News

Africa Pre-Assembly

May 8 – 13, 2023
Nairobi, Kenya

Harvesting the fruits of Africa regional work 

The Africa pre-Assembly will help enable delegates to take part fully in the Assembly. Delegates will gain the confidence to propose motions and amendments, and argue and debate resolutions and issues, thereby ensuring substantive discussions and good use of Assembly time and resources. 

Tanzanian participants of the Africa Pre-Assembly met in Johannesburg, South Africa, in February 2017. Photo:LWF

Tanzanian participants of the Africa Pre-Assembly met in Johannesburg, South Africa, in February 2017. Photo: LWF

This pre-Assembly will enable a contextual reading of the Assembly’s themes and issues so that delegates come to the Assembly prepared to share their part of the global story. In addition, it will compile a slate of nominees for the LWF Council, so determining the quality and effectiveness of the incoming LWF Council. It will also present a message on topical issues of concern. 

This pre-Assembly will: 

  • harvests the fruits of Africa regional work from Windhoek to Krakow
  • provide contextual reflections on Assembly themes, the highlights of which will be incorporated in the Assembly discussion
  • orientate participants on the Thirteenth Assembly
  • include worship, as well as a time to remember those within the church who lost their lives to COVID-19
  • present a slate of nominees for the next LWF Council 

The Africa pre-Assembly took place from May 8-13, 2023, in Nairobi, Kenya.

Regional Pre-Assemblies

Asia Pre-Assembly

June 14 – 19
Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

Orientating participants on the Thirteenth Assembly

The Asia Pre-Assembly will help enable delegates to take part fully in the Assembly. Delegates will gain the confidence to propose motions and amendments, and argue and debate resolutions and issues, thereby ensuring substantive discussions and good use of Assembly time and resources. 

Delegates enjoy a relaxed moment during the LWF Asia Pre-Assembly, Bangkok, Thailand, 2016. Photo: LWF/Arni Danielsson

Delegates enjoy a relaxed moment during the LWF Asia Pre-Assembly, Bangkok, Thailand, 2016. Photo: LWF/Arni Danielsson

This Pre-Assembly will also enable a contextual reading of the Assembly’s themes and issues so that delegates come to the Assembly prepared to share their part of the global story. In addition, it will compile a slate of nominees for the LWF Council, so determining the quality and effectiveness of the incoming LWF Council. It will also present a message on topical issues of concern.

This Pre-Assembly will: 

  • harvest the fruits of Asia regional work from Windhoek to Krakow
  • provide contextual reflections on Assembly themes, the highlights of which will be incorporated in the Assembly discussion
  • orientate participants on the Thirteenth Assembly
  • include worship, as well as a time to remember those within the church who lost their lives to COVID-19
  • present a slate of nominees for the next LWF Council 

The Asia Pre-Assembly will take place from June 14-19, 2023, in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.

Regional Pre-Assemblies

Das Stewards-Programm

Assembly stewards 

Assembly stewards contribute to the life of the Assembly in a way that’s both practical and enriching. A special group of 25 young Lutheran leaders have been selected to train and share their gifts at the Assembly. 

Photo: LWF/Albin Hillert

Photo: LWF/Albin Hillert

Stewards are young people who commit time, energy and skills to ensure the success of the Assembly.  They support the Assembly at all levels of its work, including logistics, governance, and worship. In doing so, they help facilitate the future of the LWF. Stewardship is based on acknowledging the goodness of all God’s gifts and a desire to use them to serve God and the neighbor.

The Assembly will bring together 25 young people from LWF member churches all over the world, who will support much of the background logistical work at the Assembly. This is invaluable to the smooth running of the Assembly and is greatly appreciated by organizers and Assembly participants alike.

The stewards program provides not only an opportunity for leadership development, but a chance to broaden understanding of the LWF and the workings of the Assembly. Participants leave having made a practical contribution to a global Lutheran event, with a deepened commitment to the LWF, as well as having made friendships that may last for life.

Read the LWIs

Program Contact

Ms Savanna Sullivan
Program Executive for Youth
Department for Theology, Mission and Justice

[email protected]

25 stewards have now been chosen and participating in training to prepare for their roles at the Assembly.

Read more

Stewards program

Assembly stewards 

Assembly stewards contribute to the life of the Assembly in a way that’s both practical and enriching. A special group of 25 young Lutheran leaders have been selected to train and share their gifts at the Assembly. 

Photo: LWF/Albin Hillert

Photo: LWF/Albin Hillert

Stewards are young people who commit time, energy and skills to ensure the success of the Assembly.  They support the Assembly at all levels of its work, including logistics, governance, and worship. In doing so, they help facilitate the future of the LWF. Stewardship is based on acknowledging the goodness of all God’s gifts and a desire to use them to serve God and the neighbor.

The Assembly will bring together 25 young people from LWF member churches all over the world, who will support much of the background logistical work at the Assembly. This is invaluable to the smooth running of the Assembly and is greatly appreciated by organizers and Assembly participants alike.

The stewards program provides not only an opportunity for leadership development, but a chance to broaden understanding of the LWF and the workings of the Assembly. Participants leave having made a practical contribution to a global Lutheran event, with a deepened commitment to the LWF, as well as having made friendships that may last for life.

Read the LWIs

Program Contact

Ms Savanna Sullivan
Program Executive for Youth
Department for Theology, Mission and Justice

[email protected]

25 stewards have now been chosen and participating in training to prepare for their roles at the Assembly.

Read more

Programa para stewards

Assembly stewards 

Assembly stewards contribute to the life of the Assembly in a way that’s both practical and enriching. A special group of 25 young Lutheran leaders have been selected to train and share their gifts at the Assembly. 

Photo: LWF/Albin Hillert

Photo: LWF/Albin Hillert

Stewards are young people who commit time, energy and skills to ensure the success of the Assembly.  They support the Assembly at all levels of its work, including logistics, governance, and worship. In doing so, they help facilitate the future of the LWF. Stewardship is based on acknowledging the goodness of all God’s gifts and a desire to use them to serve God and the neighbor.

The Assembly will bring together 25 young people from LWF member churches all over the world, who will support much of the background logistical work at the Assembly. This is invaluable to the smooth running of the Assembly and is greatly appreciated by organizers and Assembly participants alike.

The stewards program provides not only an opportunity for leadership development, but a chance to broaden understanding of the LWF and the workings of the Assembly. Participants leave having made a practical contribution to a global Lutheran event, with a deepened commitment to the LWF, as well as having made friendships that may last for life.

Read the LWIs

Program Contact

Ms Savanna Sullivan
Program Executive for Youth
Department for Theology, Mission and Justice

[email protected]

25 stewards have now been chosen and participating in training to prepare for their roles at the Assembly.

Read more

Programme de stewards

Assembly stewards 

Assembly stewards contribute to the life of the Assembly in a way that’s both practical and enriching. A special group of 25 young Lutheran leaders have been selected to train and share their gifts at the Assembly. 

Photo: LWF/Albin Hillert

Photo: LWF/Albin Hillert

Stewards are young people who commit time, energy and skills to ensure the success of the Assembly.  They support the Assembly at all levels of its work, including logistics, governance, and worship. In doing so, they help facilitate the future of the LWF. Stewardship is based on acknowledging the goodness of all God’s gifts and a desire to use them to serve God and the neighbor.

The Assembly will bring together 25 young people from LWF member churches all over the world, who will support much of the background logistical work at the Assembly. This is invaluable to the smooth running of the Assembly and is greatly appreciated by organizers and Assembly participants alike.

The stewards program provides not only an opportunity for leadership development, but a chance to broaden understanding of the LWF and the workings of the Assembly. Participants leave having made a practical contribution to a global Lutheran event, with a deepened commitment to the LWF, as well as having made friendships that may last for life.

Read the LWIs

Program Contact

Ms Savanna Sullivan
Program Executive for Youth
Department for Theology, Mission and Justice

[email protected]

25 stewards have now been chosen and participating in training to prepare for their roles at the Assembly.

Read more

Regional Pre-Assemblies

Lifting regional voices at the Assembly 

Regional pre-Assemblies are integral to LWF Assemblies. As gatherings of Lutheran representatives by region, regional pre-Assemblies are practical tools to prepare delegates for the Assembly, to enhance understanding of issues and concerns of member churches and to nominate candidates for the Council. In addition, they help delegates address critical issues and ensure constructive dialogue. 

Cathy Mui, of Papua New Guinea, speaks at the LWF Asia Pre-Assembly, Bangkok, Thailand, 2016. Photo: LWF/Arni Danielsson

Cathy Mui, of Papua New Guinea, speaks at the LWF Asia Pre-Assembly, Bangkok, Thailand, 2016. Photo: LWF/Arni Danielsson

Pre-Assemblies play an important role in helping the Assembly to achieve its objectives. Each shares the following outcomes for the Assembly: 

  • an increased sense of belonging
  • strengthened Lutheran identity and ecumenical commitment
  • increased visibility and awareness of diaconal work
  • more concrete and measurable outcomes for advocacy and for work on peace and justice
  • a clear mandate with regards to the strategic framework 
Timeframe

 

Related news

Women’s Pre-Assembly

September 8 – 11, 2023
Wroclaw, Poland

Highlighting women’s contribution to ministry and to the life of the church

The LWF Women’s Pre-Assembly is a unique opportunity for women from member churches and partner organizations to meet and articulate a common voice that will be taken to the Assembly. What are the struggles women face in the diverse contexts of member churches? How are women answering to call to vocation in ordained ministry? The Women’s Pre-Assembly will consider the ways in which we ensure the full and just participation of women in the life of church and society.

A delegate worships during the Women's Pre-Assembly, in Windhoek, Namibia in 2017. Photo: LWF/Brenda Platero

A delegate worships during the Women's Pre-Assembly, in Windhoek, Namibia in 2017. Photo: LWF/Brenda Platero

Photos

It will enable participants to: 

  • experience sisterhood and sorority, pray together and support one other
  • celebrate life as One body, One Spirit, One Hope, reflecting on the Assembly theme through a feminist perspective
  • build a common vision that decisively shapes the discussions and decisions of the Assembly by highlighting women’s contribution to ministry, to the life of the church and on theological reflection
  • harvest experiences and celebrate the building of gender justice in church and society
  • reflect on the report of the Study Process on the Experiences of Women in the Ordained Ministry
  • learn from each other, in connection with the Assembly theme, about ways to respond to gender-based violence, poverty, political, religious and social polarization, and discrimination
  • contribute to helping the LWF Gender Justice and Women´s Empowerment Program better address the concerns of women in participants’ contexts over the coming years
  • shape the message from the Women’s Pre-Assembly to the Thirteen Assembly 
What’s on the program?

The Women’s Pre-Assembly gathers the concerns and priorities collected at the Women’s Regional Pre-Assemblies. All regional Pre-Assemblies will take place in the first semester of 2023. Once these are finalized, the Women’s Pre-Assembly program will be released. 

Who can take part?

Women delegates to the Assembly, women actively involved in the Women and Gender Justice Network, Polish women designated by the local committee, visitors, ecumenical guests, and advisors to the Assembly can participate. If you would like to take part, please indicate so when registering online. Subsidized Assembly participants will have accommodation and meals covered. Visitors or individuals who are covering costs themselves should kindly contact the LWF Gender Justice and Women´s Empowerment Program.

When and where is the Pre-Assembly?

The Women’s Pre-Assembly will be held at the House of Angels (https://kamienicapodaniolami.pl/en/) in Wrocław from September 7 (arrival) to 11 (departure to Kraków) 2023. The Assembly and the Women’s Pre-Assembly will be strongly influenced by the hospitality and vibrant church life of Poland.

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Men's Pre-Assembly

September 11 – 12, 2023
Krakow, Poland

This inaugural Pre-Assembly will provide the time and space for Assembly Delegates who are men to share their experiences of their Regional Pre-assemblies, explore how they resonate with the theme “One Body, One Spirit, One Hope”, and equip themselves for its practical application as they contribute to shaping societies in their contexts.

Participants of the Latin America and the Caribbean and North America pre-Assembly in Bogotá, Colombia.. LWF/ Eugenio Albrecht

Participants of the Latin America and the Caribbean and North America pre-Assembly in Bogotá, Colombia.. LWF/ Eugenio Albrecht

The men’s Pre-Assembly will also consider how they can ensure a common understanding of the Gender Justice Policy with active involvement of men in the life of church and society, being cognizant of its impact.

Emanating from these shared experiences, the men will develop and design a message reflective of the pulse of the discussion for presentation to the Thirteenth Assembly.

The Men’s Pre-Assembly is a vital new initiative that will further nurture our commitment in engaging the men of our Lutheran Communion, in inspiring new ways.

Schedule

Men's pre-Assembly schedule

Men's pre-Assembly schedule

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Youth Pre-Assembly

September 8 – 11, 2023
Wisla Malinka, Poland

Young people learning from one another and bringing their voice to the Assembly 

Youth are not only the future leaders of the church, they are important leaders in the church today. 

The youth pre-Assembly will be held in the modern premises of the Wisła-Malinka parish of the Evangelical Church of the Augsburg Confession in Poland. Photo: Wisła-Malinka parish

The youth pre-Assembly will be held in the modern premises of the Wisła-Malinka parish of the Evangelical Church of the Augsburg Confession in Poland. Photo: Wisła-Malinka parish

The LWF is excited to welcome young leaders from around the world to the LWF Youth Pre-Assembly Gathering in Wisla, Poland. This gathering will take place 8-11 of September 2023, immediately preceding the Thirteenth LWF Assembly. Youth delegates will also meet as a group prior to each regional pre-assembly.

Photos

Investment in youth leadership is a call of the Gospel and has also been a central commitment of the Lutheran World Federation for decades.

The youth pre-Assembly brings together LWF Assembly delegates who are 18-30 years old to worship, build community and capacity for participation in the Assembly, and to discuss their priorities and vision for the LWF going forward. At the Assembly, the group will present those priorities. LWF Assembly stewards and ex-officio young council members are also invited to attend the youth pre-Assembly. 

For more information, follow the pre-Assembly @LWFYouth on Instagram and Facebook.

Youth pre-Assembly Schedule

Youth pre-Assembly Schedule

Youth pre-Assembly Schedule

Related News

Das Thema der Vollversammlung

One Body, One Spirit, One Hope

The Assembly theme, One Body, One Spirit, One Hope, reminds us that in a fragmented world, we are called to unity in the one body of Christ. The theme is drawn from Ephesians 4:4 (NRSV): “There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called to the one hope of your calling."

Messages from the Pre-Assemblies take up the theme of the Thirteenth Assembly. Photo: LWF/Jotham Lee

Messages from the Pre-Assemblies take up the theme of the Thirteenth Assembly. Photo: LWF/Jotham Lee

The Assembly Study Guide

The Assembly Study Guide is a publication aimed at preparing LWF member churches for the Thirteenth Assembly. It is offered as a resource to inspire reflections on how the global communion of churches is called and equipped to be a sign of hope in the midst of God’s creation as it participates in God’s holistic mission.

Introducing the thirteenth Assembly theme

This publication introduces the Thirteenth Assembly, and its theme, “One Body, One Spirit, One Hope.”It is an invitation to LWF’s member churches to start engaging with the theme.

In addition to being ecumenically significant, the theme speaks of the needs of the world. LWF member churches are called to bear witness to God’s compassion and mercy for the world. It also reflects the church’s call to strive for unity through its engagement in service and mission, such as prophetic diakonia, humanitarian action and advocacy to end injustice and dehumanizing practices. The world urgently needs to hear the gospel of justification, that of God’s act of liberating grace. We are called into this adventure of living the Gospel ever anew in our many contexts. Together as a communion of churches we are called forth into the world.

The Assembly has three subthemes: the Spirit creates, the Spirit reconciles, the Spirit renews. The subthemes will help delegates interpret the main theme in light of the creative, reconciling and transformative love of God.

Learn more about each of the three elements: One Body, One Spirit, One Hope

Assembly Theme

One Body, One Spirit, One Hope

The Assembly theme, One Body, One Spirit, One Hope, reminds us that in a fragmented world, we are called to unity in the one body of Christ. The theme is drawn from Ephesians 4:4 (NRSV): “There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called to the one hope of your calling."

Messages from the Pre-Assemblies take up the theme of the Thirteenth Assembly. Photo: LWF/Jotham Lee

Messages from the Pre-Assemblies take up the theme of the Thirteenth Assembly. Photo: LWF/Jotham Lee

The Assembly Study Guide

The Assembly Study Guide is a publication aimed at preparing LWF member churches for the Thirteenth Assembly. It is offered as a resource to inspire reflections on how the global communion of churches is called and equipped to be a sign of hope in the midst of God’s creation as it participates in God’s holistic mission.

Introducing the thirteenth Assembly theme

This publication introduces the Thirteenth Assembly, and its theme, “One Body, One Spirit, One Hope.”It is an invitation to LWF’s member churches to start engaging with the theme.

In addition to being ecumenically significant, the theme speaks of the needs of the world. LWF member churches are called to bear witness to God’s compassion and mercy for the world. It also reflects the church’s call to strive for unity through its engagement in service and mission, such as prophetic diakonia, humanitarian action and advocacy to end injustice and dehumanizing practices. The world urgently needs to hear the gospel of justification, that of God’s act of liberating grace. We are called into this adventure of living the Gospel ever anew in our many contexts. Together as a communion of churches we are called forth into the world.

The Assembly has three subthemes: the Spirit creates, the Spirit reconciles, the Spirit renews. The subthemes will help delegates interpret the main theme in light of the creative, reconciling and transformative love of God.

Learn more about each of the three elements: One Body, One Spirit, One Hope