International News. theme for the 2012

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1 International News Planning begins for international conference NIAGARA FALLS, Ont. - Members of the International Lutheran Council s (ILC) executive committee concluded meetings June in Niagara Falls, Ontario, site of the 2012 ILC International conference. Under the chairmanship of Bishop Hans-Jörg Voigt of Germany s S e l b s t ä n d i g e E va n g e l i s c h Lutherische Kirche (SELK), the seven-member committee, along with interim executive secretary Rev. Dr. Ralph Mayan, began planning for the triennial international conference. Lutheran Church Canada (LCC) president, Rev. Dr. Robert Bugbee serves as the representative from North America as well as vice-chairman. In addition to the international conference, the executive discussed i n t e r - c h u rc h re l a t i o n s, t h e celebrations in 2017 commemorating the 500th anniversary of Martin Luther s challenge to the Roman Church, and heard reports from each of the organization s regions: Africa, Europe, North America, South America and Asia. Since the 33-member ILC exists as a networking and support organization for confessional Lutherans, the theme for the 2012 conference, the first to be held in Canada, will centre on the interpretation and proclamation o f S c r i p t u r e, t h e L u t h e r a n Confessions, and the role both have in the life of the church. Discussion and presentations o n o r d i n a t i o n and same-gender relationships are also proposed for the agenda. We are honoured to host this conference in Niagara Falls, said President Robert Bugbee. With all that is going on in the Lutheran world and within the Christian Church it is important for people of like-minds and like-confession to explore God s Word together and support each other. The ILC invites to each conference observers from established confessional Lutheran church bodies who may be interested in future membership. Japan still works for victory over natural disaster TOKYO, Japan - This summer s FIFA Women s World Cup victory by Japan once again brought focus on the continuing struggle the country faces as it recovers from March s earthquake, tsunami and nuclear power plant meltdown. Canadian Lutheran World Relief (CLWR) responded by providing more than $300,000 gifts from caring Canadians for earthquake relief which not only helped fund the work of Christian World Service, a CLWR partner, but also relief work by Lutheran churches in Japan. To focus the Lutheran response, the country s four main Lutheran groups, the Japan Evangelical Lutheran Church, Japan Lutheran Church, Kinki Evangelical Lutheran Church, and the West Japan Evangelical Lutheran Church, formed a consortium: Japan Lutheran Emergency Relief (JLER). A report to CLWR and LCC outlined the relief work undertaken by the organization. Within three days of the March 11 disaster JLER had established a headquarters and purchased enough food to feed 10,000 people. By June it had received more than C$2.3 million dollars in contributions towards relief efforts, of which it has used more than $684,000. The LCMS provided an initial $200,000 grant toward relief work and in June pledged an additional US$1 million. Ten staff members and many more long-term volunteers are involved in the effort. Much of the food and other material supplied by JLER supplements the President Christian Ekong, The Lutheran Church of Nigeria; Rev. Dr. Ralph Mayan, ILC executive secretary; Bishop Hans-Jörg Voigt, ILC chairman. LCC has played a key role in the ILC since its formation in LCC presidents emeritus Rev. Dr. Edwin Lehman and Rev. Dr. Ralph Mayan both served as chairmen of the council, bringing a Canadian presence to the role for 15 years of the ILC s 18-year history. The ILC will meet at the Mt. Carmel Spiritual Centre in Niagara Falls, September 16-21, aid provided by other agencies. Non-food supplies from JLER have included personal care items, clothing, portable stoves, and batteries. In one case, the Lutheran organization provided 1500 soccer balls for children whose families lost, or were forced to leave their homes. Other relief supplies have included chest-high waders for crews in flooded areas, and computers and cars for educational and long-term care facilities. JLER has also funded a not-for-profit organization that provides cash to people working to clean up their damaged properties. In addition to providing aid material, a JLER task force is involved with setting up proper counselling support for people living in evacuation centres. 16 THE CANADIAN LUTHERAN July/August 2011

2 International News Lutheran relief agency issues appeal to help drought victims WINNIPEG - Canadian Lutheran World Relief (CLWR) is appealing for funds to provide relief for droughtaffected people in East Africa. The lack of rain in Somalia, Ethiopia, and Kenya has created food and water shortages that threaten the lives of 11 million people. The World Food Program reports that tens of thousands of Somalis have died from starvation. Thousands more Somalis suffering from malnutrition, dehydration, and exhaustion arrive in Kenyan and Ethiopian refugee camps every day seeking aid, swelling the camps far beyond their capacity and causing a major strain on resources. CLWR is providing support in the region in four ways. The organization is distributing more than $1.5 million of food (1,900 tons) in Ethiopia in partnership with the Canadian Foodgrains Bank and the Lutheran World Federation (LWF) in Ethiopia. This largescale emergency food aid project is responding to immediate needs for relief in the drought-stricken district of Goro, a district in the Oromia region of Ethiopia. More than 18,000 people will benefit from the distribution. C LW R, a l s o t h r o u g h i t s partnership with the LWF, is supporting refugee camps in the region. The LWF-managed Dadaab camp in Kenya is hosting more than 1,300 new arrivals per day, most from Somalia. LWF camp interventions include the distribution of nine tons of flour mix for supplementary feeding of children and the elderly; the distribution of clothes, slippers, and sanitary wear for women; and regular water deliveries using a 7,000-litre truck. On behalf of Lutheran Canadians, CLWR is also providing assistance to people still in Somalia, specifically to newly displaced people in Mogadishu and to those affected by drought in the Gedo region. This support is administered through its partnership with the ACT Alliance and will A Somali woman reaches Ethiopia after a five-day walk. (ACT/NCA photo) include the distribution of food, water, sanitation, and shelter. We have extreme confidence in our experienced partners on the ground in East Africa, says Robert Granke, CLWR s executive director. We know every donation sent to CLWR will be used wisely. We encourage all members of our congregations to pray for the people in Africa, and assist in this relief effort, encourages Rev. Dr. Leonardo Neitzel, mission and social ministry executive for Lutheran Church Canada. The Lord calls us to abide and act on the example of love shown to us (John 13:15). Reflecting on the words of Jesus Dr. Neitzel said At the very end, He will seal His promises to His people: For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in... Whatever you did not do for one of the least of these, you did not do for me (Matthew 25:35, 45) CLWR has worked in Africa for years on food and water security projects and will continue working toward sustainability in the region. Its five-year development goal in its Africa programs is to provide safe water supply, storage capacity and/or irrigation to more than 150 communities in Ethiopia, M o z a m b i q u e, a n d Z a m b i a. CLWR trains African farmers in sustainable agriculture and livestock management, and provides them with the tools they need to feed themselves and their families. The organization s ongoing development work in the region helps mitigate the effects of crises such as drought and famine by building food and water security that lasts. You can donate: 1. By making a designated offering donation at any Lutheran Church Canada congregation in Canada. 2. Online at donate. When completing the form, you will come to a pull-down menu that allows you to designate a specific project. Choose 2011 East Africa Drought. 3. By calling: By sending a cheque made payable to CLWR, Portage Avenue, Winnipeg, MB, R3B 3H6. Please indicate that you wish to contribute to East Africa drought relief. The Government of Canada announced that for every dollar donated to Canadian charities for East African drought relief until Sept. 16, it will match the contribution. There is no cap on the matching funds. THE CANADIAN LUTHERAN July/August

3 National News New design for LCC pension plan WINNIPEG - Following lengthy discussions over the past yearand-a-half, Lutheran Church Canada s Worker Benefit Plans has implemented a series of design changes to the pension plan which take effect on January 1, According to Dwayne Cleave, executive director of Worker Benefit Plans, the Board of Managers followed the lead of many other organizations and corporations to discontinue the current Defined Benefit (DB) Pension Plan. A DB pension plan guarantees an employee a set amount upon retirement. This will be replaced by a Defined Contribution (DC) Pension Plan going forward. Employees and employers will both contribute to the DC plan. In a DC plan the ultimate pension an employee will receive is based on the value of their investment account when the employee retires. Like the current system, participation in the new plan is compulsory. Our biggest challenge was balancing the retirement needs of the employee with the ongoing funding pressures of employers, for the most part congregations and schools, Mr. Cleave explained. He noted that funding the existing DB plan is unpredictable and has caused financial hardship for employers. The change in plan design is expected to stabilize employer rates in the long-term, but major reductions in pension costs are not expected immediately. According to a newsletter sent to employees, less than expected returns on investments and historically low interest rates over the past three years weakened the sustainability of the DB plan. After the market free-fall in 2008 LCC s pension plan, along with more than 80 percent of other plans, found itself in solvency deficiency. Pension legislation Communications change at LCC WINNIPEG - After serving as Lutheran Church Canada s Director of Communications for almost 17 years, Dr. Ian Adnams has announced he is stepping down from the post effective November 1. He and his wife, Suzanne, are moving to Vancouver following a change in Suzanne s employment. Words cannot describe how much I have enjoyed serving the Lord and His people for the past 17 years, Adnams said in a letter to President Bugbee. He brought into my life gifted, talented, devoted, faithful Christians and incredible experiences at home and overseas which I found both enriching and challenging. LCC s executive assessed the current job description for the Director of Communications position along with the overall communication needs of the church and have begun a search for a Communications Manager (See page 48). To provide continuity, Dr. Adnams has expressed his willingness to serve part time from Vancouver and to accept responsibility for special assignments as needed. Ian s title as communications director doesn t even begin to encompass everything he has been doing for God s people over many requires plan sponsors to make up the shortfall. Cleave explained that approximately 6.6 percent of the 16.6 percent of payroll deductions for pension goes toward this deficiency, which is amortized, like a mortgage, over a ten-year period. The plan is registered with the provincial finance department in Alberta, and, along with many other pension funds, the Alberta agency allowed a solvency moratorium until 2013 with the hope markets will stabilize in that timeframe. Under the defined contribution plan, employees will contribute four percent of salary and the employer will contribute six percent. Employees will also have the option Dr. Ian Adnams addresses LCC s Convention in June 2011 years, President Bugbee observed. His wealth of experience and command of details and background on countless phases of the Synod s life were a strength the Lord used to orient me to my work as president in this past triennium. His sharp mind and willing spirit have been such a blessing. Dr. Adnams is LCC s first Director of Communications and shepherded the church through the growth and establishment of Internet communications, most recently using social media. Concordia Lutheran Seminary, Edmonton presented him with an honorary Doctor of Letters in of adding up to an additional four percent. Depending on the length of service, some employees nearing retirement will not transition to the DC plan but rather remain in the DB Plan. These employees will be required to contribute four percent of pay towards funding the DB plan and will also have the option of adding an additional four percent of pay to the defined contribution plan. Before arriving at the new pension plan design, the Board of Managers spent 18 months c o n s u l t i n g w i t h m e m b e r s, employers, consultants and LCC s leadership both nationally and regionally. 18 THE CANADIAN LUTHERAN July/August 2011

4 KITCHENER, Ont. - The Lord called home former East District president Rev. Dr. Albin J. Stanfel, Thursday, July 7, Dr. Stanfel, who lived in Kitchener, was surrounded at the time of his death by his children Julie, Marty, and William. He served as president of the East District (formerly LCMS Ontario District) from Dr. Stanfel was 82 years old. President Stanfel was a father to me and to so many others who leaned on him for courage and direction. He shepherded Ontario congregations through the trying years of the Scripture controversy, reflected LCC President Robert Bugbee. He poured his life s energies into the welfare of God s people. Even though he spent decades in leadership, he was always approachable and plain-spoken. Above all, he knew himself to be God s child, purchased and won by the Christ who bled and died for him. Our hearts are sore at losing him, but we re glad to commend Him to the Lord s safe-keeping. More than 200 family, friends and fellow pastors gathered at Historic St. Paul s in downtown Kitchener for the funeral service, Saturday, July 16. Another 50 watched the webcast. Rev. Mark Hartburg, pastor of Historic St. Paul s conducted the service and preached the sermon. Drawing from the Gospel reading, Matthew 25 and the Parable of the Bags of Gold, Pastor Hartburg described Dr. Stanfel as a good and faithful servant who lived to talk about Jesus. He said that Al simply saw himself as a forgiven sinner and a servant of his Saviour The seed of the Word planted in his heart has borne rich fruit. The works worked in his life by God the Holy Spirit working through Word and Sacrament have brought glory to God the Father in the name of Jesus. National News Former East District president called to glory Rev. Dr. Albin J. Stanfel The service concluded with remarks from Lutheran Church Canada President Robert Bugbee and LCC s East District President Paul Zabel. Both spoke of the personal and supportive relationship they enjoyed with Dr. Stanfel and thanked God for his strong witness and faithful service to God s people Born in Laurium, Michigan, Dr. Stanfel was baptized, confirmed and eventually married in the same church, St. Paul s Lutheran Church, in Laurium, Michigan. Following graduation from Belleville High School in Belleville, Michigan, Al enrolled at the Henry Ford Trade School (Auto Body Design) in Dearborn, Michigan then attended the Eastern Michigan University School of Engineering in Ypsilanti, Michigan, before answering the call to prepare for the Holy Ministry. He received his pre-seminary training at Concordia College, Milwaukee, Wisconsin, and graduated from Concordia Theological Seminary, St. Louis, Missouri in He was ordained into the Holy Ministry of The Lutheran Church Missouri Synod (LCMS) on August 7, That same year, the LCMS Ontario District s Department of Missions applied for a seminary candidate to organize a new mission in northwest Toronto. Rev. Stanfel accepted this placement and, under God s blessing, established Our Saviour Lutheran Church, Thistletown, (now Etobicoke) where he served from 1955 to Then came another call from the district s Department of Missions to develop a mission church in Kitchener, where he became the first pastor of Hope Lutheran Church, 1964 to In 1968, he accepted the appointment by the Ontario District Board of Directors to become the district s first Associate Executive Secretary and thus began his ministry on a district level. In 1970 he was elected District President, which became a full-time position in 1972, and in which he served until Some of Pastor Stanfel s activities in the church-at-large included serving as: circuit counsellor for the Toronto circuit; pastoral advisor for the district s Walther League, Lutheran Women s Missionary League and Lutheran Laymen s League; chairman of the District Pastoral Conference; member of the District Stewardship Department, the Joint Commission of Inter-Lutheran Relations, the Toronto Inter-Church Regional Planning Association, and the National Committee for Lutheran/Roman Catholic Dialogue. He also served as religious director of the Lutheran Laymen s League of Canada. In The Lutheran Church Missouri Synod, he served on the Pastoral Placement Committee, the Council of Presidents Executive Committee, was chairman of Convention Floor Committees and vice-chairman of the Convention Nominations Committee. Rev. Stanfel also served on the Board of Regents of Concordia Lutheran Theological Seminary, St. Catharines as chairman, secretary, and member. Nationally, he played a prominent role in the establishment of Lutheran Church Canada as an autonomous church body by serving on LCC s Board of Directors and as vice-president and secretary of the new Canadian Synod. In 1984, Concordia College, Edmonton, (now Concordia University College of Alberta) awarded Dr. Stanfel its Christo et Ecclesiae Medallion recognizing his exemplary commitment to Christ and to the Church. In 1976, Concordia Theological Seminary in Springfield, Illinois, conferred upon him the Doctor of Divinity degree,. Dr. Stanfel was predeceased by his wife Dorothy and son Jonathan. THE CANADIAN LUTHERAN July/August

5 SASKATOON - Delegates to the 13th Biennial National Convention of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Canada (ELCIC) approved three highly anticipated and vigorously debated motions put forward by the church body s National Church Council. Each was based upon issues identified in the ELCIC s Social Statement on Human Sexuality. Delegates approved an Affirmation Concerning the Unity of the Church; a policy statement allowing rostered ministers to preside at or bless legal marriages, including those between same-sex couples, according to the laws of the province; and a policy paving the way for the ordination and installation of gay and lesbian pastors. The votes took place July 15 and 16. In response, the leaders of Lutheran Church Canada (LCC) issued a statement (page 21) noting that the ELCIC does not speak for all Lutherans in the country. The statement notes that the ELCIC is the only Lutheran church body in Canada that has approved such a departure from accepted National News LCC leaders speak out on same-gender decisions in ELCIC Christian teaching. While the ELCIC is the largest Lutheran body in Canada, statistics available online show that nearly 40 percent of Lutherans worshipping each week belong to congregations outside the ELCIC. Restating the words of Jesus who spoke of marriage in terms of a man leaving his father and mother, being united to his wife, and the two becoming one flesh, LCC s presidents declared the church body s continuing witness to Christ s clear teaching that God designed marriage as the lifelong union of one man and one woman. They further state that LCC will not ordain pastors who do not support this position. At its 2002 convention Lutheran Church Canada affirmed the historic biblical definition of marriage. At its most recent convention in June 2011, delegates agreed that the Office of the Holy Ministry is denied to those who, by activity or word, deny the Scriptural mandates concerning human sexuality LCC s position is one held by the Church for the past 2000 years and supported by millions of Christians worldwide including the Roman Catholic, Eastern Orthodox and a rapidly growing number of Lutheran churches in Africa. LCC is not speaking from the margins, the statement notes. The statement also rejects any notion that holding to historic Christian teaching on marriage and sexuality constitutes homophobia, an irrational fear and hatred of people with same-gender orientation. LCC s leaders refuse to defend those who take a threatening or insulting approach to the issue, but instead repent of such sin and ask God to help His people overcome it wherever it occurs. After noting that there are Lutheran Christians in Canada still deeply committed to the Bible as the authoritative Word of God and still dedicated to its clear witness on human sexuality, marriage and standards for ministry, the leaders pledge prayers for those within the ELCIC for whom their church body s decision is troubling. ROC on in B.C. VA N C O U V E R- T h e wo r l d s most recent Winter Olympic city is the site for the first Regional Outreach Conference (ROC) in Canada presented by Lutheran Hour Ministries and the ABC District. S c h e d u l e d f o r O c t o b e r , 2 011, t h e c o n f e r e n c e w i l l p r o v i d e a m e m o r a b l e outreach experience. Participants will have access to mission specialists engaged in creative projects that combine innovation and enthusiasm to share the Gospel. Included in the lineup of speakers and presenters are Lutheran Hour Speaker Rev. Greg Seltz; ABC District mission executive, Rev. Dr. Glenn Schaeffer; Stephen Klinck, managing director of LLL-Canada; Gary Brucker, family life ministry director of First Lutheran, Kelowna, B.C.; R e v D a v i d N e i l s e n w i t h Greg and Linda D e s r o s i e r s, Greater Vancouver ministry to the Deaf; Rev. Wayne Zhang, associate pastor, Trinity, Richmond, B.C.; Deacon Michael Schutz, DPS Concordia, Penticton, B.C. and Deacon Marcus Huff, executive director of the B.C. Mission Boat Society. Beginning Friday evening and concluding Saturday evening, the ROC is geared to equipping people for outreach. In addition to three plenary sessions, three breakout periods each offer nine topics for exploration with skilled presenters. It is also an excellent opportunity for fellowship and worship with other Lutherans. Organizers are working with the ABC District to ensure those attending will have the opportunity to learn about sharing Christ with family and friends, discover effective ways to reach out in a multi-cultural community and gain a global perspective for sharing Christ. For registration information and more details about ROC-Vancouver go to 20 THE CANADIAN LUTHERAN July/August 2011

6 National News Same-gender issues among Lutherans in Canada A Statement from the Council of Presidents/Bishops of Lutheran Church Canada Recent years have brought separation and discord among Lutheran Christians around the world as various church bodies have departed from historic Biblical teaching and practice by approving same-gender relationships, both within their churches membership and even in the ranks of the ordained clergy. This disruption will now spread in our country through the decision of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Canada (ELCIC) to authorize its pastors to conduct same-gender marriages, as well as by its finding that sexual orientation is no longer an issue in certifying candidates for the ministry. Because these decisions will be covered in the media, members of the larger Christian community and the Canadian public in general may mistakenly conclude that these decisions represent the position of all Lutherans in this land. In fact, the ELCIC is the only Lutheran church body in Canada which has approved such a departure from accepted Christian teaching. Further, although the ELCIC formally reports large membership statistics, nearly 40 percent of Canadian Lutherans who worship every week belong to congregations outside the ELCIC.* In addition, it is known that there are churches and pastors within the ELCIC who are deeply troubled by these changes in their church body and cannot support them. Jesus Christ declared, Haven t you read that at the beginning the Creator made them male and female, and said, For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and the two will come one flesh? (Matthew 19:4-5). Both in its Canadian congregations and overseas mission stations, Lutheran Church-Canada (LCC) will continue to give witness to Christ s clear teaching that God designed marriage as the lifelong union of one man and one woman. LCC will not ordain pastors who do not affirm this. In holding this position, LCC is not speaking from the margins, but from the overwhelming consensus of Christian churches for the last two millennia, and also from the mainstream of ecumenical conviction today. LCC s solid commitment to historic Christian marriage is shared by the Roman Catholic and Eastern Orthodox churches, as well as by the rapidly growing Lutheran churches in Africa and elsewhere. Lutheran unity is not undermined by the faithful who cling to the Biblical teaching they received and have consistently confessed. It is not being ruptured by people resisting the changes now adopted in a few Lutheran church bodies. It is ruptured rather by decisions which claim to place a blessing on what God has not promised to bless, and by anyone who permits secular notions of justice to override the apostolic teaching of God s Word. No one will deny that some Christian churches and their members have at times distorted the Bible s instruction on sexuality and marriage, twisting it to insult and threaten people who claimed same-gender orientation. We do not defend this, but rather we repent of such sin and ask God to help His people overcome it wherever it occurs. At the same time, we reject any notion that confessing historic Christian teaching on marriage and sexuality constitutes homophobia, an irrational fear and hatred of people with same-gender orientation. Contrary to the claims of revisionist theologians, it is indeed possible to refuse their proposed changes to Christian teaching and life without feeling such hatred, and without inciting it in others. We want Canadians to know that, both in Lutheran Church Canada and in a number of smaller church bodies, there are Lutheran Christians in this country still deeply committed to the Bible as the authoritative Word of God, and still dedicated to its clear witness on human sexuality, marriage and standards for ministry. For ELCIC congregations and people dismayed by their church s recent actions, we pledge our intercessory prayers. We make this declaration to defend the rightful place of historic Lutheran teaching and practice in Canada, and in response to the saving love of Jesus Christ, the Faithful Witness (Revelation 1:5), the Son of God and Saviour of the world. The Rev. Dr. Robert Bugbee, President The Rev. Daryl M. Solie, First Vice-President The Rev. Robert C. Krestick, Second Vice- President The Rev. Thomas Kruesel, Third Vice-President The Rev. Nolan D. Astley, Vice-President Elect Rev. Brian D. Falkenholt, Vice-President Elect The Rev. Donald R. Schiemann, President, Alberta-British Columbia District The Rev. Thomas E. J. Prachar, President, Central District The Rev. Paul J. Zabel, President, East District * This reflects local congregational reports published on the Internet by both ELCIC and LCC. This percentage does not include the weekly worshiping membership of smaller Canadian Lutheran bodies, for whom statistics are not readily available. THE CANADIAN LUTHERAN July/August