Confessional Evangelical Lutheran Conference

 

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

South Korea Hosts International CELC Convention

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Pastor Samuel Choi (Seoul Lutheran Church) preaching in the Opening Service


God granted a successful international convention to the Confessional Evangelical Lutheran Conference on June 6-8, 2023. The convention was hosted by Seoul Lutheran Church and was held at the Olympic Parktel, part of Olympic Park in downtown Seoul where the 1988 Olympics were held.

The convention had 94 registrants from 27 countries, representing 25 of the 34 churches of the CELC. By God’s grace, this was the most diverse CELC convention ever. There were nine participants from Africa and twenty from East Asia. Members of Seoul Lutheran Church joined the convention for the Opening Service on Tuesday and the closing banquet on Thursday.

Subsequent news briefs will provide highlights from the convention—giving attention to the five essays and the business of the convention.

With this news brief, the CELC offers thanks to Seoul Lutheran Church for its fine work in hosting the Eleventh Triennial Convention of the CELC. The Koreans were well-organized, and they provided a nice taste of Korean cuisine and culture to enhance the convention. As we give thanks to God for the convention, we also give thanks to our brothers and sisters in Korea.

From the CELC Planning Committee

The choir from Seoul Lutheran Church singing in the Opening Service

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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