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International Lutheran Council (ILC)

By Mathew Block

Bishop and politician convicted in Finland’s “Bible Trial”

by | Mar 26, 2026

Bishop Pohjola and Dr. Räsänen speak during a 2022 interview with the ELMDF’s Studio Krypta.

FINLAND – On March 26, the Supreme Court of Finland narrowly convicted Bishop Juhana Pohjola and Member of Parliament Päivi Räsänen of hate speech in a 3-2 decision. The two are now considering an appeal to the European Court of Human Rights.

“This court decision is a defeat not only for us and those who adhere to traditional Christian teaching, but also for those who think differently, because the issue of freedom of speech and religion is common to all,” said Bishop Pohjola. “We continue to teach that every person is equal in the image of God but that, in light of the revelation of the Bible, practicing homosexuality as a way of life deviates from God’s order of creation. This teaching of the Bible must be allowed to be taught publicly in Finland without fear.”

“My conscience is pure, and I will continue to teach the Christian faith publicly,” Bishop Pohjola continued, “both regarding the grace of God in Christ Jesus as well as what constitutes sin and deviation from God’s good plan for humanity, including in matters of sexuality.”

The decision is the latest twist in Finland’s infamous “Bible Trial,” which has seen Dr. Räsänen (Finland’s former Minister of the Interior) and Bishop Pohjola of the Evangelical Lutheran Mission Diocese of Finland (ELMDF) endure almost seven years of investigation and prosecution for their articulation of historic Christian teaching on human sexuality. Two previous courts—the Helsinki District Court in 2022 and the Helsinki Court of Appeal in 2023—unanimously acquitted the pair on all charges.

Dr. Räsänen and Bishop Pohjola were charged with hate speech in 2021 over the publication of a 2004 booklet which presents a historic Christian understanding of human sexuality. Dr. Räsänen was charged as author of the work and Bishop Pohjola as publisher. The booklet, which was published long before the legalization of same-sex marriage in Finland, was one entry in a series of booklets published on various theological topics that were later published online. In its majority decision, the Supreme Court ruled that some statements in the booklet were insulting to homosexual people and that continuing to keep the publication online was therefore illegal.

By contrast, the dissenting judges said—accepting the court rapporteur’s report—that a restriction on freedom of speech and religion was not justified in this case, and that the charges against Dr. Räsänen and Bishop Pohjola should be dismissed.

In addition to ruling on the booklet, the Supreme Court unanimously acquitted Dr. Räsänen on a separate charge related to a 2019 tweet which included a picture of a Bible verse. Prosecutors had not appealed a third charge about comments made during a 2019 radio program, accepting Dr. Räsänen’s 2023 acquittal at the Helsinki Court of Appeals on that charge.

“While I am happy that the Court unanimously confirmed my acquittal regarding the Bible-tweet, I am deeply concerned that it has nonetheless found me guilty in relation to the church booklet I authored twenty years ago,” Dr. Räsänen said. “This outcome sends a troubling and contradictory message about the state of fundamental freedoms in Finland. On the one hand, the Court has affirmed that expressing one’s beliefs—even on matters that may be considered controversial—is not a crime…. The final acquittal on this charge is a key victory in protecting free speech. On the other hand, by convicting me for expressing beliefs in a different context, the Court has drawn an unclear and, I believe, dangerous line.”

The Supreme Court has fined Dr. Räsänen €1,800 and Bishop Pohjola €1,100. The Evangelical Lutheran Mission Diocese of Finland’s corporate agency has also been fined €5,000. The Court has further ordered the defendants to remove from online the text in the booklet that it ruled was offensive.

“I am called, and it is my duty, to teach biblical faith on the created order of male and female, on the Christian understanding of marriage, and on the purpose and use of human sexuality,” Bishop Pohjola reflected following the judgment. “My basic rights of freedom of religion as a Lutheran bishop to teach biblical faith according to the confession of our church and my conscience have now been deeply violated. It is not a matter of the sum of euros of the fine but of principle and basic rights.”

“This has a severe outcome not only for me personally, but for my church and for all others who share the same convictions,” he continued. “The ELMDF is a minority Lutheran church body. As its bishop, I am now labeled a criminal, and by extension our entire church is portrayed as promoting illegal activity. I pay the sentence with euros; others pay with fear. This verdict has a chilling effect on society.”

The prosecution of Bishop Pohjola and Dr. Räsänen has drawn widespread international criticism over the weakening of freedom of religion and freedom of speech in Finland. “We are shocked by the decision of the Supreme Court of Finland to convict Bishop Pohjola and Dr. Räsänen for their articulation of historic Christian teaching,” said Rev. Dr. Detlev Schulz, General Secretary of the International Lutheran Council (ILC). “We consider this ruling unjust and an infringement on the defendants’ fundamental freedoms.”

“May Christ be with Bishop Pohjola and Dr. Räsänen with His comfort in the midst of today’s disappointment,” Dr. Schulz continued, “and may He strengthen all Christians to stand firm in Christ and in His Word.”

The International Lutheran Council has repeatedly expressed its support for Dr. Räsänen and Bishop Pohjola as the legal process has unfolded. The heads of Lutheran church bodies around the world recently reasserted that support during the ILC’s 2025 World Conference in the Philippines, during which time members reelected Bishop Pohjola to a second three-year term as Chairman of the International Lutheran Council.

The International Lutheran Council is a global association of confessional Lutheran church bodies dedicated to the proclamation of the Gospel of Jesus Christ, grounded in the authority of Scripture and the Lutheran Confessions.

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New Bishop Elect for Lutheran Church in Norway and Iceland

by | Mar 20, 2026

LKNI Bishop Elect Markus Snellman.

NORWAY – The Lutheran Church in Norway and Iceland (Den Lutherske Kirke i Norge og Island / Lúterska kirkjan í Noregi og á Íslandi – LKNI) has elected Rev. Markus Snellman to serve as the church’s new bishop. The election came during the LKNI’s church council on March 14.

Bishop Elect Snellman’s consecration  will take place on October 24 in Oslo. He succeeds Bishop Torkild Masvie, who will reach the LKNI’s age limit for service as bishop in October. In the intervening months, Bishop Elect Snellman will gradually be instructed in and take on many of the bishop’s responsibilities.

Bishop Elect Snellman holds masters degrees in theology from Fjellhaug International University College (Oslo) and from Concordia Theological Seminary (Fort Wayne, Indiana). A Swedish-speaking Finn, Rev. Snellman is currently serving as a parish pastor in Narvik and Svolvær. Bishop Elect Snellman will work with the new pastor appointed to Narvik before transitioning to the Oslo region with his family later in the year.

Additional information on Bishop Elect Snellman is available from the LKNI here.

The Lutheran Church in Norway and Iceland is a member church of the International Lutheran Council (ILC), a global association of confessional Lutheran church bodies dedicated to the proclamation of the Gospel of Jesus Christ, grounded in the authority of Scripture and the Lutheran Confessions.

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ILC prepares for 2026 World Seminaries Conference

by | Mar 12, 2026

SOUTH AFRICA – The International Lutheran Council (ILC) will hold its 2026 World Seminaries Conference in Pretoria, South Africa, from June 23-26.

The theme for this year’s conference is “Being Human, Being Christian: Theological Anthropology in Church and Seminary.” In an era of transhumanism, gender ideology, and post-modern anthropology, this conference will equip seminary leaders and faculty to faithfully teach a biblical and confessional Lutheran understanding of what it means to be human.

The International Lutheran Council is a global association of confessional Lutheran church bodies dedicated to the proclamation of the Gospel of Jesus Christ, grounded in the authority of Scripture and the Lutheran Confessions.

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LLDP studies contemporary issues in ethics and biblical hermeneutics

by | Mar 5, 2026

LLDP participants with instructor Rev. Dr. Charles Gieschen (Provost at Concordia Theological Seminary). From left: Rev. Dr. Naomichi Masaki, LLDP Director; Rev. Felipe Ehican, Vice President of the Lutheran Church in the Philippines (LCP); Rev. Fredirick Flores, Secretary of North Luzon Highland District, LCP; Rev. Daniel Akoh, President/Bishop Elect of the Evangelical Lutheran Church of Ghana (ELCG); Rev. Dr. Charles Gieschen; Rev. Dr. John Lanbon, National Director of Young Adult Fellowship, ELCG; Rev. Charles Bameka, National Presiding Bishop of Lutheran Church of Uganda (LCU); and Rev Dr. Heinz Hiestermann, Rector of Lutheran Theological Seminary in Tshwane, South Africa, Free Evangelical Lutheran Synod in South Africa (FELSISA).

USA – From November 10-21, 2025, church leaders from four Lutheran church bodies in Africa and Asia travelled to the United States for another session of the Lutheran Leadership Development Program (LLDP). During this session, participants engaged two of the most important topics in the church today: issues in theological ethics, and biblical doctrine and hermeneutics.

Rev. Peter Brock teaches on Issues in Theological Ethics.

The course on Issues in Theological Ethics helps participants form a disciplined and accurate analysis of key ethical problems confronting the church on issues like personhood, sexuality, marriage, technological advance, the beginning and end of human life, and vocation. Rev. Peter Brock, senior pastor of St. John’s Evangelical Lutheran (Bingen, Indiana) and First Vice President of the LCMS’s Indiana District—and also a theological capacity builder for the ILC—taught this vital subject. Rev. Brock discussed a variety of misconceptions contained in contemporary pluralistic approaches to ethics, modeling instead a Lutheran approach grounded in the doctrine of justification and trinitarian theology. Rev. Brock engaged in contemporary issues through key Lutheran themes like the Law/Gospel distinction, the three estates, and the two kingdoms. While teaching as a theologian and church leader, he also brought to bear his experience as a parish pastor who deals with these issues day in and day out.

“I learned many new things!” said Rev. Dr. Heinz Hiestermann, Rector of Lutheran Theological Seminary (Tshwane, South Africa), speaking on the course. “Many issues we discussed in class are not talked about in my church. We need to talk about these issues, and now I have the knowledge to do this. I believe I learned a lot that will benefit the church.” Dr. Hiestermann is a trained New Testament scholar, but attending LLDP sessions has inspired him to incorporate what he is learning in the program into the education offered at his own seminary; the seminary is beginning to offer, for example, courses on ecclesial leadership and pastoral administration.

The second course—Lutheran Hermeneutics—was taught by Rev. Dr. Charles Gieschen, Provost and Professor of the New Testament at Concordia Theological Seminary (Fort Wayne). This was his third time teaching the course for the LLDP. Dr. Gieschen taught the basics of hermeneutics in light of the confessional Lutheran approach to the Scriptures. His chief point was the Christocentricity of Scripture. His lectures covered essential points of the broad history of biblical interpretation from early, patristic, medieval, Reformation, post-Reformation, and modern periods, complemented by many readings, and helped participants evaluate the historical-critical method and reader-oriented trends in biblical interpretation. Much appreciated was his concrete demonstration of sound hermeneutics in response to challenges participants face in their own contexts such as the various claims of neo-charismatic and Pentecostal movements, millennialism, proponents of women’s ordination, and more.

Rev. Dr. Charles Gieschen teaches Lutheran Hermeneutics.

Participants were thankful for this course because they knew that many people in their parishes and even some pastors are often ill-equipped on the fundamentals of a confessional Lutheran approach to Scripture and sound biblical hermeneutics. “The proper way of reading the entire Scripture with Christocentricity that Dr. Gieschen taught has made the scales fall from my eyes,” said one participant. And another: “That Dr. Gieschen took a lot of time to answer the questions of the students helped us apply the Bible better in our context.”

The International Lutheran Council (ILC) works with its partners The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod (LCMS), Concordia Publishing House (CPH), and Concordia Theological Seminary (Fort Wayne, Indiana) to administer the LLDP under program director, Rev. Dr. Naomichi Masaki. “Participants studied day and night to read, attend lectures, and write for these two very demanding courses,” Dr. Masaki observed. “This program calls for serious study of theological topics and practical issues that are designed to assist participants in their ecclesial leadership in their context.” He went on to praise the participants for their hard work.

Of the instructors, Dr. Masaki said: “Once again, my colleague Dr. Gieschen exceeded my expectations through one-of-a-kind instruction and with deep respect and care for the participants. He knows how important the subject matter of proper biblical interpretation remains in world Lutheranism.” And again: “How often have I observed the way Pastor Brock teaches the subject of theological ethics in Tanzania in an incredibly masterful manner! He is not only a first-class scholar but also a competent instructor. It was my special joy to acknowledge that he is now a part of our LLDP teaching faculty!”

LLDP participants, Dr. Masaki, Rev. Brock, Mrs. Alison Blodget (ILC Treasurer and Office Manager) meet with CPH President/CEO Jonathan Schultz (left) along with CPH Vice President of Publishing Rev. Dr. Jacob Corzine (second from right).

During the November session, LLDP participants enjoyed participating in campus life at Concordia Theological Seminary, including the institution’s annual Good Shepherd Institute, as well as the in-home hospitality of several seminary and ILC families. A distinct joy was when LLDP members were reunited for a visit with Concordia Publishing House’s President/CEO Jonathan Schultz and Vice President of Publishing Rev. Dr. Jacob Corzine. LLDP members expressed their thanks to CPH for the gifts of many essential resources this year to the seminary libraries and individual pastors of LLDP member churches.

The next session of the LLDP is taking place in Wittenberg, Germany, from February-March 2026, with a particular focus on the history of the Lutheran Church and the theology of the Lutheran Confessions. You are invited to support the work of the LLDP by making a donation online. You can also mail a donation by cheque to:

International Lutheran Council
P.O. Box 10149
Fort Wayne, Indiana 46850 USA

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2026 Corpus Christi Conference to be held in Finland

by | Mar 2, 2026

FINLAND – The 16th Corpus Christi Conference will take place in Turku, Finland, from July 20-24, 2026. The theme of this year’s conference is “The Body Baptised,” drawing on 1 Corinthians 12:13.

The main speaker for this year’s event is Rev. Dr. Thomas M. Winger, President of Concordia Lutheran Theological Seminary (St. Catharines, Ontario, Canada). “In the plenary sessions, we will explore what it means that we are redeemed in both body and soul,” promotional material explains. “Laying the theological foundation of what it means that God poured water on my body to make me His own, we will focus on the physical aspects of the liturgy (sacrament and ceremony), moving into service of the neighbour as daily worship.”

Other presenters announced for 2026 so far include Rev. Dr. Christian C. Tiews, Rev. Sahar Sadlovsky-Gold, and Rev. Sebastian Grünbaum.

Registration opened for European residents on January 23, and opened to participants worldwide on March 1. To register, visit the website of the Corpus Christi Association here.

The Corpus Christi Association exists to “promote active participation in the liturgical prayer life of the Church and the knowledge of the Word of God among young adults in Europe.” To that end, Corpus Christi hosts an annual conference and smaller regional events which focus on biblical teaching, liturgical and Christ-centered worship, and fellowship between Lutheran young adults.

The Corpus Christi Association holds membership as a Recognized Organization in the International Lutheran Council (ILC), a global association of confessional Lutheran church bodies dedicated to the proclamation of the Gospel of Jesus Christ, grounded in the authority of Scripture and the Lutheran Confessions.

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Lutherans in Cöte d’Ivoire reelect president

by | Feb 27, 2026

ELA-SCI President Marc Guehi Guehi.

CÔTE D’IVOIRE – Rev. Marc Guehi Guehi was elected to another three-year term as National President of the Lutheran Church in Africa – Synod of Côte d’Ivoire (Église Luthérienne en Afrique-Synode de Côte d’Ivoire – ELA-SCI) on Monday, November 3, 2025.

The ELA-SCI is an observer member church of the International Lutheran Council (ILC), having been accepted into membership in 2022.

The ILC is a global association of confessional Lutheran church bodies dedicated to the proclamation of the Gospel of Jesus Christ, grounded in the authority of Scripture and the Lutheran Confessions.

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CLSSA Interim Bishop concludes service

by | Feb 19, 2026

Bishop David Tswaedi.

SOUTH AFRICA – The Confessional Lutheran Synod of South Africa (CLSSA) is honouring Bishop David Tswaedi upon the completion of his service as Interim Bishop.

Bishop Tswaedi was called to serve as Interim Bishop following the sudden death of the CLSSA’s founding Bishop, Mandla John Khumalo, in 2021. Bishop Tswaedi served as Interim Bishop from March 2022 to December 2025.

The history of the CLSSA dates to 1989, when Bishop Mandla Khumalo founded St. Peter Confessional Lutheran Church in Middelburg. The church would go on to start additional congregations and preaching stations, as well as a school, leading to the eventual formation of the CLSSA.

As an intentional Interim Bishop, Rev. Dr. David Tswaedi helped lead the CLSSA through a difficult transition following the death of their founding bishop. He also led the church body from observer membership to full membership in the International Lutheran Council (ILC) in 2024. Bishop Tswaedi further worked to strengthen the church’s relations with the Lutheran Church in Southern Africa (LCSA), the Free Evangelical Lutheran Synod in South Africa (FELSISA), and The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod (LCMS), as well as Christian Outreach for Africa (COFA).

Bishop Tswaedi (right) and Rev. Masemola (second from right), along with other pastors of the CLSSA in 2024.

Bishop Tswaedi served as Bishop of the Lutheran Church in Southern Africa (LCSA) from 1993-2009, when he declined to stand for reelection. In addition to serving the LCSA, Bishop Tswaedi has served African Lutherans in numerous ways, including through his involvement with the Lutheran Theological Seminary (LTS) in Tshwane, as well as his service as Executive Director of the Lutheran Communion in Southern Africa (LUCSA). He further served as Africa Region representative on the International Lutheran Council’s Executive Committee from 1997-1999. Bishop Tswaedi originally planned to retire in 2021 before receiving the unexpected call to serve as intentional Interim Bishop for the CLSSA.

Bishop Tswaedi is succeeded as lead pastor of St. Peter Confessional Lutheran Church in Middelburg by Rev. Given Masemola, who was ordained by Bishop Tswaedi in 2024. The leadership of the LCSSA itself will be determined at a later synod still being planned at this time.

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The International Lutheran Council is a global association of confessional Lutheran church bodies dedicated to the proclamation of the Gospel of Jesus Christ, grounded in the authority of Scripture and the Lutheran Confessions.

With notes from Rev. Bill Wangelin (Lansing, Michigan)

CPH makes its popular English translation of the Book of Concord freely available online

by | Jan 29, 2026

USA – Concordia Publishing House (CPH) has launched a new website making its popular English edition of the Book of Concord available to read for free online: bookofconcord.cph.org.

“What sets the Book of Concord Online apart is that it features the text of Concordia: The Lutheran Confessions,” said Jonathan D. Schultz, President and CEO of CPH. “For over 20 years this has been the most widely used and trusted version of our Confessions. We are thrilled to be making it freely available online.”

CPH’s newly-developed website makes the historic documents of the Book of Concord—the confessional foundation of the Evangelical Lutheran Church—available to pastors, teachers, students, and laypeople through a modern, user-friendly platform. Designed for clarity, accessibility, and study, the site allows users to seamlessly navigate all the texts of the Book of Concord.

The text featured on the website is from the second edition of Concordia: The Lutheran Confessions, published by CPH. It is a revised and updated version of the translation originally prepared by William H. T. Dau and G. Friedrich Bente for the Concordia Triglotta to ensure both theological fidelity and readability for today’s readers. CPH’s updated edition (published 2005, 2006) has helped to usher in greater confessional awareness among English-speaking Lutherans worldwide.

“The Book of Concord’s faithfulness to the Holy Scriptures allows it to be central to the teaching and witness of The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod,” said Dr. Jacob Corzine, vice president of Publishing for CPH. “By making it available online, we hope to encourage faithful teaching and study, and bold confession of the Christian faith.”

To explore the Book of Concord Online and begin reading, visit bookofconcord.cph.org.

Concordia Publishing House is the publishing arm of The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod (LCMS). CPH is also an important partner of the International Lutheran Council (ILC), a global association of confessional Lutheran church bodies which includes the LCMS.

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Lutheran Church in Norway and Iceland identifies candidates for next bishop

by | Jan 28, 2026

Rev. Sakarias Ingolfsson and Rev. Markus Snellman.

NORWAY – The Lutheran Church in Norway and Iceland (Den Lutherske Kirke i Norge og Island / Lúterska kirkjan í Noregi og á Íslandi – LKNI) has identified two pastors as possible candidates for the church’s new bishop: Rev. Sakarias Ingolfsson and Rev. Markus Snellman. An election will take place during the LKNI’s church council on March 14, and the consecration of the new bishop will take place in October.

Rev. Sakarias Ingolfsson, an Icelander by birth, serves as parish pastor in Messiah Church (Oslo) as well as in Rejkjavik, Iceland. He also leads the LKNI’s pastoral study program AdFontes. Rev. Ingolfsson holds a master’s degree from Fjellhaug International University College (Oslo) as well as an S.T.M degree from Concordia Theological Seminary (Fort Wayne, Indiana).

Rev. Markus Snellman, a Swedish-speaking Finn, is parish pastor in Narvik and Svolvær. He is also leading a church building project in Narvik. He holds master’s degrees from both Fjellhaug International University College (Oslo) as well as from Concordia Theological Seminary (Fort Wayne, Indiana).

Bishop Torkild Masvie speaks at the ILC’s 2018 World Conference in Antwerp, Belgium.

The new bishop will succeed Bishop Torkild Masvie who turns 70 years old this October, at which time he will reach the age limit for service as bishop under the LKNI’s bylaws. The episcopal consecration of the new bishop will therefore take place on October 24 in Oslo.

Bishop Masvie was consecrated as bishop of the LKNI in 2017, after having previously served the young church as provisional bishop for many years. Bishop Masvie led the LKNI into membership in the International Lutheran Council (ILC) in 2015.

The International Lutheran Council is a global association of confessional Lutheran church bodies dedicated to the proclamation of the Gospel of Jesus Christ, grounded in the authority of Scripture and the Lutheran Confessions.

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Christmas Greetings: God is With Us

by | Dec 23, 2025

by Klaus Detlev Schulz

“Behold the virgin shall conceive and bear a Son, and they shall call His name Immanuel” (Matthew 1:23). These words spoken by the angel of the Lord to Mary fulfill one well-known prediction made in the Old Testament in Isaiah 7:14. Indeed, Christmas celebrates the birth of the Saviour of the world, a day when we are reminded that “God is with us” (Immanuel).

We are a step closer to celebrating His birthday. The fourth candle has been lit. The anticipation is almost over. And as we contemplate the angel’s words to Mary, we are reminded of God’s faithfulness. Not only has He spoken through the prophets announcing the coming of the Lord, but He also kept his promises in the coming of His Son, our Saviour. His Word became flesh and dwelt among us.

“Behold,” John, the Baptist called out to the sinful world, “the Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world.” May the world hear and come to the knowledge of the truth that their sins have been taken to the cross and that there they were redeemed. In Jesus, God’s intentions to save the world have become real. God’s love became manifest for all to see and hear: the eternal Son of God is placed in a manger, travels the path to the cross, rises from the grave victoriously, and ascends to heaven, opening access for us to the Father. Without Him we would all remain in darkness and be eternally lost.

Now He rules the world as the King of glory—but He came into His world on different terms as a human being, leading a lowly life indeed that brought humiliation, death, and resurrection. Yes, a King of glory, but He chose to live amongst us and become one of us: “Immanuel”. He was a victim before He became the victor (victor quia victima). That is the answer we give to the question raised in the hymn: “Who is the King of Glory, how shall we call Him?” (LSB 211). He is the one whose birthday matters, and we are looking forward to it with joy.

Therefore, let us remind ourselves, our members, and our dear ones that God has given us His “yes” in the sending of His Son. Speak of it in your sermons and deliver His salutary gift of forgiveness in confession and absolution and in the Lord’s Supper. Thereby the light of Christmas will shine into our own lives and hearts. God is with us. To Him be all glory and thanks.

Let us pray: Dear heavenly Father, in Your Son Jesus Christ You have made Your predictions and promises come true. In Him You have given us Your true and clear intent to save the world. We come before You in gratitude and bow down before the manger and before the cross. Make us truly thankful this season and fill our hearts with joy and praise to You for having given us the Saviour of all nations. In His name we pray. Amen.

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Rev. Dr. Klaus Detlev Schulz is General Secretary of the International Lutheran Council.

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