Lutheran Office for World Community

The Lutheran Office for World Community (LOWC) is the Lutheran representation to the United Nations. LOWC is a joint ministry of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) and the Lutheran World Federation (LWF). The LWF is a global communion of 145 member churches in the Lutheran tradition, representing over 72 million Christians in 98 countries. The ELCA with 3,8 million baptized members in 9,464 congregations, is the only member church of the LWF in the United States.

LOWC exists because Lutherans are concerned about world problems. It speaks for peace, fundamental human rights, justice, respect for international law, and better standards of living for all persons.  LOWC monitors issues of concern to the church, networks with other faith-based and non-governmental organizations, and enables church members to be heard at United Nations.

LOWC’s work is enhanced when the LWF member churches share their local, national and regional perspectives on issues before the United Nations.  The office can, in turn, provide useful information to the member churches at the national and other levels.  Representatives of the member churches, in consultation with the LWF secretariat, may, from time to time, participate in UN meetings and conferences.

Members of the ELCA participate in the work of this office by monitoring and deepening their understanding of international issues, supporting legislative work in the United States and participating in UN meetings and conferences as outlined above in consultation with the Lutheran Office for World Community. LOWC is part of the ELCA`s Global Mission unit and collaborates closely with the ELCA Washington Office as they equip ELCA members to confidently speak to their legislators and the executive branch.