The Twelfth Assembly
From 10 to 16 May, the Twelfth Assembly of the Lutheran World Federation will take place in Windhoek, Namibia.
Once every six years, delegates from the 145 member churches of the Lutheran World Federation gather for the Assembly and set out the community’s vision and priorities. It is our highest decision-making body.
In determining the future direction of the LWF, we also examine questions that are of primary importance to our churches, and we worship God together, celebrating community and cultural diversity. As the highest authority of the LWF, the Assembly is responsible for safeguarding the Constitution, electing the next leaders, responding to reports, discussing the questions that touch on the life and witness of the member churches, and setting out the common direction for the coming period.
The theme of this Assembly is “Liberated by God’s Grace” with sub-themes relevant to our times: salvation is not a gift that can be bought; and human exploitation and environmental degradation are essential issues of today that need to be given our attention.
Every LWF Assembly is unique. It is shaped by the historical circumstances in which it takes place, its location and the people who help shape its character by setting its goals and outcomes. The Assembly is glad to meet in Namibia, a country deeply rooted in the Lutheran tradition, this year from 10 to 16 May. The year 2017 marks the 500th anniversary of the Reformation. This Assembly will be a place for its global commemoration.
Time periods
The Assembly, which began in August 2016, is an ongoing process. Before the Assembly, delegates from the member churches of the seven LWF regions meet in regional meetings, or pre-assemblies. These take place as follows:
Asia – 15-19 August 2016
Latin America, the Caribbean and North America – 27 August – 3 September 2016
Europe – 31 January – 3 February 2017
Africa – 5-11 February 2017
Pre-assemblies are also held for young people and women:
Youth – 3-9 May 2017
Women – 4-9 May 2017
The Twelfth Assembly in Namibia
The choice to hold the Twelfth Assembly in Namibia is very significant for the LWF. The story of the relationship between the LWF and the Lutheran churches of Namibia is closely intertwined with the national struggle and victory over apartheid, so that justice, freedom and dignity might be attainable for all Namibians. By anchoring the Assembly in Namibia, this fellowship – made possible by God’s grace – is emphasized and celebrated. It is also significant that the global commemoration of the Reformation will take place in Namibia during the Assembly. Namibia, where half of the population are Lutherans, vividly demonstrates the way in which the Lutheran faith has been received and rooted in other lands beyond Europe.
Expectations
The hopes for the Twelfth Assembly are summed up in four key words: joyful, transforming, looking forward, looking outward.
Joyful – we celebrate diversity and a sense of belonging to one global community.
Transforming – we will develop a clear vision and a strong narrative about what it means to work together so that the world may be just, peaceful and reconciled.
Looking forward – we will face the future with courage and hope, and in the process strengthen the generation that embodies this future.
Looking outward – we will strengthen ecumenical engagement and commitment in the world, expressing compassionate diaconal care and an unwavering zeal for the Gospel of Jesus Christ.
Setting the tone for the future
The year 2017 marks the 500th anniversary of the Reformation, and the Twelfth Assembly, meeting this year, will be a place for its global commemoration. As a turning point that will set the tone for the future, the Assembly will gather the fruits of the work already done since 2010, on the way to Namibia. In doing so, the Assembly will sketch out the path to the future.
The Assembly is not one separate meeting, but is part of a journey that begins before it and will continue after it. The pre-assemblies will be important markers on this journey. We hope that after the Assembly, the life of the LWF and its member churches will be the richer for the decisions taken, the statements issued, and the experiences of the people who will have been part of this Assembly.
In total, some 800 participants will gather in Namibia. The Assembly will be hosted by three Lutheran member churches: the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Namibia, the Evangelical Lutheran Church in the Republic of Namibia, and the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Namibia-German Evangelical Lutheran Church. These churches are united and work together, forming a common platform – the United Church Council of the Evangelical Lutheran Churches in Namibia.
The venue of the Assembly will be the “Safari Court Hotels” and Conference Centre in Windhoek, Namibia.
Source: Lutheran World Federation news
Information in English can be read here – https://www.lwfassembly.org/en