LWF Supports New Strategic Planning Report on Theology and Ecumenism

The Lutheran World Federation (LFW) General Council has raised the problem of the increasingly sidelined role of theology among Lutherans. The LWF Department for Theology and Studies (DTS) has previously expressed its concern over the problem.

DTS Director, Rev. Dr Karen Bloomquist told the council, "The situation is urgent. In many parts of the communion the critical role of theology in the life of Lutheran churches was not fully appreciated."

Through the combined efforts of the DTS, the Office for Ecumenical Affairs (OEA), and the Institute for Ecumenical Research in Strasbourg, France, the Strategic Planning Report on Theology and Ecumenism has been published.

To strengthen the relationship between Anglicans and Lutherans, the LWF Council appointed the Lutheran members to the new Anglican-Lutheran International Commission. They include the Lutheran co-chairperson, Church President Rev. Dr Thomas Nyiwe (Cameroon); Prof. Kirsten Busch Nielsen (Denmark); Church President Rev. Angel F. Furlan (Argentina); Prof. Cameron Harder (Canada); Rev. Dr Hartmut Hovelmann (Germany); Rev. Helene Tarneberg Steed (Sweden); and Church President Rev. Josephine Tso (Hong Kong, China). Prof. Kenneth Appold (Strasbourg institute) and Rev. Thomas Bruch (United Kingdom) will serve as consultants to the commission.

Appointment of Lutheran members to the Lutheran-Reformed Joint Commission was also suggested. They include the co-chairperson General Bishop Dr Julius Filo (Slovak Republic); Prof. Anneli Aejmelaeus (Finland); Bishop Thomas J. Barnett (Sierra Leone); Prof. Song Mee Chung (Malaysia); Prof. Luis Henrique Dreher (Brazil); Prof. Kathryn Johnson (USA) and Superintendent Dieter Lorenz (Germany). Prof. Andre Birmele (Strasbourg institute) will serve as consultant to the commission.

The report also stated their support of the World Methodist Council (WMC) for the signing of the Joint Declaration on the Doctrine of Justification (JDDJ). As one of the signing partners, the LWF appreciated that the WMC theological statement on the JDDJ had been shared with the LWF. Yet, the report urged a further discussion on the issue of simul justus et peccator (justified yet sinner) from a Lutheran understanding and present the observations to the 2005 Council meeting.

Reviewing the development of relations between the LWF and International Lutheran Council, and the 2002 and 2003 contact meetings between the two Lutheran world organisations, in the report, the LWF expressed its commitment to continued development of contact and cooperation between them and their member churches.

It is worth celebrating that the report has seemed to reaffirm the importance of theology and ecumenical work in the life of Lutheran Churches. It noted that theological and ecumenical work was not one among other priorities, "but is foundational for who we are and what we do as a Lutheran communion."

Chairperson of the Program Committee for Ecumenical Affairs, Prof. Joachim Track stressed, "This work [theological and ecumenical work] must be secured financially even as the process of prioritising other LWF tasks continues."

In response to the report, the LWF General Council has showed full support and affirmed its commitment to find ways to fund the ecumenical dialogues and related Lutheran research.

Chairperson of the Program Committee for Theology and Studies, Rev. Dr Barbara Rossing (ELCA) said, "In many parts of the communion the critical role of theology in the life of Lutheran churches was not fully appreciated."