CELC Convention Hears GTEC Report

July 11, 2023 By Deb Witte

Timothy Schmeling presenting the GTEC Report

The Global Theological Education Commission (GTEC) of the Confessional Evangelical Lutheran Conference (CELC) gave its initial report at the CELC convention held in South Korea on June 6-8. The report was entitled: “Shepherds under Christ: The Training of Confessional Lutheran Pastors in Our Time and in Our Places.” This report lays out a model CELC seminary curriculum, representing a consensus of best practices based on the input of theological professors from the various regions of the CELC.

It is hoped that this document may serve as a useful tool for evaluating and enhancing theological training programs throughout the CELC. The document along with other information about the GTEC can be found here.

The GTEC was formed in 2021 with the following members: Bradley Wordell (WELS), chairman, Angus Cheung (Asia-Oceania), Anthony Phiri (Africa), Andrés San Martin (Latin America), Timothy Schmeling (ELS), and Holger Weiss (Europe), with CELC President Thomas Nass as a non-voting member.

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.”