Today LWF Council members voted to approve the new strategy for the years 2019 to 2024. Council 2018, Geneva (Switzerland). Photo: LWF/Albin Hillert
Council approves new strategy for the LWF
(LWI) - The new strategy of the Lutheran World Federation (LWF) for the years 2019 to 2024 was approved by the LWF Council today. Titled “With Passion for the Church and for the World” it sets forth what the LWF member churches are looking at doing together in the coming years, as a communion of churches.
“The new LWF strategy helps us articulate our common purpose and sense of direction as we move forward from commemorating 500 years of reformation, listening to what God is calling us to be and do in the world, LWF president Archbishop Dr Panti Filibus Musa said. “It gives focus to what we do together as a communion, identifying the critical importance of responding particularly to humanitarian crises, and what it means to be the church in a fragmented world.”
The strategy balances continuity and innovation, staying true to the LWF’s foundational commitments while giving focus to how the churches communion will grow together in their joint witness. Two strategic priorities will shape the work of the LWF, one focusing on the presence and witness of the churches in the world, the other on promoting human dignity, justice and peace.
The strategy introduces deeper engagement for climate justice and networks for theological formation as new working areas, in addition additional to diakonia, ecumenical relations, gender justice and youth empowerment.
The vision of the LWF, “Liberated by God’s grace, a communion in Christ, living and working together for a just, peaceful, and reconciled world” is affirmed in the strategy.
The strategy takes into account the outcomes of the Twelfth Assembly of the LWF, its message, public statements and resolutions. It builds on the existing strategy and a mid-term review of that strategy conducted in 2016. It also takes into account an extensive analysis of the context in which the LWF and its member churches live and work.
It was developed through an iterative process that involved members of the LWF Council, representatives of LWF member churches and input from related organizations.
The 2018 LWF Council meeting takes place in Geneva from 27 June - 2 July. The theme of the Council is “Freely you have received, freely give” (Matthew 10:8, NIV). The LWF Council meets yearly and is the highest authority of the LWF between assemblies. It consists of the President, the Chairperson of the Finance Committee, and 48 members from LWF member churches in seven regions.
