LWF’s Intergenerational Justice Policy Task Force Meeting in London
LWF’s Intergenerational Justice Policy Task Force meets in London to refine draft policy to promote meaningful participation across all generations in the Lutheran communion.
Host churches welcome dialogue as members refine draft policy and resources
(LWI) - The Lutheran World Federation (LWF) Intergenerational Justice Policy Task Force is meeting in London from 26 to 30 July to work on the final draft of the LWF Intergenerational Justice Policy. Mandated by the 2023 LWF Assembly, the policy aims to mainstream the inclusion of all age groups in Lutheran theological reflection, the church's life together and the communion's decision-making processes.
Hosted by the Council of Lutheran Churches in Great Britain (CLC), the meeting combines policy work with conversations on how churches can strengthen relationships across generations. During the first days of the gathering, task force members reflected on the themes of empathy and encounter while beginning work on resources that will help LWF member churches explore and contextualize the policy in their local settings.
The task force met with CLC General Secretary Rev. Meelis Süld, Head of Chaplaincy and Development Rev. Rebecca Daniel and Communications Manager Rev. Dr Wendy Sherer. Members also engaged in intergenerational dialogue with leaders from the German and Swedish churches in London, together with deans and pastors from the Lutheran Church in Great Britain (LCiGB), one of the CLC member churches.
Both the LCiGB and CLC belong to the LWF, the former as a member church and the latter as a recognized council. Süld noted that the council’s own history reflects the importance of intergenerational relationships. Founded after the Second World War to support Lutheran refugees, the CLC has drawn strength from passing on faith and Lutheran heritage across generations. “Engaging all generations in decision-making has always been important to us, and this has been a blessing," he noted.
For Daniel, the LWF policy being developed reflects the church's calling to value the gifts of every generation. “Intergenerational justice recognizes every generation as a gift from God. By fostering mentoring, shared leadership, mutual learning and discipleship, the Church lives out its calling as one Body in Christ, where every voice is valued, every gift is welcomed, and faith is nurtured across generations in God's mission," she said.
The task force began its work in 2024, and its members represent all seven LWF regions. They have been meeting online and in person.
It is chaired by Mr Natan Schumann, Evangelical Church of the Lutheran Confession in Brazil (IECLB). The other members are: Rev. Katherine Gohm (Evangelical Lutheran Church in Canada), Ms Rutendo Gora (Northeastern Evangelical Lutheran Church in South Africa), Bishop Kenneth Sibanda (Evangelical Lutheran Church in Zimbabwe), Ms Charlotte Frank (Evangelical Lutheran Church in Central Germany), Rev. Rodny Said (Evangelical Lutheran Church in Jordan and the Holy Land), Rev. Filip Lipinski (Evangelical Church of the Augsburg Confession in Poland), Rev. Veronica Pålsson (Church of Sweden), and Ms Savanna Sullivan, LWF Program Executive for Youth.
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