To Recognize Altar and Pulpit Fellowship with the Evangelical Lutheran Church in South Sudan and Sudan

Preamble The Evangelical Lutheran Church in South Sudan and Sudan (ELCSS/S) was established as an independent church body in 1993 in Juba, Sudan, under the leadership of a layman, Andrew Mbugo Elisa. Mr. Elisa had encountered Luther’s Small Catechism and the Book of Concord through the efforts of the Lutheran Heritage Foundation (LHF). In 1999 Mr. Elisa was ordained as the church body’s first pastor and later became its first bishop in 2006. Despite severe political instability, civil war, and economic turmoil, the ELCSS/S grew rapidly in the years after 1999 as it planted churches throughout South Sudan and Sudan. That same year a working agreement between the new church and The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod (LCMS) was signed. LCMS assistance was instrumental in the planting of churches in war-torn areas of South Sudan, especially in the Nuba Mountains. A seminary for training pastors and other church workers was established in 2000. The seminary, Concordia Lutheran Institute for Holy Ministry (CLIHM), was established in Khartoum together with the headquarters for the ELCSS/S, which had relocated from Juba because of political turmoil. Various visiting LCMS professors and pastors have assisted in the preparation of the ELCSS/S church workers since the beginning of CLIHM. After a promising first decade of history, the ELCSS/S suffered a serious blow in 2008, when Bishop Elisa was stricken with a number of health problems, including brain cancer. The Lord called him home on Dec. 31, 2008. An interim bishop was appointed in 2010, and in 2011 the church elected Rev. Wilson Noah Rule as bishop. Unfortunately, in subsequent years there was considerable internal controversy concerning the leadership and governance of the ELCSS/S. Throughout the subsequent years, however, ELCSS/S and the LCMS continued to work together in educational and other ministry endeavors. Cooperation between the two churches and various Synod entities (such as LHF, LCMS mission personnel, and LCMS districts) stimulated numerous conversations about a formal recognition of fellowship between our church bodies. As early as 1999, Bishop Elisa wrote to ask the LCMS to consider fellowship. Bishop Elisa renewed that same request in 2005, and in 2013 the request was again extended by Bishop Rule. The Commission on Theology and Church Relations (CTCR) discussed this request in 2013 and requested further information from the ELCSS/S. A meeting between LCMS officials and ELCSS/S representatives took place in April of 2015, followed by consultation between CTCR committee members and Dr. Robert Rahn of LHF. In 2016 Rev. Peter Anibati Abia was elected bishop. Bishop Abia renewed the ELCSS/S request for fellowship with the LCMS on Oct. 25, 2018. A visit by Bishop Abia to the US for meetings with LCMS personnel was proposed. Because of COVID-19 restrictions, however, the meeting was delayed until April 2021 when Bishop Abia met on the campus of Concordia Theological Seminary with the executive director of the CTCR, Dr. Joel Lehenbauer, and the chairman of the CTCR’s church relations committee, Dr. Naomichi Masaki. The meeting included discussion of the ELCSS/S’s constitution, faith statements, congregational practices, educational and mission endeavors, and ecumenical relationships. Bishop Abia then met face to face with the CTCR and LCMS President Matthew Harrison in September 2021 for formal discussions regarding church fellowship. At its December 2021 meeting, the CTCR unanimously adopted a motion recommending the recognition of altar and pulpit fellowship with the ELCSS/S. That recommendation was sent to President Harrison for his consideration and for consultation with the Praesidium. In a letter dated Aug. 28, 2022, President Harrison wrote: “I am very pleased to inform you … that by virtue of the authority vested in the President of the Synod, I am in a position to declare recognition of altar and pulpit fellowship between our two churches. Praise God!” The President then invited Bishop Abia to participate in a celebration of fellowship during a joint Divine Service held by LCMS partner churches in Kisumu, Kenya. The joyful event was held on September 18, 2022, during the Divine Service with participation by President Harrison, Bishop Abia, and Committee 5 Chairman Brian S. Saunders Rev. Joseph Ochola Omolo, Archbishop of the Evangelical Lutheran Church of Kenya.

WHEREAS, The Evangelical Lutheran Church in South Sudan and Sudan (ELCSS/S) was established in 1993 as a confessional Lutheran Church with significant assistance from the LHF, a recognized service organization; and

WHEREAS, Despite the challenges of civil war and great turmoil, the Holy Spirit enabled the ELCSS/S to evangelize effectively in South Sudan and Sudan, beginning some 150 congregations with over 150,000 members, establishing a seminary and training school, ordaining 60 pastors, and preparing over 100 evangelists and other church workers—all in less than a decade under the leadership of the Rev. Andrew Mbugo Elisa; and

WHEREAS, Despite the untimely death of Bishop Elisa, internal dissension, and other challenges, the ELCSS/S weathered another decade of difficulties and emerged with a continuing firm commitment to the theology and practice of scriptural and confessional Lutheranism; and

WHEREAS, Throughout the history of the ELCSS/S, the LCMS in its various entities has continued to support, enable, and encourage the ELCSS/S to be and remain committed to theology and practice that is faithful to the Word of God and the Lutheran Confessions; and

WHEREAS, The ELCSS/S accepts all the canonical books of the sacred Scriptures of the Old and of the New Testaments as the inerrant, revealed Word of God; and

WHEREAS, The ELCSS/S accepts the symbolic books of the Evangelical Lutheran Church, compiled in the Book of Concord of 1580, as a correct exposition of the sacred Scriptures; and

WHEREAS, On October 25, 2018, Bishop Peter Anibati Abia, on behalf of the ELCSS/S, renewed a long-standing request for the LCMS to recognize fellowship between our churches; and

WHEREAS, Bylaw 3.9.5.2.2 (c) says, “When a small, formative, emerging confessional Lutheran church body (identified as such by the President of the Synod as chief ecumenical officer) requests recognition of altar and pulpit fellowship with the Synod, after consultation with the Praesidium and approval by the commission [CTCR], such recognition may be declared by the President of the Synod subject to the endorsement of the subsequent Synod convention”; and

WHEREAS, The CTCR has examined the pertinent documents of the ELCSS/S and found them to be faithful to Scripture and the Lutheran Confessions; and

WHEREAS, President Matthew C. Harrison declared the recognition of altar and pulpit fellowship between our two church bodies in a letter to Bishop Abia on Aug. 28, 2022; and

WHEREAS, The fellowship between our church bodies was publicly announced and celebrated in a joint service held on Sept. 18, 2022, in Kisumu, Kenya; therefore be it

Resolved, That we acknowledge with gratitude the unity of confession that has been given to our churches under the guidance of the Holy Spirit; and be it further

Resolved, That we give thanks that, despite violence, civil war, significant cultural and ecclesial challenges, God, by His grace, has equipped and prepared the ELCSS/S to give a faithful, confessional Lutheran witness in South Sudan and Sudan; and be it further

Resolved, That we give thanks to God that doctrinal discussions between official representatives of the LCMS and the ELCSS/S have resulted in recognition of complete concord and agreement; and be it further

Resolved, That this convention endorse the President of the Synod’s declaration of altar and pulpit fellowship between the LCMS and the ELCSS/S; and be it further

Resolved, That we encourage and walk with the ELCSS/S as they proclaim the saving Gospel of Jesus Christ in East Africa; and be it further

Resolved, That we pray for God’s blessings in the coming years on our agreement in the confession of the Gospel that we enjoy as partner churches, and for the blessing of the Lord upon the members and leaders of the ELCSS/S; and be it finally

Resolved, That in thanksgiving for this partnership in the Gospel, the convention assembly celebrate its approval by rising and singing the common doxology.

Action: Adopted (2) A delegate having requested that the vote be taken by the convention’s saying, “yea, yea, it shall be so,” the resolution was so adopted, unanimously, and the common doxology was sung. The Rev. Peter Anibati Abia addressed the assembly, with his remarks included in Today’s Business 3. To Recognize Altar and Pulpit Fellowship with the Evangelical Lutheran Mission Diocese of Finland RESOLUTION 5-02 Report R12 (CW, 57–58); Overture 5-01 (CW, 283–84)

Preamble The Evangelical Lutheran Mission Diocese of Finland (ELMDF; in Finnish, Suomen evankelisluterilainen lähetyshiippakunta) was born from within the Evangelical Lutheran Church of Finland (ELCF), which is the national church of Finland. Unlike the ELCF, however, the ELMDF is unreservedly committed to maintaining and upholding the orthodox Lutheran faith and practice that had prevailed in Finland since the sixteenth-century Reformation. Over time, the ELCF experienced decreasing theological fidelity, accepting the results of historical critical views of Holy Scripture, unbiblical practices such as the ordination of women to the ministry, and an unwillingness to adhere fully and faithfully to the Lutheran Confessions. In response, the Luther Foundation was established in 1999 by individuals within the Finnish national church. The purpose of the Luther Foundation was to support confessional Lutheran pastors and congregations in teaching and practice that remained faithful to the Scriptures and Confessions. In 2003, the Mission Province of Sweden was formed. Its purpose was to support confessional Lutheran pastors and congregations and to restore the possibility of ordination for future pastors who either could not be ordained or would not be properly supervised in the increasingly liberalized and radicalized Nordic national churches. In 2006, the Mission Province was expanded and renamed the Mission Province in Sweden and Finland. Eventually, in 2013, the ELMDF was formed as an independent church body. Formed by congregations under episcopal oversight, the ELMDF describes its purpose as follows: “We want to keep the legacy of the Reformation on display and lead people deeper into the scriptures and the Lutheran tradition” (www.lhpk.fi). Thus, the Mission Diocese confesses the prophetic and apostolic Scriptures of the Old and New Testaments to be the inspired and infallible Word of God. It subscribes to the entire Book of Concord as a faithful exposition of the Word of God in all its articles. The ELMDF thereby holds that all doctrine, practice and life must be examined, carried out, and directed on the basis of God’s Word and the Lutheran Confessions. The aim of the ELMDF is to proclaim the Gospel, to establish new congregations, to deepen the knowledge of the Christian faith, and to revitalize and support the devotional life of its members. The member congregations of the ELMDF are the setting for its work. Each congregation is individually named and its members are organized according to a congregational constitution. Each congregation gathers for liturgical worship around the Word and the Sacraments, led by an ordained pastor called to serve that congregation. At the same time, the practical life of congregations relies heavily on the work of lay volunteers. The pastors of the congregations and elected lay delegates together form a Diocesan Assembly. A Diocesan Council, elected by the Diocesan Assembly, then plans and executes the administration of the Diocese and the practical matters of its work. The ELMDF upholds all the teachings of Scripture without fear or compromise. It willingly addresses controversial topics and allows no concession with unbiblical teachings. It has held fast to the Bible’s understandings of man and woman, marriage, the ordination of only qualified males to the ministry, and other matters. This steadfastness has also led the church to publish writings that defend the Bible’s teachings and encourage faithful conduct and life. The ELMDF’s willingness to promote biblical teachings about human sexuality resulted in charges of hate speech against the ELMDF’s Bishop Juhana Pohjola and Dr. Päivi Räsänen, the author of an ELMDF pamphlet on sexuality. Although the charges were initially dropped, threats of legal prosecution remain. Nevertheless, the ELMDF remains faithful to God’s Word. The Augsburg Confession (AC), Article VII, defines the Church as the assembly of all believers among whom the Gospel is purely preached and the Holy Sacraments are administered according to the Gospel. By this measure, the ELMDF is a church that stands firm in the right teaching and administration of the means of grace. Representatives of The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod (LCMS) and ELMDF began formal correspondence and discussions concerning the possibility of fellowship between our two church bodies in 2017. In 2018, the ELMDF was accepted into the International Lutheran Council as a full member. At that same time, the ELMDF formally requested a recognition of fellowship with the LCMS. As required by LCMS Bylaw 3.9.5.2.2, the LCMS Commission on Theology and Church Relations (CTCR) engaged in careful and thorough consideration of pertinent theological documents, reports on face-to-face discussions between LCMS and ELMDF representatives, correspondence regarding specific theological and ecclesial issues, and a face-to-face meeting with then-Bishop Risto Soramies in a February 2020 meeting of the entire commission. As a result, the CTCR unanimously adopted a motion recommending the recognition of altar and pulpit fellowship with the ELMDF on Feb. 21, 2020. Having received that recommendation and after consulting with the LCMS Praesidium, President Matthew C. Harrison wrote to Bishop Soramies on Oct. 5, 2020, declaring the “recognition of altar and pulpit fellowship between our two churches.” The ELMDF is a vibrant part of the Nordic and worldwide community of confessional Lutherans. The ELMDF is in altar and pulpit fellowship with other biblical and confessional Lutheran churches such as the Lutheran Church—Canada (LCC), the German Independent Evangelical Lutheran Church (SELK), and the Evangelical Lutheran Church of England (ELCE). All three of these church bodies are also in altar and pulpit fellowship with the LCMS.

WHEREAS, The ELMDF is a confessional Lutheran church consisting of over 40 congregations in Finland; and

WHEREAS, The ELMDF emerged from the ELCF due to doctrinal disagreements and over ethical questions addressed clearly in Scripture such as the ordination of women, same- sex marriage, and the ordination of practicing homosexuals; and

WHEREAS, Pastors of the ELMDF have made public confessions of faith not only in churches, but also before “kings” (governing authorities, see Psalm 119:46 and AC Preface), making a defense for their position on the Holy Scriptures and the Book of Concord; and

WHEREAS, Many of these confessors of the faith were defrocked because of their faithful witness to Christ and His Word; and

WHEREAS, The ELMDF bears witness to the Gospel of Jesus Christ in a country where about 2 percent of the population attends church on a weekly basis; and

WHEREAS, The ELMDF accepts all the canonical books of the sacred Scriptures of the Old and of the New Testaments as the infallible, revealed Word of God and the symbolic books of the Evangelical Lutheran Church, compiled in the Book of Concord of 1580, as a correct exposition of Holy Scripture; and

WHEREAS, The ELMDF is in altar and pulpit fellowship with several partner churches of the LCMS in Europe and Canada; and

WHEREAS, The ELMDF has requested altar and pulpit fellowship with the LCMS; and

WHEREAS, Bylaw 3.9.5.2.2 (c) says: When a small, formative, emerging confessional Lutheran church body (identified as such by the President of the Synod as chief ecumenical officer) requests recognition of altar and pulpit fellowship with the Synod, after consultation with the Praesidium and approval by the commission, such recognition may be declared by the President of the Synod subject to the endorsement of the subsequent Synod convention; and

WHEREAS, The CTCR has recommended the recognition of fellowship with the ELMDF as a faithful Lutheran church body, after having carefully and thoroughly considered this matter by means of extensive correspondence, meetings with ELMDF representatives, and the examination of pertinent documents that describe the doctrine and practice of the ELMDF; and

WHEREAS, President Matthew C. Harrison, by virtue of the authority vested in him according to Bylaw 3.9.5.2.2 (c), wrote to then-Bishop Risto Soramies on Oct. 5, 2020, stating: “I am able to declare recognition of altar and pulpit fellowship between our two churches. Praise God!”; therefore be it

Resolved, That we acknowledge with gratitude the unity of confession that has been given to our church bodies under the guidance of the Holy Spirit; and be it further

Resolved, That this convention formally endorse the recognition of altar and pulpit fellowship between the ELMDF and the LCMS; and be it further

Resolved, That we give thanks to God for the faithful and courageous Lutheran witness the ELMDF provides within its own country, to the Nordic world, and beyond; and be it further

Resolved, That we encourage and walk with the ELMDF as they proclaim the saving Gospel of Jesus Christ to a lost world;

and be it further

Resolved, That we pray for God’s blessings in the coming years on this agreement in the confession of the Gospel that we enjoy as partner church bodies; and be it finally

Resolved, That in thanksgiving for this partnership in the Gospel, the convention assembly celebrate its approval by rising and singing the common doxology.

Action: Adopted (2) The resolution being put to a “yea, yea, it shall be so” voice vote, the resolution was so adopted, unanimously, and the common doxology was sung. President Harrison having read a commemorative plaque, Bishop Juhana Pohjola addressed the assembly, with his remarks included in Today’s Business 3. To Recognize Altar and Pulpit Fellowship with the Lutheran Church of Uganda RESOLUTION 5-03 Report R12 (CW, 58); Overture 5-03 (CW, 285–87)

Preamble Work to establish a Lutheran mission in Uganda began in early 1993 in Jinja town. This work was initiated by five local Ugandans, who—dissatisfied with divisions and infighting in local Bugosa dioceses of the Anglican Church—were yearning for a church that truly proclaimed the Word of God and that could worship and work together in peace. In early 1993, these five lay Christians (three men, two women) visited Kenya and urged the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Kenya (ELCK) to initiate Lutheran mission work in Uganda. The ELCK, then under the leadership of Rev. Francis Nyamwalo, was not able to fulfill the request due to logistical challenges. Soon thereafter, contact was made with the Rev. Dr. Paul Kofi Fynn, then-president of the Evangelical Lutheran Church of Ghana (ELCG), a longtime partner church of The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod (LCMS). In July 1993, President Fynn sent Rev. Isaac Gyampadu to Uganda to assess the possibility of beginning mission work there. Rev. Gyampadu returned with a positive report, which was followed by a visit of Bishop Fynn to Uganda in February 1994. In September 1994, the ELCG sent two missionaries, Rev. Gyampadu and Evangelist John Donkoh (bishop of the ELCG since 2018), to establish the Lutheran mission in Uganda. They organized the first training session on Lutheran doctrine and teaching, which was attended by 200 individuals from 30 Bible study groups that had already been organized by the lay pioneers of these mission efforts. The two missionaries presided over the first Lutheran worship service on Oct. 30, 1994, in Jinja town. In November 1994, President Fynn invited a delegation of leaders from the LCMS to visit Uganda. This delegation included Rev. Allan Buckman, Rev. Robert Roegner, and Rev. Bryant Clancy. This visit officially marked the beginning of LCMS mission efforts in Uganda. On April 27, 1995, the Lutheran Church Mission in Uganda (LCMU) was officially established and registered with the government of Uganda. A nine-member board of directors was formed, and additional missionaries from both the ELCG and the LCMS were sent in subsequent years. As a result, by God’s grace, the LCMU experienced significant numerical growth. In 2011, despite (and perhaps partly because of) the steady and significant growth in this young mission church, the LCMU experienced serious internal strife and division over leadership, organizational, and financial issues. Although matters of doctrine were not involved, the strife was serious and nearly divided the church. Strong and persistent efforts to restore order and harmony were led by Bishop Fynn of the ELCG, Dr. David Tswaedi (then-Bishop of the Lutheran Church in Southern Africa, an LCMS partner church), Dr. Michael Rodewald of LCMS World Mission, and local LCMU church elders. At the conclusion of a series of meetings in the fall of 2011 that included all factions of the LCMU, there was full agreement that a new constitution was needed that would more clearly address the issues that had contributed to the internal tensions and divisions. This agreement led to the convening of the 4th LCMU Delegates Conference on Oct. 21–23, 2011, which was attended by 330 delegates representing all LCMU congregations. At this conference, a new constitution was approved with the goal of reorganizing the LCMU as a national synod under the leadership of a presiding bishop. At the Delegates Conference in November 2015, the LCMU officially transitioned from being a mission field under the auspices of the ELCG to a self-governing church body named the Lutheran Church of Uganda (LCU). The LCU accepts without reservation the following:

• justification is by God’s Grace alone, through faith alone, in Christ alone;

• the sacred Scriptures of the Old and New Testaments as the written Word of God and the only rule and norm of faith and practice; and

• all the symbolical books (confessional documents) of the Lutheran Church as a true and unadulterated statement and exposition of the Word of God. Despite the many challenges it has faced as a young and growing church, God has richly blessed the LCU. The LCU has planted congregations in all four regions of the country, with a still-growing membership of over 50,000. The LCU has over 150 congregations organized under seven deaneries (regions or districts), served by around fifty pastors. Congregations meet mainly in rented halls, classrooms, members’ homes, or under trees in the open country. There are also, of course, many needs—including a need for translation of theological literature and resources, as there are around 42 spoken languages in Uganda (the LCU currently serves in 10 language areas), but most of the materials used by the LCU are in English. In 2010 the LCU established a theological seminary to train men as pastors and to equip both laymen and laywomen in various vocations of church work. In addition, there are nine mission training centers operating in the seven deaneries of the LCU that seek to equip lay people for work in evangelism, mission, and human care. The LCU is engaged in a wide variety of human care efforts, including agricultural projects, provision of clean water and sanitation, health care initiatives, educational efforts, AIDS care and support, and provision of food to the hungry. In September 2016, Bishop Charles Bameka of the LCU, writing on behalf of the entire church, requested altar and pulpit fellowship with the LCMS, stating that while “we are a small, emerging confessional Lutheran church body at the formative stage, without extensive structures or organizations,” we are “committed to the full authority of the Scriptures as the infallible Word of God and subscribe without reservation to the Book of Concord.” Bishop Bameka noted that during its entire existence the LCU has been served by missionaries from both the LCMS and the ELCG, and covets “support, encouragement and theological guidance from the LCMS, convinced it will help the Lutheran Church of Uganda in the proclamation of the Gospel and the administration of the Sacraments among the people of Uganda, as we together conserve and promote the unity of the true faith (Eph. 4:3–6; 1 Cor. 1:10) and provide a united defense against schism, sectarianism (Rom. 16:17) and heresy.” Bishop Bameka also indicated in his request that “we fully understand that Altar and Pulpit Fellowship is a relationship that has as its basis agreement ‘in Doctrine and all its Articles.’” Various informal discussions took place over the years between LCU leaders and LCMS officials, including reports to the Commission on Theology and Church Relations (CTCR) about the theology, practice, and polity of the LCU and its organizational challenges and status. Finally, in October 2022, Bishop Bameka and several other key leaders of the LCU met face to face with the CTCR and LCMS President Matthew Harrison for formal discussions regarding church fellowship. Following these discussions, and at this same meeting (October 2022), the CTCR unanimously adopted a motion recommending the recognition of altar and pulpit fellowship with the LCU in keeping with Bylaw 3.9.5.2.2 (b), which states: When a church body applies for formal recognition of altar and pulpit fellowship with the Synod, such recognition shall be proposed at a convention of the Synod only after the approval of the commission (CTCR).

WHEREAS, The LCU (growing out of the LCMU, formed in 1995) was established in 2015 as a confessional Lutheran church with significant assistance and direct support from the ELCG and the LCMS; and

WHEREAS, Despite various internal and organizational challenges, the Holy Spirit enabled the LCU to evangelize effectively in Uganda, planting congregations in all four regions of the country with a still-growing membership of over 50,000 in over 150 congregations, establishing a seminary and nine mission training centers, ordaining more than 50 pastors, and preparing numerous laity for church work in various vocations; and

WHEREAS, Throughout the history of the LCU, the ELCG (a partner church of the LCMS) and the LCMS itself have provided direct assistance and support that has helped enable the LCU to be and remain committed to theology and practice that is fully faithful to the Word of God and the Lutheran Confessions; and

WHEREAS, The LCU accepts all the canonical books of the sacred Scriptures of the Old and New Testaments as the inerrant, revealed Word of God; and

WHEREAS, The LCU accepts the symbolic books of the Evangelical Lutheran Church, compiled in the Book of Concord of 1580, as a correct exposition of the sacred Scriptures; and

WHEREAS, On Sept. 21, 2016, Bishop Charles Bameka, on behalf of the LCU, formally requested altar and pulpit fellowship with the LCMS; and

WHEREAS, Bylaw 3.9.5.2.2 (b) says, “When a church body applies for formal recognition of altar and pulpit fellowship with the Synod, such recognition shall be proposed at a convention of the Synod only after the approval of the commission”; and

WHEREAS, In face-to-face discussions with Bishop Bameka and other key leaders of the LCU, the CTCR has examined the teachings and practices of the LCU and found them to be faithful to Scripture and the Lutheran Confessions, and has proposed the recognition of fellowship between the LCU and the LCMS; therefore be it

Resolved, That we acknowledge with gratitude the unity of confession that has been given to our church bodies under the guidance of the Holy Spirit; and be it further

Resolved, That we give thanks that despite various challenges, God, by His grace, has equipped and prepared the LCU to give a faithful, confessional Lutheran witness in Uganda; and be it further

Resolved, That we give thanks to God that doctrinal discussions between official representatives of the LCMS and the LCU have resulted in recognition of complete concord and agreement; and be it further

Resolved, That the Synod formally declare recognition of altar and pulpit fellowship between the LCU and the LCMS;

and be it further

Resolved, That we encourage and walk with the LCU as it continues to proclaim the saving Gospel of Jesus Christ in Uganda; and be it further

Resolved, That we pray for God’s blessings in the coming years on our agreement in the confession of the Gospel that we enjoy as partner churches, and for the blessing of the Lord upon the members and leaders of the LCU; and be it finally

Resolved, That in thanksgiving for this partnership in the Gospel, the convention assembly celebrate its approval by rising and singing the common doxology.

Action: Adopted (2) The resolution being put to a “yea, yea, it shall be so” voice vote, the resolution was so adopted, unanimously, and the common doxology was sung. President Harrison having noted a plaque commemorating the fellowship being consummated by the convention today, Bishop Charles I. Bameka addressed the assembly, with his remarks included in Today’s Business 3. To Recognize Altar and Pulpit Fellowship with the Evangelical Lutheran Church of Ukraine RESOLUTION 5-04 Report R12 (CW, 52–60); Overture L5-51 (TB, 1:49–51)

Preamble The Evangelical Lutheran Church of Ukraine (ELCU) has its roots in the German Evangelical Lutheran Church of Ukraine (GELCU). Lutheranism had come to Ukraine near the end of the eighteenth century, with a mass migration of German farmers and craftsmen invited by the Russian czar to help develop Ukraine. Because many of these immigrants were Lutherans, congregations were formed, and churches built. In the twentieth century, with the Russian Revolution and the rise of atheistic communism (especially under Stalin in the 1930s), Lutheranism was nearly wiped out. But after the collapse of the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics (USSR) beginning with the fall of the Berlin Wall in 1989, a new era began, and Lutheranism had an opportunity to re-emerge. The GELCU was established by 1992, even as many ethnic Germans living in the former USSR were allowed to repatriate back to Germany. Nonetheless, from 1992–2014, GELCU continued to be led by German bishops and was supported financially by partner German churches affiliated with the state church of Germany, namely, the Evangelische Kirche in Deutschland (EKD, Evangelical Church in Germany). It was also supported at that time by the Lutheran World Federation (LWF). Before Rev. Serge Maschewski was installed as the bishop of GELCU, the bishop of GELCU was also a member of the Evangelical Lutheran Church of Russia (ELCROS) Bishops’ Council (also affiliated with LWF). Rev. Maschewski (who is Ukrainian and German but was raised in Kazakhstan) was elected as Bishop of GELCU in 2013 and took office in 2014. He was allowed to repatriate to Germany in the 1990s and was able to enroll in the Russian Project of Concordia Theological Seminary (CTSFW), where he was introduced to historic confessional Lutheran theology. After returning to Germany, he was viewed as an ideal candidate in the continuation of the German line of bishops of GELCU. He was also the first bishop of GELCU who was not only a German speaker, but also fluent in Russian (from his upbringing in Kazakhstan) and in Ukrainian. With his newly found confessional Lutheran convictions, however, Rev. Maschewski and GELCU soon came into conflict with the theology of GELCU’s sponsors from Germany and the LWF. When directed to receive ordained women pastors to work within GELCU, for example, Bishop Maschewski refused to allow it, as did his synod in convention. The same was true when GELCU was pressured to embrace the LGBTQ agenda in the church’s life in Ukraine. The conflict escalated to the point that, in 2015, GELCU severed its fellowship with its heretofore German partner churches, dropped its membership in the LWF, and left the ELCROS Bishops’ Council, leaving GELCU alone and isolated. With newly found confessional Lutheran friends from the CTSFW Russian Project and elsewhere, GELCU reached out to The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod (LCMS). By 2016 the process of seeking to formalize church fellowship with the LCMS began. At the same time, some of the more liberal- oriented members of GELCU left the church and sought support from the old partners, calling themselves GELCU as well. To avoid confusion, it became necessary for the church body to change its name from GELCU to ELCU (dropping the G, for German). During the years 2015–2017 a new liturgy in Ukrainian and Russian was developed and approved (previously there was an Agenda only in German). The Liturgical Commission continues to work on a new hymnal. The ELCU was officially established by convention on Sept. 20, 2019, but the new name was not officially recognized by the Ukrainian state until Feb. 11, 2021. This was due partly to a slow governmental bureaucracy, the COVID-19 pandemic, and political machinations surrounding the church’s severance from the EKD and LWF. Beginning in 2017, the LCMS Office of International Mission (OIM) in Eurasia began mission work with this newly emerging Lutheran church body. Monthly weeklong seminars on a variety of theological topics were offered to the Ukrainian clergy by OIM missionary theological educators as well as by regional partner churches from Europe, Russia, Kazakhstan, and the Baltic states. An LCMS missionary couple moved to Odessa as English as a Second Language teachers, especially for Ukrainian pastors, in order to broaden their access to important Lutheran literature, which was not available in Russian or Ukrainian. An LCMS pastor and his family was called to live and work in Ukraine with the pastors of the ELCU. Unfortunately, much of this work, as well as plans for formal discussions pursuing the recognition of church fellowship with the LCMS, were either stalled or postponed due to the outbreak of COVID-19 and then by the Russian war against Ukraine, when all missionaries had to be recalled from fields in Russia and Ukraine. OIM Eurasia plans to resume this work as soon as the war ends, and the LCMS can re-enter Ukraine. Despite these challenging circumstances, in October of 2022 various leaders of the LCMS—including President Matthew Harrison, the Rev. Dr. Jonathan Shaw (Director of Church Relations—Assistant to the President), and Rev. James Krikava (then OIM Regional Director for Eurasia)—were able to meet with Bishop Maschewski in Freising, Germany, for a second live round of formal discussions regarding church fellowship with the LCMS. At that time, plans were already in place for Bishop Maschewski to travel to St. Louis and meet with the Commission on Theology and Church Relations (CTCR) to continue those discussions, but ongoing fighting in the war between Ukraine and Russia prevented him from traveling. A thorough report on the October discussions, however, was presented to the CTCR by Dr. Shaw and Rev. Krikava at the CTCR’s December 2022 meeting. Finally, in February of 2023, Bishop Maschewski was able to travel to St. Louis to meet with the CTCR, together with an ELCU lay leader (Mr. Alex Gerzhik). Following a presentation by Bishop Maschewski to the CTCR, and extensive discussion with a CTCR subcommittee charged with evaluating church relations requests, the CTCR (at its Feb. 16–18, 2023, meeting) unanimously approved a motion to memorialize the 2023 convention to recognize fellowship with the ELCU in keeping with Bylaw 3.9.5.2.2 (b): When a church body applies for formal recognition of altar and pulpit fellowship with the Synod, such recognition shall be proposed at a convention of the Synod only after the approval of the commission [CTCR].

WHEREAS, The ELCU, in the face of severe trials (including the Russian-Ukrainian war) and intense opposition and persecution, has established itself as an independent and self- supporting church body that is firmly committed to the Holy Scriptures and the Lutheran Confessions; and

WHEREAS, The ELCU has sought and received support and assistance from the LCMS over the years through its participation in the Russian Project of CTSFW and through the work of OIM in Eurasia, which has helped enable the ELCU to be and remain committed to theology and practice that is fully faithful to the Word of God and the Lutheran Confessions; and

WHEREAS, The ELCU accepts all the canonical books of the sacred Scriptures of the Old and New Testaments as the inerrant, revealed Word of God; and

WHEREAS, The ELCU accepts without qualification all of the symbolic books of the Evangelical Lutheran Church, compiled in the Book of Concord of 1580, as a correct exposition of the sacred Scriptures; and

WHEREAS, On March 27, 2019, Bishop Serge Maschewski, on behalf of the ELCU, formally requested altar and pulpit fellowship with the LCMS; and

WHEREAS, Bylaw 3.9.5.2.2 (b) says, “When a church body applies for formal recognition of altar and pulpit fellowship with the Synod, such recognition shall be proposed at a convention of the Synod only after the approval of the commission [CTCR]”; and

WHEREAS, In face-to-face discussions with Bishop Maschewski, the CTCR has examined the official documents, teachings, and practices of the ELCU and found them to be faithful to Scripture and the Lutheran Confessions, and has proposed the recognition of fellowship between the ELCU and the LCMS; therefore be it

Resolved, That we acknowledge with gratitude the unity of confession that has been given to our churches under the guidance of the Holy Spirit; and be it further

Resolved, That we give thanks that despite serious challenges, obstacles, and opposition, God, by His grace, has equipped, preserved, and strengthened the ELCU to give a faithful, confessional Lutheran witness in Ukraine and beyond; and be it further

Resolved, That we give thanks to God that doctrinal discussions between official representatives of the LCMS and the ELCU have resulted in recognition of complete concord and agreement; and be it further

Resolved, That the Synod formally declare recognition of altar and pulpit fellowship between the ELCU and the LCMS;

and be it further

Resolved, That we encourage and walk with the ELCU as it continues to proclaim the saving Gospel of Jesus Christ in Ukraine; and be it further

Resolved, That we pray for God’s blessings in the coming years on our agreement in the confession of the Gospel that we enjoy as partner churches, and for the blessing of the Lord upon the members and leaders of the Lutheran Church of Ukraine; and be it finally

Resolved, That in thanksgiving for this partnership in the Gospel, the convention assembly celebrate its approval by rising and singing the common doxology.

Action: Adopted (2) The resolution being put to a “yea, yea, it shall be so” voice vote, the resolution was so adopted, unanimously, and the common doxology was sung. President Harrison having noted a plaque commemorating the fellowship being consummated by the convention today, Bishop Serge Maschewski addressed the assembly, with his remarks included in Today’s Business 3. To Recognize the Ceylon Evangelical Lutheran Church in Sri Lanka as a Self-Governing Partner Church RESOLUTION 5-05A Overture 5-04 (CW, 287–88)

Preamble The Ceylon Evangelical Lutheran Church (CELC) of Sri Lanka is the fruit of The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod (LCMS) mission work dating back to 1925. An LCMS missionary working in southern India with Tamil-speaking people commuted in weekly to lead church services. Nearly 25 years later, the LCMS sent the Rev. Eric Prange to be its first resident missionary in Sri Lanka. Rev. Prange worked primarily with the Tamil-speaking people in the highlands where they worked on the tea and rubber plantations. Rev. Prange and those who followed him helped the Sri Lankan Lutherans to form their own church body in the 1970s, which they named the Lanka Lutheran Church (LLC). LCMS missionaries continued to serve alongside the LLC even during the civil war in Sri Lanka, which lasted from 1983 to 2009. The LLC was a full altar and pulpit partner of the LCMS as of the 2001 convention, and a member of the International Lutheran Council (ILC). The LLC was beset with tragic corruption in the early 2000s, leading to theft, violence, death, and the loss of their government registration as a legal church body. After the return of LCMS resident missionaries in 2013, LCMS personnel assisted the Lutheran church in obtaining a new registration. The church adopted the new name of the CELC to reflect its renewed identity. The CELC then adopted its revised constitution, prepared by members of their church with LCMS assistance, in May of 2022. At this same convention, they also elected leadership and recognized fellowship with the LCMS, requesting the same from the LCMS. The CELC joined the ILC immediately upon being reconstituted, but was dropped at an unknown date for non- payment of dues. The CELC is currently an observer member of the ILC, awaiting their opportunity to be recognized as full members of that body, as the LLC once was. They have expressed repeatedly their desire to be faithfully Lutheran, and their commitment to the Scriptures and the Lutheran Confessions.

WHEREAS, The CELC traces its origin to the efforts of the LCMS missionaries; and

WHEREAS, The CELC has committed itself to be faithful to the inerrant Scriptures and subscribes without reservation to the writings of the Book of Concord; and

WHEREAS, The CELC seeks in every way to be and remain a scripturally faithful, confessional Lutheran church body; and

WHEREAS, The CELC is established as an independent Lutheran church in Sri Lanka and has shared its constitution and other governing documents with the LCMS leadership; and

WHEREAS, The CELC, at its convening convention in September 2022, recognized altar and pulpit fellowship with the LCMS; and

WHEREAS, The CELC governing church council delivered a letter to President Matthew Harrison dated Feb. 8, 2023, formally requesting the LCMS recognize altar and pulpit fellowship with the CELC; and

WHEREAS, Appropriate protocol documents guiding interactions between the LCMS and the CELC have been developed and are currently being updated; and

WHEREAS, In the current year 2023, the CELC has applied for full membership in the ILC; and

WHEREAS, Bylaw 3.9.5.2.2 (d) states that “When a mission of the Synod applies for formal recognition as a self-governing partner church, such recognition shall be proposed at convention of the Synod by the Board for International Mission with the approval of the [Commission on Theology and Church Relations]”; and

WHEREAS, In compliance with Bylaw 3.9.5.2.2 (d), the Board for International Mission has requested and received the approval of the Commission on Theology and Church Relations to propose to the 2023 Synod convention that the CELC in Sri Lanka be recognized as a self-governing partner church; therefore be it

Resolved, That the Synod give thanks to God for the efforts of its missionaries and Sri Lankan national pastors of the CELC, that God, by His grace, has equipped and prepared the members of the CELC to give a faithful confessional Lutheran witness in Sri Lanka; and be it further

Resolved, That the Synod acknowledge with gratitude that His saints have been blessed by the growth of this “daughter church” of the LCMS and its establishment as a self-governing Lutheran church body; and be it further

Resolved, That the Synod acknowledge with gratitude the unity of confession that has been given to our churches under the guidance of the Holy Spirit; and be it further

Resolved, That the Synod declare its recognition of the CELC as a self-governing partner church with which the LCMS enjoys altar and pulpit fellowship; and be it further

Resolved, That we pray for God’s blessings in the coming years on this agreement in the confession of the Gospel, which we enjoy as partner churches, and for the power and blessing of the Lord upon the members and leaders of the CELC; and be it finally

Resolved, That in thanksgiving for this partnership in the Gospel, the convention assembly celebrate its approval by rising and singing the common doxology