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LLDP visits Concordia Publishing House, celebrates another graduate

LLDP participants at Concordia Publishing House. From left: Rev. Ambele Mwaipopo, retired Bishop of Lake Tanganyika Diocese (LTD), Evangelical Lutheran Church in Tanzania (ELCT); Rev. Fredirick Flores, Secretary of North Luzon Highland District, Lutheran Church of the Philippines (LCP); Rev. Daniel Akoh, President/Bishop Elect of Evangelical Lutheran Church of Ghana (ELCG); Rev. Charles Bameka, National Presiding Bishop of Lutheran Church of Uganda (LCU); Rev. Johanesa Andriamanarinjato, Bishop of Fisakana Synod, Malagasy Lutheran Church (FLM); Rev. Dr. Jacob Corzine, Vice President of Publishing, Concordia Publishing House (CPH); Rev. Dr. Roger Paavola, President of LCMS Mid-South District; Jonathan Schultz, President/CEO of CPH; Rev. Dr. Naomichi Masaki, LLDP Director and The Reverend Victor H. and Lydia Dissen Professor of the Lutheran Confessions at Concordia Theological Seminary, Fort Wayne (CTSFW); Rev. Dr. Yacob Godebo, Director of PhD Program at Mekane Yesus Seminary, Ethiopian Evangelical Church Mekane Yesus (EECMY); Rev. Jackson Mushendwa, Bishop of Western Diocese, ELCT; Rev. Dr. Heinz Hiestermann, Director of Lutheran Theological Seminary in Tshwane, South Africa, Free Evangelical Lutheran Synod in South Africa (FELSISA); Dr. John Lanbon, Director of National Young Adult Fellowship, ELCG; Rev. Martin Paul, Third Pastor in the Synodical Council, FELSISA; Tom McCain, CPA, Adjunct Professor of Washington University; Rev. Dr. Yohana Nzelu, Bishop of South East of Lake Victoria Diocese, ELCT; and Rev. Peter Abia, Presiding Bishop of Evangelical Lutheran Church in South Sudan and Sudan (ELCSS/S).

USA – Church leaders from ten Lutheran church bodies and dioceses in eight countries in Africa and Asia travelled to the United States for an eventful next session of the International Lutheran Council’s (ILC) Lutheran Leadership Development Program (LLDP) from November 11-22, 2024.

Concordia Publishing House

President and CEO of CPH, Jonathan Schultz, addresses the LLDP participants.

A highlight of this session was a course held at Concordia Publishing House (CPH) during the second week. CPH President and CEO Jonathan Schultz warmly welcomed the LLDP participants. He was joined by Dr. Jacob Corzine, Vice President of Publishing, Mrs. Kim Latham, Assistant to President, and many other key staff members in extending kind hospitality to the LLDP participants. President Schultz’ passion for the Gospel and care for the participants excited and melted the hearts of all, and Dr. Corzine’s lecture on church leadership according to Apology XXVIII was very insightful.

A tour of the building gave participants a deep understanding of how the Lord has blessed CPH over 150 years as the world’s premier confessional Lutheran publishing house. In all LLDP sessions, participants have benefited from CPH’s rich resources that are faithful to the Scriptures and the Lutheran Confessions. It was a privilege as a result for participants to learn more about CPH and the people who serve there.

Concordia Publishing House was one of the agencies which helped to found the LLDP in 2017, together with the ILC, The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod (LCMS), and Concordia Theological Seminary in Fort Wayne (CTSFW). That support of the LLDP reflects CPH’s broader mission of serving the proclamation of the Gospel effectively throughout the world. This November session served as the LLDP’s “homecoming,” giving thanks to CPH, with particular emphasis on its support for LLDP itself.

Another LLDP graduate

New LLDP graduate, Bishop Dr. Yohana Nzelu (front centre), with LLDP teaching faculty, students, and a few guests following commencement on November 15, 2024.

Another highlight of the most recent session was the graduation of Rev. Dr. Yohana Nzelu, Bishop of South East of Lake Victoria Diocese (SELVD) in Tanzania, and his reception of a Certificate of Theology in Lutheran Leadership from the ILC. The program requires students to write a graduation thesis as a culminating exercise. Bishop Nzelu’s thesis was: “An Examination of the Contribution of The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod to the Growth of ELCT–South East of Lake Victoria Diocese.” He presented its summary to the community of CTSFW during its Convocation Hour on November 13 before conferral of the certificate on November 15.

Reflecting on his two years of LLDP, Bishop Nzelu commented: “The LLDP made me a Lutheran leader. It shaped my liturgical practice from Pentecostal influence to Lutheranism. I have been equipped with skills for defending the Lutheran theology. It gave me skills for leading my diocese by building an effective team to reach our goals. I recommend LLDP to every church leader, especially bishops and presidents.”

Rev. Dr. Jeffrey Skopak teaching Strategic Planning and Task Management at CTSFW.

Rev. Dr. Jeffrey Skopak of Emmanuel Lutheran Church and School (Asheville, Tennessee) served as instructor for the first week at CTSFW, teaching a course on Strategic Planning and Task Management. Participants expressed thanks for the lessons, with one writing: “This course was transformative in ecclesial ministry, as this kind of course is rarely taught in theological seminary and colleges.” Another participant encouraged the LLDP to offer annual workshops on the same topic for LLDP alumni and their executive staff.

LCMS Mid-South District President Roger Paavola teaching Budgeting and Financial Accountability at CPH.

Rev. Dr. Roger Paavola, President of the LCMS’ Mid-South District, was the instructor at CPH for the second week. To enrich his course on Budgeting and Financial Accountability, he brought in a team of instructors and presenters, including: Professor Tom McCain, CPA, of Washington University; Ed Holerde, Esq., a member of Spencer Law Firm, which works with the LCMS; Jeff Schwartz of Lutheran Public Radio (Issues, Etc.); and Rev. Matthew Clark, pastor of Ascension Lutheran Church (St. Louis, Missouri). Participating church leaders commented: “I learned that stewardship begins with Christ’s love,” and “This was a very important course for church leaders to help them think strategically in planning for the church.”

Holding a class in St. Louis brought additional benefits. President Dr. Tom Egger of Concordia Seminary (St. Louis, Missouri) and his wife invited LLDP participants for desert one evening. One afternoon was spent at the LCMS’s International Center to hear Revs. Drs. Joel Lehenbauer and Rick Serina concerning the work and resources of the LCMS’ Commission on Theology and Church Relations. Participants were also grateful to visit with LCMS President Matthew Harrison, who had served as an instructor during the LLDP’s February/March 2024 session in Wittenberg.

The LLDP at the LCMS International Center on November 20, 2024. From left, Rev. Dr. Joel Lehenbauer, Executive Director of LCMS Commission on Theology and Church Relations (CTCR); President Dr. Roger Paavola; Prof. Dr. Naomichi Masaki; Rev. Johanesa Andriamanarinjato; Rev. Dr. Heinz Hiestermann; Bishop Jackson Mushendwa; Presiding Bishop Peter Abia; Rev. Dr. Matthew Harrison, LCMS President; Dr. John Lanbon; Bishop Dr. Yohana Nzelu; Rev. Dr. Yacob Godebo; Rev. President/Bishop Elect Daniel Akoh; Rev. Fredirick Flores; retired Bishop Ambele Mwaipopo; National Presiding Bishop Charles Bameka; Rev. Martin Paul; and Rev. Dr. Rick Serina, Associate Executive Director, CTCR.

On Sundays, members visited two local congregations to receive the Lord’s service. Five of the participants also served as preachers during the session. Bishops Peter Anibati Abia (South Sudan/Sudan) and Charles Bameka (Uganda) preached at Kramer Chapel at CTSFW during the first week. President/Bishop Elect Daniel Akoh (Ghana), Rev. Martin Paul (South Africa), and Rev. Fredirick Flores (Philippines) preached at LLDP’s daily Matins at CPH.

Left: LLDP participants present gifts of maps along with words of appreciation to LLDP Director, Dr. Naomichi Masaki. Right: Dr. Masaki showing Small Catechism with Explanation book in Japanese published by CPH in 1952 when preaching at CPH’s weekly morning chapel on November 20, 2024.

“This session was amazing!” said Rev. Dr. Naomichi Masaki, LLDP Director. “The instructors were the best of the best. Convocation and commencement, time spent at CPH, visits to congregations, CTCR, and with President Harrison were all so precious and meaningful. Even the time spent together in a van, dormitory, and at dinner were so sweet.”

“It was gratifying to hear that the LLDP is so helpful to the participating church leaders and future leaders,” Dr. Masaki continued. “What a gift of the Lord it is that we all walk together in one mind, heart, and faith to bring the Gospel of Jesus Christ in faithfulness to Scripture and the Lutheran Confessions!”

The next session in March 2025 will focus on Missions and the Office of the Holy Ministry. 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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LLDP classes study Church Leadership and the Charismatic Movement

LLDP participants in the November 2019 classes pose with LLDP instructors. [Left-most row, l-r diagonally ascending the stairs: Deputy Bishop Helmut Paul (FELSISA); District Pastor Daniel Mono (ELCT-SELVD); Bishop Emmanuel Makala (ELCT-SELVD); General Secretary Teshome Amenue (EECMY); Tsegahun Assefa, Director of Children and Youth (EECMY). Middle row, l-r diagonally ascending the stairs: Rev. Dr. Naomichi Masaki, LLDP Director; President John Donkoh (ELCG); and Rev. Dr. Timothy Quill, LLDP faculty and General Secretary (ILC); Right-most row, l-r diagonally ascending the stairs: Rev. Dr. Bruk Ayele (EECMY); Deputy Bishop Mandla Thwala (LCSA); Bishop Modise Maragelo (LCSA); and Professor John Pless, LLDP faculty and Assistant Professor (CTSFW).]

USA – The Lutheran Leadership Development Program (LLDP) met for its fifth and sixth classes November 11-22, 2019 at Concordia Theological Seminary in Fort Wayne, Indiana (CTSFW).

During the first week of classes, Rev. Dr. Christian Ekong, Archbishop of the Lutheran Church of Nigeria, taught a course entitled “Ecclesial and Organizational Leadership.” Archbishop Ekong challenged the students to resist the “leadership syndrome” in which church officials compete for a higher position in the church. Instead, he said, they must understand that church leadership is about service. “If a leader is elected because he has merited a leader’s position, he is in the position of leadership to be served,” he said. “But if a leader understands he is called by God, then that leader will know he is called to serve the church.”

To that end, Archbishop Ekong guided the class into a Scriptural study of ecclesial leadership. Participants expressed gratitude for the class, noting that Archbishop Ekong could speak directly to the challenges and opportunities of church leadership in an African context—challenges they face on a regular basis. The current class of students in the LLDP all come from Africa, with participants in November’s classes attending from Ghana, South Africa, Tanzania, and Ethiopia.

During the second week, Rev. Dr. John Pless, Assistant Professor of Pastoral Ministry and Missions at CTSFW, taught a course on “Responding to Contemporary Issues and Neo-Pentecostalism.” The church faces new challenges in every era, and these call for a careful confessional Lutheran response. Dr. Pless provided timely assistance to the church leaders participating in the LLDP, providing resources, presenting the roots and manifestations of key contemporary spiritual and theological movements, and assisting participants in responding to issues facing their own churches.

The class discussed not only Neo-Pentecostalism but also contemporary theological issues related to the church growth movement, contextualization, women’s ordination, homosexuality, and Luther’s Two Kingdom doctrine, with particular emphasis on their relevance to the Global South. In addition, Dr. Pless introduced Herman Sasse’s writings as reliable theological contributions in answering contemporary issues.

New Resources from CPH

LLDP Director Naomichi Masaki and LCN Archbishop Christian Ekong show Dr. Ekong’s new book, Strengthening Integrity and Accountability in Church Leadership.

Students in November’s classes benefited from two texts recently published by Concordia Publishing House (CPH). The first book, Strengthening Integrity and Accountability in Church Leadership, is by Archbishop Ekong and served as a textbook for his course. “Church leaders are often exposed to temptations to profit because of their privileges,” notes a summary on CPH’s website. “When church leaders give in to these temptations to profit from the privileges of leadership, it gives reason to question their motives.” Instead, Dr. Ekong explains, church leaders are to emulate Jesus and the Apostles “who shepherded God’s people and protected them from the wolves.”

The second work is a reprint of Victor C. Pfitzner’s Led by the Spirit: How Charismatic is New Testament Christianity? When the book was first published by the Lutheran Church of Australia in 1976, “the Charismatic Movement was having a broad impact in denominations in North America, Europe, and Australia,” notes a summary on CPH’s website. Since then the movement has spread to other parts of the globe, making Pfitzner’s careful exegetical study of continued relevance. “This classic book on the subject has been reprinted to assist churches around the world in dealing with this challenge and in formulating a confessional Lutheran response.”

“CPH has been a most helpful partner to the International Lutheran Council and the work of the Lutheran Leadership Development Program,” noted Rev. Dr. Naomichi Masaki, LLDP Director and a professor with CTSFW. “It’s a blessing to work with them to publish these solid Lutheran resources not only for students in the LLDP but also for use by the wider Lutheran community.”

You can purchase Strengthening Integrity and Accountability in Church Leadership and Led by the Spirit: How Charismatic is New testament Christianity? at Concordia Publishing House’s website online.

“With the publication of these two works, we now have three books published by Concordia Publishing House that bear the LLDP logo,” noted Dr. Masaki. “The church leaders in our current LLDP class and I are deeply thankful that CPH keeps rendering such excellent work for the church around the globe.”

LLDP students also received copies of Hermann Sasse’s Letters to Lutheran Pastors during the November classes.

The Lutheran Leadership Development Program

The LLDP is a two-year certificate program of the International Lutheran Council (ILC). The program aims to provide Lutheran church bodies around the world with the opportunity to develop leaders who are competent in both solid confessional Lutheran theology as well as practical skills in leadership and resource management.

“It remains my privilege and joy to spend time with these wonderful men of God and the leaders of various churches,” said Dr. Masaki. “May the Lord continue to use the LLDP for confessional fellowship and to foster mutual support and encouragement among those who serve as leaders in their respective Lutheran church bodies.”

Dr. Masaki and LLDP participants display books received during the latest round of classes.

Nine participants attended the November sessions of the LLDP at Concordia Theological Seminary in Fort Wayne, Indiana: Rev. John Donkoh, President of the Evangelical Lutheran Church of Ghana (ELCG); Rev. Modise Maraglo, Bishop of the Lutheran Church in Southern Africa (LCSA); Rev. Mandla Thwala, Deputy Bishop of the LCSA; Rev. Helmut Paul, Deputy Bishop of the Free Evangelical Lutheran Synod in South Africa (FELSISA); Rev. Dr. Emmanuel Makala, Bishop of the South East of Lake Victoria Diocese of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Tanzania (ELCT-SELVD); Rev. Dr. Daniel Mono, District Pastor of the ELCT-SELVD; Rev. Teshome Amenu, General Secretary of the Ethiopian Evangelical Church Mekane Yesus (EECMY); Mr. Tsegahun Assefa, Director of Youth and Children of the EECMY; and Rev. Dr. Bruk Ayele, President of Mekane Yesus Seminary of the EECMY. Dr. Ayele is a new participant of the LLDP beginning with the November 2019 classes.

Given that all current participants in the Lutheran Leadership Development Program hail from Africa, plans are underway to hold one of 2020’s LLDP two-week sessions in Africa.

You can support the LLDP by making a donation online. You can also make a donation by cheque to:

International Lutheran Council
P.O. Box 18775
St. Louis, MO 63118

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ILC and CPH partner together to provide 17,000 catechisms to churches around the world

CPH President Bruce G. Kintz poses with boxes of Small Catechisms ready to ship around the world.

WORLD – In November 2018, Concordia Publishing House shipped thousands of copies of Luther’s Small Catechism to church bodies around the world as part of the publisher’s partnered work with the International Lutheran Council.

In total, 17,000 copies of the visual edition of the Small Catechism (with Explanation) were shipped to Lutheran church bodies around the world, including to churches in Ghana, Nigeria, and the Philippines.

“For 150 years, God has blessed CPH with the ability to help equip churches around the world with the resources they need to support theological formation and strengthen Lutheran identity,” said Dr. Bruce G. Kintz, President of Concordia Publishing House. “It’s a joy to partner with the International Lutheran Council in this important work. To God be the glory!” CPH is the world’s largest, continually-operating publisher of confessional Lutheran materials.

In addition to working together on the distribution of Lutheran resources internationally, the ILC and CPH also partner together on the Lutheran Leadership Development Program, a global initiative to train leaders for Lutheran churches around the world.

You can support the joint work of the ILC and CPH through online giving. Simply designate your gift for the Lutheran Leadership Development Program or another program of your choice.

You can also make donations by mail to the following address:

International Lutheran Council
PO Box 18775
St. Louis, MO 63118

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Training the next generation of Confessional Lutheran leaders: Lutheran Leadership Development Program ready to launch

WORLD – As a new year gets underway, the International Lutheran Council and its partners are preparing for the first class of the Lutheran Leadership Development Program (LLDP).

This two-year certificate program aims to provide Lutheran church bodies around the world an opportunity to develop leaders who are competent in both solid confessional Lutheran theology as well as practical skills in leadership and resource management. The LLDP is a project of the International Lutheran Council working in cooperation with The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod, Concordia Publishing House (CPH), and Concordia Theological Seminary in Fort Wayne, Indiana (CTSFW).

“We’re are grateful for our partners in this project, and are excited to work with them in raising up a new generation of global Confessional Lutheran leaders,” said Rev. Dr. Albert Collver, General Secretary of the ILC. “We look forward to welcoming the LLDP’s first class of students in just a few weeks, and pray for God’s blessings on their studies.”

The first class of students in the LLDP will gather for instruction at the Old Latin School in Wittenberg, Germany from February 18-March 1, 2019. Future classes over the next two years will be held at Concordia Theological Seminary in Fort Wayne and Concordia Publishing House in St. Louis, Missouri.

Rev. Dr. Naomichi Masaki of CTSFW serves as Director of the Lutheran Leadership Program. For more information on the program, including details on student learning outcomes, a description of course requirements, and admission details, click here.

Breath of God, Yet Work of Man: First LLDP resource published

Course materials for the Lutheran Leadership Development Program are being prepared in partnership between CTSFW and CPH, with the first of these new resources just unveiled. Breath of God, Yet Work of Man: Scripture, Philosophy, Dialogue, and Conflict is now available for pre-order from CPH.

Edited by Rev. Charles P. Schaum and Rev. Dr. Albert Collver (ILC General Secretary), the book features definitions, benefits, and discussions of Lutheran biblical interpretation. The authors explain tensions that underlie the use of Scripture in Christian witness, acts of mercy, and life together.

Rev. Dr. Albert Collver (ILC General Secretary) and Rev. Dr. Bruce Kintz (CPH President and CEO) display the new book Breath of God, Yet Work of Man.

While developed especially for use in the Lutheran Leadership Development Program, the book will be of interest to a much broader audience. “The authors have assembled a massive amount of material that will challenge readers to think more carefully about how we read the Holy Scriptures and confess the faith today,” notes Rev. Dr. John T. Pless, Assistant Professor of Pastoral Ministry and Missions at CTSFW. “This is a provocative book that will engage both those within and outside of the Missouri Synod in coming to understand the development of modern hermeneutics.”

Download a sample of the book by visiting CPH’s website here.

Support the training of Confessional Lutheran Leaders around the world

You can support the Lutheran Leadership Development Program and its work in preparing confessional Lutheran leaders for churches around the world through online giving. Simply designate your donation for “The Lutheran Leadership Development Program.” You can make a one-time gift or set-up recurrent giving.

You can also make donations by mail to the following address:

International Lutheran Council
PO Box 18775
St. Louis, MO 63118
United States of America

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