Participants: 267 delegates (61 from North America, 59 from Germany, 58 from north Europe, 37 from the diaspora church in Europe, and 52 from Latin America, Asia and Africa and Australia). Just over 400 other people took part. An increasing number of churches from the southern hemisphere that had joined the LWF were represented. Bishop David from India, Bishop Fosseus from South Africa, Dr Lumbantobing from Indonesia and Bishop Moshi from Tanzania played important roles.
Highlights: The attention of the assembly was given to a discussion on the doctrine of justification. The Assembly made a decision to establish Radio Voice of the Gospel. Committees included those for women’s work, student work, Latin America, international affairs, inner missions and stewardship, world service and world mission. The Lutheran Foundation for inter-confessional research was established, later to become the Institute for Ecumenical Research. In the last six years, 21 member churches had joined the LWF. Rev. Dr Kurt Schmidt-Clausen from the Evangelical Lutheran Church of Hanover was named General Secretary. New LWF president-elect was Dr Fredrick Schiotz, from the USA.
