December 16, 2003

JAERVENPAEAE, Finland/GENEVA - The Executive Committee of the International Lutheran Council (ILC) and representatives of the Lutheran World Federation (LWF) have agreed that further contacts should be maintained and conversations be held between both organizations. This would enable the ILC and LWF to deal with different areas of theological agreements and disagreements between their respective churches.

The ILC and LWF affirmation is contained in a joint communique following their October 30-November 2 meeting in Jaervenpaeae, Finland, under the theme "What unites us? What divides us?" A first similar meeting took place in November 2002 in Geneva, Switzerland.

In the joint communiqui, the ILC and LWF stated their agreement to convene a small group of representative from each organization to "take into consideration tensions resulting from activities, statements or policies of churches of the two organizations or agencies related to them."

It was agreed that the ILC and LWF consider hosting joint symposiums on issues of faith and life that affect Lutherans and other people throughout the world. Both organizations, and /or their member churches, it was noted, should be encouraged to invite observers to each other's official meetings and consultations. Their member churches, stated the joint communiqui, should be encouraged to seek or improve positive relations in their respective regions and cooperate wherever possible in local events, public issues, outreach endeavors, and provision of human care.

The ILC has 29 member churches with a combined membership of some 3.3 million people. The LWF has 136 member churches in 76 countries, representing 61.7 million of the 65.4 million Lutherans worldwide. Nine Lutheran churches have membership both in the LWF and ILC. (290 words)

The full text of the joint communiqui following the ILC and LWF meeting in Finland follows:

Meeting between the ILC and the LWF
Jaervenpaeae, Finland, 30 October - 2 November 2003
COMMUNIQUE

The Executive Committee of the International Lutheran Council (ILC) and representatives of the Lutheran World Federation (LWF) met in Jaervenpaeae, Finland, from 30 October to 2 November 2003. The theme was "What unites us? What divides us?"

The meeting took place in a cordial and constructive atmosphere, which enabled clear and frank discussion and followed the tone set by an initial meeting in Geneva, Switzerland, from 30 July to 1 August 2002.

ILC Executive Secretary Rev. Dr Samuel Nafzger and LWF General Secretary Rev. Dr Ishmael Noko made presentations focusing on a Lutheran understanding of the authority of Holy Scripture, what is meant by subscription to the Lutheran Confessions and how Article VII of the Augsburg Confession is understood and practiced.

All participants reflected on core issues from their own experiences or perspectives concerning Lutheran church life and relations between churches belonging to the ILC and/or the LWF in their regions.

It was apparent that formal acceptance of the biblical and confessional writings has not led to agreement in all matters of faith and life. The representatives from both organizations expressed recognition that the confession of faith they hold in common includes the belief that the Holy Scriptures are the only rule, source and norm of faith, doctrine, life, service and practice and that the Lutheran Confessions are correct and pure expositions of the Scriptures.

They affirmed their gratitude for the God-given blessing they share as members of the Body of Christ, the One Holy Christian C hurch confessed in the Ecumenical Creeds. However, the meeting recognized and identified significant and deeply held areas of theological disagreement that remain among the churches of the two worldwide Lutheran organizations.

It was agreed that further contact should be maintained and conversations held, enabling the ILC and the LWF to deal with different areas of theological agreements and disagreements between churches of both organizations. Specifically, it was agreed that the

1. ILC Executive Secretary and the LWF General Secretary will convene a small group of representatives from each organization to take into consideration tensions resulting from activities, statements or policies of churches of the two organizations or agencies related to them; 2. ILC and the LWF should consider hosting joint symposiums on issues of faith and life that affect Lutherans and people throughout the world; 3. ILC and the LWF and/or their member churches should be encouraged to invite observers to each other's official meetings and consultations; 4. ILC and the LWF should encourage their member churches to seek or improve positive relations in their respective regions and to cooperate wherever possible in local events, public issues, outreach endeavors, and provision of human care.

The ILC Executive Secretary and the LWF General Secretary were asked to continue their contact and prepare for the implementation of the agreements reached.

The participants joined in daily morning and evening prayers. On Friday 31 October the Morning Prayer celebrated Reformation Day. On Saturday 1 November, All Saints' Day, the participants were present as invited guests for worship in the (Lutheran) Helsinki Cathedral. The service was presided over by the Bishop of Helsinki, Dr Eero Huovinen, a Vice President of the LWF, who visited and addressed the meeting the same evening.

Archbishop Jukka Paarma of the Evangelical Lutheran Church of Finland also visited and greeted the meeting. In addition, Acting Director Mr Leo Siliamaa and Rev. Dr Tapio Leskinen from FinnChurchAid provided information on the work of their agency.

The ILC and the LWF have members around the world. Each seeks to promote cooperation and fellowship among its member churches. Nine Lutheran churches are members of both organizations. The LWF Council and Assembly and the ILC Conference have encouraged ongoing contact between the two global Lutheran bodies.

Present from the two organizations were:

ILC participants: Rev. Dr Paul Kofi Fynn (President, Evangelical Lutheran Church of Ghana); Rev. Dr Gerald Kieschnick (President, The Lutheran Church - Missouri Synod); Rev. Hong-Yeol Lee (President, Lutheran Church in Korea); Rev. Dr Ralph Mayan (President, Lutheran Church - Canada); Rev. Dr Samuel Nafzger (Executive Secretary, ILC); Rev. Dr Diethardt Roth (Bishop, Independent Evangelical-Lutheran Church [Germany]); and Rev. Dr Carlos Walter Winterle (President, Evangelical Lutheran Church of Brazil). Rev. Dr Hilbert W. Riemer (Luther University/Seminary, Korea) served as interpreter for President Lee. Rev. David Piso (Head Bishop, Gutnius Lutheran Church, Papua New Guinea) was unable to attend.

LWF participants: Rev. Dr Risto Cantell (Executive Director, Evangelical Lutheran Church of Finland); Rev. Jon Enslin (Associate Director for Ecumenical Affairs, Evangelical Lutheran Church in America); Oberkirchenrdtin Rev. Kdte Mahn (German National Committee of the LWF); Rev. Dr Ishmael Noko (General Secretary, LWF); Rev. Sven Oppegaard (Assistant General Secretary for Ecumenical Affairs, LWF); Ms. Priscilla Singh (Secretary for Women in Church and Society, LWF); Rev. Wayne Zweck (General Secretary, Lutheran Church of Australia). Archbishop Nemuel Babba (Lutheran Church of Christ in Nigeria) and Rev. Huberto Kirchheim (President Emeritus, Evangelical Church of the Lutheran Confession in Brazil) were unable to attend.

Mr Panu Pihkala (student of theology, Evangelical Lutheran Church of Finland) served as steward for the meeting.

Throughout the meeting, the participants were mindful of the responsibility the two organizations share in the divine calling to proclaim the gospel of God's grace in Christ, to be instruments for the accomplishment of God's will for the world, and to seek the unity of the Christian church (John 17). In this, they remain committed to pray fervently for guidance and strength from the Triune God, Father, Son and Holy Spirit.

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