Partner Churches Archives

Brazil flood response continues

Earlier this year, unprecedented floods destroyed property and displaced thousands of people in the Rio Grande do Sul region in Brazil.

The Rev. Serge Maschewski (center right), bishop of the Evangelical Lutheran Church of Ukraine, listens to a translator during the International Church Relations Forum on Tuesday, Aug. 1. (LCMS/Roy S. Askins)

Convention

International church leaders gather at convention for first Church Relations forum

The International Church Relations Forum offered more than 40 international church leaders the opportunity for study, discussion and fellowship during the 2023 LCMS convention.

Convention

2023 LCMS convention — A conversation with Bishop Juhana Pohjola and Dr. Päivi Räsänen

The Rev. Dr. Juhana Pohjola, bishop of the Evangelical Lutheran Mission Diocese of Finland, and Dr. Päivi Räsänen, a member of the Finnish Parliament, discuss religious persecution in Finland.

Convention

2023 LCMS convention — A conversation with Rev. Dr. Jonathan Shaw

The Rev. Dr. Jonathan Shaw, director of LCMS Church Relations, discusses convention resolutions on international church fellowship.

LCMS Iowa District East President Brian Saunders speaks with the Rev. Dr. Joel Lehenbauer, executive director of Commission on Theology and Church Relations during the discussion of Resolution 5-07 at the 68th Regular Convention of The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod. (LCMS/Frank P. Kohn)

Convention

LCMS recognizes broken fellowship with Japan Lutheran Church

For only the second time in its history, the LCMS recognized that it is no longer in fellowship with another church body.

Statements & Letters

International Lutheran Council reaffirms 2021 letter denouncing religious persecution in Finland

The reaffirmation comes as the Rev. Dr. Juhana Pohjola and Dr. Päivi Räsänen face a second trial for holding to biblical Christianity.

Reading & Study

Marks of the church: May ‘LW’

The seven marks of the church help identify faithful Lutheran churches around the world.

Statements & Letters

LCMS and LCC Joint Statement on Koinonia Meetings

On Feb. 26–28, 2023, about fifty pastors from The Lutheran Church—Canada (LCC) and The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod (LCMS) gathered for a koinonia meeting to deepen their mutual work on mission and ministry in Canada.

Statements & Letters

LCMS and LCC Joint Statement on Mission and Ministry in Canada

On November 21–22, 2022, representatives from The Lutheran Church—Canada (LCC) and The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod (LCMS) met in Windsor, Ontario, Canada to discuss the work and scope of the LCMS English and SELC Districts in Canada.

Statements & Letters

International Lutheran Council issues statement on persecution of Finnish church

Two Finnish leaders are being prosecuted for articulating the historic Christian teaching on human sexuality.

Statements & Letters

Harrison calls JLC to repentance

The Japanese Lutheran Church (JLC) recently made two decisions about the Office of the Holy Ministry that are contrary to Scripture.

Statements & Letters

LCMS, LCC and NALC Leaders Release Joint Statement on Scripture

As an important step forward in the ongoing consultation between representatives of the Lutheran Church—Canada (LCC), The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod (LCMS) and the North American Lutheran Church (NALC), the participants who represented the three church bodies are releasing their joint statement on Holy Scripture, “God’s Word Forever Shall Abide: A Guiding Statement on the Character and Proper Use of the Sacred Scriptures.”