We are not ashamed of the Gospel

The meeting of European communicators will explore the theme “We are not ashamed of the Gospel”. Questions to be touched on are, amongst others: What does this mean for church communicators theologically and practically? How does this find expression in the LWF as a communion of churches? How do Lutherans deal with the Gospel in the public space? Does the Gospel give tools to address fake news?

As the meeting takes place in Strasbourg, France, participants will use the opportunity to visit European institutions, the Institute for Ecumenical Research in Strasbourg and the Union of Protestant Churches of Alsace and Lorraine (UEPAL).

Blessed are the Peacemakers for they will be called the Children of God

According to the LWF strategy 2019-2024, it states: “Ensure the meaningful participation of youth in church and society: We will promote intergenerational engagement on topical issues for church and society.” Thus, young people are seen as active contributors to change and peace.

Additionally, the LWF seeks to “Strengthen local and global advocacy to promote human rights and protect the rights of marginalized communities: We will build on grassroots experience and knowledge to bring local human rights issues and realities to the global arena.” As part of this growing support for youth empowerment, LWF is committed to support young people to be equipped with the skills to positively engage in peacebuilding.

Peace Messengers

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Relevant Resources

LWF Peace Messengers Training Manuals 12 February 2018 The Peace Messengers Training is a peacebuilding and conflict resolution training program designed for youth from different communities and faith traditions.  Department for Mission and Development (until 2019)

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LWF News

LWF youth amplify ‘Peace Messengers’ role in churches and communities 1 June 2022 GENEVA, Switzerland LWF invites youth to apply for Peace Messengers training in June 1 April 2022 GENEVA, Switzerland Young peacemakers key to post-pandemic world 2 December 2020 GENEVA, Switzerland Empowering young people to train LWF Peace Messengers 12 February 2018 GENEVA, Switzerland

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From Our Blog

Called to be a daily peacemaker 24 December 2017 By Saleem Moussa Anfous How can religions wisely build peace in our societies? 17 December 2017 By Levi Joniel Inclusive peacebuilding means peace for all 10 December 2017 By Sem Lucas Loggen and Anna Tervahartiala “For every dream there is a color” 3 December 2017 By Angélica Oquendo Ramos

Asia regional meeting

This event will gather young reformers and leaders from the LWF member Churches in Asia in order to organize them as a youth network and develop main goals and activities for their work upto 2021. Delegates will identify contextual challenges, their regional themes and engage actively in the future of the network. This network is built by young Lutherans within the context of reformatory heritage, Lutheran identity, LWF Youth priorities and today’s global framework of Justice and Peace. It will empower and equip the young people to address challenges and to act boldly in faith grounded in scripture.

Report of the LWF Youth Pre Assembly 2017

Global Young Reformers Network

Europe regional meeting

This event will gather young reformers and leaders from the LWF member Churches in Europe in order to organize them as a youth network and develop main goals and activities for their work upto 2021. Delegates will identify contextual challenges, their regional themes and engage actively in the future of the network. This network is built by young Lutherans within the context of reformatory heritage, Lutheran identity, LWF Youth priorities and today’s global framework of Justice and Peace. It will empower and equip the young people to address challenges and to act boldly in faith grounded in scripture.

Report of the LWF Youth Pre Assembly 2017

Global Young Reformers Network

Churches around the globe hold services marking Reformation Day

To mark the 20th anniversary of the landmark ecumenical document, the Joint Declaration on the Doctrine of Justification (JDDJ), Catholic and Lutheran leaders celebrated together in Geneva’s St Pierre Cathedral in June with representatives of Anglican, Methodist and Reformed churches who have also affirmed the historic agreement. For their shared worship service, they used an ecumenical liturgy, available on-line in four languages, which all Lutheran churches are encouraged to adapt for their own needs as they mark Reformation Day.

Prayer Service for the 20th anniversary of the JDDJ

Diversity and Identity - Different Kinds of Gifts, but the Same Spirit…

(1 Corinthians 12, 4-6)

Member churches from the LWF Central and Eastern Europe region meet to strengthen regular exchange and cooperation and to decide on concrete actions as a follow-up to the resolutions of the 12th LWF Assembly in Namibia as well as the LWF Council meeting in Geneva. 

From the perspectives of their specific regional contexts they will discuss the following main topics in the plenary and in group discussions: 

• The Ministry of the Churches in CEE; 
• Global Perspectives on Lutheran Identity 
• Being Church in the Public Space 
• Theological Education and Pastors’ Vocation in CEE 
• European Church Leadership Consultation in 2020 
• LWF Assembly in 2023 

The Consultation 2019 takes place on the invitation of Archbishop and LWF Vice-President for CEE Urmas Viilma of the Estonian Evangelical Lutheran Church.

LWF Strategy 2019 – 2024

Registration Deadline: 31 May 2019 

Language: English and German

Awareness, Action, Accountability

The 16 Days of Activism for ending Violence Against Women and Children is a global awareness-raising campaign. This annual campaign, 25 November (International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women) to 10 December (International Human Rights Day) works to end sexual and gender based violence.

Together with international partners, faith based organizations and global advocacy groups around the world, we work to break the silence, stop the stigma and end Sexual and Gender Based Violence. We encourage LWF Member Churches and Country Programs from around the Communion to creatively engage with the 16 Days campaign, and we offer resources to facilitate their work. Awareness is not enough. Let us move into action and embolden accountability to end SGBV and stand together to promote Gender Justice.

25th session of the Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change

Will be held in Madrid

The impact of climate change constitutes one of the most critical threats to human life and nature, directly affecting the lives of the poor and most vulnerable worldwide. Climate change hits harder than projected by climate science. The latest Special IPCC Reports emphasize that the world needs to take urgent, transformative action to avert the most severe impacts of global warming beyond 1.5 degrees Celsius.

LWF advocates for climate justice with a strong focus on ambitious implementation of the Paris Agreement, emphasizing that it is possible to stay at 1.5 C to prevent a climate disaster. It is an increasing matter of concern that climate action itself can be detrimental to justice and people's rights as mitigation or adaptation policies and projects, if poorly planned, can undermine those for whom they are intended. Thus, climate action should be designed and implemented so as to respect and promote justice for humans and other species, and human rights.

The LWF delegation at COP 25 brings together experienced climate leaders, who together with a youth delegation, advocate for the voiceless from a faith perspective along with ecumenical partners.

Find more information on this subject at:

• LWF on Climate Justice
• LWF COP Delegations
• LWF Assembly Resolution on Climate Change
• ACT Alliance: Climate Change Advocacy Framework Position (2016–2018)

Strengthening the public role of churches in view of populist exclusionary policies

How can churches resist the increasing politically driven aggressive and divisive public discourse? And, how can they foster societies that embrace respect for diversity and inclusion? The Lutheran World Federation seeks to stimulate discussion around these questions through a new publication titled Resisting Exclusion - Global Theological Responses to Populism. 

The authors are church leaders and theologians from around the world, who share their experience of populist strategies, inviting readers to engage with these contextual views and action.  

To order copies of the publication in hard copy, please contact:

Ms Pauline Mumia Communication Officer: Theology and Publications Editor Contact by email +41 22 791 6371  

Download publication

Related news

Read more The LWF seeks to stimulate discussion around this question through a new publication titled Resisting Exclusion - Global Theological Responses to Populism. The volume in the LWF Studies series (2019/1) offers analyses and theological perspectives on the public role of churches in view of populist exclusionary policies.

New publication: Resisting Exclusion - Global Theological Responses to Populism

LWF Related Organizations, member churches funding partners meeting

Since its founding, the LWF has relied on the faithful and generous financial support of member churches and church-related organizations. These partners meet each year to review the LWF’s work, understand the current priorities and agree the working relationship for the forthcoming year.

The focus for February in particular will be to update partners on the work of the LWF.

At this meeting, partners will also have the opportunity to share their own organizational plans and priorities.