Lutheran Peace Fellowship
Encyclopedia
Lutheran Peace Fellowship (LPF) is an organization of Lutherans
who work for peace
and social justice
issues. It includes members and supporters in all the Lutheran denominations and more than a few people from other faith traditions. LPF is a nonprofit organization supported largely by its members as well as a variety of grants and honoraria from workshops, events, and trainings. Although not an official part of the ELCA
, it has received funding from various units within that denomination.
LPF periodically plays a significant role in the most pressing issues of our time. In recent years, these have included world hunger
, landmines, and Senate ratification of the Chemical Weapons Treaty. In 1999, LPF's national coordinator served as US delegate to meetings in India to help plan the UN Decade for Peace. LPF's top advocacy priority is to end hunger and extreme poverty through such efforts as the ONE campaign
and the Millennium Development Goals
. Other issues include federal budget priorities, the Israeli-Palestinian conflict
, nuclear weapons.
Lutheran Peace Fellowship's national leaders facilitate an average of 100 workshops a year; local leaders an even larger number. Popular topics for LPF workshops include Current Advocacy Priorities, Biblical Peacemaking, Christian Peace Witness for Iraq, Nonviolence for a Violent World, Leadership Training in Peacemaking, and How to Be a Bridge in a World Full of Walls.
LPF is also well regarded for its many peace education and workshop resources. For example, it is currently updating a series of computer-based education activities, one of which was chosen to be part of the largest critical thinking project in US public education. LPF's "Peace Points" series for youth and adult leaders provides creative, easy-to-lead sessions that have worked well with groups around the country. It also offers a thought-provoking deck of Peace Cards illuminating peace and justice insights.
The international LPF headquarters are located in Seattle, Washington and there are local chapters and networks in many parts of the U.S.
Lutheranism
Lutheranism is a major branch of Western Christianity that identifies with the theology of Martin Luther, a German reformer. Luther's efforts to reform the theology and practice of the church launched the Protestant Reformation...
who work for peace
Peace
Peace is a state of harmony characterized by the lack of violent conflict. Commonly understood as the absence of hostility, peace also suggests the existence of healthy or newly healed interpersonal or international relationships, prosperity in matters of social or economic welfare, the...
and social justice
Social justice
Social justice generally refers to the idea of creating a society or institution that is based on the principles of equality and solidarity, that understands and values human rights, and that recognizes the dignity of every human being. The term and modern concept of "social justice" was coined by...
issues. It includes members and supporters in all the Lutheran denominations and more than a few people from other faith traditions. LPF is a nonprofit organization supported largely by its members as well as a variety of grants and honoraria from workshops, events, and trainings. Although not an official part of the ELCA
Evangelical Lutheran Church in America
The Evangelical Lutheran Church in America is a mainline Protestant denomination headquartered in Chicago, Illinois. The ELCA officially came into existence on January 1, 1988, by the merging of three churches. As of December 31, 2009, it had 4,543,037 baptized members, with 2,527,941 of them...
, it has received funding from various units within that denomination.
History and priorities
Founded in 1941, LPF offers a wide range of resources, workshops, support, and encouragement. LPF's main priority is to support effective peace education and advocacy by its members and local chapters, networks, and congregations. Membership is open to any individual, chapter, or congregation who supports the mission statement and vision statement of LPF (see below).LPF periodically plays a significant role in the most pressing issues of our time. In recent years, these have included world hunger
Hunger
Hunger is the most commonly used term to describe the social condition of people who frequently experience the physical sensation of desiring food.-Malnutrition, famine, starvation:...
, landmines, and Senate ratification of the Chemical Weapons Treaty. In 1999, LPF's national coordinator served as US delegate to meetings in India to help plan the UN Decade for Peace. LPF's top advocacy priority is to end hunger and extreme poverty through such efforts as the ONE campaign
ONE Campaign
The ONE Campaign is an international, nonpartisan, non-profit organization which aims to increase government funding for and effectiveness of international aid programs....
and the Millennium Development Goals
Millennium Development Goals
The Millennium Development Goals are eight international development goals that all 193 United Nations member states and at least 23 international organizations have agreed to achieve by the year 2015...
. Other issues include federal budget priorities, the Israeli-Palestinian conflict
Israeli-Palestinian conflict
The Israeli–Palestinian conflict is the ongoing conflict between Israelis and Palestinians. The conflict is wide-ranging, and the term is also used in reference to the earlier phases of the same conflict, between Jewish and Zionist yishuv and the Arab population living in Palestine under Ottoman or...
, nuclear weapons.
Lutheran Peace Fellowship's national leaders facilitate an average of 100 workshops a year; local leaders an even larger number. Popular topics for LPF workshops include Current Advocacy Priorities, Biblical Peacemaking, Christian Peace Witness for Iraq, Nonviolence for a Violent World, Leadership Training in Peacemaking, and How to Be a Bridge in a World Full of Walls.
LPF is also well regarded for its many peace education and workshop resources. For example, it is currently updating a series of computer-based education activities, one of which was chosen to be part of the largest critical thinking project in US public education. LPF's "Peace Points" series for youth and adult leaders provides creative, easy-to-lead sessions that have worked well with groups around the country. It also offers a thought-provoking deck of Peace Cards illuminating peace and justice insights.
The international LPF headquarters are located in Seattle, Washington and there are local chapters and networks in many parts of the U.S.
Mission and Vision
- LPF Mission Statement: Lutheran Peace Fellowship is a network of Lutherans around the world, responding to the gospel call to be peacemakers and justice seekers. Founded in 1941, LPF offers a wide range of expertise, encouragement, and resources in peace education and advocacy to individuals, congregations, regional and national groups.
- LPF Vision Statement: Lutheran Peace Fellowship is an international community of peacemakers, grounded in Christ, who seek peace according to the Biblical vision of shalom, peace with justice; who pray and work to eliminate violence, oppression, and militarism; and who are committed to nonviolence in our efforts to bring about justice and reconciliation.