WMLTBlog -- Fellowship Recognized Between LCMS and SELC

Check out the Life Together story titled, "Fellowship Recognized Between LCMS and SELC" on the WMLTBlog. Here is a preview:

On 17 December 2010, the Commission on Theology and Church Relations (CTCR) approved the recognition of church fellowship between The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod (LCMS) and the Siberian Evangelical Lutheran Church (SELC). The approval of the recognition of fellowship between the LCMS and the SELC occurred twelve years after the SELC first requested fellowship discussions with the LCMS under President Alvin Barry.  Under Bylaw 3.9.5.2.2c, after a request for fellowship, consultation with the Preasidium, and the approval of the recognition of fellowship, the President of Synod may declare recognition of such fellowship.

Read the rest on the WMLTBlog.

Siberia Update

Rev. Dr. Timothy Quill, Rev. Pavel Khromev, Bishop Vsveold Lytkin
abc3+, Rev. Alexei Streltsov, Rev. Dr. Joel Lehenbauer

For the past fourteen years, the LCMS (primarily through the work of Dr. Timothy Quill and CTSFW) has been working with (or at least what would become) the Siberian Evangelical Lutheran Church (SELC). This partnership was one of cooperation, initiated by those in Siberia. A number of Missouri Synod pastors and professors have traveled to Siberia during this time. Those involved have been greatly blessed by the experience. In fact, a group of pastors and lay-people in the Missouri Synod founded the Siberian Lutheran Mission Society to assist this church. (You can read more about the work there on their website.)

Several years ago, the Siberian Evangelical Lutheran Church requested church fellowship discussions with the Lutheran Church -- Missouri Synod. Last spring, a delegation from Siberia visited the International Center in Saint Louis. In late October of 2010 (for Reformation), a group from the Missouri Synod consisting of Drs. Albert Collver, Joel Lehenbauer, and Timothy Quill travelled to Siberia for discussions with the SELC. The discussions went very well. Stay tuned for more information later.

St. Andrew Mosaic in Lutheran Center

Rev. Khromev and Bishop Lytkin

Lutheran Center in Novosibirsk, Russia

Reformation from Novokuznetsk Russia

Reformation Bulletin
Novokuznetsk, Siberia, Russia

Early Sunday morning (around 4 AM), we drove from Novosibirsk, Siberia, to Novokuznetsk, Siberia to celebrate the feast of Reformation. The drive took about 5 or 6 hours on fairly decent roads (by Siberian standards). We arrived at a church made from a  converted apartment flat in Novokuznetsk. Although not a enormous space, the church was packed full. The day was extra special because a deacon who had successfully finished his seminary education was ordained as a pastor. The service followed the regular liturgy. We sang two Martin Luther hymns, "Lord Keep Us Steadfast in Thy Word," and "A Mighty Fortress Is Our God." After the service, there was a great celebration. It was a great day.

Procession

Bishop Lytkin Presiding

Congregation Full of People

Food and Celebration Afterwards

Newly Ordained Pastor Dimitri and Family

Bishop Lytkin, Quill, Lehenbauer, Collver

Siberian Lutheran Church Leaders Visits St Louis

Pictured: Albert Collver, Timothy Quill, Bishop Vsevolod Lytkin, and Alexei Streltsov

The morning after returning from the Dominican Republic, my dear friends from Russia (and Fort Wayne) came to the International Center in Saint Louis for an official visit. Fortunately, for me, I had an opportunity to visit with them. Bishop Vsevolod Lyktin and Rector Alexei Streltsov from the Siberian Evangelical Lutheran Church (SELC) came to discuss closer ties between their church body and the LCMS. It was great to see them and brought back fond memories from my last trip to Siberia, Russia in May 2009. More information about the SELC can be found at the SELC Home Page or at the Siberian Evangelical Lutheran Mission Society.

 

Jason Collver in St. Petersburg (and me in St. Petersburg) in May 2009.