Lutheran leaders assess challenges to Christianity in Europe

"Called to Grow, Lead and Nurture" is the theme of the Lutheran World Federation (LWF) European Church Leadership Consultation taking place in mid-September in Greifswald, Germany.

At the invitation of the Evangelical Church of Pomerania
(Pommersche Evangelische Kirche - PEK) and the LWF German National Committee (GNC), around 90 church leaders from Europe will discuss the common challenges and difficulties in church life for the region's LWF member churches, reports Lutheran World Information.

The 11-16 September meeting is being organised by the Europe desk of the LWF Department for Mission and Development (DMD) and the host church.

While in Greifswald, the European church leaders hope also to share experiences on successful models used in response to the emerging social and religious demands as a result of Europe's transformation. While globalisation and secularisation have an impact on both church life and society, there is also a growing interest in spirituality. Against this backdrop, participants will focus primarily on diverse church leadership models and
different forms of mission.

Participants will also have the opportunity to visit several PEK
mission projects and to get a glimpse of church life in
northeastern Germany.

On 14 September bishops of churches in which Pomeranian-born reformer Johannes Bugenhagen (1485-1558) established the church order will join in a special service in honor of the Bugenhagen Jubilee in the St Nikolai Cathedral in Greifswald. After the service, the GNC/LWF chairperson and presiding bishop of the United Evangelical Lutheran Church of Germany (VELKD) Bishop Dr Johannes Friedrich (Munich) will deliver a celebration address about Bugenhagen.

"We are looking forward to an inspiring consultation that will
not only charter new territory conceptually, but also bring us
one step closer to communion among Lutheran churches throughout Europe," said Rev Dr Eva-Sibylle Vogel-Mfato, LWF/DMD Secretary for Europe. "The consultation agenda will also include preparations for the next LWF Assembly to be held in Stuttgart, Germany, in July 2010," she added.

In view of the LWF Eleventh Assembly, Oberkirchenrat Norbert
Denecke, GNC/LWF executive secretary, pointed out that
discussions within the national committee placed strong emphasis on the fact that Greifswald must be seized as an opportunity to include European churches in the Stuttgart assembly preparations.

Moreover, there will certainly be vivid interest in deeper
discussion with regard to the LWF renewal process.

"I would be personally very happy if the future structure of cooperation at the European level could be discussed," said Denecke. "Apart from all the discussions and deliberations, this church leadership meeting will be above all a great 'family gathering' of leaders of European churches whose pillars are the church community and, more importantly, the community united in worship."

PEK Bishop Dr Hans-Juergen Abromeit says he is delighted to welcome leaders of the region's Lutheran churches to Greifswald: "When Lutheran Europe meets in Greifswald, this highlights the growing interest in our region. We are seeking to learn ways in which our church can grow."