PHILIPPINES – The final day of the International Lutheran Council’s 2025 World Conference saw six observer member churches accepted as full members in the ILC and the election of board members for a new triennium.
The day began with a service of matins led by Rev. Michael Blodgett, with the ILC’s Europe Regional Representative, Chairman George Samiec of the Evangelical Lutheran Church of England (ELCE), preaching a sermon on Luke 8:1-3 and 1 Timothy 6:2-12.
“The New Testament is not a how-to-book for running an organization,” Chairman Samiec noted. “Sure, we hear about financial issues and organizational issues… [but] the Church has never wanted to impose burdens.” Organizational details like constitutions and bylaws vary depending on “your churches, your countries, finances, relationships, and the fine print each of us work under,” he said. What matters is that “the heart, attitude, and desires are right—godliness with contentment,” he continued—and consequently we find St. Paul talking “big picture things” about living relationally “first with Jesus and then with those around you.”
“Our goal is not empire building for ourselves,” Chairman Samiec continued. “If we have food and clothing—today we might say ‘basic necessities’—and Christ, then we can live in His Kingdom and do Kingdom work as we have means, as we are able.” We do not need to be “supermen;” we are called simply to daily patterns and rituals of faithfulness: “[moving] away from what causes us to sin towards absolution, towards Holy Communion,” and [striving] and [confessing] the hope we have in Christ Jesus.” He concluded: “Coming close to Jesus, the God who serves, and realizing that He is the one who comes to us gives us our daily identity… and so we flee from sin and pursue righteousness because Jesus is our loving Lord who has saved us, declared us righteous already—and we want this for our church—and we want this for the world.”
The matins service also featured a special musical performance by members of the ILC’s African region, singing the hymn “Mfurahini, Haleluya” (“Christ has Arisen, Alleluia”) in Swahili.
Acceptance of Full Members and ILC Elections
Following worship, the conference turned to a discussion of ILC business. Among other business, six observer members were received as full voting members: the Confessional Lutheran Church – Malawi Synod (CLCMS); Lutheran Mission – Australia (LM-A); the Evangelical Lutheran Church of Kazakhstan (ELCK); the Istanbul Lutheran Church (ILK)/Evangelical Lutheran Church of Bulgaria (ELCB); the Evangelical Lutheran Church of Haiti (ELCH); and the Malagasy Lutheran Church (FLM).
The ILC also held elections for members of the board of directors for the new triennium. Bishop Juhana Pohola of the Evangelical Lutheran Mission Diocese of Finland (ELMDF) was reelected to another term as ILC Chairman. Other elections and reelection include:
- Africa – Bishop Charles Bameka (Lutheran Church of Uganda)
- Asia – President Matt Anker (Lutheran Mission – Australia)
- Europe – Archbishop Rinalds Grants (Evangelical Lutheran Church of Latvia)
- Latin America – President Alceu Alton Figur (Evangelical Lutheran Church of Paraguay)
- North America – President Timothy Teuscher (Lutheran Church–Canada)
- Secretary: President Omar Garza Martinez (Lutheran Synod of Mexico)
ILC Chairman Pohjola took the opportunity to thank ELCE Chairman George Samiec (Europe) and LCP President Antonio Del Rio Reyes (Asia) for their faithful service to the board. Neither stood for reelection at this year’s conference. Chairman Pohjola also acknowledged the service of other board members who completed their service on the board during the past triennium or in the lead up to this year’s conference, including LCU Bishop John Donkoh, LCK Archbishop Joseph Omolo, and LCC Past President Robert Bugbee. He further noted with thanks the blessing of ELKB President Gisjbertus van Hattem, whose service with the ILC lasted until his death in 2024.
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For more news from the ILC’s 2025 World Conference, click here.
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