GENEVA (ELCA) -- The number of Lutherans worldwide rose from 61.2 million in 1997 to 61.5 million in 1998, with significant increases registered in Africa, while Europe showed a general reduction in numbers.
The number of Lutheran World Federation (LWF) member churches remained steady at 124 as did that of the LWF's 12 recognized congregations. Membership figures worldwide rose from more than 57.6 million in 1997 to more than 57.8 million in 1998.
LWF member churches in Africa recorded more than 338,000 new members, pushing the figure from 9.01 million in 1997 to 9.35 million in 1998. Compared to the previous year, LWF member churches in Asia increased membership by 18,455 to stand at 4,860,357 in 1998 compared to 4,841,902 in 1997. North America had 4,145 more, moving from 5,396,593 in 1997 to 5,400,738 in 1998.
In Latin America there were 680 new members in the LWF member churches, pushing the figures from the previous year's 1,134,107 to 1,134,787 in 1998.=20
Worldwide, the number of Lutherans outside the LWF constituency was 3.68 million in 1998.
As in the previous year, Nigeria recorded an increase in the number of Lutherans, moving from 655,000 in 1997 to 795,000 in 1998. The Ethiopian Evangelical Church Mekane Yesus had more than 2.27 million Lutherans in 1998. The Evangelical Lutheran Church in Tanzania, whose figures remained steady in the last two years, still has the largest number of Lutherans in Africa, with 2.5 million members.
Although still representing the largest number of Lutherans in any one region, the figures in Europe fell from more than 37.23 million in 1997 to 37.09 million in 1998. Membership in the largest LWF member church -- The Church of Sweden -- decreased from the previous year's 7.6 million to 7.5 million in 1998.
Germany still has the largest number of Lutherans and LWF members in any single country at more than 14 million. The number of Lutherans there fell from 14.02 million in 1997 to 14.01 million in 1998.
Churches in Europe that had increased membership included the Evangelical Lutheran Church of Finland with more than 4.59 million members against the previous year's 4.58 million. The Evangelical Lutheran Church in Denmark too had an additional 316 members, moving from 4,541,380 in 1997 to 4,541,696 in 1998.
In the United States, figures for the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, the second largest in the LWF constituency, were down 2,308 from the previous year, putting its current membership at 5,180,055.
These statistics are based on information provided by the LWF member churches, LWF recognized congregations and other Lutheran churches or bodies in frequent contact with the LWF. The figures of the previous year were cited for those churches that had not indicated any change of statistical data by Dec. 8, 1998.
[*Pauline Mumia is assistant editor (English) for Lutheran World
Information in the Office for Communication Services, Lutheran World
Federation, Geneva, Switzerland.]
For information contact:
John Brooks, Director (773) 380-2958 or NEWS@ELCA.ORG
http://www.elca.org/co/news/current.html
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About the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America:
The ELCA is one of the largest Christian denominations in the United States, with 2.8 million members in more than 8,500 worshiping communities across the 50 states and in the Caribbean region. Known as the church of "God's work. Our hands.," the ELCA emphasizes the saving grace of God through faith in Jesus Christ, unity among Christians and service in the world. The ELCA's roots are in the writings of the German church reformer Martin Luther.
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