The LWF has been engaged with the Alliance, the WCC and others in a continuing ecumenical focus on how economic and ecological injustice challenges Christians and churches.

Sharing the cup of salvation The tenth assembly recognized that economic globalization is reshaping our world, as key economic policies abdicate all decisions to the market without consideration of the human, social, ecological and spiritual consequences.

This sort of globalization has brought suffering, misery and a profound sense of hopelessness to many. Planners for the rich and powerful assume that it will continue to do so, unless successfully challenged.

With Martin Luther, the assembly emphasized that "economic practices that undermine the wellbeing of the neighbour (especially the most vulnerable) must be rejected and replaced".

"As a communion," the assembly said, "we must engage the false ideology of neoliberal economic globalization by confronting, converting and changing this reality and its effects."

"This false ideology is grounded on the assumption that the market, built on private property, unrestrained competition and the centrality of contracts, is the absolute law governing human life, society, and the natural environment. This is idolatry and leads to the systematic exclusion of those who own no property, the destruction of cultural diversity, the dismantling of fragile democracies and the destruction of the earth."

It committed the LWF to the strategy document, A Call to Participate in Transforming Economic Globalization, "based theologically on what it means to be a communion".

The assembly called on churches in the Lutheran communion to

work for a more just sharing of the goods of creation
become more eco-centric in order to live more in harmony with nature
address such issues as trade, debt, militarization, corruption, corporate social responsibility, gender equality, and migration
challenge practices where the gifts of God for all are made into commodities in ways that are unjust and unnecessary and especially impact the poor - eg, the privatization of water, patenting of seeds for crops and other living organisms, as well as all other natural resources that are basic for human life
combat climate change and the greenhouse effect, and
create opportunities and arenas for dialogue, discussion and moral deliberation between economic actors, policy makers, citizens, stakeholders and communities.

In a public statement on odious debt, the assembly described external debts contracted by illegitimate and undemocratic governments as "a modern tool for domination" and insisted they be cancelled. It encouraged churches in indebted countries to participate in social auditing of the debt and budget monitoring and called for international mechanisms for "justice-oriented" debt management.

Karen Bloomquist/Update