Lutheran Church - Missouri Synod votes in support of altar and pulpit fellowship with Lutheran Mission - Australia
LCMS President Matthew Harrison congratulates President Matt.
PHOENIX, ARIZONA - On Tuesday 21 July, the Convention of Synod of the Lutheran Church - Missouri Synod voted unanimously in favour of Resolution 5-02, ‘To Support and Encourage Recognition of Altar and Pulpit Fellowship with Lutheran Mission - Australia.’ The decision was greeted with applause and the singing of the doxology.
As Rev. Dr. Joel Lehenbauer, Executive Director of the LCMS Commission on Theology and Church Relations, explained to those present, the resolution effectively authorises LCMS President Matthew Harrison to finalise the relationship once LM-A votes on the relationship at our Synodical Assembly in August. President Harrison and his wife Kathy will be attending Synodical Assembly in Hamilton.
Following the vote, President Matt was given the chance to speak briefly. Noting that ‘it is a great joy and delight to greet you on behalf of Lutheran Mission - Australia’, he said
We are deeply humbled and appreciative for the support and encouragement and love that has been shown to us by the Lutheran Church - Missouri Synod…the fact that you would consider altar and pulpit fellowship with us at this stage is such a huge encouragement and indicative of the manner in which the LCMS continues to progress the cause of confessional Lutheranism around the world. We thank God for you and we continue to pray for you…we look forward to the recognition of what you have pre-empted this day.
President Matt was then embraced by President Harrison amid warm applause.
Prior to the resolution, Rev. Dr. Jonathan Shaw presented a report on Church Relations, in which he described church-to-church relationships as ‘a wondrous gift of God’. Rev. Dr. Joseph Ochola Omolo, the Archbishop of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Kenya (ELCK) spoke on the blessings which his church has received as a result of their relationship with LCMS. The Convention also voted to recognise altar and pulpit fellowship with the Evangelical Lutheran Christian Church of Bolivia.
A choir of international church leaders (including President Matt) sang the hymn ‘I am content! My Jesus Ever Lives’ in German, Czech, Spanish and English.
You can watch the livestream of the session here.
Key moments:
34:02 Rev. Dr. Shaw’s report on Church Relations
51:50 International Leaders’ Choir
1:05:28 Rev. Dr. Lehenbauer’s explanation of the resolution
1:09 the Resolution is moved and adopted
1:11:40 President Matt responds
Rev. Dr Jonathan Shaw introducing President Matt as his ‘beloved brother’.
On the evening prior to the resolution, President Matt attended an extraordinary assembly of the International Lutheran Council (ILC). He presented as Asia Representative, and recommended two churches of membership, both of whom were subsequently approved. During proceedings he was presented with a plaque commemorating LM-A’s membership of the ILC. He is seen here with ILC General Secretary Klaus Detlev Schulz and ILC Chairman and ELMDF Bishop Juhana Pohjola.
Asian church leaders with Rev Dr Shaw and Rev Jim Krikva, LCMS Church Relations.