Korean Lutherans formalize fellowship with the Philippines

by | Nov 3, 2026

Participants in the Lutheran Church in Korea’s 2026 General Convention.

SOUTH KOREA – The Lutheran Church in Korea (LCK) held its 56th General Convention from October 1-2 in Seoul, during which time the church formally approved altar and pulpit fellowship with the Lutheran Church in the Philippines (LCP). The theme was “A Church Firmly Standing Upon the Confession of Faith.”

LCK President Johng Ho Won, LCP President Antonio del Rio Reyes, and Rev. Dr. Jun Hyun Kim.

The presidents of the LCK and the LCP had previously agreed on a Declaration of Altar and Pulpit Fellowship earlier this year in February during a meeting in Manila, Philippines. The LCK convention’s recent actions formalizes that declaration on the Korean side.

As a symbol of that new unity, LCP President Antonio del Rio Reyes was invited by LCK President Jong Ho Won to preach during the LCK convention’s opening service. Drawing on the convention theme, President Reyes preached a sermon entitled “A Church Firmly Established in Faith” (Colossians 2:6-7).

Throughout the convention, the church also addressed regular business matters and began discussions regarding the LCK’s international partnerships.

This convention did not hold elections for church president, as President Jong Ho Won was elected to a four-year term during the LCK’s convention in 2025.

The Lutheran Church in Korea is a member church of the International Lutheran Council, a global association of confessional Lutheran church bodies

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By Mathew Block

Mathew Block is Communications Director for the International Lutheran Council. He is also editor of The Canadian Lutheran magazine, and formerly served as Communications Manager for Lutheran Church–Canada.

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