To Recognize the Ceylon Evangelical Lutheran Church in Sri Lanka as a Self-Governing Partner Church

WHEREAS, The Ceylon Evangelical Lutheran Church in Sri Lanka (CELC) traces its origin to the efforts of The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod (LCMS) missionaries; and

WHEREAS, The CELC was formerly known as the Lanka Lutheran Church, which enjoyed altar and pulpit fellowship with the LCMS; and

WHEREAS, The CELC has committed itself to be faithful to the in errant 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 scriptural ly 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 International Lutheran Council; and

WHEREAS, Bylaw3.9.5.2.2 (d) states that “When amission ofthe 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 [C]om mission [on Theology and Church Relations]”; and

WHEREAS, In compliance with Bylaw 3.9.5.2.2 (d), the Board for International Mission (BIM) has requested and received the approval of the Commission on Theology and Church Relations (CTCR) 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 this overture be submitted to the 2023 Synod convention from the BIM, subject to appropriate edits and amendments not changing its essential meaning herein provided by collaborating representatives from the BIM and the CTCR; and be it further

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 afaithful 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 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 Lordupon the members and leaders of the CELC; and be it finally

Resolved, That in celebration and thanksgiving of this partnership in the Gospel, the 2023 Synod convention assembly signify its approval by rising and singing the doxology.