Diakonia and Development

Responding to human suffering and injustice

Diakonia refers to the call to respond to human suffering and injustice. It is a central pillar of the holistic mission of churches in the world. The LWF Communion Office supports the member churches in different areas of their diaconal engagement for the wider community. Besides supporting churches’ own local diaconal initiatives through project support (see member church projects), the Communion Office coordinates global initiatives focusing on different themes

IMG_E1390 — Participants in the LWF diaconal workshop in Lubango, Angola. Photo: LWF/Marina Dölker

Churches and Emergencies

Effective first responders to emergencies

‘Churches and Emergencies’ is a global LWF initiative that aims to empower churches to be prepared for and effectively respond to emergencies in their contexts. The initiative is coordinated jointly by the LWF Departments for Theology, Mission and Justice and World Service. It is being implemented by churches in Myanmar, Nepal and Venezuela, with support provided by the respective World Service programs.

Symbols of Hope

Challenging irregular migration and human trafficking

In the context of the Symbols of Hope initiative, the LWF Communion Office supports churches in Ethiopia, Nigeria and Zimbabwe to strengthen their capacities and build networks to respond effectively to challenges surrounding irregular migration and human trafficking. The churches have provided tangible symbols of hope by raising awareness and providing psychosocial and livelihoods support to returnees including victims of human trafficking.

Waking the Giant

Engaging with the UN 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development

‘Waking the Giant’ is a global ecumenical initiative of the LWF. It aims to build the capacity of churches to contribute effectively to the 2030 United Nations Agenda for Sustainable Development. The initiative provides churches and church-related actors with tools and training to relate their on-going work to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). It makes visible the local contributions of churches to the SDGs, and connects churches and other partners through a global network to engage in mutual learning and joint planning for direct action and advocacy.

Conviviality

Embracing diaconal life in diversity

Conviviality, “the art and practice of living together” has become a core concept and guiding vision for local diakonia in the European regions of the LWF since 2010. Based on vocation, justice and dignity, conviviality invites churches to jointly reflect on the meaning of a diaconal church and diaconal life in diversity. Three core thematic components—conviviality in practice, convivial economy and convivial theology—have been identified to further the work with the conviviality concept. Activities that affirm diversity, being open and contributing to public discourse and policy are part of the ongoing work among churches in the regions.

Youth

The LWF Youth Program empowers and supports youth leaders across the communion and works with the member churches to include youth more fully in leadership as well.

This cross-cutting work is done in collaboration with partners across the LWF, and is currently coordinated primarily through the work of the following programs.

Programmatic Subsites

Member church projects

The LWF supports member churches to enhance their participation in God’s holistic mission and to improve their ability to plan, monitor, implement and report on projects in a professional manner.

Applications for LWF Member Church Projects

Leadership

Good leadership is essential to churches in order to carry out their mission and to be faithful to God’s calling. The LWF Leadership program seeks to inspire member churches to engage in continuous processes of leadership development, strengthen church sustainability through good governance and management and foster principles of inclusive communion as part of church identity.

Women’s Participation and Leadership

Standing for gender justice is essential to LWF’s identity as a communion of churches. The LWF seeks to promote the equal dignity of every person created in God’s image through the empowerment of women’s leadership