Confessional Evangelical Lutheran Conference

 

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

Ukrainians and Germans Enjoy Fellowship

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Worship at Hartenstein, Germany

Since the war began in February, millions of Ukrainians have fled the country, and many have found refuge in Germany. Some members of the Ukrainian Lutheran Church (ULC) have settled in areas where there are congregations of the Evangelical Lutheran Free Church (ELFK) and are worshipping with them.

To show their thankfulness to the ELFK for receiving them so willingly and helping them in their time of need, a plan was developed to send some people from Ukraine to personally thank their fellow Christians in Germany. A four-member Ukrainian musical group, Baroque Plus, went to Germany to give concerts during the week of October 10-16. During that week, three ELFK congregations (Hartenstein, Nerchau, and Zwichau-Planitz) hosted special worship services, making use of three languages: German, Ukrainian, and English.

In addition to strengthening the bonds of fellowship between members of the ULC and ELFK, the concerts and services also served as an outreach opportunity to other Germans and Ukrainians who have no church home, planting the seed of the gospel with the hope that they will come again to learn more about Jesus and what he has done for them and for all people.

There was truly a unique bond of fellowship at each church, which flowed from a sense of empathy, Christian love, and concern, and the powerful bond of unity that believers have in Christ. People from both church bodies, the ULC and ELFK, got to know one another and found they had so many things in common, despite such different life situations. Pastor Mueller from Hartenstein said to the group from Ukraine, “You came to us as strangers but you will leave us as our friends.”

Such are the blessings that our Lord grants through the Confessional Evangelical Lutheran Conference, which unites believers from around the world. In the midst of the chaos and destruction of war, members of the Ukrainian Lutheran Church can know that they are not alone. We strive with many others to be our Lord’s witnesses to the ends of the earth.

Submitted by Rev. Roger Neumann, WELS liaison to the ULC

 

“Baroque Plus” and guests at Zwichau-Planitz, Germany

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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