Partner Churches, Mission, Worldwide Communion

 

 

One body, many different parts - according to this biblical image (1 Cor 12:12) the Church of Lippe sees itself as part of the worldwide manyfold Christianity. Besides the ecumenical connections in Lippe and Germany, the international relations are very important for us. We live them in the international ecumenical church bodies, in our partnerships and in the mission agencies associated with us.

► Current subject: ecumenical partners in the COVID-19 pandemic

Partnerchurches

The Lippische Landeskirche has lively international church partnerships with six European and African churches, which are founded on partnership agreements. In addition there exists the partnership with two West African churches in connection with the "Norddeutsche Mission" (Bremen Mission, see also "Mission"). And a partnership with the Evangelical Church of Anhalt has existed since 1981.

► Ghana: Evangelical Presbyterian Church (E.P. Church), Ghana

► Lithuania: Evangelical Reformed and Evangelical Lutheran Church in Lithuania

► Poland: Evangelical Reformed Church in Poland

► Romania: Reformed Church in Romania (Transylvanian District)

► Uniting Reformed Church in Southern Africa (URCSA)

► Togo: Eglise Évangélique-Presbytérienne du Togo

► Hungary: Reformed Church in Hungary

Besides these Partnerships there is existing a great variety of connections to partnercongregations and projects on the congregational level.

Mission

"Mission" - by this we understand today the holistic and healing movement of God towards mankind. As churches and Christians we participate in this movement - in proclamation and diaconal action as well as in the work for justice, peace and the integrity of creation (Community of Protestant Churches in Europe (CPCE), 2007). The Lippische Landeskirche is connected with three mission agencies: Together with the member churches, they work locally for justice and a credible witness of our common faith. Development is an important part of this, as it is working together in theology.

► Norddeutsche Mission (Bremen Mission)

► United Evangelical Mission (UEM)

► Gossner Mission

The Lutheran Class of the Lippe Chirch is in addition to this connected to the Evangelisch-lutherischen Missionswerk in Niedersachen (Hermannsburger Mission) verbunden.

Membership in Ecumenical Church Bodies

The Church of Lippe is one of 20 member churches of the Evangelical Church in Germany (EKD). In addition, it belongs to the following church associations/organisations:

► Arbeitsgemeinschaft Christlicher Kirchen (ACK)

► Reformed Alliance Germany

► Union Evangelischer Kirchen (UEK) in the EKD

► Communion of Protestant Churches in Europa (CPCE)

► Conference of European Churches (CEC)

► Worldcommunion of Reformed Churches (WCRC)

► World Council of Churches (WCC)

In addition to this the Lutheran Class of our Church is member of the following bodies:

► Vereinigte Evangelisch-Lutherische Kirche Deutschlands (VELKD)

► German National Commitee of the Lutheran World Federation

► Lutheran World Federation (LWF)