Participants at the October 2019 consultation in Addis Ababa on the theme âWe believe in the Holy Spirit: global perspectives on Lutheran identityâ. Photo: LWF/A.Hillert
LWF begins second phase of study process exploring ways in which Lutheran identity is expressed today
(LWI) - The Lutheran World Federation (LWF) is launching a new series of monthly webinars exploring the creative, vibrant and life-giving diversity of what it means to be Lutheran in countries around the world today.
The first of the series, on 1 July at 16.30 CET, will feature Professor Niels Henrik Gregersen of University of Copenhagen (Denmark) and Professor Rev. Dr Beverly Wallace of Luther Seminary (USA) discussing the ways in which we perceive God’s presence in the world and experience the Holy Spirit as a gift and a promise.
The webinars are part of the Lutheran Identities Study Process, which began in October 2019 with an international consultation in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia on the theme of ‘We believe in the Holy Spirit: global perspectives on Lutheran identity’. A report on the consultation and its outcomes is available.
When we engage in dialogue with Lutheran sisters and brothers from social, political, economic and ecological contexts that are different than ours, we expand our own understanding of what it means to be Lutheran today.
LWF’s Program Executive for Identity, Communion and Formation, Rev. Dr Chad Rimmer says: “The consultation in Addis, hosted by The Ethiopian Evangelical Church Mekane Yesus (EECMY) opened a rich conversation about how the Holy Spirit calls, gathers and frees us to express God’s transforming and sustaining love for the world. The Biblical, liturgical, confessional, theological and spiritual foundations of our shared Lutheran tradition get translated through a beautiful mosaic of languages, cultures and callings across our communion.”
Rimmer continues: “When we engage in dialogue with Lutheran sisters and brothers from social, political, economic and ecological contexts that are different than ours, we expand our own understanding of what it means to be Lutheran today. It is inspiring to witness God’s Word of grace, liberty and love give birth to different expressions of faith. The aim of this webinar series is to open that conversation to the whole communion.”
Engaging with local communities
The second phase of the process, scheduled for 2020-2021, will engage with Lutheran communities around the world to explore themes that emerged during the consultation. The COVID-19 crisis has called for a new and creative approach to this engagement since it is not possible to hold face-to-face encounters. The webinars provide an opportunity for a broad participation of people online to reflect and contribute from their local contexts.
Each ‘Being Lutheran’ webinar will open with a moment of prayer and spiritual reflection, after which the featured speakers will discuss a different topic that emerged from the Addis encounter. Participants will then break out into small groups to reflect on the topic and build relationships with their Lutheran sisters and brothers from diverse regions around the globe.
The webinars are open to any member of an LWF member church who is able to register online. Join us and be part of this exciting process to experience the rich diversity of our global communion and to help us discern the work of the Holy Spirit in relation to our contemporary Lutheran identities.
Translation into Spanish, French or German can be made available.
