Leuenberg Agreement
Encyclopedia
Leuenberg Agreement is an ecumenical document adopted in 1973 by major European Lutheran and Reformed churches at the Swiss conference centre Leuenberg (near Basle). Under this agreement the churches agree on a common understanding of the Gospel
, including elementary agreement on important doctrines including christology
, predestination
, Eucharist
and justification
. They declare church fellowship, understood as pulpit and table fellowship as well as communion in witness and service.
The number of churches involved has grown over the years, and now includes several Methodist churches.
The churches involved were originally joined in the "Leuenberg Church Fellowship". In 2003 this was renamed the "Community of Protestant Churches in Europe
".
Gospel
A gospel is an account, often written, that describes the life of Jesus of Nazareth. In a more general sense the term "gospel" may refer to the good news message of the New Testament. It is primarily used in reference to the four canonical gospels of Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John...
, including elementary agreement on important doctrines including christology
Christology
Christology is the field of study within Christian theology which is primarily concerned with the nature and person of Jesus Christ as recorded in the Canonical gospels and the letters of the New Testament. Primary considerations include the relationship of Jesus' nature and person with the nature...
, predestination
Predestination
Predestination, in theology is the doctrine that all events have been willed by God. John Calvin interpreted biblical predestination to mean that God willed eternal damnation for some people and salvation for others...
, Eucharist
Eucharist
The Eucharist , also called Holy Communion, the Sacrament of the Altar, the Blessed Sacrament, the Lord's Supper, and other names, is a Christian sacrament or ordinance...
and justification
Justification (theology)
Rising out of the Protestant Reformation, Justification is the chief article of faith describing God's act of declaring or making a sinner righteous through Christ's atoning sacrifice....
. They declare church fellowship, understood as pulpit and table fellowship as well as communion in witness and service.
The number of churches involved has grown over the years, and now includes several Methodist churches.
The churches involved were originally joined in the "Leuenberg Church Fellowship". In 2003 this was renamed the "Community of Protestant Churches in Europe
Community of Protestant Churches in Europe
The Community of Protestant Churches in Europe is a fellowship of over 100 Protestant churches which have signed the Leuenberg Agreement. Together they strive for realizing church fellowship, especially by cooperation in witness and service to the world...
".