March 20, 2008

JOHANNESBURG, South Africa/GENEVA – At their recent meeting, representatives from the Lutheran World Federation (LWF) and the International Lutheran Council (ILC) held extensive discussion on a number of theological topics including the goal of relations with other Christian bodies, and the differing meanings of "membership" in the two organizations.

Guided by a 2005 "Memorandum of Understanding," the ILC and LWF leadership meets annually in order to deepen mutual communication and understanding between the two world Lutheran bodies and their member churches. Together the membership in the two organizations represents most of the world's Lutherans.

A communiqué from the 25-26 February meeting in Johannesburg, South Africa, highlights the main topics at the 2008 gathering.

Co-chaired by LWF General Secretary Rev. Dr Ishmael Noko and ILC Executive Secretary Rev. Dr Samuel H. Nafzger, the Lutheran church representatives also focused on plans to observe the 500th anniversary of 1517 – Martin Luther's nailing of 95 theses on the door of the Castle Church in Wittenberg – which helped to start the Reformation and its wider ramifications for the Christian church.

At the meeting, the LWF stated its concern that the date be commemorated for its importance for the whole church, and pointed out it had initiated discussion with Roman Catholic and other ecumenical partners on the celebrations in 2017. Although the ILC had not formally put the issue on its agenda, its churches also will be celebrating the anniversary. The importance of ongoing dialogue between both organizations at planning phase was noted, with emphasis on the shared desire of all Lutherans to make "this occasion one which bears witness to the renewing power of the gospel."

Reports on current development pertaining to the life and relations of the ILC and LWF member churches included Noko's presentation of the March 2007 LWF 60th anniversary celebrations in Lund, Sweden, including emphasis on the deepened communion among the Federation's member churches.

Noko also mentioned the significance of the 11th Assembly of the LWF to be held in July 2010 in Stuttgart, Germany, including the churches' presence in the place where the Reformation effectively began. ‘Give Us Today Our Daily Bread' is the theme of the Assembly, to be hosted by the Evangelical Church in Wuerttemberg.

In his report, Nafzger explained decisions of the ILC's 2007 Biennial Conference in Accra, Ghana, including reaffirmation of the organization's identity as a "worldwide association of confessional Lutheran church bodies" who pledge to treat one another "with mutual respect and consideration."

He said ILC membership did not require church fellowship among its members, and instead seeks to "foster, strengthen, and preserve confessional agreement which manifests itself at the altar and in the pulpit." The question of its members belonging also to the LWF "is a matter left to the consciences and circumstances of member churches," he said.

Following discussion on a number of local situations in which tensions had occurred, participants expressed the importance of attitudes of mutual respect, good will, and their shared hope for strong churches with healthy leadership.

Some of the positive developments cited included reconciliation in a long-standing division in the Lutheran Church in the Philippines facilitated by the ILC and LWF, and a recent visit of area secretaries from an ILC-member church, the Lutheran Church – Missouri Synod, to the LWF offices in Geneva.

During discussion on the possibility of ILC participation with the LWF in bilateral dialogues, a number of potential benefits and some challeng es were identified, with agreement that further discussion would be required.

The ILC has more than 30 member churches bringing together more than 3 million people. The LWF's 140 member churches in 78 countries represent 68.3 million of the world's 71.8 million Lutherans. Eleven LWF member churches also belong to the ILC.

Lutheran World Information