The Strasbourg Institute invites Lutheran pastors for an online seminar on ecumenism
The annual course on interreligious dialogue will also be online
(LWI) – The Institute for Ecumenical Research in Strasbourg, France, will offer its recently introduced study seminar on ecumenism online, this time focusing on self-understanding, “to be Lutheran is to be ecumenical”.
The Lutheran World Federation (LWF) will co-host the online course from October 4-9, which invites applications especially from parish pastors and students who have advanced knowledge of Lutheran theology. The program “Study ecumenism in Strasbourg! inaugural course in 2019 was held in person, bringing together theologians from LWF member churches around the world. COVID-19 restrictions make in-person meetings impossible this year.
Ecumenism is one of the regular seminars offered by the institute. However, “the particular emphasis on the tradition of Lutheran confession as ecumenical opens up new avenues for deepening an understanding of Lutheran identity and its call to witness to God’s ongoing reconciling work in the world. “says Prof. Dirk Lange, LWF Deputy General Secretary. for ecumenical relations.
The results of the LWF’s ecumenical dialogues for more than 60 years will figure prominently. Topics of study include landmark agreements such as the 1999 Joint Statement on the Doctrine of Justification with Catholics, which on its 20th anniversary evolved into a multilateral partnership with the Methodist, Anglican, and Reformed communions. Bilateral dialogues with Mennonite, Orthodox and Pentecostal churches will also be discussed, as well as regional and national agreements.
The particular emphasis on the Lutheran confessional tradition as ecumenical opens up new avenues for deepening an understanding of Lutheran identity and its call to witness to God’s ongoing reconciling action in the world.
The engagement of Lutheran churches with other Christian traditions will be part of the program, and pastors and theological students representing the seven regions of the LWF should report on these relationships in their respective countries. The purpose of this exercise is to incorporate contemporary experiences in the development of concepts and tools that help to describe and analyze ecumenical situations in local contexts.
The application deadline is July 31, 2021.
Annual international seminar
Meanwhile, the 54th Annual International Seminar will also be held online, July 5-10, focusing on the similarities and differences between ecumenical and interfaith dialogues. Participants will consider how the experience of churches can bridge ecumenical work with other intra-religious engagements, such as within Islam.
Teacher. Dr. Jennifer Wasmuth, director of the Strasbourg Institute, says she looks forward to the many experiences that seminar participants often bring and the lively exchanges with teaching experts. “Interreligious dialogue is an important future topic for us as Lutheran churches and for our societies. During this seminar, we want to take the LWF’s rich experience of ecumenical dialogues into encounters with other religions,” she noted.
Both courses of study will be conducted in English. Up to 60 people can attend the July seminar, while the October course is limited to 20 participants.
By LWF/P. Mumia