Confessional Evangelical Lutheran Conference

 

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

Online Conference for CELC Theological Educators – February 1-3, 2024

By

                GTEC member Anthony Phiri (Zambia) in discussion
       with Nathan Seiltz (WELS) at the 2023 CELC Convention

The Global Theological Education Commission (GTEC) of the Confessional Evangelical Lutheran Conference (CELC) is hosting an online conference for theological educators within our global Lutheran fellowship. The conference will be hosted on Zoom and will be for two hours each day on February 1-3, 2024—in the morning in the Americas, in the afternoon in Europe and Africa, and in the evening in Asia.

The goals of the conference include the following:

  • that theological educators in the CELC get to know each other;
  • that participants learn more about the theological training programs in our global fellowship;
  • that theological educators learn from and with each other, spurring one another on in this blessed work; and
  • that the participants explore ways for future support, collaboration, and growth.

The three-day agenda includes opening and closing devotions, introductions of individuals and programs, and three plenary sessions about theological education, followed by discussion and idea sharing.

The theme of the conference comes from 2 Timothy 2:2 – “The things you have heard me say … entrust to reliable men who will also be qualified to teach others.” The devotions will center on selected verses from 1 Timothy.

This first-of-a-kind online conference is for theological educators serving in theological training programs in the Confessional Evangelical Lutheran Conference. While the seven members of the GTEC have extended invitations through existing CELC channels, it is possible that word about this conference has not reached all of our theological educators. Lutheran theological educators who have not received individual invitations but would like to attend are encouraged to contact the GTEC chairman at Bradley.Wordell@wisluthsem.org.

We pray that this online conference will be a blessing to all who attend, that it will be a blessing to our theological training programs and to our churches, and that it will give glory to God our Savior and to Christ Jesus, who is our hope.

Submitted by Bradley Wordell, GTEC chairman

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.”

Recording of the Ninety-Five Theses

Ninety-Five Theses for the 21st Century