DOCSLIB.ORG

Lutheran World Informationlwi LWF Member Churches Continue Highlights Steady Growth Globally

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text
Lutheran World Informationlwi LWF Member Churches Continue Highlights Steady Growth Globally Lutheran World InformationLWI LWF Member Churches Continue Highlights Steady Growth Globally North America Europe The Lutheran World Federation 2010 Membership Figures 4,699,900 36,749,519 Summary ...............................4 2010 World Lutheran Membership Details ...............5 Asia FEATURE: A Tribute to My 8,802,945 Father ..................................13 Akuel Garang Mawien was determined to cast her vote in the Latin America referendum that will decide the future of Southern Sudan, and in & the Caribbean doing so, also pay tribute to her 846,939 Africa father, the parent she never met... 19,208,991 © LWF LWF 2010 Membership Figures The Lutheran World Federation Consultations 2011 ............... 15 Slight Increase Pushes Total Figure to 70.3 Million GENEVA (LWI) – The Lutheran World Fed- The current LWF total figure compares eration (LWF) member churches main- with the end of 2009 survey results, which tained a general trend of growth globally, were updated to 70.1 million (70,094,735) according to statistics released here. in July 2010 when five churches from Asia By the end of 2010, the 145 churches (Myanmar, India and Nepal) joined the belonging to the LWF, ten recognized LWF. In 2008 LWF-affiliated churches congregations and one recognized council had a total of 68.5 million members. in 79 countries, had a combined total of In 2010 membership of churches in 70,308,294 members, an increase of 213,559 the Lutheran family, including non-LWF or 0.3 percent over the previous period. churches, rose by 237,450 to just under According to the 2010 annual statistical 74 million (73,995,576), representing an survey conducted by the LWF Office for increase of 0.3 percent. In 2009 this cat- Communication Services, LWF churches egory counted 73.7 million compared to 72 in Africa and Asia reported contin- million in 2008. ued growth, with Africa adding almost 700,000 new members, and Asia more Africa than 50,000. Membership in churches in Africa belong- The Latin American and the Caribbean ing to the LWF rose over the past year churches reversed a recent decrease, by by 688,301, or 3.7 percent, to 19,208,991 gaining almost 10,000 members. members. The membership of non-LWF Churches in Europe and North America Lutheran churches on the continent was continued to experience decreases in mem- 199,697, an increase of 2,708. bership, with European membership declin- ing by about 400,000 and North American Continues on page membership by just more than 84,000. 201101 Contents Communio 1, 2 ....LWF Member Churches Continue Steady Growth Globally 4 ........The Lutheran World Federation – 2010 Membership Figures 5 ........2010 World Lutheran Membership Details Features & Themes 13 ......FEATURE: A Tribute to My Father LWF Secretariat 15 ......The Lutheran World Federation – Consultations 2011 News in Brief 2 ........LWF German Representative Cites New Impetus in Relations with Catholics 16 ......Presiding Bishop Tells ELCA Church Leaders It’s Time to Move Forward LWF German Representative Cites New Impetus in Relations with Catholics Oberkirchenrat Noberte Denecke, executive secretary of The was created two years ago in which churches from all over Lutheran World Federation (LWF) German National Com- the world have the possibility of planting a tree as a symbol mittee (GNC), said the recent visit to Italy and the Vatican of church fellowship and as part of preparations for the 500th by leaders of the United Evangelical Lutheran Church of anniversary of the Reformation in 2017. A corresponding tree Germany (VELKD) has given new impetus to the dialogue is then to be planted in the respective countries. between Lutherans and Roman Catholics. Kurt Cardinal Koch, the new president of the Pontifical After a difficult phase over the past several years, it was Council for Promoting Christian Unity (PCPCU), planted again possible to resume the dialogue with Catholic partners, a second tree in the Basilica of St Paul Outside the Walls, remarked Denecke following the 20 to 26 January visit. “For Rome’s ecumenical church. Koch, who had been elevated to the Roman Catholic Church,” he said, “the Lutheran church the position of cardinal only several months earlier, discussed is a major interlocutor. We can still accomplish much more various topics with the delegation of German Lutherans, such theologically. This trip has given new impetus to the process,” as the understanding of the church, ministry and the doctrine he told Lutheran World Information (LWI). of the Eucharist. Both sides also emphasized the perspective VELKD Presiding Bishop Johannes Friedrich led the 19- for genuine further collaboration in these areas. member strong delegation which also included the lord mayor The PCPCU president especially highlighted the confessional of the Luther town of Wittenberg, Germany. The key moment foundations of German Lutherans, which made progress on such of the visit was a private audience with Pope Benedict XVI, important ecumenical and theological issues possible. at which matters related to the upcoming 2017 anniversary of Last December, Pope Benedict received an LWF delegation the Reformation were discussed. led by the president, Bishop Dr Munib A. Younan. During In Milan, a tree was planted in honor of the Week of Prayer the visit both church leaders pointed to the significance of the Lutheran World Information World Lutheran for Christian Unity near the Augustinian church of San Marco. 2017 anniversary and the Joint Declaration on the Doctrine The planting was an initiative of the LWF/GNC and its execu- of Justification signed in October 1999 by LWF and Vatican tive secretary Denecke. In Wittenberg itself, a Luther Garden representatives. The Lutheran World Federation Consulting Editor Circulation/subscription – A Communion of Churches John P. Asling Colette Muanda 150, route de Ferney [email protected] P.O. Box 2100 German Editor CH-1211 Geneva 2, N. N. Lutheran World Information (LWI) Switzerland is the information service Layout of the Lutheran World Federation (LWF). Telephone +41/22-791 61 11 Stéphane Gallay Fax +41/22-791 66 30 [email protected] Unless specifically noted, material presented E-mail: [email protected] does not represent positions or opinions of the www.lutheranworld.org Photos LWF or of its various units. Helen Putsman Penet Interim Editor-in-Chief and English Editor [email protected] Where the dateline of an article contains the Pauline Mumia notation (LWI), the material may be freely [email protected] reproduced with acknowledgment. 2 No. 01/2011 LWF Member Churches Continue Information World Lutheran Steady Growth Globally Continued from p. 1 ship of non-LWF churches in Europe the Caribbean rose by 9,247, or 1.05 was 79,326, a decrease of 452. percent, to 846,939. Africa’s largest Lutheran church, The Evangelical Lutheran Church The Salvadoran Lutheran Church the Evangelical Lutheran Church of Finland (including Finns living recorded the highest percentage increase in Tanzania, increased its mem- abroad) counted a loss of members, at 66 percent with an additional 8,000 bership by 298,544, or 5.6 percent, dropping by 62,431, or 1.4 percent, to members pushing the total to 20,000. to 5,601, 271 members. A similar 4,387,085 members. The continent’s The Christian Lutheran Church of percentage increase was recorded in largest church, Church of Sweden, Honduras grew by 300, or 25 percent, the continent’s second largest LWF saw its membership decline by 51,160, to 1,500 members; and the Evangelical church, the Ethiopian Evangelical or 0.75 percent, to 6,700,792 members. Church of the River Plate gained 2,500, Church Mekane Yesus, which added The Evangelical Lutheran Church of or 10 percent, to 27,500 members. 296,334, posting 5,576,156 members Iceland lost 1,461 members, or 0.57 The region’s largest Lutheran at the end of last year. percent, to 251,487 members. church, the Evangelical Church of The Evangelical Lutheran Church European churches that recorded the Lutheran Confession in Brazil, in Zimbabwe recorded the highest per- growth in the period included the reported no change in its member- centage increase, 40 percent, accounting Malagasy Protestant Church in ship of 717,000. for 210,000 members last year com- France which gained 1,500 members, pared to 150,000 in the previous year. or 17.6 percent, to 10,000 members; North America The Evangelical Lutheran Church in the Estonian Evangelical Lutheran Churches in North America belong- Malawi reported a significant increase Church added 12,000 members, or ing to the LWF posted a membership of 33 percent to reach 80,000 members 7.5 percent, to 172,000 members; decrease of 84,189, or 1.75 percent, to compared to 60,000 in 2009. Also and the Federation of Evangelical 4,699,900 members. The region’s larg- posting an increase was the Evangelical Lutheran Churches in Switzerland est Lutheran church, the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Namibia (ELCIN), and in the Principality of Liechten- Lutheran Church in America, lost up by 18,000 or 2.6 percent to reach stein posted a 1.05 percent increase 80,264 members, or 1.73 percent, down 703,893 members. to reach 6,890 members. to 4,543,037. The Evangelical Lutheran Church in Canada declined by 3,925, or Asia Germany 2.56 percent, to 148,863 members. Membership in churches in Asia be- Germany continues to be the country The Lutheran Church-Missouri longing to the LWF rose by 56,511 or with the largest number of Lutherans Synod, which is not affiliated to the 0.64 percent, to 8,802,945 members. in the world with 12,676,409 mem- LWF, did not report any changes in In the region, Indonesia remained bers. That figure dropped by 261,001, its membership of 2.4 million.
Load more

Recommended publications
  • THE MISSIONARY SPIRIT in the AUGUSTANA CHURCH the American Church Is Made up of Many Varied Groups, Depending on Origin, Divisions, Changing Relationships
    Augustana College Augustana Digital Commons Augustana Historical Society Publications Augustana Historical Society 1984 The iM ssionary Spirit in the Augustana Church George F. Hall Follow this and additional works at: https://digitalcommons.augustana.edu/ahsbooks Part of the History Commons, and the Scandinavian Studies Commons Recommended Citation "The iM ssionary Spirit in the Augustana Church" (1984). Augustana Historical Society Publications. https://digitalcommons.augustana.edu/ahsbooks/11 This Book is brought to you for free and open access by the Augustana Historical Society at Augustana Digital Commons. It has been accepted for inclusion in Augustana Historical Society Publications by an authorized administrator of Augustana Digital Commons. For more information, please contact [email protected]. The Missionary Sphit in the Augustana Church George F. Hall \ THE MISSIONARY SPIRIT IN THE AUGUSTANA CHURCH The American church is made up of many varied groups, depending on origin, divisions, changing relationships. One of these was the Augustana Lutheran Church, founded by Swedish Lutheran immigrants and maintain­ ing an independent existence from 1860 to 1962 when it became a part of a larger Lutheran community, the Lutheran Church of America. The character of the Augustana Church can be studied from different viewpoints. In this volume Dr. George Hall describes it as a missionary church. It was born out of a missionary concern in Sweden for the thousands who had emigrated. As soon as it was formed it began to widen its field. Then its representatives were found in In­ dia, Puerto Rico, in China. The horizons grew to include Africa and Southwest Asia. Two World Wars created havoc, but also national and international agencies.
    [Show full text]
  • Evangelical Lutheran Church in America Archives Global
    A Guide to the Microfilm Edition of Evangelical Lutheran Church in America Archives Global Missions, Series 1 Primary Source Media Evangelical Lutheran Church in America Archives Global Missions, Series 1 Primary Source Media Primary Source Media 12 Lunar Drive, Woodbridge, CT 06525 Tel: (800) 444 0799 and (203) 397 2600 Fax: (203) 397 3893 P.O. Box 45, Reading, England Tel (+ 44) 1734 583247 Fax: (+ 44) 1734 394334 ISBN: 978-1-57803-389-6 All rights reserved, including those to reproduce this book or any parts thereof in any form Printed and bound in the United States of America 2007 TABLE OF CONTENTS Scope and Content Note………………………………………………………………….. v Source Note…………………………………………………………………………..… viii Editorial Note………………………………………………………..…………………… ix Reel Index Part 1: American (Danish) Evangelical Lutheran Church ……………………………… 1 Part 2: American Lutheran Church, 1930-1960 ………………………………………... 2 Part 3: General Council [of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in North America] …… 4 Part 4: Iowa Synod [Evangelical Lutheran Synod of Iowa and Other States] ………… 5 Part 5: Joint Synod of Ohio [Evangelical Lutheran Synod of Ohio and Other States] … 6 Part 6: United Lutheran Church in America ……..……………………………….….… 7 Appendix: Administrative Histories……………………………………………….. …..11 SCOPE AND CONTENT NOTE Since 1842, when Rev. J.C.F. Heyer went to India as a missionary of the Pennsylvania Ministerium, representatives of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) and its predecessor bodies have helped spread the Gospel throughout the world. This microfilm collection provides essential and unique research materials for the study of the role of missionary activities in developing countries, the impetus for missionary work, and the development of the Lutheran Church worldwide.
    [Show full text]
  • 2019 LCMS Convention Proceedings
    <INSERT "2019 JLC_Conv Proceedings Cover_E.pdf" 1> / CONVENTION PROCEEDINGS / 2019 C O N R V A E L N U T I G 67 O E N R TH The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod Tampa, FL : July 20–25, 2019 <INSERT "JFL-Proceedings book graphics-draft2.pdf" 1> 2 | PROCEEDINGS OF THE 2019 (67TH) LCMS CONVENTION CONTENTS Contents ..................................................................................................................................................................................... 3 Preface ......................................................................................................................................................................................... 7 Officers and Convention Staff ................................................................................................................................................. 9 Registered Delegates and Representatives ............................................................................................................................ 11 Tabular Summary of Registrations ........................................................................................................................................ 21 Convention Floor Committees ...............................................................................................................................................23 Convention Schedule .............................................................................................................................................................
    [Show full text]
  • Give Us Today Our Daily Bread Official Report
    LWF EleVENTH ASSEMBLY Stuttgart, Germany, 20–27 July 2010 Give Us Today Our Daily Bread Official Report The Lutheran World Federation – A Communion of Churches Give Us Today Our Daily Bread Official Report THE LUTHERAN WORLD FEDERATION – A COMMUNION OF CHURCHES Published by The Lutheran World Federation Office for Communication Services P.O. Box 2100 CH-1211 Geneva 2 Switzerland E-mail: [email protected] Web site: www.lutheranworld.org Parallel editions in German, French and Spanish Unser tägliches Brot gib uns heute! – Offizieller Bericht Donne-nous aujourd’hui notre pain quotidien – Rapport officiel Danos Hoy Nuestro Pan de Cada Día – Informe Oficial Editing, translation, revision, cover design and layout by LWF Office for Communication Services Other translation, revision by Elaine Griffiths, Miriam Reidy-Prost and Elizabeth Visinand Logo design by Leonhardt & Kern Agency, Ludwigsburg, Germany All Photos © LWF/Erick Coll unless otherwise indicated © 2010 The Lutheran World Federation Printed in Switzerland by SRO-Kundig on paper certified by the Forest Stewardship Council (www.fsc.org) ISBN 978-2-940459-08-7 Contents Foreword .......................................................................................7 Address of the LWF President .......................................................9 Address of the General Secretary ...............................................19 Report of the Treasurer ..............................................................29 Letter to the Member Churches .................................................39
    [Show full text]
  • Church Relations
    CHURCH RELATIONS SECTION 9 Interchurch Relationships of the LCMS Interchurch relationships of the LCMS have 11. Independent Evangelical Lutheran Church been growing by leaps and bounds in the last (Germany)* triennium. In addition to our growing family of 12. Evangelical Lutheran Church of Ghana* official “Partner Church” bodies with whom the 13. Lutheran Church in Guatemala* LCMS is in altar and pulpit fellowship, the LCMS 14. Evangelical Lutheran Church of Haiti* also has a growing number of “Allied Church” bodies with whom we collaborate in various 15. Lutheran Church – Hong Kong Synod* ways but with which we do not yet have altar 16. India Evangelical Lutheran Church* and pulpit fellowship. We presently have thirty- 17. Japan Lutheran Church* nine official partnerships that have already been ** For over 13 years, The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod recognized by the LCMS in convention as well as (LCMS) has encouraged, exhorted, and convened theological good relationships with an additional forty-three discussions with the Japan Lutheran Church (JLC) to uphold the clear teaching of the infallible Word of God, as held by the Allied Church bodies, many of whom are in historic confessional Christian Church, that only men may be various stages of fellowship talks with the LCMS. ordained to the pastoral office, that is, the preaching office. In addition, the LCMS also has fourteen Sadly, tragically, and against the clear teaching of Holy “Emerging Relationships” with Lutheran church Scripture, the JLC in its April 2021 convention codified the bodies that we are getting to know but with ordination of women to the pastoral office as its official doctrine and practice.
    [Show full text]
  • WEEKLY NEWS February 28, 2021
    ST. ANDREW WEEKLY NEWS February 28, 2021 St. Andrew Lutheran Church Worship Services: 12405 SW Butner Road, Beaverton, OR 97005 Sunday, 8:30 am www.standrewlutheran.com; 503-646-0629 Sunday, 11:00 am Our church community is OPEN and gathering ONLINE and BY TELEPHONE. We welcome you to meet up with us there! For your safety and to protect the most vulnerable, access to the church building remains HIGHLY RESTRICTED. February Movie Night Lenten Food Drive Since February is Black History Month, we will We know how to do this! Despite a discuss Loving, a dramatization of the U.S. Su- pandemic that kept us away from preme Court decision: Loving v Virginia. This was the church building, last year’s a 1967 landmark civil rights case in which the Su- Lenten Food Drive was more suc- preme Court struck down state laws which prohib- cessful than ever as members of the ited interracial marriages. It is also a love story of congregation generously contribut- Richard and Mildred Loving, an interracial couple ed cash to help feed those people around us living without reli- whose only "crime" was that they wanted to get married. able sources of food. You can stream Loving on Netflix, then meet with us via Zoom on Our goal in 2021 is to raise the equivalent of six tons, or 12,000 Friday, February 26, at 7:00 pm. Plan to bring out the popcorn and pounds, of food. You’ll remember that each dollar given equals gather around your computer screens as we talk about what we three pounds of food.
    [Show full text]
  • LWF 2019 Statistics
    The Lutheran World Federation – 2019 Membership Figures Summary The following figures give the membership of the 148 member churches (M), including two associate members (AM). General summary 2019 148 LWF member churches ................................................................................. 77,493,989 LWF Regions LWF Membership Africa 28,106,430 Asia 12,4 07,0 69 Central Eastern Europe 1,153,711 Central Western Europe 13,393,603 Nordic Countries 18,018,410 Latin America & the Caribbean 755,924 North America 3,658,842 Total 77,493,989 Statistics at a glance Nordic Countries Germany Ethiopia Asia The churches in the Nordic With 10.8 million LWF The Ethiopian Evangelical There are 55 member countries have the highest members, Germany is the Church Mekane Yesus with churches in Asia. percentage of Lutherans, country with the single over 10 million members is ranging from 58-75% of largest number of the largest LWF member the population Lutherans. church. LWF Statistics 2019 1 2019 World Lutheran Membership Details (M) Member Church (AM) Associate Member Church (R) Recognized Church, Congregation or Recognized Council Church Individual Churches National Total Africa Angola ............................................................................................................................................. 49’500 Evangelical Lutheran Church of Angola (M) .................................................................. 49,500 Botswana ..........................................................................................................................................26’023
    [Show full text]
  • Lutheran World Information
    Lutheran World Information The Lutheran World Federation LWI – A Communion of Churches Worldwide Increase Puts LWF 150, route de Ferney P.O. Box 2100 Membership at 66 Million CH-1211 Geneva 2, Switzerland Over One Million New Members in Africa, Dutch Telephone +41/22-791 61 11 Churches’ Merger Adds 2.6 Million to LWF Europe Fax +41/22-791 66 30 E-mail: [email protected] An overall increase of 3.63 million Christians among member churches of the www.lutheranworld.org Lutheran World Federation (LWF) worldwide over a one-year period puts the Editor-in-Chief total membership in the LWF to 65,927,334 in 2004. According to the latest Karin Achtelstetter statistical data from the LWF, the 138 LWF member churches, including eleven [email protected] recognized congregations and one recognized council in 77 countries recorded an increase of more than 5.8 percent. In 2003, LWF member churches around English Editor the world had 62.3 million members, compared to 61.7 million in 2001. Pauline Mumia [email protected] (See page 2) German Editor LWF 2004 Membership Figures Dirk-Michael Grötzsch North America Europe [email protected] 5,182,002 38,594,553 Layout Stéphane Gallay [email protected] Circulation/Subscription Asia Janet Bond-Nash 7,229,661 [email protected] The Lutheran World Information (LWI) is the Latin America information service of the Lutheran World 842,096 Federation (LWF). Africa 14,079,022 Unless specifically noted, material presented © LWF does not represent positions or opinions of the LWF or of its various units.
    [Show full text]
  • A Handbook of Councils and Churches Profiles of Ecumenical Relationships
    A HANDBOOK OF COUNCILS AND CHURCHES PROFILES OF ECUMENICAL RELATIONSHIPS World Council of Churches Table of Contents Foreword . vii Introduction . ix Part I Global World Council of Churches. 3 Member churches of the World Council of Churches (list). 6 Member churches by church family. 14 Member churches by region . 14 Global Christian Forum. 15 Christian World Communions . 17 Churches, Christian World Communions and Groupings of Churches . 20 Anglican churches . 20 Anglican consultative council . 21 Member churches and provinces of the Anglican Communion 22 Baptist churches . 23 Baptist World Alliance. 23 Member churches of the Baptist World Alliance . 24 The Catholic Church. 29 Disciples of Christ / Churches of Christ. 32 Disciples Ecumenical Consultative Council . 33 Member churches of the Disciples Ecumenical Consultative Council . 34 World Convention of Churches of Christ. 33 Evangelical churches. 34 World Evangelical Alliance . 35 National member fellowships of the World Evangelical Alliance 36 Friends (Quakers) . 39 Friends World Committee for Consultation . 40 Member yearly meetings of the Friends World Committee for Consultation . 40 Holiness churches . 41 Member churches of the Christian Holiness Partnership . 43 Lutheran churches . 43 Lutheran World Federation . 44 Member churches of the Lutheran World Federation. 45 International Lutheran Council . 45 Member churches of the International Lutheran Council. 48 Mennonite churches. 49 Mennonite World Conference . 50 Member churches of the Mennonite World Conference . 50 IV A HANDBOOK OF CHURCHES AND COUNCILS Methodist churches . 53 World Methodist Council . 53 Member churches of the World Methodist Coouncil . 54 Moravian churches . 56 Moravian Unity Board . 56 Member churches of the Moravian Unity Board . 57 Old-Catholic churches . 57 International Old-Catholic Bishops’ Conference .
    [Show full text]
  • Office for Planning
    PowerPoint presentation of the LWF during the September 2002 Council meeting in Wittenberg, Germany. © LWF/D.Zimmermann Office for Planning The Office for Planning assists in ensuring Program Coordination coordination of LWF programs and unity of purpose. This work is accomplished through There has been a need for a more integrated interdepartmental program planning, prior- approach to the LWF’s work. While depart- ity setting, joint reviews and evaluation of ments carry out their specific mandates, a activities. It is also responsible for the plan- cooperative, interdepartmental approach is ning and logistics of Council meetings, as adopted, however, in implementing pro- well as the Council’s functions and other re- grams. The Secretariat staff has created a lated matters during the LWF Assembly. system for coordinating activities in order LWF Tenth Assembly – Six-Year Report 9 quirements and other matters in rela- Staff Working Teams tion to multilateral cooperation. The Staff Working Team on Europe PCFA facilitates increased joint plan- Staff Working Team on Africa ning and cooperation, and regulates re- Staff Working Team on Latin America sponsibilities and division of labor be- tween the LWF and supporting agencies. Staff Working Team on Asia The agreement was reached at the time Staff Working Team on Human Resource Development of the Ninth Assembly and was signed Staff Working Team on Gender by supporting agencies in the Nordic Region, Australia, the USA and Canada. Staff Working Team on Youth and Children In 2000, a second version of the PCFA Staff Working Team on Theological Education was developed and signed by the same Staff Working Team on Ecumenical Affairs agencies for a period of five years, from Staff Working Team on Computer Service 2001–5.
    [Show full text]
  • ILC to EECMY 15Feb2013
    INTERNATIONAL LUTHERAN COUNCIL Bishop Hans-Jörg Voigt, Chairman P.O. Box 690407 • 30613 Hannover GERMANY Telephone: 49-511-55-7808 • FAX: 49-511-55-1588 E-MAIL: [email protected] Rev. Dr. Albert B. Collver, III, Executive Secretary 1333 S. Kirkwood Road • St. Louis, MO USA 63122 Telephone: 314-996-1430 • FAX: 314-996-1119 E-MAIL: [email protected] 15 February 2013 Dear President Idosa and the members of the Ethiopian Evangelical Church Mekane Yesus (EECMY): To the church of God in Ethiopia, Grace be unto you, and peace, from God our Father, and from the Lord Jesus Christ. We, the members of the International Lutheran Council and the attendees of the African Lutheran Theological Conference held in Accra, Ghana, on 12 - 15 February 2013, heard the report of the EECMY to severe fellowship with both the Church of Sweden and the Evangelical Lutheran Church of America (ELCA) over the issue of same-sex marriage and the ordination of practicing homosexuals into the pastoral ministry. We want to commend and thank you for taking a stand on the Word of God. In fact, we praise the Lord that he has brought this good work to fruition in the life of your church. Your conscience- bound view that the Scripture Alone is the only source of authority in deciding this matter is the view shared by the members of the International Lutheran Council (ILC). We pray that the courage you displayed in standing upon the Word of God will spread to other churches in Africa as they struggle on how to approach historic partners who have departed from the Word of God.
    [Show full text]
  • Lutheran World Includes Informationlwi Membership of Churches Highlights Belonging to the LWF Tops
    Assembly Update No. 6 Lutheran World Includes InformationLWI Membership of Churches Highlights Belonging to the LWF Tops The Lutheran World Federation 70 Million for the First Time 2009 Membership Figures ......5 North America Europe 4,784,089 37,164,411 2009 World Lutheran Membership Details ...............6 Lutheran Leader Urges Asian Churches to Expose Systemic Causes of Hunger ................ 14 Asia As the ancient prophets challenged 8,746,434 the powerful who ignored the cries of the needy, so too must the church today act to dismantle systems that prevent people from getting their Latin America daily bread... & the Caribbean 837,692 Africa 18,520,690 North American Church © LWF Leaders Must Become LWF 2009 Membership Figures “Communion Ambassadors” ..20 Lutheran leaders from North America explored what it means to be a communion of communities in a globalizing world at a Lutheran Over 1.2 Million New Members in African World Federation regional seminar 1-12 December in Geneva, Lutheran Churches Switzerland... GENEVA (LWI) – The total number of ognized congregations and one recognized members in churches belonging to the council in 79 countries, had a combined FEATURE: From a Disaster Lutheran World Federation (LWF) last membership increase of approximately 2.3 Graveyard into a Thriving year rose by 1,589,225 to just over 70 percent in 2009. In 2008, LWF affiliated Community ..........................23 Mr Anjappan Kumar remembers million (70,053,316). While membership churches had some 68.5 million members the day five years ago when the of Lutheran churches in Africa and Asia worldwide, up from 68.3 million in 2007.
    [Show full text]