1) The self-understanding of the Lutheran World Federation (LWF) has changed through the years from a federation of autonomous churches toward a communion of churches. In 1990 the LWF formally became a communion of churches. This current self-understanding implies mutual accountability, hermeneutical awareness as well as attention to and acceptance of the diversity in the Church of Jesus Christ. For the many LWF member churches in a minority situation a renaming of the Federation as a Communion would have great impact.
2) The Assembly requests the LWF Council to consider exploring whether the time is right to rename the Lutheran World Federation as a communion (See exhibit 5.2: European Pre-Assembly Message).