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LCMS Convention Workbook St. Louis, Missouri — 2019, Page 101

Scan: The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod

Transcription machine transcription, uncorrected

OFFICER, BOARD, AND COMMISSION REPORTS
In the 2016–2019 triennium, the CTCR received correspondence regarding three potential dissents. In a concern for unity
and in order to provide further fraternal discussion, the Commission and its staff engaged in prolonged conversation and
correspondence with those who were considering dissents. At
this point, none of the three potential dissents to LCMS teaching and practice has been formally filed with the Commission.

II. Church Relations
The CTCR has the responsibility to “assist the President
of the Synod at his request in discharging his constitutional
responsibilities for maintaining doctrinal integrity as he relates to other church bodies” (Bylaw 3.9.5.2.2). This includes
circumstances in which a church body requests LCMS recognition of fellowship. The Commission’s approval is required
for each fellowship request. At present, some 19 church bodies
have inquired about fellowship with the LCMS. What follows
includes only instances that now involve formal fellowship considerations. In light of the many changes occurring in world Lutheranism, the LCMS has increasing numbers of fellowship requests and the CTCR seeks to address them both efficiently and
faithfully. Toward that responsibility, at its April 2017 meeting,
the CTCR adopted an overture for the 2019 convention which
recommends an addition to Bylaw 3.9.5.2.2. The bylaw addition
would provide a streamlined process for declaring fellowship
when the requesting church body was started as a mission of
one of our existing partner church bodies (churches with which
we are in fellowship at the present time).

A. Requests for Church Fellowship
Church Fellowship Requests Approved by the
CTCR
1. Portuguese Evangelical Lutheran Church
(IELP)
At its December 2016 meeting, the CTCR received a request for recognition of fellowship from the IELP. The IELP
is a small church which began as an LCMS mission start in the
1950s and is now in fellowship with the Lutheran Church in
Brazil, a partner church of the LCMS. The Commission examined the IELP’s doctrinal commitments, its worship practices,
and its constitution. Following reports at its April 2017 meeting from Dr. Albert Collver on visits with IELP’s president, the
CTCR adopted a resolution that recommended the recognition
of fellowship between our church bodies on the basis of Bylaw 3.9.5.2.2 (c). The President of the Synod, after consultation
with the Praesidium, subsequently declared recognition of fellowship with the IELP. The 2019 convention will be asked to
endorse his action.

2. Evangelical Lutheran Church in Belgium
(ELKB)
The ELKB is a small church served by a former LCMS
missionary who is now a member of our partner church body in
Brazil. The ELKB came into existence in 2008 when—for logistical reasons—the (former) Evangelical Lutheran Church Synod of France and Belgium (with whom the LCMS was in fellowship) divided into two separate Synods, the ELKB and the
Evangelical Lutheran Church Synod of France. Subsequently,

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the President of the ELKB, Rev. Gijsbertus van Hattem, requested that the LCMS recognize and affirm church fellowship
with the ELKB as a separate church body. The Commission examined the ELKB’s doctrinal commitments, its worship practices, and its constitution. Following reports at its April 2017 meeting from Dr. Albert Collver on visits with ELKB’s president, the
CTCR adopted a resolution that recommends the recognition
of fellowship between our church bodies on the basis of Bylaw
3.9.5.2.2 (b). The 2019 convention will be asked to approve recognition of fellowship with the ELKB.

3. Confessional Lutheran Church of South Africa (CLCSA)
The LCMS is in fellowship with two churches in southern
Africa, the Free Evangelical Lutheran Synod in South Africa
and the Lutheran Church in Southern Africa. During the previous triennium, a third Lutheran church, the Confessional
Lutheran Church in South Africa (CLCSA), requested church
fellowship with the LCMS. During this triennium, the chairman
of the CTCR, individuals from the Office of the President, and
CTCR staff met with the President of the CLCSA and others
who have worked with the CLCSA. The Commission examined
the CLCSA’s doctrinal and organizational statements and then
adopted a resolution at its February 2019 meeting that recommends the recognition of fellowship between our church bodies
on the basis of Bylaw 3.9.5.2.2 (b). The 2019 convention will be
asked to approve recognition of fellowship with the CLCSA.

4. Indonesian Lutheran Christian Church
(GKLI)
The LCMS and the Indonesian Lutheran Christian
Church (GKLI) have been in contact for many years. After correspondence and several visits by LCMS personnel, the GKLI
requested altar and pulpit fellowship with the LCMS this past
triennium, and the Office of the President asked the CTCR to
consider this request on the basis of 2013 Bylaw 3.9.5.2.2 (c).
Meetings and visits together have revealed extensive agreement
in doctrine and practice. Where questions about certain differences in practice remain, the GKLI has requested counsel and
assistance from the LCMS. On the basis of reports received
from those involved in work with the GKLI and available official documents and relevant correspondence, the CTCR (at
its May 2016 meeting) informed the President that it supported declaring church fellowship with the Indonesian Lutheran
Christian Church. Subsequently, the LCMS called a missionary
to serve in Indonesia to aid in theological education. The President is continuing to consider this fellowship request and the
CTCR’s recommendation in light of ongoing work being done
in Indonesia.

Current/Pending Requests
for Church Fellowship
1. Ethiopian Evangelical Church—Mekane
Yesus
Although the LCMS and the EECMY are not in altar and
pulpit fellowship, in recent years a mutually beneficial relationship has developed between our two church bodies. Ethiopian
students have studied at LCMS seminaries and several EECMY
pastors have become members of the Synod through collo2019 Convention Workbook