The VELKD has the aim of making fruitful the fundamental insights of the Lutheran form of the Reformation and relating them, in statements and publications, to ecclesiastical and social challenges. By means of its theological work it makes a contribution to the unity of its member churches.
Parish work
The VELKD develops aids for parish work:
agendas and books for worship services, the catechism for adults and the children's catechism, books for confirmation instruction, on baptism and on caring for the dying.
Projects for the promotion of congregation-building are offered by the Gemeindekolleg [Center for Congregational Renewal] in Neudietendorf. The VELKD also publishes the Handbuch Religiöse Gemeinschaften und Weltanschauungen [Handbook religious communities and worldviews], which provides information on interacting with Free Churches, sects, and new religions. In addition the VELKD has developed publications with basic information on Judaism and Islam: Was jeder vom Judentum wissen muss [What everyone should know about Judaism], Was jeder vom Islam wissen muss [What everyone should know about Islam].
Worldwide Lutheranism
The VELKD and the German National Committee of the Lutheran World Federation (GNC/LWF) - to which belong, in addition to the eight member churches of the VELKD, the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Baden, the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Oldenburg, the Evangelical Church of Pomerania, the Church of Lippe (Lutheran Section) as well as the Evangelical Church in Württemberg - coordinate and maintain relationships to Lutheran sister churches around the world. Together they promote theological training and the production of Christian literature. They are involved in projects for the promotion and strengthening of church life as well as in development projects. They stay in contact with the Lutheran partner churches for purposes of mutual exchange of information and experience, encouragement, as well as support of missionary impulses. Direct project support and promotion in Europe is effected by the Martin-Luther-Bund (MLB) [Martin Luther Association] in Erlangen, which is the diaspora assistance organization of the VELKD.
Ecumenicism
The VELKD is strongly committed to ecumenical work. Trough its ecumenical contacts the VELKD pursues the Christ-given unity of the church at home and worldwide. It promotes the exchange of theological issues from the ecumenical context in order to facilitate an exchange of ideas, a better mutual understanding and cooperation among the churches. It participates in dialogues with other churches and denominations and maintains contacts with Lutheran partner churches in different parts of the world. The VELKD maintains a dialogue with the Roman Catholic Church, e.g. through its Committee on Relations with the Roman Catholic Church, as well as through so-called bilateral working groups, which are appointed jointly by the Church Council of the VELKD and the German Catholic Bishops' Conference.
In addition, the VELKD keeps itself informed on developments in the Roman Catholic Church through its Catholica commissioner, who presents an annual report to the General Synod. The VELKD played a key role in the formation and reception of the Leuenberg Kirchengemeinschaft (LKG) [Leuenberg Church Fellowship/ LCF], founded in 1973, wherein for the first time since the Reformation a common understanding of the Gospel was developed between churches of different denominations: On the basis of the assent of all EKD member churches to the Leuenberg Agreement, they are sharing pulpit and altar fellowship. In a similar vein, the VELKD has conducted talks with individual Free Churches (Methodists and Mennonites), as well as with Old Catholics.
Within the framework of the EKD the VELKD is engaged in talks with the Anglican Church of England, as well as with the Orthodox Churches. In addition the VELKD contributes to the implementations of results reached by the international discussion groups of the Lutheran World Federation (LWF) with Anglican, Orthodox, Reformed, Roman Catholic Churches, as well as with the Free Churches and church communities.
Law-making and courts
In the following juridical areas the VELKD has established the law affecting its member churches: clerical law (1963); disciplinary law (1965); church officials' law (1968); procedural regulation for the uniform adoption of the findings of doctrinal talks (1989). In these areas uniformity of law obtains in the churches of the VELKD, which overrides that of the member churches. The guidelines of church life and the liturgical work are further areas in which the VELKD moulds church life. In addition to law-making the VELKD also has the following jurisdiction with respect to both itself and to its member churches: the constitutional and administrational court; the board of review for doctrinal matters; and, in accordance with the stipulations of the disciplinary law, a disciplinary senate as court of appeal in disciplinary matters.