International Lutheran Fellowship

Lutheran Church-International
Classification Lutheran
Orientation Traditional Lutheran/Evangelical Catholic
Polity Episcopal/Congregational
Founder Pastor Edward Tornow
Origin 1967
North Dakota
Congregations 15
Members 1000

The Lutheran Church-International (LC-I)[1] is an American Christian denomination established in 1967 and based in Lyons, New York. Its president from 1967 to 1998 was Pastor E. Edward Tornow of North Dakota.[2] From 1967 to 2011 the LC-I was known as the International Lutheran Fellowship.[3] The LC-I has a mixed episcopal/congregational structure, with 4 dioceses in North America, including the Northeastern Diocese, the Mid-America Diocese, the Southern Diocese, and the Western Diocese.[4] A Missionary District for Latin and Caribbean ministries is based in Puerto Rico. The LC-I also has ministry outreach in India. The current president of the LC-I is Robert W. Hotes.

The Lutheran Church-International describes itself as "Confessional", "Orthodox", "Ecumenical (within the understandings based on the Book of Concord)", and "Evangelical".[5] Confessionally, it adheres to the "Gospel of Jesus Christ as faithfully witnessed by the Augsburg Confession of 1530, and the Book of Concord".[6] As an orthodox Christian body, "the LC-I maintains a traditional, faithful understanding of Lutheranism within the church catholic".[7] Further, the LC-I has stated that it will "work with faithful Christians globally", and "internally with those church bodies with whom theological cooperation is possible".[8] Finally, the LC-I sees itself as "a church of the Great Commission", seeking to "make disciples of all nations".[9]

The Lutheran World Parish is a unique ministry within the LC-I. A current LC-I brochure states that the Lutheran World Parish consists of "Individuals desiring to affiliate with the LC-I, but who are not near (a)...congregation".[10]

Established in 2006, the Order of St. Francis-Lutheran (OSF-L) is another ministry of the Lutheran Church-International. The Order is based in St. Catharines, Ontario, Canada and is headed by Rev. Larry J. Goodnough. Rev. Goodnough was commissioned as the OSF-L Superior by Bishop Bougher of the LC-I Northeastern Diocese. Rev. William Babbitt of Florida serves as U.S. Superior. The OSF-L is a ministry of lay persons and clergy in the spirit of Francis of Assisi, not a religious order.

Synods (from 2011)

2011 - The Mundelein Synod; July 27–30, 2011; University of St. Mary’s of the Lake Conference Center, Mundelein, Illinois [11]

2012 - The Lyons Synod; (Date, July 2012); First Lutheran Church, Lyons, New York[12]

References

  1. ↑ North Dakota Secretary of State Nonprofit Corporation Articles of Amendment, 5-26-2011, ID # 3.938.900
  2. ↑ "Obituaries". Grand Forks Herald. McClatchy - Tribune Business News. September 16, 2008.
  3. ↑ North Dakota Secretary of State, Articles of Incorporation Certificate 3487NP issued 4-4-1967
  4. ↑ The Constitution: Lutheran Church-International, Last Amended at the Mundelein Synod, July 29, 2011, p.15
  5. ↑ http://www.lutheranchurchinternational.org
  6. ↑ http://www.lutheranchurchinternational.org
  7. ↑ http://www.lutheranchurchinternational.org
  8. ↑ http://www.lutheranchurchinternational.org
  9. ↑ http://www.lutheranchurchinternational.org
  10. ↑ http://www.lutheranchurchinternational.org
  11. ↑ Lutheran Church-International; Notice of 2011 Annual Synod, 27–30 July 2011 University of St. Mary’s of the Lake Conference Center, Mundelein, Illinois
  12. ↑ LC-I News, The Official Publication of the Lutheran Church-International; Volume 2, Number 1, October 2011, p.6., Lutheran Church-International

External links

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