A time to celebrate

Photo Mark Schroeder wearing green vest with cross — WELS President Mark Schroeder

WELS is blessed to be a part of a worldwide fellowship of confessional Lutheran church bodies called the Confessional Evangelical Lutheran Conference (CELC). Established in 1993 with 13 church bodies, the CELC has grown by God’s grace to include more than 30 today. The purpose of the CELC is to enable member churches to work together to maintain a strong commitment to the Scriptures and to the Lutheran Confessions.

One of those member churches is the Evangelical Lutheran Free Church—Germany (abbreviated ELFK in German). The ELFK is celebrating important anniversaries this summer, and we are celebrating with them. This summer marks the church body’s 150th anniversary as well as the 150th anniversary of its fellowship with our Wisconsin Synod. The ELFK is thanking God for the blessings that God has given to both of our church bodies through this common bond of faith.

The ELFK has a rich history of God’s blessings even in the face of challenges. At the time the ELFK was founded, the government controlled the churches and what they did and taught. Even though Lutheran churches retained the name Lutheran, many of them had departed from scriptural teaching. Many were forced by the government to blend or even merge with Reformed churches. Rather than compromise the truth, it became necessary for faithful Lutheran churches to be free of government control by becoming independent churches. That happened in 1876, when churches that were committed to the truths of the Bible and the Lutheran Confessions left the state church and formed their own synod called the Evangelical Lutheran Free Church—Germany.

That same year, that small synod discovered a group of churches in the United States (a group that included what we now know as WELS) that had the same doctrinal commitment it had, and it happily joined with the other churches in fellowship.

The ELFK has had its struggles through the years. It survived the challenges that came when the Communist government took power in East Germany after World War II. While the independent Lutheran churches were allowed to exist and function, a good deal of harassment made functioning difficult. Churches were monitored by the secret police. Informants were placed in congregations. Children were pressured to avoid church involvement. Lutherans were discriminated against in education and employment. Building permits were hard to obtain. Mission work and printing were made more difficult.

But through all those hardships, God blessed and preserved the ELFK. His saving gospel continues to be preached. The ELFK remains faithful to God’s Word. Its pastors and people have seen God’s promises kept.

Today, the ELFK consists of about 20 congregations and preaching stations located in eastern Germany and Austria. Its Dr. Martin Luther School in Zwickau has 150 students. It operates a pastor-training seminary in Leipzig. Its bookstore in Zwickau publishes books, newsletters, and devotional materials. It holds retreats for young and old. Through this and other faithful work, God continues to build his kingdom.

On this 150th anniversary of the ELFK and our fellowship with this church body, we thank God for its leaders and members and pray for his continued blessings on their work.

Learn more about the ELFK and its history in two webinars presented by ELFK church leaders.

Schroeder signature