Confessional Evangelical Lutheran Conference

 

How good and pleasant it is when brothers live together in unity! (Psalm 133:1)

Gereja Lutheran Indonesia Has Convention

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Gereja Lutheran Indonesia (GLI) held its 17th Synod Convention on July 27-28, 2022 at the new campus of Sekolah Tinggi Teologi Lutheran (STTL is the seminary of GLI) which is located on the island of Java. The convention theme was: “The One Who Calls You Is Faithful” (1 Thessalonians 5:24).

Rev. Gregory Bey, the WELS Friendly Counselor to GLI, was in attendance and shared greetings on behalf of the WELS Asia One Team (AOT). 

The delegates, some of whom attended virtually via an Internet connection, approved a few revisions to the by-laws of GLI’s constitution. They also elected new officers to the Badan Pengurus Harian (BPH), which is the synodical administrative board. Those elected to serve are:

  • Chairman:  Pastor Medi Sutrisno 

  • Vice-chair:  Pastor Lefinus 

  • Secretary:  Pastor Bambang

  • Treasurer:  Pastor Indra  

  • Asst. Treasurer: Pastor Suryadi 

  • Financial Officer: Mr. Mampelas 

The newly elected BPH was authorized by the convention to appoint officers for the next period of service to the Yayasan, which is the legal business arm of the church. It also serves as the board of control for the seminary.

Rev. Medi Sutrisno, the new GLI chairman, will now serve as GLI’s liaison to CELC. His contact information is:

Some other noteworthy news:

  • Pastor Agus Prasetyo, who serves at STTL as a Greek and Hebrew dosen (professor), recently was awarded the degree of Doctor of Theology. Dr. Prasetyo is also the curriculum coordinator for the seminary. 

  • GLI now has 30 pastors and 5 vicars.

  • STTL has 27 seminary students on campus, many of whom are graduates of SMAK Lutheran.

  • SMAK Lutheran has 45 high school students on campus. 

  • WELS Asia One Team is calling for a full-time Friendly Counselor to GLI. Pastor Gregory Bey retired from this position at the end of 2019. Since then, he has been filling the role on a quarter-time basis.

GLI is grateful for the fellowship it shares with all CELC members and friends. It asks that our brothers and sisters in Christ join us in prayers of intercession and thanksgiving to our gracious God and Savior for its newly elected leaders and for its worker training program conducted by STTL and SMAK. It also asks for prayers to the Lord of the Church to provide a new WELS Friendly Counselor to serve as an advisor to GLI.

Soli Deo Gloria!

Submitted by Rev. Gregory Bey

Newly elected and appointed officers of Gereja Lutheran Indonesia with Rev. Gregory Bey


Chairman Medi Sutrisno


 Dr. Agus Prasetyo


Main entrance to the new campus of STTL
 

The Confessional Evangelical Lutheran Conference

The Confessional Evangelical Lutheran Conference is a worldwide fellowship of Lutheran church bodies, committed to the teachings of the Lutheran Church found in the Book of Concord of 1580. Established in 1993 with thirteen churches, the CELC has grown by God’s grace to include thirty-four church bodies today.

Every three years, representatives from CELC churches gather for fellowship and theological study at an international convention. Regional meetings are held in alternate years. These gatherings provide spiritual encouragement for confessional Lutherans who often find themselves quite isolated. Visitors are always welcome at these gatherings

Joint work of the CELC includes the writing of The Eternal Word: A Lutheran Confession for the Twenty-First Century, which testifies to the unity of doctrine enjoyed by CELC churches. The CELC also has a commission to help coordinate and improve theological training in CELC churches.

Speaking about the heart and core of the CELC, former President Gaylin Schmeling wrote:  “The CELC stands ready to give answer to the confident hope of salvation in Christ that is within us. It is a refuge for those seeking confessional homes and a beacon shining the light of the Gospel in a sin-darkened world. Here the central truth of the Reformation, justification by faith alone, continues to be proclaimed. We are declared righteous by nothing we do or accomplish, but alone on the basis of Christ’s redemptive work which is counted as ours through faith in the Savior. He accomplished salvation for all on the cross and announced it to all by His resurrection, declaring the whole world righteous in Christ. This treasure is brought to us personally through the means of grace and is received by faith alone in the Savior which is worked through those very means of grace.”

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