The federation was founded in the Swedish city of Lund in the aftermath of the Second World War in 1947 to coordinate the activities of the many differing Lutheran churches.

Since 1984, the member churches are in pulpit and altar fellowship, with common doctrine as the basis of membership and mission activity.

The LWF now has 150 member church bodies in 99 countries representing over 78 million Lutherans;[1][2] as of 2023, it was the sixth-largest Christian communion (see list of denominations by membership).

The LWF acts on behalf of its member churches in areas of common interest such as ecumenical and interfaith relations, theology, humanitarian assistance, human rights, communication, and the various aspects of mission and development work.

On 31 October 1999, in Augsburg, Germany, the LWF signed the Joint Declaration on the Doctrine of Justification with the Roman Catholic Church.

[26][a] Sorted by country in alphabetical order Some member denominations have recognized same-sex unions through marriage, a blessing rite, or special prayers.