# LCMS Convention Workbook_St. Louis Missouri_2019_S102
# Machine transcription, uncorrected — CHI Digital Archive (demonstration)

102

OFFICER, BOARD, AND COMMISSION REPORTS

quy and serve in various capacities and locations. In 2013, the
EECMY severed its relationship with the Evangelical Lutheran
Church in America (ELCA) and the Church of Sweden because
of decisions by those churches to affirm homosexual practices
and ordination of individuals living an active homosexual lifestyle.
Since 2010 the LCMS and EECMY have related to each
other in accordance with a protocol document that outlined a
basis for cooperation and mutual support in certain areas. In
2014 the LCMS and the EECMY signed a revised “partnership
agreement” that enhanced their commitment to working together where possible and appropriate and that included a mutual commitment to theological discussions directed toward the
hoped-for goal of church fellowship based on agreement in doctrine and practice. The LCMS relationship with the EECMY is
currently focused largely on seminary education, with LCMS
theologians assisting Mekane Yesus Seminary in teaching and
library development. The LCMS has also been partnering with
the EECMY in the printing and distribution of confessional
and catechetical texts and in their work of developing a new
hymnal. Doctrinal discussions between the churches continue.

2. Lutheran Churches in Sudan/South Sudan
Two Lutheran churches in Sudan/South Sudan have requested fellowship with the LCMS in the past triennium: the
Evangelical Lutheran Church in Sudan/South Sudan and the
Sudan Evangelical Lutheran Church. The CTCR has been considering the fellowship requests and hopes to make recommendations to the President of the Synod in the near future, but
its discussions and contacts with these church bodies have been
hampered by military conflict in Sudan.

3. Malagasy Lutheran Church (FLM)
The Malagasy Lutheran Church is growing rapidly, and
its pastors and congregations have a strong desire to remain
faithful to the teachings of Scripture and the Lutheran Confessions. Because of the increasingly heterodox decisions by church
bodies such as the ELCA and the Church of Sweden and the
Lutheran territorial church in Germany, the FLM has been
alienated from these church bodies. In contrast, the LCMS has
had a cordial, informal relationship with the FLM for a number
of years, with LCMS professors regularly teaching theological
courses at FLM institutions and conferences. At its February
2017 meeting, the CTCR received a formal request for fellowship from the FLM. It is now determining the necessary steps
toward that goal.

4. Lutheran Church of Uganda (LCU)
The CTCR received a request for fellowship consideration
from the Lutheran Church of Uganda in September of 2016.
It has assigned further work toward that potential goal to one
of its committees, which will study materials that describe the
doctrine and practice of the LCU and make recommendations
for visits and other contacts as needed.

6. Evangelical Lutheran Mission Diocese in
Finland (ELMDF)
The CTCR received a request for fellowship consideration
from the Evangelical Lutheran Mission Diocese in Finland at
its September 2017 meeting. This request has also been assigned
for further work to a CTCR committee. The Lutheran Mission
Diocese in Finland is in fellowship with several LCMS partner
church bodies, including the Lutheran Church—Canada.

7. The Evangelical–Lutheran Diocese in Norway
(ELDiN)
The CTCR received a request for fellowship consideration
from The Evangelical–Lutheran Diocese in Norway at its February 2019 meeting. This request has also been assigned for
further work to a CTCR committee. The Evangelical–Lutheran
Diocese in Norway is anticipating recognition of church fellowship with several LCMS partner church bodies in the near
future (e.g., the Independent Evangelical Lutheran Church in
Germany [SELK] and the Evangelical Lutheran Church of
England).

Other Requests and Agreements
1. Working Agreement between the Malagasy
Lutheran Church (FLM) and the LCMS
As part of the process of working toward potential fellowship (see above), the CTCR reviewed the draft of a working
agreement between our church bodies. At its April 2018 meeting, it forwarded the draft to the LCMS President’s Office with
a favorable recommendation (with minor changes). The CTCR
hopes that the increased cooperation will lead to the continued
conversation and exploration of future altar and pulpit fellowship.

2. Partnership with the Evangelical Lutheran
Church of Tanzania (ELCT)
The Evangelical Lutheran Church of Tanzania has been
disheartened and dismayed by recent decisions made by church
bodies such as the ELCA and Church of Sweden that have been
closely involved in the work of the ELCT for many years. The
ELCT is seeking a closer relationship with the LCMS. At its
February 2018 meeting, the CTCR examined a proposed “Partnership Agreement between the Evangelical Lutheran Church
of Tanzania [ELCT] and The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod [LCMS].” Discussion before adoption emphasized that this
agreement is not intended to involve the LCMS in any mission
endeavors that would be contrary to the Synod’s constitution
or to confuse this partnership with the long-used term “partner
church,” which is specific to pulpit and altar fellowship. With
those caveats, the CTCR gave its support to the partnership
with the ELCT together with the hope that the increased cooperation will lead to continued conversation and exploration of
future altar and pulpit fellowship.

5. Christ Evangelical Lutheran Church–Sierra
Leone (CELC-SL)

B. Meetings and Discussions with Other
Churches and Groups

The CTCR also received a request for fellowship consideration from the CELC-SL during the past triennium. It has assigned further work toward that potential goal to a committee.

1. Anglican Church in North America

2019 Convention Workbook

Three rounds of meetings with the Anglican Church in