Rev.
Ireneus Lukas, LWF Regional Secretary of Europe, gave us a presentation on the
Lutheran World Federation. He began by asking, “In a word or short phrase, describe
what the LWF is to you.” After our answers he gave his, “I belong to something
bigger.”
The
step in the picture is one of the approximately 537 steps in the Schlosskirche
tower. Notice the wear. The step, once flat, is now concave and deeply pitted
by centuries of peoples’ feet travelling up and down. Suzy wondered how many have taken the journey
up and down the stairs? It is steep, confining, and dizzy-ing.
The
work of the LWF is kind of like the steps in the Schlosskirche tower. The LWF
consists of 153 member churches who are in communion with each other. Think of
each step as a member. All the churches are connected to a central axis – a specific
understanding and articulation of God’s grace. God gives grace. We can not earn
it or pay for it. It is a free gift.
While
we can not work to earn God’s grace, the LWF members do work at the task of being
in communion. Being a communion of churches is a gift, but it does come with
challenges. Communion does not mean conformity. The steps each church climbs in
their own contexts differ widely. Some struggles are a steep climb. Relationship
building among the members of LWF makes communion full and abundant. It begins
one step at a time, connecting individuals face to face and growing relationships.
This
building of relationships gives all member churches a much bigger view!
It
is like the view from the top of the Schlosskirche tower. Breathtaking! Full!
Wide!
We
are encouraged to witness the expansiveness of grace through relationship. In
relationship – communion- we can hope that one day the LWF vision will be lived
reality:
Liberated
by God’s grace, a communion of churches, living and working together for a
just, peaceful, and reconciled world.
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