva or follow online: Launch of Thirteenth Assembly Study Guide - YouTube

With:

• General Secretary Anne Burghardt
• Assistant General Secretary Dirk Lange
• Program Executive Chad Rimmer
• Program Executive Savanna Sullivan
• Regional Secretary Ireneusz Lukas
• Assembly Coordinator Maryssa Camaddo

Hosts

• Arni Danielsson
• Philippa Hitchen

Celebrating the 500th Year of Luther’s New Testament Translation

Two biblical scholars will discuss how we engage the Bible. What are the ways we incorporate Scripture into our ethics, decisions and practice?

• Rev. Prof. Sin Pan Ho, Professor of New Testament and Dean of Advanced Studies at Lutheran Theological Seminary in Hong Kong.
• Rev. Dr. Kayko Driedger Hesslein, Associate Academic Dean and William Hordern Assistant Professor of Theology and Director of Contextual Education at Lutheran Theological Seminary in Canada. She is ordained in the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Canada.

Host

• Rev. Szabolcs Nagy, Consultant project “Bible Year 2022”

Celebrating seven decades of Lutheran witness

75 photos, one from each year, offer glimpses into the rich history and work of the LWF.

Join us for the launch of the book “In Communion – 75 years of The Lutheran World Federation.” Through 75 photographs, one from every year since the LWF was founded in 1947, the book offers glimpses into the rich history of the LWF and its witness for justice, peace, and reconciliation.

The book launch will take place at the Ecumenical Center in Geneva and will be live streamed for those who want to follow online.

• If you intend to attend in person, kindly RSVP Laura Marienfeld 
• Follow the livestream online.

After the launch, the photobook will be available online.

Celebrating the 500th Year of Luther’s New Testament Translation

This is the second of four webinars that LWF is hosting to mark the 2022 Bible Year.

Two biblical scholars will discuss the cultural and theological impact of Martin Luther’s New Testament translation and how the work of Bible translation impacts the community of faith today.

• Rev. Ángela del Consuelo Trejo Haager, theologian and pastor in the Mexican Lutheran Church (ILM) and the coordinator of Augsburg Lutheran Seminary in Mexico where she is also a professor of Bible and gender theology.
• Prof Dr Jerzy Sojka, Chair of Historical Theology, Christian Theological Academy in Warsaw, Poland

Host

• Rev. Szabolcs Nagy, Consultant project “Bible Year 2022”