Program Executive for Global Public Theology

The Lutheran World Federation (LWF) is a communion of 150 member churches in 7 regions, living and working together for a just, peaceful and reconciled world. The role of the Communion Office (CO) is to serve these churches in different ways. The CO has three departments, the Department for Planning and Coordination (DPC), the Department for Theology, Mission and Justice (DTMJ) and the Department for World Service as well the Office of the General Secretary.

The new LWF strategy (2025-2031) states that the mission of the Lutheran World Federation (LWF) as a global communion of churches is to share hope that empowers churches and people to make a positive difference in the world. The Department for Theology, Mission, and Justice (DTMJ) is primarily responsible for programs and themes that advance the four strategic priorities articulated in the new LWF strategy: responsible theology, thriving churches, service and dignity, and justice and peace, both globally and locally. DTMJ collaborates with member churches and partners, working through various thematic networks within the global communion. Additionally, DTMJ houses the advocacy unit of the LWF.

DTMJ fosters and encourages theological reflection on a global scale, grounded in local, national, and regional realities, and expresses the understanding of the communion of Lutheran churches. It identifies and addresses issues that demand intercultural engagement and trans-contextual theological reflection for today’s churches. It assists, strengthens, and equips LWF member churches in holistic mission. As a faith-based organization, LWF has a long-standing relationship with the UN and a strong commitment to human rights. DTMJ programs cover a wide range of topics and are connected to Theology for Transformation, Leadership and Institutional development, Churches in Diaconal Action, and Action for Justice.

Program Executive for Global Public Theology

The purpose of the position includes serving as a connector, facilitator, and catalyst for the LWF's work in contextual, critical, creative, and concrete transformative theology that is relevant to the needs of churches in their regions and the world. As a global ecclesial communion, the LWF must recognize and define theological issues and topics that are crucial to its confessional identity, communal life, and global witness. The position involves strengthening theological foundations and aspects of the identity and work of LWF that reflects and expresses Lutheran perspectives on issues that are important for the church and society in the contemporary era. These perspectives include on the role of the church in the public space, renewed understandings and practice of holistic mission, working for peace and reconciliation in contexts of conflict and times of war, promoting responsible theologies to overcome polarizing forces in societies, supporting movements to strengthen an economy of life, interfaith dialogue and religious peacebuilding, and raising awareness on disability inclusion, indigenous perspectives, and the climate emergency. The incumbent supports all DTMJ programs to ensure they are theologically rooted and enhances the development and sharing of theological resources across the communion, enriching discourses from theologians from around the globe, fostering trans-contextual theological reflection, and promoting cross-departmental cooperation within the Communion Office.

He/she serves as the focal point for public theology, peace and reconciliation, and churches in mission within the Theology for Transformation program, tasked with identifying shared theological themes and priority focus areas pertinent to the LWF.

Additionally, he/she is also the focal point for areas of peacebuilding and interfaith cooperation in the Action for Justice program under the functional supervision of the Head of Global Advocacy.

The incumbent works 70% within the Theology for Transformation Program and 30% within the Action for Justice Program.

Required Qualifications

• Theology degree from university (PhD preferred).
• Conversant in the Lutheran theological tradition as well as other theological disciplines relevant to this position, with particular focus on public theology with competence in missional, intercultural, and interreligious approaches.
• Excellent dialogical working skills and knowledge in coordination and facilitation methodologies.
• Proficiency in English, a working knowledge of German, French, Spanish, or another language that is frequently used in LWF work.
• Knowledgeable about the Office Suite, CMS, and social media.
• Endorsement by a LWF member church is required.

Additional Study and Experience

• A minimum of three years of experience working in an international setting for a church that is a member of the LWF, a university, a seminary, or a center for theological or ecumenical research.
• Experience/Certification in interfaith dialogue, mediation, or in dialogical leadership would be an advantage.
• Experience writing grants for theological studies or initiatives where religion plays a significant role and impacts contemporary society and public life.
• Understanding of non-theological influences on the lives and theological understanding of member churches, such as historical, cultural, social, political, and climate-related factors.
• Ability and experience in demonstrating the relevance of the Lutheran theological and confessional tradition in relation to contemporary social, ethical, religious, and technological challenges.

LWF Core Skills

Analytical thinking – Level expert

Initiative– Level expert

Leadership– Level expert

Working effectively with others – Level expert

Achieving results– Level expert

Accountability– Level expert

Required Skills

Communication / Networking – Level expert

Facilitation / Negotiation– Level expert

Innovation– Level expert

Training – Level advanced

Fund raising – Level advanced

Project management – Level advanced

Position Environment and Dimensions

• Internally, as a member of the theology and leadership team with a direct reporting line to the Program Executive for Leadership Development and Capacity Building, the main interactions are with the staff of the DTMJ programs, the advocacy Team, communication and finance staff, regional secretaries and staff of World Service programs.
• Externally, engagement and collaboration is expected with member churches, donors, ecumenical and interfaith partners, theological research institutions and universities, as well as any other LWF stakeholders that may be relevant.
• Gives advice and assistance to internal and external stakeholders who critically evaluate global opportunities and challenges and makes contributions at the global level through projects and actions related to public theology, holistic mission, peace and reconciliation, and interfaith engagement in strategic directions.

Main duties

Coordination

• Supports the various objectives and facets of the Theology for Transformation program and Action for Justice program in DTMJ and the Communion office in a cogent manner.
• Serves as the focal point of theological projects and processes with emphasis on church in the public space, peace and reconciliation and holistic mission that come up in the life and work of the LWF, working collaboratively within the theology and leadership team as well as the advocacy team.
• Coordinates various theological projects and processes in consultation with the Director in order to strengthen the theological aspects of the work across the LWF Communion Office that has a public theology, peace, holistic mission and/or an interfaith component.

Studies

• Monitors proactively emerging theological developments and promotes relevant theological processes within the communion.
• Identifies possible leads to further research and projects.
• Initiates, plans and coordinates theological study processes, such as “Peace and Reconciliation in conflict and war”.

Subject Expertise

• Develops and implements education/trainings, workshops, seminars and consultations in the area of public theology, peace and reconciliation, mission, as well as where relevant with interfaith partners, as approved by the LWF Council or as contribution to program activities within the LWF Communion Office.
• Supports member churches and theological institutions in incorporating theological developments into theology, church practice, holistic mission, and public witness.
• Gives a particular attention to issues such as church in the public space, interfaith dialogue and collaboration, peace and reconciliation in times of war and conflict, to the contribution of specifically Lutheran insights to the various areas of church life, the meaning of mission, and social responsibility amidst cultural and political polarization.
• Provides subject expertise to LWF member churches, World Service country programs, and other CO departments/offices.
• Facilitates knowledge /research /practice sharing with all LWF departments, LWF member churches, ecumenical and interfaith partners, related agencies, universities, seminaries, and other study and research institutes.

Communication

• Writes clearly and accessibly texts and documents, as requested, both for theological audiences and for more general readership.
• Ensures a continuous and appropriate communication flow with all internal and external stakeholders and various audiences, particularly ecumenical organizations and global partners.
• Supports a conducive environment and works together efficiently in the team using best practices.
• In cooperation with the LWF Office for Communication, provides content material for and promotes news stories relating to the portfolio

Project Management, Fundraising and PMER

• In consultation with the DTMJ director and other CO colleagues, plans, develops and implements programs contributing specifically to theological reflection, studies and development within the LWF communion.
• In collaboration with the DTMJ Support Team contributes to developing possible new funding, as well as the monitoring and reporting on theological reflection and development programs.

Special duties

As may be assigned by the supervisor.

Major Challenges

To ensure that Lutheran perspectives on public theology, peace and reconciliation, holistic mission, and interfaith engagement are integrated into the work of the LWF Communion Office.

To develop tools and resources that support theological training and development within the LWF communion, considering contemporary social, economic, religious, and political challenges faced by member churches.

To strengthen a distinctively Lutheran/Christian voice informed by a global perspective to the public discussion about religion in the public space and the role of faith actors in society.