28th ILC Conference Report

Since we have the same spirit of faith according to what has been written, “I believed, and so I spoke,” we also believe, and so we also speak, knowing that he who raised the Lord Jesus will raise us also with Jesus and bring us with you into his presence. For it is all for your sake, so that as grace extends to more and more people it may increase thanksgiving, to the glory of God.

2 Corinthians 4:13-15

The 28th World Conference of the International Lutheran Council (ILC) concluded last week. Held on the island of Bohol in the Philippines on 14-19 September, the conference was attended by 132 representatives from 52 countries from around the world, including a group from LM-A President, Pastor Matt Anker, Vice President Pastor Mathew Ker and Pastor Michael Prenzler attended as guests of the ILC, while their wives Laryssa, Sonja and Gertraud attended at their own cost.

Confession and cooperation in a fragmented world

The conference theme was ‘Confession and Cooperation in a Fragmented World’, based on 2 Corinthians 4:13.  It was a theme most of the presenters and preachers circled back to, all building up a clear picture of God working all things for the common good. 

A highlight was a series of regional presentations with church leaders describing a regional issue and how the church speaks to that issue.  Each presentation spoke positively as to the need to stand firm on the Word of God. It keeps us grounded and in true unity in a fragmented world. 

Pastor Mathew Ker commented, ‘It was encouraging to hear from other Lutheran churches from around the world.  Many face similar challenges to our own, other challenges are unique.  The blessings were also shared, reminding one another that faithful witness to God’s Word still bears much good fruit.’ Pastor Michael Prenzler added that attending the conference was like ‘getting a glimpse of the church as it is meant to be: people from all nations and languages coming together in a common faith in our Lord Jesus. It was so refreshing to not have a false unity “preached” at us, but to experience a genuine unity brought about by a common confession.’

A time of learning and encouragement

Rev. Dr. Tom Winger was the keynote speaker, presenting three sessions with the title, ‘The Spiritual Temple’ based on Ephesians 2.  He led attendees through a description of the pagan temple, focusing particularly on the Temple of Artemis in Ephesus.  He then described the Old Temple and the New, with the final session examining ‘Unity in the Spiritual Temple’. 

Each day of the conference began and ended with worship, which was a blessing to all involved. Pastor Michael Prenzler noted that being able to receive daily teaching through sermons and presentations was a real highlight for him; ‘While it’s a privilege to bring God’s Word to His people every Sunday, it’s important for pastors to have the opportunity to also receive.’

Australia elected as a full voting member of the ILC

Representatives of church bodies received as full members during the ILC’s 2025 World Conference. Pictured are ILC Chairman Juhana Pohjola, the Malagasy Lutheran Church (FLM) Bishop Denis Rakotozafy, the Confessional Lutheran Church – Malawi Synod (CLCMS) President Davis Robert Wowa, LM-A President Matt Anker, the Evangelical Lutheran Church of Kazakhstan (ELCK) Bishop Alexander Burtsev, the Istanbul Lutheran Church (ILK)/Evangelical Lutheran Church of Bulgaria (ELCB) representative Rev. Mikko Tiira, and ILC General Secretary Klaus Detlev Schulz.

On the final day of the conference, Australia was unanimously elected as a full voting member of the ILC, an amazing achievement for such a young church.

The ILC has full voting members, associate members, and observer members. It is organised by region: Asia, Africa, Europe, Latin America, and North America. LM-A is within the Asian Region, which now has three full voting member churches, and several associate and observer churches. 

President Matt Anker appointed as the Asia Representative to the ILC Board

LCP President Antonio del Rio Reyes installs the International Lutheran Council’s board for the new triennium. Image used with permission from ILC Communications.

The regional delegations met during one session with the main purpose of nominating a new member to the Board of ILC, as President Antonio del Rio Reyes of the Lutheran Church in the Philippines (LCP) is retiring later this year.  Rev. Dr. Matt Anker was nominated, and later enthusiastically elected as the next Asia Representative.  The ILC Board was installed in the conference’s closing service.

This will add to Pastor Matt’s work, but the role is important, and it is one way LM-A will contribute to the work of the Lutheran Church globally.  It should be noted that the primary aim of all ILC churches is the sharing of God’s Word.  Supporting the physical needs of God’s people is always important, but social justice issues always follow the good news.  This is what Jesus modelled during his earthly ministry (see Mark 6:30-44).

International cooperation developing

Prior to the conference, a meeting had been arranged between LM-A, Lutheran Church – Canada (LCC), LCP, and Lutheran Church in Korea (LCK).  The aim of this meeting was to discuss how our churches might be able to work more closely together and whether we might enter into altar and pulpit fellowship.  Such an arrangement would open opportunities to work more closely together, including the possibility of LM-A pastors being able to serve in these countries more readily.  These discussions were fruitful, especially as confessional statements and constitutions had been exchanged between LM-A, LCC, and LCP before the conference.  President Anker will consider our position further, taking advice from LM-A pastors before making a recommendation to the first LM-A Synodical Convention, to be held in August 2026.

An opportunity for wives to connect

Laryssa Anker, Sonja Ker and Gertraud Prenzler had the opportunity to talk with other ILC wives during the conference.

Pastor Michael said it was wonderful to share the experience with his wife Gertraud. ‘Most of the time Gertraud only hears about what’s going on in the church (i.e. receiving second-hand through me), so it was good that she could experience these things personally for a change. It was also great that she could build relationships with Laryssa, Sonja and other pastors’ wives from around the world. It’s easy to forget that while pastors’ wives help their husbands carry the challenges of ministry, they don’t always experience the support the pastors receive through regular interactions with colleagues.’ Pastor Matt agreed, saying having their spouses along was ‘invaluable’.

And a visit to the Chocolate Hills…

The famous ‘peppermint’ Chocolate Hills of Bohol. Image used with permission of ILC Communications.

Pastor Mathew said that while ‘the conference agenda was very full, but we also had an excursion planned for the penultimate day.  We took in some key sights such as some very old Roman Catholic churches (the Philippines is predominately Catholic).  We enjoyed a river cruise on the Loboc River, saw the tarsiers (a tiny primate that is primarily nocturnal) and the Chocolate Hills.  Disappointingly the Chocolate Hills are not made of chocolate, but in the dry season they resemble hundreds of chocolate treats.  Our visit was in the humid wet season and so the hills were vibrant green.  Our guide suggested this made them peppermint chocolate!’

ILC Chairman Pohjola and General Secretary Schulz thank Arlene Reyes and LCP President Antonio del Rio Reyes. (Photo: T. Winger).

The whole conference and its related activities was organised by the Lutheran Church in the Philippines. It was a major undertaking, which was very much appreciated by all those who took part.

Seminary connections

After the conference concluded, Pastor Michael, President Matt and their wives travelled north of Manila to visit the LCP seminary in Baguio.  This was an excellent opportunity to provide more information and develop ideas as the work of establishing Lutheran Theological Seminary – Australia continues.

Encouragement for the people of LM-A

Pastor Michael observed that

LM-A is already highly regarded internationally. While this is largely due to the reputation of our President, please don’t discount the role you are also playing. I’ve lost count how many people came up to me to say how encouraged they’ve been by LM-A’s witnessing to the truth of God’s Word.

As much as we consider ourselves a small, under-resourced church, about half the delegates I spoke with come from even smaller church bodies. While numbers aren’t everything, of course, I found it encouraging to see that even smaller churches than us are surviving and even thriving.

Both of these points demonstrate that LM-A has something to contribute to the wider Lutheran church, especially in the Asia-Pacific region. The unanimous call from the Asia delegates to elect Matt as director for the Asia region shows that they see us as an important partner, even leader, in the region. And other discussions with delegates confirmed that they would welcome our support, particularly in areas such as theological education.

Pastor Mathew Ker concludes

Organising and attending events like this ILC conference are expensive, and they take up a lot of time.  So are they worth it?  The answer must be yes, for when we choose not to participate we run the risk of missing out on the voices, the wisdom, the challenges, and the joys of others.  When that happens, one truly becomes inward-looking. Left to ourselves, it is easy to see how ‘God’s will be done’, soon turns into ‘my will be done’.  This happens at the individual and community level, and it certainly happens at the churchwide level.

The Triune God has blessed Lutheran Mission – Australia in countless ways.  There have been big blessings, but as importantly, and maybe more so, there are the often-hidden blessings, known only to a few, maybe not even that many. May Our Lord continue to bless you in whatever roles He has given you in His wonderful creation.