Inter-Lutheran Relationships

The Lutheran World Federation is a global communion of Lutheran churches, made up of 140 member churches in 79 countries all over the world, representing over 68.5 million Christians. Presiding Bishop of the ELCA, Mark S. Hanson, is the current president of the LWF. The LWF acts on behalf of its member churches, including the ELCA, in areas of common interest and mission and development work. Lutherans all over the world unite and put our combined resources into crucial, universal issues, such as ecumenical and inter-faith relations, theology, humanitarian assistance, human rights, and communication.

The Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod, with 2.5 million baptized members, ranks as the second largest Lutheran church body in North America and the 11th largest denomination in the USA. The LCMS and the ELCA regularly meet via both the Committee on Lutheran Cooperation and the Lutheran Theological Discussion Panel to provide each other with updates about current joys and concerns within our respective church bodies. Lutheran World Relief, Lutheran Immigration and Refugee Service, and Lutheran Disaster Response all benefit from the combined efforts of the LCMS and the ELCA.

In 1986, two Canadian church bodies merged to form the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Canada, which is currently comprised of five synods, 613 congregations and approximately 162,000 baptized members. The ELCIC and the ELCA collaborate with a number of global organizations, including the Lutheran World Federation and the World Council of Churches. Reaching out and cooperating with our geographical neighbors is a step toward reaching out to our brothers and sisters in countries, all over the world.

Rev. Susan C. Johnson,
ELCIC National Bishop