Become a Member Church

Joining the Lutheran communion of churches

Churches wishing to apply for LWF membership must 

  • formally accept the doctrinal basis of the LWF
  • be an autonomous body
  • consist of more than one local congregation

Please get in touch with the Regional Secretary responsible for your region about a membership inquiry.

The LWF has 151 member churches, including two associate member churches, ten recognized churches and congregations, and two recognized councils.

LWF membership represents over 78 million Christians in the Lutheran tradition in 99 countries across the globe.

151.Member Churches
7.Regions
LWF staff during Days of Meetings back in 2019. Photo: LWF/S. Gallay

LWF staff during Days of Meetings back in 2019. Photo: LWF/S. Gallay

Membership Application Procedure

A church applying for membership shall submit to the General Secretary:

  • a completed application form;
  • minutes of the church's appropriate decision-making body evidencing that
  • the church accepts the LWF Constitution and wishes to apply for membership;
  • the constitution of the church;
  • a brief statement of the history and background of the church;
  • such other information as the General Secretary may require.
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Contact

Rev. Sonia Skupch
Regional Secretary for Latin America, the Caribbean and North America

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