LCMS Convention Workbook St. Louis, Missouri — 2010, Page 66

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66

SYNOD REPORTS

for mission outreach; strengthens theological education through
conferences of theologians and seminary teachers; facilitates communication between confessional Lutheran churches of the world
through the publication of ILC News; and facilitates the preparation
and publication of confessional Lutheran literature.
Serving as officers of the ILC during the present triennium are Dr.
Gerald Kieschnick (President of The Lutheran Church—Missouri
Synod), chairman; Dr. Paulo Nerbas (President of the Evangelical
Lutheran Church of Brazil), vice chairman; and Rev. Gijsbertus van
Hattem (President of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Belgium),
secretary. Also serving on its executive committee are Rev. Christian
Ekong, President of the Lutheran Church of Nigeria; Rev. Robert
Bugbee, President of the Lutheran Church—Canada; Rev. James
Cerdeñola, President of the Lutheran Church in the Philippines; and
Rev. Hans-Jörg Voigt, Bishop of the Independent Evangelical—
Lutheran Church in Germany (SELK). Dr. Samuel Nafzger serves as
its executive secretary. Rev. Peter Ahlers, from the Free Evangelical
Lutheran Synod in South Africa (FELSISA), serves as editor of ILC
News.
The ILC meets in international conference every three years. The
Eighth Conference of the ILC was held on August 26–31, 2009, in
Seoul, South Korea, under the theme “In Christ: Living Life to the
Full.” At this conference, the ILC adopted unanimously the following statement:
Same-Gender Relationships and the Church
A Statement from the International Lutheran Council
Recent years have brought confusion and discord to churches in various parts of the world—including Lutheran churches—as some church
bodies have adopted resolutions stating that sexually active, same-gender relationships are an acceptable way of life for Christians. In addition,
some have approved the ordination of pastors living in such a committed, sexually active same-gender relationship. The 8th World Conference
of the International Lutheran Council met August 26–31, 2009, in Seoul,
Korea, under the theme, “In Christ: Living Life to the Full.” Our desire
to proclaim and to live the abundant life in Christ compels us to make
this statement in light of the current turmoil regarding same-gender
relationships.
In evaluating the question of homosexuality, even in the 21st century, we believe we are ultimately dealing with the authority of Holy
Scripture as the inspired Word of God. Even in the sensitive matter of
human beings and their sexual identity, the church is to submit in humility to the authority of the Word of God. The Scriptures testify clearly and
repeatedly that the lifelong committed union of one man and one woman
is the place the Lord intends for human sexuality to be lived out. Biblical
passages which address the practice of homosexuality do so in terms of
disapproval. Rooted in the Bible´s witness and in keeping with Christian
teaching through 2000 years, we continue to believe that the practice of
homosexuality—in any and all situations—violates the will of the Creator
God and must be recognized as sin.
At the same time, we declare our resolve to approach those with homosexual inclinations with the deepest possible Christian love and pastoral
concern, in whatever situation they may be living. Though we affirm the
demands of God’s Law without reservation, we Christians confess that
the sins of the world have been forgiven through Christ´s suffering and
death on the cross. As the redeemed children of God, we lead our lives as
“saints and sinners” at the same time. We hope for full renewal and sanctification, but realize that these hopes are not completely fulfilled in this
life. This applies to countless temptations. Our sinful condition calls for
a lifetime of prayer and struggle. Confession and absolution provide a
welcome refuge to receive the Lord´s forgiveness, which He also offers
through His Word and the Sacraments. This enables us to continue our
personal struggles to live a God-pleasing life in the power of the Spirit.
Adopted unanimously by the International Lutheran Council
Seoul, Korea, August 31, 2009

The ILC also sponsors a world conference of representatives from
ILC churches who are responsible in their respective churches for
training pastors. The next World Seminaries Conference is scheduled
to be held June 3–6, 2010, in Fort Wayne, Indiana on the campus of
Concordia Theological Seminary. The theme of this conference will
be “Confessional Lutheran Identity in a World of Changing Religious
Demographics.”
Additional information about the members and work of the
International Lutheran Council is available at www.ilc-online.org.
2. Relationships with Sister/Partner Lutheran Churches
a. American Association of Lutheran Churches

The 2007 conventions of both The Association of American
Lutheran Churches (AALC) and The Lutheran Church—Missouri
Synod (LCMS) declared the two church bodies to be in altar and
pulpit fellowship on the basis of agreement in doctrine and practice.
The protocol document signed by the leaders of the church bodies
called for a Commission on AALC-LCMS Fellowship “for the purpose of monitoring relationships between our two church bodies.”
The commission began meeting November 20, 2007. AALC representatives on this commission are AALC Presiding Pastor Franklin
Hays; Administrative Assistant to the Presiding Pastor Fred Balke;
and Commission on Doctrine and Church Relations Chairman Phillip
Hofinga. The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod is represented
by First Vice-President William Diekelman; Secretary Raymond
Hartwig; Commission on Theology and Church Relations Executive
Director Joel Lehenbauer; and Minnesota South District President
Lane Seitz.
During its various meetings in the past triennium, the commission
has studied and discussed church body governing documents and processes, congregation and church worker rosters, existing protocol and
related documents, and specific fellowship situations requiring early
response. It has also prepared two formal operating agreements to
govern the movement of members between the church bodies and to
facilitate necessary day-to-day relationships and cooperation between
the two church bodies, covering ecclesiastical supervision, temporary
pastoral service, and other such issues. The commission will continue
to meet in the coming triennium.
b. The Evangelical Lutheran Church of Haiti

Representatives of the Evangelical Lutheran Church of Haiti
(ELCH) and the LCMS met January 17–20, 2008, in Port-au-Prince,
Haiti, to discuss the work of and between the two church bodies,
which have been in altar and pulpit fellowship since 2001. The dialogue included such topics as theological education, inter-Lutheran
relationships in Haiti, and assistance with church planting in Haiti.
Such meetings had been impossible prior to that time because of
political turmoil. President Marky Kessa and other officials of the
ELCH and its seminary represented that church body. Dr. William
Diekelman, First Vice-President; Dr. Samuel H. Nafzger, then
Executive Director of the CTCR; Dr. Gerhard Michael, Jr., a member of the CTCR; and others represented the LCMS.
After the devastating earthquake experienced by Haiti on January
13, 2010, the pastors and people of the ELCH have been severely
tested, and the partnership between our church bodies has resulted
in an outpouring of prayer, financial donations, and offers to assist
in rescue, relief, and rebuilding efforts in Haiti. LCMS World Relief
organized Mercy Medical Teams and channeled funds to where they
could be used most effectively. Because of transportation difficulties,
much of the initial assistance took place in the Dominican Republic
through the efforts of Rev. Ted Krey and other LCMS missionaries. A

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