A twofold celebration in Germany

On Sunday, June 14, I had the privilege of attending the 150th anniversary of our sister synod, the Evangelical Lutheran Free Church of Germany (Evangelisch-Lutherische Freikirche of Deutschland, or ELFK). This was not just a celebration of the synod’s founding but also a celebration of 150 years of fellowship with the Wisconsin Evangelical Lutheran Synod. That means it is the longest fellowship relationship that our synod has.

The history of the ELFK is amazing. It was founded at a time when the official state church in Germany had become extremely liberal in its teachings and had wandered far from confessional Lutheranism. There were those in the region of Saxony (the home of Lutheranism) who recognized this unfaithfulness to God’s Word. Especially faithful laypeople decided they could no longer be a part of the state church. In 1876, they, along with five pastors, established five new congregations and formed their own new synod called the Evangelical Lutheran Free Church. It was called a free church because they were free and independent of the state church and its false teachings.

From the start, the ELFK received help and support, especially in theological training, from the Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod. ELFK pastors were for the most part trained at the Missouri Synod seminary in St. Louis. Some Missouri Synod pastors also accepted calls to serve congregations of the ELFK.

Since the Wisconsin and Missouri Synods were in fellowship at that time, the fellowship relationship that the ELFK enjoyed with the Missouri Synod from its founding also brought the ELFK into fellowship with the Wisconsin Synod. We have remained together since then.

God has done amazing things in the ELFK. From the original five congregations, the ELFK has grown to 17 and has expanded beyond Saxony to several other regions. Today it has 22 pastors, most of whom have been trained at their seminary in Leipzig. It also operates an elementary school in Zwickau with 150 students and a publishing house and bookstore, also in Zwickau.

ELFK has endured many challenges over the years; the most difficult was during the time of Communist control. The churches were under some severe restrictions, especially when it came to communicating with and traveling to the outside world. The end of that rule and the fall of the Berlin Wall was a special blessing.

Today the ELFK continues to hold on to the truth of God’s Word. It is committed to planting new missions in the northern and southern part of Germany and generously supports the work being done by sister synods in other countries.

Keep our German brothers and sisters in your prayers!

Serving with you in Christ,

WELS President Mark Schroeder