Lutheran World Federation

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Beginnings
Part of a series on Lutheranism

Luther's Seal
Christianity Protestant Reformation Roman Catholicism
People
Martin Luther Philipp Melanchthon Frederick the Wise Martin Chemnitz Johann Sebastian Bach Henry Melchior Muhlenberg C. F. W. Walther
Book of Concord
Augsburg Confession Apology of the Augsburg Confession Treatise on the Power and Primacy of the Pope Luther's Large Catechism Luther's Small Catechism 95 Theses
Theology and Sacraments
Sacramental Union Law and Gospel Sola scriptura Sola gratia Sola fide The Eucharist Holy Baptism
Liturgy and Worship
Divine Service Lutheran Calendar of Saints Lutheran Book of Worship Lutheran Service Book
Organizations
Lutheran World Federation International Lutheran Council Confessional Evangelical Lutheran Conference others This box: view • talk • edit

LWF logo

The Lutheran World Federation (LWF) is a global association of national and regional Lutheran churches headquartered in Geneva, Switzerland. The federation was founded in the aftermath of the Second World War in 1947 to coordinate the activities of the many differing Lutheran denominations. As such it is not itself a distinct denomination, but rather a sort of umbrella organization.

The LWF now has 140 member church bodies in 78 countries representing 65.9 million of the world's 69.5 million Lutherans. The state churches of Iceland, Denmark, Norway, and Finland, and the former state church of Sweden, are among its members. The LWF acts on behalf of its member churches in areas of common interest such as ecumenical and interfaith relations, theology, humanitarian assistance, human rights, communication, and the various aspects of mission and development work.

The Department for World Service (DWS) is the internationally recognized humanitarian and development agency of the Lutheran World Federation (LWF) working with marginalized and disadvantaged communities in the areas of greatest vulnerability and endemic need. In these efforts, DWS cooperates within global networks that include ecumenical, governmental and non-governmental partners.

With field programs in 37 countries in Africa, Asia, Latin and Central America and Europe, DWS has a distinguished record of compassionate and professional response, and effective long-term development programs. Its efforts reach out to all who are in need without distinction of ethnicity, gender, religion, nationality or political conviction.

On October 31, 1999 in Augsburg, Germany, the Lutheran World Federation signed the Joint Declaration on the Doctrine of Justification with the Roman Catholic Church. The statement is an attempt to narrow the theological divide between the two faiths. The Declaration also states that the mutual condemnations between 16th century Lutherans and the Roman Catholic Church no longer apply.