ILC NEWS Vol. XXI, No. 3 A Publication of the International Lutheran Council 1 August 2010 Participants of the ILC Seminaries Conference in Ft. Wayne, Indiana, USA Christianity, including The Next Christendom: World Seminaries The Coming of Global Christianity and The New Conference of the Faces of Christianity: Believing the Bible in the Global South, set the scene by predicting trends International Lutheran in a global north to south shift in the center of gravity of Christianity. Dr. Jenkins sees this trend Council Discusses continuing to shape a very different picture of Lutheran Identity in a world Christianity from that which we currently recognize. Changing World The second keynote speaker was Dr. Erní Some 65 seminary professors and Seibert, a Lutheran pastor and theologian from representatives from 24 countries gathered on Brazil, now serving as the Director for the campus of Concordia Theological Seminary Communications for the Brazil Bible Society. He (CTS), Fort Wayne, Indiana, USA from 3 to 6 spoke on the topic of “Confessional Lutheran June 2010 as part of a world seminaries Identity in the Light of the Changing Christian conference. A representative from the Ethiopian Demographics.” Evangelical Church Mekane Yesus (EECMY) Presenters from five continents addressed attended this conference as a guest. the topic from the perspective of their own The conference, sponsored by the continental experience. The aim of sharing this International Lutheran Council (ILC), was information was to help regions on each side of meeting for the fourth time under the theme the demographic shift to prepare for, and to “Confessional Lutheran Identity in the Light of collaborate in, the training of pastors and church Changing Christian Demographics.” workers in light of their developing situation. The keynote speaker, Dr. Philip Jenkins of “This timely meeting brought together Pennsylvania State University, who has written theological educators from all continents to start several books on the state and future of working together to propose strategies for Vol. XXI No. 3 August 2010 Page 2 meeting this great challenge,” said Dr. Douglas coordinate L. Rutt, associate professor of Pastoral Ministry fundamentally and Missions at CTS, chairman of the seminary constructive and relations committee of the ILC, and conference intentionally organizer. supportive efforts In view of the interest in the topics being such as theological discussed at the ILC conference, two other symposia, groups asked to share in the keynote conferences, and presentations and some of the subsequent other opportunities discussions. The groups participating were the for study of faculties of the two Lutheran Church - Missouri confessional Synod (LCMS) seminaries and the theology Lutheran theology, departments of the Concordia University to uphold and System, as well as a conference of church nurture confessional leaders from ILC and non-ILC countries who Lutheranism,” were meeting for consultations including Dr. Gerald B. Kieschnick inviting members of preparations for celebration of the 500th the International anniversary of the Lutheran Reformation. Lutheran Council and others to participate. The seminary provided an ideal venue for Accordingly, a conference of confessional this international meeting with its state-of-the-art Lutheran leaders was held from 3 to 5 June facilities, pleasant surroundings and multilingual 2010 on the campus of Concordia Theological team providing simultaneous translation. In Seminary in Fort Wayne, Indiana. The addition to participating in lively debate, conference objectives were (1) to begin to delegates also had the opportunity to worship assess the current situation of confessional together in the Saarinen-designed Kramer Lutheranism in our world; (2) to cement further Chapel on the seminary campus and to attend in existing relationships with confessional Sunday services in several of the LCMS Lutherans in this time of theological uncertainty; churches in Fort Wayne. (3) to enable new relationships to develop “In my opinion, it was a very successful between those committed to a strong conference and accomplished the purpose of the confessional and biblical witness both nationally ILC in sponsoring these conferences - namely to and internationally; and (4) to discuss promote confessional Lutheran theology and appropriate ways to celebrate the upcoming practice centering in Jesus Christ, both among 500th anniversary of the Reformation. member churches and throughout the world,” At the same time and place the ILC Fourth said Dr. Samuel Nafzger, ILC executive director. World Seminaries Conference was meeting The conference was made possible by a under the theme “Confessional Lutheran Identity grant from the Marvin M. Schwan Charitable in a World of Changing Religious Foundation to the ILC. Demographics.” Also meeting simultaneously The International Lutheran Council were the members of the LCMS university and (www.ilc-online.org) is a worldwide association seminary theological faculties. All three groups of 34 established confessional Lutheran met together the first day of the conference to Churches united around the commitment to hear plenary keynote speakers Dr. Philip Jenkins proclaim the Gospel of Jesus Christ on the basis of the U.S. and Dr. Erni Seibert from Brazil. of an unconditional commitment to the Holy Invited to the confessional leadership Scriptures as the inspired and infallible Word of conference were the ILC chairman and the God and to the Lutheran Confessions contained members of the ILC executive committee in the Book of Concord as the true and faithful representing each of the five world areas, plus a exposition of the Word of God. representative from the theological commissions of Australia, Brazil and SELK, Germany, and members of the CTCR Executive Committee. Additionally, several guests from non-ILC Confessional confessional Lutheran churches were invited, including representatives from the Evangelical Lutheran Identity Lutheran Church in America, the Ethiopian Editorial from Dr. Gerald B. Kieschnick Evangelical Church Mekane Yesus, the Chairman, International Lutheran Council Wisconsin Evangelical Lutheran Synod, and the The 2007 convention of The Lutheran Mission Province of Sweden. These participants Church - Missouri Synod (LCMS), USA, resolved were asked to provide assessments regarding that the LCMS Commission on Theology and the current state of confessional Lutheran Church Relations (CTCR) “in consultation with theology in their churches and regions of the the Office of the President and our seminaries, world. Vol. XXI No. 3 August 2010 Page 3 As we continue to face the challenges of colleges and universities attended the 2 to 4 being confessional Lutherans in this second June Lutheran Church - Missouri Synod (LCMS) decade of the 21st century, it behooves us to Theology Professors Conference, where they work together as closely as possible in our God- heard scholarly presentations, discussed given task of Gospel proclamation. Especially is educational developments, and explored the this the case in light of decisions by others who implications of global Christianity for theological bear the name “Lutheran” that threaten to instruction in the United States. weaken our witness to the Gospel. “These few days provided a rare and In an appearance to Solomon, God said, “If historic opportunity for Lutheran leaders from my people who are called by my name humble around the world to address a critical topic and themselves, pray, seek my face, and turn from to establish and strengthen mutually-beneficial their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, relationships,” said Dr. Glen Thomas, executive and will forgive their sin and heal their land” (2 director of the LCMS Board for Pastoral Chron. 7:14). Education. May God bless our efforts at remaining faithful to our calling as confessional Lutherans. For our confessional Lutheran identity does not end with calling ourselves and each other to Ethiopian Church Head repentance, but also serves to strengthen our witness to broken people in a fallen world. Meets With LCMS Leaders Confessional Leadership Photo: Frank Kohn, LCMS Reporter Conference and LCMS Dr. Wakseyoum Idosa, center, president of the Theology Professors EECMY, meets with LCMS President Dr. Gerald B. Kieschnick, left, and Dr. Samuel H. Nafzger, LCMS Conference in Fort Wayne director of church relations-assistant to the president. LCMS News 48 - by Roland Lovstad - Organized by the LCMS Commission on A partnership agreement between their two Theology and Church Relations, the churches was among items discussed when the International Confessional Leadership president of the Ethiopian Evangelical Church Conference sought to assess confessional Mekane Yesus (EECMY) met with Lutheran Lutheranism and strengthen relationships Church - Missouri Synod (LCMS) President Dr. among church bodies committed to a strong Gerald B. Kieschnick and other LCMS leaders in confessional and biblical witness. It was St. Louis on 11 and 12 May this year. supported by a grant from Thrivent Financial for Dr. Wakseyoum Idosa heads the 5.3 Lutherans. million-member EECMY, one of the fastest- Among the 20 participants of the growing Lutheran churches worldwide and, conference, held from 2 to 6 June 2010, were among those in Africa, second in size only to the representatives from member church bodies of Evangelical Lutheran Church in Tanzania. the International Lutheran Council (ILC), as well Wakseyoum made his St. Louis stopover