The 7th International Seminar took place from February 24th until March 9th, 2013.

Theme: "Reading the Bible contextually through Luther's lenses". Teachers: Prof. Dr. Karl-Wilhelm Niebuhr, Jena, Germany, Dr. Kenneth Mtata, Zimbabwe LWF Study Secretary for Theology in the Department for Theology and Public Witness, and Prof. Dr. Hans-Peter Großhans, Münster, Germany

Here are the statements of participants:

Dr. Russell Vardell, Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, Northern Texas – Northern Louisiana Mission Area:

Surrounded by the spirit of Luther and the churches of Luther in both ancient stone and in the living testimony of leaders from around the world, I have learned more about both our historical heritage and our mission in the world today. Our continued call to bring the Scriptures into diverse global contexts was enhanced by this experience. Thanks be to God!

Gunilla Aquilon Elmquist, , Lund Stift:

These two weeks as part of the 7th Luther Seminar have been a great experience for me. Meeting people from so many different parts of the world and discovering that, even though we come from very different contexts, we nonetheless have so much in common. This has also led me to see my own church in a totally new perspective, yet part of the whole of the Lutheran family. I feel so re-energized for ministry, and cannot wait to go home to share all my new experiences and understanding of what it’s like to be a Lutheran in today’s global context.

Meega Johnsundram, India Evangelical Lutheran Church:

What my forefathers could not see for the past three generations, the Lord helped me to see and witness the great Reformation history seeded in Wittenberg. I’m excited and enlightened by this visit and this inspiring seminar.

Shakemore Shoko, Evangelical Lutheran Church in Zimbabwe:

When I visited the Wartburg Castle where Martin Luther was kept in hiding, I realized the importance of seeing the face of God in a sister and brother who is in need. If I had all the resources, I would support a program where all Lutheran pastors would have to be ordained after visiting Wittenberg and experienced the exposure and history of our church like we did.

Dr. Lois Martin, ELCA, Upper Susquehanna Synod:

It has been a privilege and honor to be here in Wittenberg at the 7th LWF Seminar. A privilege to come to this town where Martin Luther expressed to the world his understanding of the Word of God and his faith, and where he changed forever the way we read and understand 'sola scriptura.' An honor to listen to brothers and sisters from other countries around the world as we wrestled with our presuppositions and re-shaped our thinking. We have engaged in critical listening, debated issues of scripture, and forged new pathways in our understanding of the Word, Luther, and each other. We probed the context which we bring to our own preaching and studying, we extracted new respect for cultures and people, and we journeyed to historic places, spoke with current residents of the town of Wittenberg and local church members. This has been a most memorable and valuable event.

Imad Haddad, Evangelical Lutheran Church in Jordan and the Holy Land:

The experience to meet other sisters and brothers from a different context with a different insight to the same faith in the place where reformation was first preached, practiced, and lived is a life changing, faith encouraging, and hope lighting experience.

Ayubu Chenelo, Evangelical Lutheran Church in Tanzania, South Western Diocese:

Being here in Wittenberg has awakened and deepened my understanding about the origin of Lutheran church. Visiting the historical sites impressed me to understand more about Martin Luther’s Work. The seminar was indeed good and well organized.

Oretha Miller Davis, Lutheran Church in Liberia:

The theological, biblical and historical teachings about Martin Luther together with the reading and interpretation of biblical texts in context with lenses that help us to understand the Bible and not with lenses that will confuse us or create more problems has given me a renewal of mind form y spiritual journey. Praise God for the organizing committee for this brilliant experience.

Patricia Giannelia, Evangelical Lutheran Church in Canada, British Columbia Synod:

These two weeks have been very rich and full for me – to ‘walk where Luther walked’ while hearing from classmates how his Reformation is being lived out in so many parts of the world has been interesting, thought-provoking, and hope- bringing. Meals and worship from different countries, excellent presenters, and field trips have created an impromptu community of mutual conversation and consolation that hopefully can continue in some way after we return home.

Dr. Daniel Hoffman, ELCA, Upstate New York Synod:

I have been to Wittenberg several times before so I did not come to see the monuments or to touch these places of our historic past. I came to see the stones of this living church being set by god for a new era to accomplish god's own mission. Having met new friends from around the world I have not been disappointed. I will go home with a renewed sense that the reformation is still happening among god's people wherever the word of god is proclaimed and the sacraments celebrated.

Rodolfo Oliveira Obermöller, Lutheran Church in Chile:

To be here in the International Seminary in Wittenberg means the accomplishment of several dreams. At first, to be able to be in all the places where the Reformation started is really amazing. Secondly, but no less important, is to renew our pastoral capacities by studying high biblical theology in the living context of the Bible, the Luther works and the participant pastors from all over the world. This is a life changing experience and I thank God and the LWF to help us live it.

Geleta Simesso Denga, The Ethiopian Evangelical Church Mekane Yesus:

The seminar at the LWF Center of Wittenberg gave me the chance not only to experience the history and events of the Reformation within the framework of that period in a more deeper manner but also helped me to appreciate how the different churches in the communion carry out their ministries within the changing and challenging environment of the 21st century. I am so grateful for the chance that I am given.

Marie Körner, Church of Sweden, Lund Stift:

Being a participant of the 7th International Luther Seminar in Wittenberg has been a marvelous experience in many ways. First of all, the possibility to live the worldwide church communion in everyday life with the exchange of perspectives and gaining increased knowledge about each others’ churches and contexts. Then, the chance to learn more about Luther and the Reformation through excursions and the study of texts. Additionally, we have struggled with hermeneutics and worshipped together. I hope that many more from the Church of Sweden will take advantage of this opportunity and I believe that such an exposure is vital for us.

Niels Iver Juul, Evangelical Lutheran Church in Denmark:

It was a very good experience. I have gotten new insights in the life the teaching of Martin Luther, especially in his use of the Bible. I have learned about, how we can interpret the Bible now a day in different contexts. I have been a part of a international fellowship of pastors. We have shared knowledge, experiences, and the spiritual life. Therefore I am so thankful.

Romans Kurpnieks-Logins, Evangelical Lutheran Church of Latvia:

Seminar in Wittenberg was an excellent opportunity to meet with such a broad variety of international pastors and their interesting interpretation not only of Luther writings but also Scriptures. Seminar will for sure help me to finish my bachelor's work in Luther Academy in Riga, Latvia. Wittenberg has its very special taste and we can not find a better place on the earth to learn about Luther than in Wittenberg. Thank you!

Ho Yin Kenneth Tsang, The Lutheran Church of Hong Kong:

Singing in the Town Church, walking on a way to the door of the Castle Church, visiting Luther house....., it is hard to use words to describe how excited for me to learn, to see and to walk in this place where Luther served, preached and started the reformation. Moreover, as a Lutheran pastor form Hong Kong, it is also a valuable experience to live and have fellowship with 16 pastors from different worldwide Lutheran churches. It widens my vision and increase the sense of unity. Thanks God and His Church bringing me to the 7th Lutheran Seminar in Wittenberg.

Ricardo Veira, United Evangelical Lutheran Church, Argentina:

I celebrate and thanks to God to participate in the 7th International Seminar in Wittenberg. It´s a blessing to share with brothers and sisters from the worldwide Lutheran communion and to live together an experience of faith, learning and praying, sharing and enjoying. It was great share, on Sundays, the worship with the Wittenberg congregation in St. Marien, and prayed in our own language. It´s emotive to read Luther, once more, and being in touch with places, buildings, churches, paintings and houses, where Reformation started in 16th century. We debated, and learned one from each other, about our owns realities and contexts where the Gospel must be preached. Luther and Integrity of Creation is present in the Luther Garden, where all our churches will be represented, as a testimony of hope to be send through all de world in the Luther decade. The Seminar empowered us to come back to our churches and congregations and tell "what we have heard and we have seen". It´s a fresh wind that renew us and give us spiritual growth. My gratitude and blessings to all the LWF staff in Wittenberg.