20 SEP 2023

Thirteenth Assembly concludes with worship and installation of newly elected Council 

“Go forth as one Body, in one Spirit, with one Hope to love and serve God.” This was the message participants in the LWF Thirteenth Assembly were sent with at the conclusion of the gathering of the Lutheran communion’s highest decision-making body.

May our hearts be filled with hope that bears its fruits already today in and for our world. May God bless us and let us be a blessing for this world.

Rev. Dr Anne Burghardt, LWF General Secretary

“Never underestimate the power of prayer that unites us in the communion of saints, that unites us with our sisters and brothers across times and continents,” said Rev. Dr Anne Burghardt, General Secretary of The Lutheran World Federation (LWF) when she delivered the closing worship sermon on the last day of the Thirteen Assembly, 19 September.

A highlight of the service with Holy Communion was the installation of the new LWF Council, including the President, Danish Bishop Henrik Stubkjær. Outgoing President Archbishop Dr Panti Filibus Musa read the Gospel text on Jesus’ encounter with the disciples on the road to Emmaus (Luke 24:13-35).

Burghardt invited the youth delegates and stewards to assist in the inauguration, and in the process affirmed the young adults “as companions of Jesus on the way, listening to the Spirit, forging links of friendship, compassion and hope, running ahead to give a strong sense of direction for the Lutheran communion.”

After calling out the names of the governing body members per region, each young adult offered a prayer for the Council member next to them. The general secretary reminded the new LWF member church representatives that they had “been chosen to be the ongoing voice of Lutheran churches around the world” and "bring the gospel of reconciliation to all people, engaging all neighbors in building a trustworthy world.”

The congregation affirmed that they would continue to pray and support the new Council members to carry out their duties with “generosity, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control, ready to bear fruit in the name of Jesus Christ.”

Burghardt reminded the member church representatives that while the discernment and decision-making process of the LWF governing body were over, “our work and witness now continue as we listen and engage in God’s mission.” Reiterating the Thirteenth Assembly theme, she invited each LWF region to join in a unison affirmation that they would “go forth as one Body, in one Spirit, with one Hope,”

Deepening communion

In her sermon on Revelation 7: 9-12, Burghardt compared the experiences of unity and understanding between different people witnessed at the Assembly to being a bit like heaven. “We gathered […] from east and west, north and south. We all speak different languages, and still we understood each other here,” she said. “We all need these moments. They make us happy, enrich our souls, let us experience the blowing of the One Holy Spirit of God.”

In the midst of injustices and moments of seemingly decisive defeat, denial, and shame, against the threat of evil around the world, shrinking into hopelessness is not the answer, she said. Nurtured by prayer and worship, the communion is called to participate in “God’s work of renewing the world,” where – using imagery offered by Luther – “ordinary, everyday life becomes service of God.”

Reflecting on the spirit of unity and oneness experienced “time and again” throughout the Assembly, Burghardt noted, “sometimes, dear Lutheran family, we need a moment of Heaven. May God continue to grant us these moments of communion with God and with one another.”

In her sending, she shared her hope for a continued deepening of the global communion. “May God lead us and empower us with the One Spirit, that draws Jesus Christ before our eyes,” she said. “May our hearts be filled with hope that bears its fruits already today in and for our world. May God bless us and let us be a blessing for this world.”

At the end of the service, outgoing LWF President Musa declared the Thirteenth Assembly officially over.

The Evangelical Church of the Augsburg Confession in Poland hosted the Thirteen Assembly in Kraków, from 13 to 19 September. Almost 1,000 participants, including 326 delegates from LWF member churches around the world attended.

Photos - Closing Worship

20 SEP 2023

Thirteenth Assembly concludes with worship and installation of newly elected Council 

“Go forth as one Body, in one Spirit, with one Hope to love and serve God.” This was the message participants in the LWF Thirteenth Assembly were sent with at the conclusion of the gathering of the Lutheran communion’s highest decision-making body.

May our hearts be filled with hope that bears its fruits already today in and for our world. May God bless us and let us be a blessing for this world.

Rev. Dr Anne Burghardt, LWF General Secretary

“Never underestimate the power of prayer that unites us in the communion of saints, that unites us with our sisters and brothers across times and continents,” said Rev. Dr Anne Burghardt, General Secretary of The Lutheran World Federation (LWF) when she delivered the closing worship sermon on the last day of the Thirteen Assembly, 19 September.

A highlight of the service with Holy Communion was the installation of the new LWF Council, including the President, Danish Bishop Henrik Stubkjær. Outgoing President Archbishop Dr Panti Filibus Musa read the Gospel text on Jesus’ encounter with the disciples on the road to Emmaus (Luke 24:13-35).

Burghardt invited the youth delegates and stewards to assist in the inauguration, and in the process affirmed the young adults “as companions of Jesus on the way, listening to the Spirit, forging links of friendship, compassion and hope, running ahead to give a strong sense of direction for the Lutheran communion.”

After calling out the names of the governing body members per region, each young adult offered a prayer for the Council member next to them. The general secretary reminded the new LWF member church representatives that they had “been chosen to be the ongoing voice of Lutheran churches around the world” and "bring the gospel of reconciliation to all people, engaging all neighbors in building a trustworthy world.”

The congregation affirmed that they would continue to pray and support the new Council members to carry out their duties with “generosity, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control, ready to bear fruit in the name of Jesus Christ.”

Burghardt reminded the member church representatives that while the discernment and decision-making process of the LWF governing body were over, “our work and witness now continue as we listen and engage in God’s mission.” Reiterating the Thirteenth Assembly theme, she invited each LWF region to join in a unison affirmation that they would “go forth as one Body, in one Spirit, with one Hope,”

Deepening communion

In her sermon on Revelation 7: 9-12, Burghardt compared the experiences of unity and understanding between different people witnessed at the Assembly to being a bit like heaven. “We gathered […] from east and west, north and south. We all speak different languages, and still we understood each other here,” she said. “We all need these moments. They make us happy, enrich our souls, let us experience the blowing of the One Holy Spirit of God.”

In the midst of injustices and moments of seemingly decisive defeat, denial, and shame, against the threat of evil around the world, shrinking into hopelessness is not the answer, she said. Nurtured by prayer and worship, the communion is called to participate in “God’s work of renewing the world,” where – using imagery offered by Luther – “ordinary, everyday life becomes service of God.”

Reflecting on the spirit of unity and oneness experienced “time and again” throughout the Assembly, Burghardt noted, “sometimes, dear Lutheran family, we need a moment of Heaven. May God continue to grant us these moments of communion with God and with one another.”

In her sending, she shared her hope for a continued deepening of the global communion. “May God lead us and empower us with the One Spirit, that draws Jesus Christ before our eyes,” she said. “May our hearts be filled with hope that bears its fruits already today in and for our world. May God bless us and let us be a blessing for this world.”

At the end of the service, outgoing LWF President Musa declared the Thirteenth Assembly officially over.

The Evangelical Church of the Augsburg Confession in Poland hosted the Thirteen Assembly in Kraków, from 13 to 19 September. Almost 1,000 participants, including 326 delegates from LWF member churches around the world attended.

Photos - Closing Worship

20 SEP 2023

Thirteenth Assembly concludes with worship and installation of newly elected Council 

“Go forth as one Body, in one Spirit, with one Hope to love and serve God.” This was the message participants in the LWF Thirteenth Assembly were sent with at the conclusion of the gathering of the Lutheran communion’s highest decision-making body.

May our hearts be filled with hope that bears its fruits already today in and for our world. May God bless us and let us be a blessing for this world.

Rev. Dr Anne Burghardt, LWF General Secretary

“Never underestimate the power of prayer that unites us in the communion of saints, that unites us with our sisters and brothers across times and continents,” said Rev. Dr Anne Burghardt, General Secretary of The Lutheran World Federation (LWF) when she delivered the closing worship sermon on the last day of the Thirteen Assembly, 19 September.

A highlight of the service with Holy Communion was the installation of the new LWF Council, including the President, Danish Bishop Henrik Stubkjær. Outgoing President Archbishop Dr Panti Filibus Musa read the Gospel text on Jesus’ encounter with the disciples on the road to Emmaus (Luke 24:13-35).

Burghardt invited the youth delegates and stewards to assist in the inauguration, and in the process affirmed the young adults “as companions of Jesus on the way, listening to the Spirit, forging links of friendship, compassion and hope, running ahead to give a strong sense of direction for the Lutheran communion.”

After calling out the names of the governing body members per region, each young adult offered a prayer for the Council member next to them. The general secretary reminded the new LWF member church representatives that they had “been chosen to be the ongoing voice of Lutheran churches around the world” and "bring the gospel of reconciliation to all people, engaging all neighbors in building a trustworthy world.”

The congregation affirmed that they would continue to pray and support the new Council members to carry out their duties with “generosity, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control, ready to bear fruit in the name of Jesus Christ.”

Burghardt reminded the member church representatives that while the discernment and decision-making process of the LWF governing body were over, “our work and witness now continue as we listen and engage in God’s mission.” Reiterating the Thirteenth Assembly theme, she invited each LWF region to join in a unison affirmation that they would “go forth as one Body, in one Spirit, with one Hope,”

Deepening communion

In her sermon on Revelation 7: 9-12, Burghardt compared the experiences of unity and understanding between different people witnessed at the Assembly to being a bit like heaven. “We gathered […] from east and west, north and south. We all speak different languages, and still we understood each other here,” she said. “We all need these moments. They make us happy, enrich our souls, let us experience the blowing of the One Holy Spirit of God.”

In the midst of injustices and moments of seemingly decisive defeat, denial, and shame, against the threat of evil around the world, shrinking into hopelessness is not the answer, she said. Nurtured by prayer and worship, the communion is called to participate in “God’s work of renewing the world,” where – using imagery offered by Luther – “ordinary, everyday life becomes service of God.”

Reflecting on the spirit of unity and oneness experienced “time and again” throughout the Assembly, Burghardt noted, “sometimes, dear Lutheran family, we need a moment of Heaven. May God continue to grant us these moments of communion with God and with one another.”

In her sending, she shared her hope for a continued deepening of the global communion. “May God lead us and empower us with the One Spirit, that draws Jesus Christ before our eyes,” she said. “May our hearts be filled with hope that bears its fruits already today in and for our world. May God bless us and let us be a blessing for this world.”

At the end of the service, outgoing LWF President Musa declared the Thirteenth Assembly officially over.

The Evangelical Church of the Augsburg Confession in Poland hosted the Thirteen Assembly in Kraków, from 13 to 19 September. Almost 1,000 participants, including 326 delegates from LWF member churches around the world attended.

Photos - Closing Worship

20 SEP 2023

Thirteenth Assembly concludes with worship and installation of newly elected Council 

“Go forth as one Body, in one Spirit, with one Hope to love and serve God.” This was the message participants in the LWF Thirteenth Assembly were sent with at the conclusion of the gathering of the Lutheran communion’s highest decision-making body.

May our hearts be filled with hope that bears its fruits already today in and for our world. May God bless us and let us be a blessing for this world.

Rev. Dr Anne Burghardt, LWF General Secretary

“Never underestimate the power of prayer that unites us in the communion of saints, that unites us with our sisters and brothers across times and continents,” said Rev. Dr Anne Burghardt, General Secretary of The Lutheran World Federation (LWF) when she delivered the closing worship sermon on the last day of the Thirteen Assembly, 19 September.

A highlight of the service with Holy Communion was the installation of the new LWF Council, including the President, Danish Bishop Henrik Stubkjær. Outgoing President Archbishop Dr Panti Filibus Musa read the Gospel text on Jesus’ encounter with the disciples on the road to Emmaus (Luke 24:13-35).

Burghardt invited the youth delegates and stewards to assist in the inauguration, and in the process affirmed the young adults “as companions of Jesus on the way, listening to the Spirit, forging links of friendship, compassion and hope, running ahead to give a strong sense of direction for the Lutheran communion.”

After calling out the names of the governing body members per region, each young adult offered a prayer for the Council member next to them. The general secretary reminded the new LWF member church representatives that they had “been chosen to be the ongoing voice of Lutheran churches around the world” and "bring the gospel of reconciliation to all people, engaging all neighbors in building a trustworthy world.”

The congregation affirmed that they would continue to pray and support the new Council members to carry out their duties with “generosity, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control, ready to bear fruit in the name of Jesus Christ.”

Burghardt reminded the member church representatives that while the discernment and decision-making process of the LWF governing body were over, “our work and witness now continue as we listen and engage in God’s mission.” Reiterating the Thirteenth Assembly theme, she invited each LWF region to join in a unison affirmation that they would “go forth as one Body, in one Spirit, with one Hope,”

Deepening communion

In her sermon on Revelation 7: 9-12, Burghardt compared the experiences of unity and understanding between different people witnessed at the Assembly to being a bit like heaven. “We gathered […] from east and west, north and south. We all speak different languages, and still we understood each other here,” she said. “We all need these moments. They make us happy, enrich our souls, let us experience the blowing of the One Holy Spirit of God.”

In the midst of injustices and moments of seemingly decisive defeat, denial, and shame, against the threat of evil around the world, shrinking into hopelessness is not the answer, she said. Nurtured by prayer and worship, the communion is called to participate in “God’s work of renewing the world,” where – using imagery offered by Luther – “ordinary, everyday life becomes service of God.”

Reflecting on the spirit of unity and oneness experienced “time and again” throughout the Assembly, Burghardt noted, “sometimes, dear Lutheran family, we need a moment of Heaven. May God continue to grant us these moments of communion with God and with one another.”

In her sending, she shared her hope for a continued deepening of the global communion. “May God lead us and empower us with the One Spirit, that draws Jesus Christ before our eyes,” she said. “May our hearts be filled with hope that bears its fruits already today in and for our world. May God bless us and let us be a blessing for this world.”

At the end of the service, outgoing LWF President Musa declared the Thirteenth Assembly officially over.

The Evangelical Church of the Augsburg Confession in Poland hosted the Thirteen Assembly in Kraków, from 13 to 19 September. Almost 1,000 participants, including 326 delegates from LWF member churches around the world attended.

Photos - Closing Worship

20 SEP 2023

Message of the LWF Thirteenth Assembly  

The Thirteenth Assembly of The Lutheran World Federation (LWF) concluded on 19 September, with the communion’s member churches pledging to strengthen the bonds between them, celebrate the gift of unity in diversity, and serve the neighbor, “knowing that the center is always Christ.” 

Delegates to the weeklong gathering of LWF’s highest decision-making body said they were returning to their home countries “with a deeper sense of what it means to be churches in communion.” As churches in ongoing reformation, they stated, “we are called to work for peace in the world, between people, countries and with the whole creation.” 

In the message underlining the Assembly theme, “One Body, One Spirit, One Hope,” the delegates said they would “heed the call to live and walk together as churches in an ecclesial and confessing communion, witnessing to our faith, in God’s holistic mission.”.  

They pledged to be more effective advocates for economic and climate justice in times when bodies are hurting, rejected, excluded, and the Earth is suffering from the effects of climate emergencies.   

Theological grounding emerged as a key topic at the Assembly with concern for the sustainability of the Lutheran communion’s churches.  In the message, delegates underlined the importance of stronger theological education and leadership formation to enable people to engage with complex issues without resorting to simplistic answers. “Responsible theology builds inclusive communities” and “gives space for the renewing and reforming power of the One Spirit.” 

The Thirteenth Assembly schedule included a visit to the former concentration and extermination camps of Auschwitz-Birkenau. In the message, the Assembly delegates reaffirmed the 1984 Assembly declaration of antisemitism as a contradiction and affront to the gospel. They expressed “continued commitment to live out our Lutheran heritage in the Christian faith with love and respect for the Jewish people.” 

The assembly noted that churches in some parts of the world continue to be subjected to limited freedom of speech and persecution for their stand on justice and human rights. The member church representatives deplored such discrimination irrespective of where it occurs and called on the LWF to address this concern. 

“Hope is the lens through which we look at the world, as followers of Christ,” the Assembly declared in its message. Delegates affirmed Lutherans’ participation in God’s holistic mission through proclamation, advocacy and diakonia at both local and global levels.  

The Assembly called on the communion of churches to find new ways of offering “bold hope that is inspired by our faith in God” and service to people in need, including migrants, refugees and those affected by crises. 

The 500^th anniversary of the Augsburg Confession will be marked in 2030. The Assembly expressed joy “in the ecumenical potential of our confession, which is a plea for unity, intended to hold the Body of Christ, the church, together.” 

Deep gratitude was expressed to the Evangelical Church of the Augsburg Confession in Poland, its leaders, congregations, and volunteers, for the generous hospitality in hosting the 13-19 September gathering. “The Polish Lutheran church has truly shown us that every church has gifts to share with the rest of the communion.”

Photos

Photos - Worship and Bible Study 

20 SEP 2023

Message of the LWF Thirteenth Assembly  

The Thirteenth Assembly of The Lutheran World Federation (LWF) concluded on 19 September, with the communion’s member churches pledging to strengthen the bonds between them, celebrate the gift of unity in diversity, and serve the neighbor, “knowing that the center is always Christ.” 

Delegates to the weeklong gathering of LWF’s highest decision-making body said they were returning to their home countries “with a deeper sense of what it means to be churches in communion.” As churches in ongoing reformation, they stated, “we are called to work for peace in the world, between people, countries and with the whole creation.” 

In the message underlining the Assembly theme, “One Body, One Spirit, One Hope,” the delegates said they would “heed the call to live and walk together as churches in an ecclesial and confessing communion, witnessing to our faith, in God’s holistic mission.”.  

They pledged to be more effective advocates for economic and climate justice in times when bodies are hurting, rejected, excluded, and the Earth is suffering from the effects of climate emergencies.   

Theological grounding emerged as a key topic at the Assembly with concern for the sustainability of the Lutheran communion’s churches.  In the message, delegates underlined the importance of stronger theological education and leadership formation to enable people to engage with complex issues without resorting to simplistic answers. “Responsible theology builds inclusive communities” and “gives space for the renewing and reforming power of the One Spirit.” 

The Thirteenth Assembly schedule included a visit to the former concentration and extermination camps of Auschwitz-Birkenau. In the message, the Assembly delegates reaffirmed the 1984 Assembly declaration of antisemitism as a contradiction and affront to the gospel. They expressed “continued commitment to live out our Lutheran heritage in the Christian faith with love and respect for the Jewish people.” 

The assembly noted that churches in some parts of the world continue to be subjected to limited freedom of speech and persecution for their stand on justice and human rights. The member church representatives deplored such discrimination irrespective of where it occurs and called on the LWF to address this concern. 

“Hope is the lens through which we look at the world, as followers of Christ,” the Assembly declared in its message. Delegates affirmed Lutherans’ participation in God’s holistic mission through proclamation, advocacy and diakonia at both local and global levels.  

The Assembly called on the communion of churches to find new ways of offering “bold hope that is inspired by our faith in God” and service to people in need, including migrants, refugees and those affected by crises. 

The 500^th anniversary of the Augsburg Confession will be marked in 2030. The Assembly expressed joy “in the ecumenical potential of our confession, which is a plea for unity, intended to hold the Body of Christ, the church, together.” 

Deep gratitude was expressed to the Evangelical Church of the Augsburg Confession in Poland, its leaders, congregations, and volunteers, for the generous hospitality in hosting the 13-19 September gathering. “The Polish Lutheran church has truly shown us that every church has gifts to share with the rest of the communion.”

Photos

20 SEP 2023

Message of the LWF Thirteenth Assembly  

The Thirteenth Assembly of The Lutheran World Federation (LWF) concluded on 19 September, with the communion’s member churches pledging to strengthen the bonds between them, celebrate the gift of unity in diversity, and serve the neighbor, “knowing that the center is always Christ.” 

Delegates to the weeklong gathering of LWF’s highest decision-making body said they were returning to their home countries “with a deeper sense of what it means to be churches in communion.” As churches in ongoing reformation, they stated, “we are called to work for peace in the world, between people, countries and with the whole creation.” 

In the message underlining the Assembly theme, “One Body, One Spirit, One Hope,” the delegates said they would “heed the call to live and walk together as churches in an ecclesial and confessing communion, witnessing to our faith, in God’s holistic mission.”.  

They pledged to be more effective advocates for economic and climate justice in times when bodies are hurting, rejected, excluded, and the Earth is suffering from the effects of climate emergencies.   

Theological grounding emerged as a key topic at the Assembly with concern for the sustainability of the Lutheran communion’s churches.  In the message, delegates underlined the importance of stronger theological education and leadership formation to enable people to engage with complex issues without resorting to simplistic answers. “Responsible theology builds inclusive communities” and “gives space for the renewing and reforming power of the One Spirit.” 

The Thirteenth Assembly schedule included a visit to the former concentration and extermination camps of Auschwitz-Birkenau. In the message, the Assembly delegates reaffirmed the 1984 Assembly declaration of antisemitism as a contradiction and affront to the gospel. They expressed “continued commitment to live out our Lutheran heritage in the Christian faith with love and respect for the Jewish people.” 

The assembly noted that churches in some parts of the world continue to be subjected to limited freedom of speech and persecution for their stand on justice and human rights. The member church representatives deplored such discrimination irrespective of where it occurs and called on the LWF to address this concern. 

“Hope is the lens through which we look at the world, as followers of Christ,” the Assembly declared in its message. Delegates affirmed Lutherans’ participation in God’s holistic mission through proclamation, advocacy and diakonia at both local and global levels.  

The Assembly called on the communion of churches to find new ways of offering “bold hope that is inspired by our faith in God” and service to people in need, including migrants, refugees and those affected by crises. 

The 500^th anniversary of the Augsburg Confession will be marked in 2030. The Assembly expressed joy “in the ecumenical potential of our confession, which is a plea for unity, intended to hold the Body of Christ, the church, together.” 

Deep gratitude was expressed to the Evangelical Church of the Augsburg Confession in Poland, its leaders, congregations, and volunteers, for the generous hospitality in hosting the 13-19 September gathering. “The Polish Lutheran church has truly shown us that every church has gifts to share with the rest of the communion.”

Photos