GERMANY – The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod (LCMS) hosted its International Church Relations Conference (ICRC) in Wittenberg, Germany from October 21-25. This was the second year in a row that the conference was held in Wittenberg, the birthplace of the Reformation.
The LCMS’ ICRC brings together representatives from mission plants and church bodies with which the LCMS enjoys fellowship (as well as churches moving towards fellowship with the LCMS). This year, 97 representatives from 46 countries participated in the ICRCR, which met under the theme “Christ – The Lord of History,” drawing on Hebrews 13:8: “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.”
The event began with a service of Vespers at St. Mary’s Church in Wittenberg, with Rev. Dr. Jonathan Shaw, Director of LCMS Church Relations, preaching. “Christ is the Lord of history—yesterday, today, and forever,” Dr. Shaw said, introducing the convention theme. “He is the Lord of history yesterday—the pattern of all that is. He is the Lord of history today—the peace we have with the Father in His blood. And He is the Lord of history forever—the Presence which perfects us by His Spirit in forgiveness, life, and salvation.”
The theme was further unpacked by nine speakers throughout the conference, with the subthemes of Christ as the Lord of yesterday, today, and forever each being addressed by three speakers. Speaking on Christ as the Lord of yesterday were President Thomas Egger of Concordia Seminary (St. Louis, Missouri); Rev. Dr. Burnell Eckardt Jr., editor in chief of Gottesdienst; and LCMS 5th Vice President Christopher Esget. President Egger spoke on “Christ the Lord of History – In Creation.” Dr. Eckardt presented on “The Lord of History: Yesterday – In the Old Testament Narrative.” Vice President Esget spoke on “Christ – The Lord of History in Re-Ordering the Image of God.”
Speaking on Christ as the Lord of today were Bishop Peter Anibati Abia of the Evangelical Lutheran Church of South Sudan/Sudan (ELCSS/S); LCMS President Matthew C. Harrison; and Rev. Ted M.R. Krey (LCMS Regional Director for Latin America and the Caribbean). Bishop Abia presented on “Christ – The Lord of History: Today – In Witness.” President Harrison spoke on “Paul’s Collection for Jerusalem.” Rev. Krey presented on “Jesus Christ – The Lord of History Today in Church Planting and the Shaping Force of Justification in Church Planting.”
Speaking on Christ as the Lord of forever were Associate Professor Jon D. Vieker of Concordia Seminary (St. Louis, Missouri); Assistant Professor Stephen Pietsch of Concordia Seminary (St. Louis, Missouri); and Dr. Shaw. Dr. Vieker spoke on “Christ – The Lord of History – Forever: In Worship.” Dr. Pietsch presented on “Christ – The Lord of History Forever: Luther’s Eschatological Understanding of Creation.” Dr. Shaw spoke on “Christ – The Lord of History Forever: In Sacramental Remembrance.”
Preachers for Matins and Vespers during the conference included President Geraldo Walmir Schüler of the Evangelical Lutheran Church of Brazil (IELB – Igreja Evangélica Luterana do Brasil); President John Shadrak Donkoh of the Evangelical Lutheran Church of Ghana (ELCG); Bishop Serge Maschewski of the Evangelical Lutheran Church of Ukraine (ELCU); Rev. Dr. Corey Rajek (Executive Director of the LCMS Office of International Mission); Rev. Michael N. Frese (Deputy Director of LCMS Church Relations); and Archbishop Jānis Vanags of the Evangelical Lutheran Church of Latvia (LELB – Latvijas Evaņģēliski luteriskā baznīca). A Divine Service was also held during the week, for which LCMS President Harrison served as preacher.
In addition to English, services throughout the week featured elements of the liturgy in Swahili, German, and Spanish. Rev. Sean Daenzer, director of LCMS Worship, served as liturgist for the conference.
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