Lutheran World Federation
Encyclopedia
The Lutheran World Federation (LWF) is a global communion of national and regional Lutheran
churches headquartered in the Ecumenical Centre
in Geneva, Switzerland
. The federation was founded in the Swedish city of Lund
in the aftermath of the Second World War in 1947 to coordinate the activities of the many differing Lutheran churches. Since 1984, the member churches are in pulpit and altar fellowship, with common doctrine as the basis of membership and mission activity.
The LWF now has 140 member church bodies in 78 countries representing 66.7 million of the world's 70.2 million Lutherans. However, some Lutherans disagree with the way the Lutheran World Federation arrives at these numbers, because millions of them are actually non-Lutherans inside bodies that are mostly Reformed, but include some Lutherans as part of an absorption of a smaller Lutheran church body into a larger Protestant body. These larger Protestant bodies belong to the LWF on the basis of a Lutheran component rather than on the basis of being a Lutheran church body. The state churches
of Iceland
, Denmark
and Norway
and the former state churches, today majority churches of Sweden
and Finland
, 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 LWF's humanitarian agency. It has programs in 37 countries. LWF through DWS is a member of ACT Development
.
Lutheran University Press, Minneapolis, Minnesota, is the publisher of and North American distributor of the LWF English language books.
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.
The largest member churches are (with number of members in millions; 2008 statistics):
Lutheranism
Lutheranism is a major branch of Western Christianity that identifies with the theology of Martin Luther, a German reformer. Luther's efforts to reform the theology and practice of the church launched the Protestant Reformation...
churches headquartered in the Ecumenical Centre
Ecumenical Centre
The Ecumenical Centre in Geneva, Switzerland is located in the vicinity of the International Labour Organization, International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement, and the World Health Organization and serves as the base for the following Church organisations:...
in Geneva, Switzerland
Switzerland
Switzerland name of one of the Swiss cantons. ; ; ; or ), in its full name the Swiss Confederation , is a federal republic consisting of 26 cantons, with Bern as the seat of the federal authorities. The country is situated in Western Europe,Or Central Europe depending on the definition....
. The federation was founded in the Swedish city of Lund
Lund
-Main sights:During the 12th and 13th centuries, when the town was the seat of the archbishop, many churches and monasteries were built. At its peak, Lund had 27 churches, but most of them were demolished as result of the Reformation in 1536. Several medieval buildings remain, including Lund...
in the aftermath of the Second World War in 1947 to coordinate the activities of the many differing Lutheran churches. Since 1984, the member churches are in pulpit and altar fellowship, with common doctrine as the basis of membership and mission activity.
The LWF now has 140 member church bodies in 78 countries representing 66.7 million of the world's 70.2 million Lutherans. However, some Lutherans disagree with the way the Lutheran World Federation arrives at these numbers, because millions of them are actually non-Lutherans inside bodies that are mostly Reformed, but include some Lutherans as part of an absorption of a smaller Lutheran church body into a larger Protestant body. These larger Protestant bodies belong to the LWF on the basis of a Lutheran component rather than on the basis of being a Lutheran church body. The state churches
State religion
A state religion is a religious body or creed officially endorsed by the state...
of Iceland
Iceland
Iceland , described as the Republic of Iceland, is a Nordic and European island country in the North Atlantic Ocean, on the Mid-Atlantic Ridge. Iceland also refers to the main island of the country, which contains almost all the population and almost all the land area. The country has a population...
, Denmark
Denmark
Denmark is a Scandinavian country in Northern Europe. The countries of Denmark and Greenland, as well as the Faroe Islands, constitute the Kingdom of Denmark . It is the southernmost of the Nordic countries, southwest of Sweden and south of Norway, and bordered to the south by Germany. Denmark...
and Norway
Norway
Norway , officially the Kingdom of Norway, is a Nordic unitary constitutional monarchy whose territory comprises the western portion of the Scandinavian Peninsula, Jan Mayen, and the Arctic archipelago of Svalbard and Bouvet Island. Norway has a total area of and a population of about 4.9 million...
and the former state churches, today majority churches of Sweden
Sweden
Sweden , officially the Kingdom of Sweden , is a Nordic country on the Scandinavian Peninsula in Northern Europe. Sweden borders with Norway and Finland and is connected to Denmark by a bridge-tunnel across the Öresund....
and Finland
Finland
Finland , officially the Republic of Finland, is a Nordic country situated in the Fennoscandian region of Northern Europe. It is bordered by Sweden in the west, Norway in the north and Russia in the east, while Estonia lies to its south across the Gulf of Finland.Around 5.4 million people reside...
, 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
Theology
Theology is the systematic and rational study of religion and its influences and of the nature of religious truths, or the learned profession acquired by completing specialized training in religious studies, usually at a university or school of divinity or seminary.-Definition:Augustine of Hippo...
, humanitarian assistance, human rights, communication, and the various aspects of mission and development work.
The Department for World Service (DWS) is the LWF's humanitarian agency. It has programs in 37 countries. LWF through DWS is a member of ACT Development
ACT Development
ACT Alliance is a global alliance of churches and related organisations focusing on long-term development and humanitarian assistance. The alliance has a membership of more than 100 organisations, working with about 30,000 members of staff and volunteers, in 140 countries, with a combined budget...
.
Lutheran University Press, Minneapolis, Minnesota, is the publisher of and North American distributor of the LWF English language books.
On October 31, 1999, in Augsburg, Germany, the Lutheran World Federation signed the Joint Declaration on the Doctrine of Justification
Joint Declaration on the Doctrine of Justification
The Joint Declaration on the Doctrine of Justification is a document created by and agreed to by the Pontifical Council for Promoting Christian Unity and the Lutheran World Federation in 1999, as a result of extensive ecumenical dialogue...
with the Roman Catholic Church
Roman Catholic Church
The Catholic Church, also known as the Roman Catholic Church, is the world's largest Christian church, with over a billion members. Led by the Pope, it defines its mission as spreading the gospel of Jesus Christ, administering the sacraments and exercising charity...
. 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.
The largest member churches are (with number of members in millions; 2008 statistics):
- Church of SwedenChurch of SwedenThe Church of Sweden is the largest Christian church in Sweden. The church professes the Lutheran faith and is a member of the Porvoo Communion. With 6,589,769 baptized members, it is the largest Lutheran church in the world, although combined, there are more Lutherans in the member churches of...
(6.75) - Evangelical Lutheran Church in TanzaniaEvangelical Lutheran Church in TanzaniaThe Evangelical Lutheran Church in Tanzania is the federation of Lutheran Churches in the African nation of Tanzania. In 1938, seven Lutheran churches founded a federation known as the Federation of Lutheran Churches in Tanganyika...
(5.3) - Ethiopian Evangelical Church Mekane YesusEthiopian Evangelical Church Mekane YesusThe Ethiopian Evangelical Church Mekane Yesus is a Christian denomination in Ethiopia. It was created in 1959 with the merger of Lutheran and other congregations established by missionary work in that country, taking its name from the first congregation in Addis Ababa, Mekane Yesus...
(5.3) - Evangelical Lutheran Church in AmericaEvangelical Lutheran Church in AmericaThe Evangelical Lutheran Church in America is a mainline Protestant denomination headquartered in Chicago, Illinois. The ELCA officially came into existence on January 1, 1988, by the merging of three churches. As of December 31, 2009, it had 4,543,037 baptized members, with 2,527,941 of them...
(4.6) - Church of DenmarkChurch of DenmarkThe Evangelical Lutheran Church in Denmark, Church of Denmark or Danish National Church, is the state church and largest denomination in Denmark and Greenland...
(4.5) - Evangelical Lutheran Church of FinlandEvangelical Lutheran Church of FinlandThe Evangelical Lutheran Church of Finland is the national church of Finland. The church professes the Lutheran branch of Christianity, and is a member of the Porvoo Communion....
(4.5) - Protestant Christian Batak Church, North Sumatera Indonesia (4.2)
- Church of NorwayChurch of NorwayThe Church of Norway is the state church of Norway, established after the Lutheran reformation in Denmark-Norway in 1536-1537 broke the ties to the Holy See. The church confesses the Lutheran Christian faith...
(4.0) - Malagasy Lutheran ChurchMalagasy Lutheran ChurchThe Malagasy Lutheran Church is a Christian denomination in Madagascar and France, established in 1950 by the unification of 1,800 Lutheran congregations in central and southern Madagascar...
(3.0) - Evangelical Lutheran Church of Hanover, Germany (3.0)
Federation Officials
- Munib YounanMunib YounanMunib Younan is the elected president of the Lutheran World Federation since 2010 and the Evangelical Lutheran Church Bishop of Palestine and Jordan in the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Jordan and the Holy Land since 1998.- Education :...
, President - Rev. Martin Junge, General Secretary
- Chandran Paul Martin, Deputy General Secretary
President
The President is the Federation's chief official representative and spokesperson. He/she presides at meetings of the Assembly, Council and Executive Committee, and oversees the life and work of the Federation in consultation with the Treasurer and General Secretary.General Secretary
The Lutheran World Federation Council elects the General Secretary, who is appointed for a seven-year term. The person appointed is eligible for re-election.The General Secretary conducts the business of the Federation assisted by a Cabinet, comprising department and unit heads appointed by the Council, and carries out the decisions of the Assembly and Council.Deputy General Secretary
The Deputy General Secretary heads the Office for Planning and is responsible for meetings of the Lutheran World Federation Council, Executive Committee and the Cabinet. The Deputy General Secretary deputizes for the General Secretary and carries specific administrative leadership functions in the Lutheran World Federation Secretariat.Members
Sorted by country in alphabetical order- Angola
- Evangelical Lutheran Church of Angola
- Argentina
- Evangelical Church of the Rio de la Plata
- United Evangelical Lutheran Church
- Australia
- Lutheran Church of AustraliaLutheran Church of AustraliaThe Lutheran Church of Australia is the major Lutheran denomination in Australia, it also has a presence in New Zealand. It has 320 parishes, 540 congregations, 70,000 baptized members in Australia, 1,130 baptized members in New Zealand, 52,463 communicant members and 450 active pastors. Its...
- associate member- Austria
- Evangelical Church of the Augsburg Confession in Austria
- Bangladesh
- Bangladesh Lutheran Church
- Bangladesh Northern Evangelical Lutheran Church
- Belarus
- Evangelical Lutheran Church in Russia and Other States
- Belgium
- Lutheran Church of Belgium - Arlon and Christian Mission
- Bolivia
- Bolivian Evangelical Lutheran ChurchBolivian Evangelical Lutheran ChurchThe Bolivian Evangelical Lutheran Church The Bolivian Evangelical Lutheran Church The Bolivian Evangelical Lutheran Church (Spanish: Iglesia Evangélica Luterana Boliviana (IELB) is a Protestant Church denomination located in Bolivia that professes the Lutheran branch of Christianity...
- German-Speaking Evangelical Lutheran Congregation in Bolivia
- Botswana
- Evangelical Lutheran Church in Botswana
- Brazil
- Evangelical Church of the Lutheran Confession in Brazil
- Cameroon
- Church of the Lutheran Brethren of Cameroon
- Evangelical Lutheran Church of CameroonEvangelical Lutheran Church of CameroonThe Evangelical Lutheran Church of Cameroon is a church in Cameroon. The church has been active through much of the twentieth century and has been responsible for colloborating with other institutions to pursue development in Cameroon...
- Canada
- Estonian Evangelical Lutheran Church Abroad
- Evangelical Lutheran Church in CanadaEvangelical Lutheran Church in CanadaThe Evangelical Lutheran Church in Canada is Canada's largest Lutheran denomination, with 152,788 baptized members in 624 congregations, with the second largest, the Lutheran Church–Canada, having 72,116 baptized members...
- Central African Republic
- Lutheran Church of the Central African Republic
- Chile
- Evangelical Lutheran Church in Chile
- Lutheran Church in Chile
- China (Hong Kong SAR)
- Chinese Rhenish Church Hong Kong Synod
- Evangelical Lutheran Church of Hong Kong
- Hong Kong and Macau Lutheran Church
- Tsung Tsin Mission of Hong Kong
- Colombia
- Evangelical Lutheran Church of Colombia
- St Matthew's Lutheran Congregation
- St. Martin's Lutheran Congregation
- Congo, Democratic Republic of
- Evangelical Lutheran Church in Congo
- Costa Rica
- Evangelical Lutheran Church of Costa Rica
- Lutheran Costarican Church
- Croatia
- Evangelical Church in the Republic of Croatia
- Czech Republic
- Evangelical Church of Czech BrethrenEvangelical Church of Czech BrethrenThe Protestant Church of Czech Brethren , was formed in 1918 in Czechoslovakia through the unification of the Protestant churches of the Lutheran and Reformed confessions...
- Silesian Evangelical Church of the Augsburg ConfessionSilesian Evangelical Church of Augsburg ConfessionThe Silesian Evangelical Church of the Augsburg Confession ) is the biggest Lutheran Church in the Czech Republic. Its congregations are located mainly in the Czech part of Cieszyn Silesia. A significant number of the followers belong to the Polish ethnic minority. There is strong heritage of...
- Denmark
- Evangelical Lutheran Church in DenmarkChurch of DenmarkThe Evangelical Lutheran Church in Denmark, Church of Denmark or Danish National Church, is the state church and largest denomination in Denmark and Greenland...
- Ecuador
- Evangelical Lutheran Church in Ecuador
- El Salvador
- Salvadoran Lutheran Synod
- Eritrea
- Evangelical Church of Eritrea
- Estonia
- Estonian Evangelical Lutheran ChurchEstonian Evangelical Lutheran ChurchThe Estonian Evangelical Lutheran Church is a Lutheran church in Estonia. EELC is member of the Lutheran World Federation...
- Ethiopia
- Ethiopian Evangelical Church Mekane YesusEthiopian Evangelical Church Mekane YesusThe Ethiopian Evangelical Church Mekane Yesus is a Christian denomination in Ethiopia. It was created in 1959 with the merger of Lutheran and other congregations established by missionary work in that country, taking its name from the first congregation in Addis Ababa, Mekane Yesus...
- Finland
- Evangelical Lutheran Church of FinlandEvangelical Lutheran Church of FinlandThe Evangelical Lutheran Church of Finland is the national church of Finland. The church professes the Lutheran branch of Christianity, and is a member of the Porvoo Communion....
- France
- Church of the Augsburg Confession of Alsace and Lorraine
- Evangelical Lutheran Church of France
- Malagasy Protestant Church in France
- Ghana
- Evangelical Lutheran Church of Ghana
- Georgia
- Evangelical Lutheran Church in Russia and Other States
- Germany
- Church of Lippe (Lutheran Section)
- Evangelical Church in Central GermanyEvangelical Church in Central GermanyThe Evangelical Church in Central Germany is a United church body covering most of the German states of Saxony-Anhalt and Thuringia and some adjacent areas in Brandenburg and Saxony .- History :...
- Evangelical Church of PomeraniaPomeranian Evangelical ChurchThe Pomeranian Evangelical Church is a Protestant church body in the German state of Mecklenburg-Vorpommern, serving the citizens living in Hither Pomerania. It combines Lutheran and Reformed traditions...
- Evangelical Lutheran Church in Baden
- Evangelical Lutheran Church in Bavaria
- Evangelical Lutheran Church in Brunswick
- Evangelical Lutheran Church in Oldenburg
- Evangelical-Lutheran Church in WürttembergEvangelical-Lutheran Church in WürttembergThe Evangelical-Lutheran Church in Württemberg is a Protestant church in the German former state of Württemberg, now the part of the state Baden-Württemberg. The seat of the church is in Stuttgart.It is a full member of the Evangelical Church in Germany , and is a Lutheran Church...
- Evangelical Lutheran Church of Hanover
- Evangelical Lutheran Church of MecklenburgEvangelical Lutheran Church of MecklenburgThe Evangelical Lutheran Church of Mecklenburg is a Lutheran church in the German state of Mecklenburg-Vorpommern, serving the citizens living in Mecklenburg. The seat of the Landesbischof is the state capital Schwerin with Schwerin Cathedral as the principal church...
- Evangelical Lutheran Church of Saxony
- Evangelical Lutheran Church of Schaumburg-Lippe
- Latvian Evangelical Lutheran Church Abroad
- North Elbian Evangelical Lutheran Church
- Guatemala
- The Epiphany Lutheran Congregation
- Guyana
- Evangelical Lutheran Church in Guyana
- Hungary
- Evangelical-Lutheran Church in Hungary
- Honduras
- Christian Lutheran Church of Honduras
- Iceland
- Evangelical Lutheran Church of IcelandChurch of IcelandThe National Church of Iceland, or Þjóðkirkjan, formally called the Evangelical Lutheran Church of Iceland, is the state church in Iceland. Like the established churches in the other Nordic countries, the National Church of Iceland professes the Lutheran branch of Christianity. Its head is the...
- India
- Andhra Evangelical Lutheran ChurchAndhra Evangelical Lutheran ChurchAndhra Evangelical Lutheran Church was constituted in the year 1927 in Andhra Pradesh, India. It is the Indian successor to the United Lutheran Church in America which was started as a self-supporting, self-governing, and self-propagating church among Telugu Christians.-Memberships:* Andhra...
- Arcot Lutheran ChurchArcot Lutheran ChurchArcot Lutheran Church is a Christian denomination in India. It has about 40,000 members. It belongs to National Council of Churches in India, United Evangelical Lutheran Church in India, Lutheran World Federation and World Council of Churches....
- Evangelical Lutheran Church in the Himalayan StatesEvangelical Lutheran Church in the Himalayan StatesEvangelical Lutheran Church in the Himalayan States is a Christian denomination in India. It has about 25,000 members. It belongs to the Lutheran World Federation.Its president is Godwin Nag....
- Evangelical Lutheran Church in Madhya PradeshEvangelical Lutheran Church in Madhya PradeshEvangelical Lutheran Church in Madhya Pradesh is a Church belonging to the Lutheran denomination in India. It has about 17,000 members. It is affiliated with United Evangelical Lutheran Church in India, National Council of Churches in India, Lutheran World Federation and Christian Conference of...
- Gossner Evangelical Lutheran Church in Chotanagpur and AssamGossner Evangelical Lutheran Church in Chotanagpur and AssamGossner Evangelical Lutheran Church in Chotanagpur and Assam is a major Christian denomination in India. It has hundreds of thousands of members. It has been established in 1919...
- Indian Evangelical Lutheran ChurchIndian Evangelical Lutheran ChurchIndian Evangelical Lutheran Church is a Christian denomination in India. It has about 80,000 members.It is a member of the World Council of Churches, Christian Conference of Asia, the National Council of Churches in India and Lutheran World Federation Council of Churches in India NagpurIt is a...
- Jeypore Evangelical Lutheran ChurchJeypore Evangelical Lutheran ChurchJeypore Evangelical Lutheran Church is a major Christian denomination in India. It has more thanm 150,000 members. It belongs to National Council of Churches in India, United Evangelical Lutheran Church in India, Lutheran World Federation and World Council of Churches.It is led by Bishop Chandra...
- Northern Evangelical Lutheran ChurchNorthern Evangelical Lutheran ChurchNorthern Evangelical Lutheran Church is a multi-lingual Lutheran Christian church that is centred mainly in three states of North India - Bihar, Assam and Bengal. The reach of the Church extends into Nepal and the NELC also works in Bhutan....
- North-Western Gossner Evangelical Lutheran Church in Chotanagpur and AssamGossner Evangelical Lutheran Church in Chotanagpur and AssamGossner Evangelical Lutheran Church in Chotanagpur and Assam is a major Christian denomination in India. It has hundreds of thousands of members. It has been established in 1919...
- South Andhra Lutheran ChurchSouth Andhra Lutheran ChurchSouth Andhra Lutheran Church is a Christian denomination in India. It is Telugu-speaking.It is led by Bishop K.S. Chandra Sekhar. It has tens of thousands of members...
- Tamil Evangelical Lutheran ChurchTamil Evangelical Lutheran ChurchTamil Evangelical Lutheran Church is a Christian denomination in south India. It has been established in 1919.Its headquarters is in Tamil Nadu. It has about 100,000 members.. The bishops has the title "Bishop of Tranquebar". It belongs to the Lutheran World Federation...
- Indonesia
- Batak Christian Community Church
- Christian Communion of Indonesia Church in Nias
- Christian Protestant Church in Indonesia
- Christian Protestant Angkola Church
- Indonesian Christian Church
- Indonesian Christian Lutheran Church
- Pakpak Dairi Christian Protestant Church
- Protestant Christian Batak ChurchHuria Kristen Batak ProtestantThe Huria Kristen Batak Protestan , which translates into the Batak Christian Protestant Church, is the largest Protestant denomination in Indonesia, with a baptized membership of 4,178,256. Its present leader is the Ephorus Rev. Dr...
- Protestant Christian Church
- Protestant Christian Church in Mentawai
- Simalungun Protestant Christian Church
- United Protestant Church
- Ireland
- Lutheran Church in IrelandLutheran Church in IrelandThe Lutheran Church in Ireland is a Lutheran church, operating across the island of Ireland.The Lutheran Church in Ireland maintains a special relationship with the Evangelical Church in Germany and a majority of its members originally came from the German-speaking countries and regions in...
- Italy
- Evangelical Lutheran Church in Italy
- Japan
- Japan Evangelical Lutheran ChurchJapan Evangelical Lutheran ChurchThe or JELC is a Lutheran church in Japan. It currently has approximately 21,990 baptized members in 122 congregations nationwide.The current president of the JELC is the Rev Sumiyuki Watanabe.-Early history:...
- Japan Lutheran ChurchJapan Lutheran ChurchThe or NRK is a Confessional Lutheran denomination in Japan. It currently has approximately 2,645 baptized members in 35 congregations nationwide.The current president of the NRK is the Rev...
- associate member - Kinki Evangelical Lutheran ChurchKinki Evangelical Lutheran ChurchThe or KELC is a Lutheran church in Japan. It currently has approximately 2,759 baptized members in 29 congregations nationwide .The current president is the Rev Shigeo Sueoka.-History:...
- Jordan
- Evangelical Lutheran Church in Jordan & the Holy Land
- Kazakhstan
- Evangelical Lutheran Church in Russia and Other States
- Kenya
- Evangelical Lutheran Church in Kenya
- Kenya Evangelical Lutheran Church
- Korea, South
- Lutheran Church in Korea
- Kyrgyztan
- Evangelical Lutheran Church in Russia and Other States
- Latvia
- Evangelical Lutheran Church of LatviaEvangelical Lutheran Church of LatviaThe Evangelical Lutheran Church of Latvia is a Lutheran Protestant church in Latvia. Latvia's Lutheran heritage dates back to the Reformation. Both the Nazi and communist regimes persecuted the church harshly before religious freedom returned to Latvia in 1988.The Church is governed by a...
- Liberia
- Lutheran Church in Liberia
- Liechtenstein
- Federation of Evangelical Lutheran Churches in Switzerland and the Principality of LiechtensteinFederation of Evangelical Lutheran Churches in Switzerland and the Principality of LiechtensteinThe Federation of Evangelical Lutheran Churches in Switzerland and Liechtenstein is an organization of five Lutheran churches in Basel and Northwestern Switzerland, Bern,...
- Lithuania
- Evangelical Lutheran Church of LithuaniaEvangelical Lutheran Church of LithuaniaThe Evangelical Lutheran Church of Lithuania is a Lutheran church body comprising congregations in Lithuania. The ELCL is a member of the Porvoo Communion and the Lutheran World Federation....
- Madagascar
- Malagasy Lutheran ChurchMalagasy Lutheran ChurchThe Malagasy Lutheran Church is a Christian denomination in Madagascar and France, established in 1950 by the unification of 1,800 Lutheran congregations in central and southern Madagascar...
- Malawi
- Evangelical Lutheran Church in Malawi
- Malaysia
- Basel Christian Church of MalaysiaBasel Christian Church of MalaysiaThe Basel Christian Church of Malaysia or BCCM is one of the four Lutheran bodies in Malaysia. It currently has 112 congregations nationwide and 59,500 baptized members.The current bishop of the Basel Christian Church in Malaysia is the Rev. Dr...
- Evangelical Lutheran Church in MalaysiaEvangelical Lutheran Church in MalaysiaThe Evangelical Lutheran Church in Malaysia or ELCM is one of the four Lutheran bodies in Malaysia. It currently has 21 congregations nationwide with a total of 3,650 members .The current bishop of the ELCM is the Rt Rev Solomon Rajah.-Early history:...
- Lutheran Church in Malaysia and SingaporeLutheran Church in Malaysia and SingaporeThe Lutheran Church in Malaysia and Singapore or LCMS is one of four Lutheran bodies in Malaysia. It currently has 52 congregations nationwide with a total of 8,453 baptized members and is the largest entirely Lutheran body in the country....
- Protestant Church in SabahProtestant Church in SabahThe Protestant Church in Sabah or PCS is one of the four Lutheran World Federation member churches in Malaysia. It currently has 322 congregations nationwide in 21 parishes with a total of 32,000 baptized members, making the PCS the second largest of the four Lutheran body in the country...
- Mexico
- German-Speaking Evangelical Congregation in Mexico
- Mexican Lutheran Church
- Mozambique
- Evangelical Lutheran Church in Mozambique
- Myanmar
- Evangelical Lutheran Church in Myanmar
- Namibia
- Evangelical Lutheran Church in Namibia (ELCIN)
- Evangelical Lutheran Church in Namibia (ELCIN - GELC)
- Evangelical Lutheran Church in the Republic of Namibia
- Netherlands
- Protestant Church in the NetherlandsProtestant Church in the NetherlandsThe Protestant Church in the Netherlands is the largest Protestant Christian denomination in the Netherlands. With 2,000 congregations and a membership of some 1.8 million , it is the second largest church in the Netherlands after the Roman Catholic Church.It was founded 1 May 2004 as a merger of...
- Nicaragua
- Nicaraguan Lutheran Church of Faith and Hope
- Nigeria
- Lutheran Church in Nigeria
- The Lutheran Church of Christ in NigeriaThe Lutheran Church of Christ in NigeriaThe Lutheran Church of Christ in Nigeria is a major Christian denomination of Nigeria. It has more than 1.7 million members. It has bishops and 2,400 congregations...
- Norway
- Church of NorwayChurch of NorwayThe Church of Norway is the state church of Norway, established after the Lutheran reformation in Denmark-Norway in 1536-1537 broke the ties to the Holy See. The church confesses the Lutheran Christian faith...
- Evangelical Lutheran Free Church of NorwayEvangelical Lutheran Free Church of NorwayThe Evangelical Lutheran Free Church, or the Free Church as it is commonly known, is a nationwide Lutheran church in Norway consisting of 81 congregations and 21,817 baptized members. It was founded in 1877 in Moss. It should not be confused with the Church of Norway, though both churches are...
- Palestine
- Evangelical Lutheran Church in Jordan & the Holy Land
- Peru
- Evangelical Lutheran Church in Peru
- Peruvian Lutheran Evangelical Church
- Papua New Guinea
- Evangelical Lutheran Church of Papua New GuineaEvangelical Lutheran Church of Papua New GuineaThe Evangelical Lutheran Church of Papua New Guinea is a Protestant church denomination located in Papua New Guinea that professes the Lutheran branch of the Christian faith...
- Gutnius Lutheran ChurchGutnius Lutheran ChurchThe Gutnius Lutheran Church, formerly the Wabag Lutheran Church, is a Lutheran body existing in Papua New Guinea. It was established by the Lutheran Church - Missouri Synod in 1948 shortly after the Australian administration of the Territory of Papua and New Guinea permitted missionary activity to...
- Philippines
- Lutheran Church in the Philippines
- Poland
- Evangelical Church of Augsburg Confession in PolandEvangelical-Augsburg Church in PolandThe Evangelical Church of the Augsburg Confession in Poland , the largest Protestant body in Poland, is rooted in the Reformation. The first Lutheran sermons were held in 1518, and in 1523 the first Lutheran dean, Johann Heß, was called to the city of Breslau, whence Lutheranism was spread into the...
- Romania
- Evangelical Church of the Augsburg Confession in Romania
- Evangelical Lutheran Church in Romania
- Russia
- Evangelical Lutheran Church in Russia and Other States
- Evangelical Lutheran Church of Ingria in Russia
- Rwanda
- Lutheran Church of Rwanda
- Senegal
- Lutheran Church of Senegal
- Serbia
- Slovak Evangelical Church of the Augsburg Confession in Serbia
- Sierra Leone
- Evangelical Lutheran Church in Sierra Leone
- Singapore
- Lutheran Church in Singapore
- Slovakia
- Evangelical Church of the Augsburg Confession in SlovakiaEvangelical Church of the Augsburg Confession in SlovakiaThe Evangelical Church of the Augsburg Confession in Slovakia is a Lutheran church body in Slovakia.-History of the church:...
- Slovenia
- Evangelical Church of the Augsburg Confession in Slovenia
- South Africa
- Evangelical Lutheran Church in Southern AfricaEvangelical Lutheran Church in Southern AfricaThe Evangelical Lutheran Church in Southern Africa is a Lutheran church in South Africa. The Church has 580,000 baptized members. in seven Dioceses in South Africa, Botswana and Swaziland. It became a member of the Lutheran World Federation in 1976 after it was formed out of four previous Synods in...
- Evangelical Lutheran Church in Southern Africa (Cape Church)Evangelical Lutheran Church in Southern Africa (Cape Church)The Evangelical Lutheran Church in Southern Africa is a Lutheran Church in the some of the Western Provinces of South Africa. The Cape Church is a member of the Lutheran World Federation. It has 4,223 baptized members....
- Evangelical Lutheran Church in Southern Africa (N-T)
- Moravian Church in South Africa
- Sri Lanka
- Lanka Lutheran ChurchLanka Lutheran ChurchThe Lanka Lutheran Church is a Lutheran body that exists in Sri Lanka. It is a denomination of around 5000 members, in fellowship with the Lutheran Church Missouri Synod since 2001. As a full member of the Lutheran World Federation, it is also in full communion with all other Lutheran World...
- Suriname
- Evangelical Lutheran Church in Suriname
- Sweden
- Church of SwedenChurch of SwedenThe Church of Sweden is the largest Christian church in Sweden. The church professes the Lutheran faith and is a member of the Porvoo Communion. With 6,589,769 baptized members, it is the largest Lutheran church in the world, although combined, there are more Lutherans in the member churches of...
- Switzerland
- Federation of Evangelical Lutheran Churches in Switzerland and the Principality of LiechtensteinFederation of Evangelical Lutheran Churches in Switzerland and the Principality of LiechtensteinThe Federation of Evangelical Lutheran Churches in Switzerland and Liechtenstein is an organization of five Lutheran churches in Basel and Northwestern Switzerland, Bern,...
- Taiwan (Republic of China)
- Lutheran Church of Taiwan
- Taiwan Lutheran ChurchTaiwan Lutheran ChurchThe Taiwan Lutheran Church was started by the work of former LCC members and expelled missionaries from China who had worked with the LCC. In April 1950, Chin Chung-an, a medical doctor from Xian conducted family meetings in his residence in Kaoshiung. On June 3, 1951, the Kaoshiung congregation...
- Tanzania
- Evangelical Lutheran Church in TanzaniaEvangelical Lutheran Church in TanzaniaThe Evangelical Lutheran Church in Tanzania is the federation of Lutheran Churches in the African nation of Tanzania. In 1938, seven Lutheran churches founded a federation known as the Federation of Lutheran Churches in Tanganyika...
- Thailand
- Evangelical Lutheran Church in Thailand
- Ukraine
- Evangelical Lutheran Church in Russia and Other States
- United Kingdom
- Lutheran Church in Great BritainLutheran Church in Great BritainLutheran Church in Great Britain is a Lutheran church, operating in Great Britain ....
- The Lutheran Council of Great Britain
- United States of America
- Evangelical Lutheran Church in AmericaEvangelical Lutheran Church in AmericaThe Evangelical Lutheran Church in America is a mainline Protestant denomination headquartered in Chicago, Illinois. The ELCA officially came into existence on January 1, 1988, by the merging of three churches. As of December 31, 2009, it had 4,543,037 baptized members, with 2,527,941 of them...
- Uruguay
- Evangelical Church of the Rio de la Plata
- United Evangelical Lutheran Church
- Uzbekistan
- Evangelical Lutheran Church in Russia and Other States
- Venezuela
- Evangelical Lutheran Church in Venezuela
- Zambia
- Evangelical Lutheran Church in Zambia
- Zimbabwe
- Evangelical Lutheran Church in Zimbabwe
Presidents of LWF
- 1947 - 1952 Anders NygrenAnders NygrenAnders Theodor Samuel Nygren was a Swedish Lutheran theologian. He was professor of systematic theology at Lund University from 1924 and was elected Bishop of Lund in 1948...
(Sweden) - 1952 - 1957 Hanns LiljeHanns LiljeJohannes Ernst Richard Lilje was German Lutheran bishop and one of the pioneers of the ecumenical movement....
(Federal Republic of Germany) - 1957 - 1963 Franklin Clark FryFranklin Clark FryFranklin Clark Fry was a leading American Lutheran clergyman, known for his work on behalf of interdenominational unity.-Early years:...
(United States) - 1963 - 1970 Fredrik A. SchiotzFredrik A. SchiotzRev. Dr. Fredrik Axel Schiotz was an American Lutheran Church leader, president of the Evangelical Lutheran Church, President of the Lutheran World Federation and Presiding Bishop of The American Lutheran Church.-Biography:...
(United States) - 1970 - 1977 Mikko JuvaMikko JuvaMikko Einar Juva , was a Finnish historian, theologian and archbishop. He was professor in Nordic history 1957-1962 at Turku University and professor in Finnish and Scandinavian history and church history at Helsinki University 1962-1978...
(Finland) - 1977 - 1984 Josiah M. Kibira (Tanzania)
- 1984 - 1987 Zoltán KáldyZoltán KáldyZoltán Káldy is a retired Hungarian long-distance runner who specialized in the 10,000 metres.-Achievements:-References:*...
(Hungary) - 1987 - 1990 Johannes Hanselmann (Federal Republic of Germany)
- 1990 - 1997 Gottfried Brakemeier (Brazil)
- 1997 - 2003 Christian Krause (Germany)
- 2003 - 2010 Mark S. Hanson (United States)
- 2010 - Present Munib YounanMunib YounanMunib Younan is the elected president of the Lutheran World Federation since 2010 and the Evangelical Lutheran Church Bishop of Palestine and Jordan in the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Jordan and the Holy Land since 1998.- Education :...
(Palestine)
See also
- World Council of ChurchesWorld Council of ChurchesThe World Council of Churches is a worldwide fellowship of 349 global, regional and sub-regional, national and local churches seeking unity, a common witness and Christian service. It is a Christian ecumenical organization that is based in the Ecumenical Centre in Geneva, Switzerland...
- Asia Lutheran Communion and Asia Lutheran News (ALN)
- Africa Lutheran Communion