LUTHERAN CHURCH OF UGANDA PROFILE

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3 Bishop - Elect Rev. Charles I. Bameka TABLE OF CONTENTS 4 INTRODUCTION 5 VISION STATEMENT 5 MISSION STATEMENT 5 MOTTO 5 STATEMENT OF FAITH 6 THE OBJECTIVES OF THE LUTHERAN CHURCH OF UGANDA 8 CORE VALUES 8 HOW THE LCU IS ORGANIZED 10 CHURCH GOVERNANCE AND ADMINISTRATIVE STRUCTURE 11 LCU ORGANIZATIONAL CHART 12 PROGRAMS 13 Water and Sanitation 14 Health Facilities 14 Poverty Alleviation Projects 16 SCHOLARSHIP/SPONSORSHIP PROGRAMS: 16 Other programs 16 Future plans iii

4 INTRODUCTION The Lutheran church of Uganda (LCU) is part of the Evangelical Lutheran church worldwide which has its beginnings in 1517 AD when Dr. Martin Luther publically called for the correction of errors in the Medieval Church. The Lutheran Church started in 1993 in Jinja, Eastern Uganda. Since then it has spread to all regions of Uganda with over 45,000 Lutherans distributed in 137 congregations. The LCU shares a common faith with other Traditional Christian denominations. LCU accepts; The Bible as the true source of Christian Love, Guidance and Doctrine. The Ecumenical Creeds namely; - The Apostles Creed, Nicene Creed and Athanasian Creed. The LCU accepts without reservation the following; Justification is by God s Grace alone, through Faith alone, in Christ alone. Sacred Scriptures of the Old and New Testaments as the written Word of God and the only Rule and Norm of Faith and Practice. The Headquarters of the are situated in Kampala, Kansanga, at Aqua House Plot 321 Ggaba Road, next to Kampala International University, P.O. Box Kampala. Tel: / bameka@infocom.co.ug; NSBT@LCU.org.ug 4

5 VISION STATEMENT A Christ-Centred Growing Lutheran Church Body Committed to Fulfilling the Great Commission of our Lord Jesus Christ. MISSION STATEMENT Growing in Jesus Christ and Making Him Known to All people by Living, Preaching and Teaching the Word of God and Celebrating the Sacraments, While Holistically Nurturing Believers and Raising Leaders and Resources for Church and Community Outreach MOTTO The Just shall live by faith (Romans 1:17 KJV) STATEMENT OF FAITH The LCU and every Communicant Church Member Upholds, Adheres, and Accepts without reservation the basic tenets of the Christian faith, as stated hereunder: The unity of God the Father, God the Son, God the Holy Spirit (One Triune God) - The Holy Trinity. The sovereignty of God in Creation, Revelation, Redemption and Final Judgement of Mankind. The divine inspiration and entire trust worthiness of the Holy Scriptures as originally given by God Himself and its Supreme Authority in all matters of Faith, Practice, and Conduct. The Universal Sinfulness and Guilt of Humanity since the fall of Adam and Eve rendering them subject to God s Wrath and Condemnation without respect of persons and without discrimination on account of age, gender, race, nation, colour, social position, or otherwise. The Unity of all Believers in Christ without respect of persons and without discrimination on account of age, gender, race, nation, colour, social position or otherwise. The Bodily Resurrection of our LORD JESUS CHRIST from the dead and His glorious ascension to the right hand of God the Father. The Justification of a Sinner by the Grace of God alone through faith alone in Jesus Christ our Lord alone. The Presence and Power of the Holy Spirit in the work of Regeneration. The one Holy Universal Church, which is the body 5

6 of Christ and to which all True Believers Belong. The Expectation of the personal return of the risen LORD JESUS CHRIST to judge the living and the dead. The LCU and every communicant Church Member accepts without reservation the following; All the symbolical Books of the Lutheran Church as a true and unadulterated statement and exposition of the Word of God, namely the: three Ecumenical Creeds, Unaltered Augsburg Confession, Apology for the Augsburg Confession, Smalcald Articles, Large Catechism and Small Catechism of Luther, and the Formula of Concord. To unite in one corporate body the members of the Church who acknowledge and remain true to the Book of Concord of the Year of our Lord 1580, as a true confession of Biblical and Christian doctrine. THE OBJECTIVES OF THE LUTHERAN CHURCH OF UGANDA Participate, contribute and enhance the fulfilment of the Great Commission of our Lord Jesus Christ as commanded in Matthew 28: Train, Equip, Commission, Ordain and or Consecrate; Church members, Teachers, Evangelists, Missionaries, Ministers, Pastors, and Bishops for works of service in the Church. Establish, support, and promote the establishment of Bible Study Centres, Preaching Stations and Lutheran Congregations in Uganda and other parts of the world, where ever the need arises. Publish and distribute Bibles, church related books, religious periodicals, and other Christian books, and literature according to the needs of the Church and its Congregations. Establish, build, and develop Lutheran Theological Seminaries, Universities, Colleges, Schools, and other institutions for Christian instructions and promotion of Formal Education. Assist, support, and advise local congregations, Teachers, Evangelists, Missionaries, Ministers, Pastors, and Bishops serving under the apostolate 6

7 of the Church and to supervise such parties as to the true Biblical and Christian doctrine, practice, and performance of their official duties. Take a Holistic Approach to Christian ministry by establishing, supporting, and promoting projects and programs which serve the Social, Physical, and general Development needs of Ugandans as a means of fighting and eradicating Illiteracy, Poverty and Disease in our communities. Purchase, hold, administer, and sell property of every description in the interests of fulfilling the objectives of the Church. Accept, hold, administer, and if deemed advisable, dispose of legacies, donations, commercial papers, and legal documents of every description in the interest of the work of the Church; Seek and obtain loans in monies and or in material things throughout and outside Uganda, as needed to realize the goals and objectives of the Church. Guarantee loans where possible to member local Churches and church workers in monies or material things throughout Uganda to realise the aims and objectives as stated in these Articles. 7

8 Act for any purpose which is necessary or expedient for the proper exercise of the function of the Church, to acquire and hold any moveable or immovable property, to sell, lease, mortgage, or dispose off any property and to enter into any transaction, provided such transactions do not conflict with the Word of God, the laws of the country or objectives of the Church as outlined in these Articles. CORE VALUES The Lutheran Church of Uganda cherishes the following values; Honour God in life and deeds Believes in the authenticity of the Holy Scripture of Sixty six(66) books of the Old and New Testament Believes in the Salvation of mankind by Grace alone through Faith alone in Jesus Christ alone as Scripture alone. Believes in and support justice, integrity, accountability, transparency and stewardship Stand for unconditional love for mankind through compassion and charitable works Upholds and cherishes Lutheran values regarding the Word of God and Holy Sacraments, as expressed in the Confessions of the Evangelical Lutheran Church HOW THE LCU IS ORGANIZED The LCU organizes her individual members into local churches under Regional Deaneries subordinate to the National Synod Conference, in order to fully implement and advance her Vision, Mission, Objectives, and all the Confessions of the Evangelical Lutheran Church. Currently there are over 137 congregations distributes in 7 Deaneries of LCU including Central Deanery, Eastern Deanery, Far-East Deanery, Mid-Western Deanery, North - Eastern Deanery, Northern Deanery and South- Western Deanery, spread in all the four administrative regions of Uganda. The LCU works to serve, support, and enhance the spiritual work, growth, and well-being of all member congregations, without which the LCU and NSC would not exist. As one Synodical Body we confess together the Word of God and Worship as One Ecclesiastical Unit. 8

9 A Table showing Regional Distribution of Lutheran Churches/Congregations LCU Region Number of Congregations 1. Eastern Region Far East 4 3. Central Region 9 4. Mid-Western South -Western Northern Region 5 7. North Eastern 25 Total 137 9

10 CHURCH GOVERNANCE AND ADMINISTRATIVE STRUCTURE The Church is Governed and Administered under the following organs; The National Synod Conference; is the supreme governing authority of the Church, comprised of the House of Clergy, House of the Laity, and Women s League and Youth League. National Synod Board of Trustees; which acts on behalf of the National Synod Conference in all matters whatsoever, and is the Executive arm of the Church headed by the National presiding Bishop. Regional Synod Conferences/Deaneries; are the Regional subdivisions of the Church, under which churches/congregations are grouped on a regional territorial basis. These are headed by Deans who serve under the National Synod Board of Trustees. Local Congregations/Churches; These are the smallest Administrative grouping and Spiritual units of the LCU, under which the Lutheran individual members are organized, congregate and gather. Regional groups of congregations form Regional Synod Conferences/Deaneries. The local congregations constitute the National Synod Conference. 10

11 LCU ORGANIZATIONAL CHART BOARD FOR FINANCE & ADMINISTRATION WOMEN S LEAGUE NATIONAL SYNOD CONFERENCE NATIONAL SYNOD BOARD OF TRUSTEES MEN S MINISTRY BOARD FOR EDUCATION BOARD FOR MISSIONS REGIONAL DEANERIES CONGREGATIONAL COUNCILS CHRISTIAN FAMILY LIFE EDUCATION COMMITTEES YOUTH LEAGUE BOARD FOR PLANNING & DEVELOPMENT CHILDREN S MINISTRY 11

12 PROGRAMS Evangelism, Outreach and Church Planting. Church planting especially in areas where the Christian church does not exist has been emphasized over the last 25 years. In her effort to achieve the objective of fulfilling the great commission of Our Lord Jesus Christ, LCU reaches out to the un-churched people with the Gospel using various ways including; house to house evangelism, Bible studies, Catechism classes, mass media etc. Training of Church Leaders The LCU believes in training of church leaders in order to bring consistence and commitment to the church s vision and mission. Leadership Training has been conducted nationally to equip and encourage men and women to take up task of making and nurturing disciples. This is being done at the nine (9) Mission Training Centres (MTCs) spread in the 7 regions of the LCU, involved in training church leaders at local level and at the National level at Lutheran Theological College Uganda based at Magamaga in Mayuge District, training Pastors. Social Ministry LCU carries out Social Ministry especially to the needy and underprivileged thus extending our Christian love and practice. Establishment of educational institutions, Agriculture and Health have been emphasised in the country as a way of promoting education, good health and income generation. 12

13 UGANDA SOME OF THE PROJECTS UNDERTAKEN BY THE CHURCH Table Showing Lutheran Founded Education Institutions 17 Mid-Western 04 Central 03 South Western 01 Secondary Schools Eastern 01 Vocational Institutions Eastern 05 Mid-Western Central South Western Theological College Eastern OF Eastern CHURCH Primary Schools NO LUTHERAN TYPE OF REGION INSTITUTION 13

14 WATER AND SANITATION As the saying goes, water is life, since her inception LCU has embarked on drilling bore holes to Provide clean water for the communities we serve in the seven regions as shown in the table below. Table Showing Distribution of LCU Supported Boreholes in the Country REGION NO. OF BORE HOLES Eastern 20 Mid Western 8 Central 3 North Eastern 2 South Western 1 Far-Eastern 2 TOTAL 33 14

15 HEALTH FACILITIES The LCU has established Health Centers to provide affordable health services especially to the poor. The church has also arranged medical camps conducted by Mercy Medical Team, based in the USA, to bring health services nearer to the people. A number of medical camps have been held in Lira, Busia, Amudat and Nakapiripiriti Districts. Table Showing Distribution of Health Facilities NAME OF THE HEALTH CENTRE Naigobya Health Centre II Kawete (CCLS) Clinic Bufuula Lutheran Primary School Clinic Nakabango Lutheran Secondary School Clinic LOCATION Luuka District Iganga District Jinja District Jinja District POVERTY ALLEVIATION PROJECTS LCU has promoted and facilitated the development and growth of poverty alleviation initiatives that have been undertaken as seen below in table; Table Showing Distribution of Projects funded by the LCU NAME OF CONGREGATION Within the entire Church body Communities Within the entire Church body Communities South Western Region PROJECT NOTES Agriculture initiative Piggery Maize mill Shoe making project for women Heifer and Goat support Initiative to support improved agriculture through Seed distribution, Agricultural Extension Service, Establishment of Demonstration Gardens, Seed breeding and Development Ongoing support for a community demonstration farms Income generation for selfsustainability and support piggery with feed Support women self-help initiatives Support for Needy church members 15

16 Nakabango in Jinja District Bukobo in Luuka district Kawete in Iganga. Nakabango, Butangala, Kainogoga in Jinja District. Mbulamuti and Kamuli Town church in Kamuli District. Nalwire in Busia District Kawete Iganga Crafts ministry Tailoring Piggery Piggery Women Tailoring Goats to support students secondary school Education Goats project for women Support the women of the community Support for widows and orphans Empower vulnerable students continue with secondary education after primary Seven. For poverty alleviation among women. 16

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18 P A R T N E R S PARTNERS The Lutheran Church of Uganda works with over 16 Ministry Partners world wide especially coming from the Lutheran Church Missouri Synod, USA. The Partners have been especially a big support in Social Ministry. 18

19 SCHOLARSHIP AND SPONSORSHIP PROGRAMS: The LCU has initiated scholarship and sponsorship programs to support the under privileged attain education. Currently the Education Programme has over 3,100 beneficiaries country wide. Table showing distribution of Education Support NATIONAL INSTITUTION NUMBER OF BENEFECIARIES Primary schools 2,779 Secondary 150 Leadership Mission Training Centres 140 University and tertiary 75 Lutheran Theological College 45 Other programs Worship services with Word and Sacrament Ministry. Sunday School Ministry Annual Youth Gatherings Translation of Worship and Teaching materials into local languages Training Workshops, Conference and Seminars for Church Leaders Women s Ministry and Empowerment Short term Mission Team Visits from the Lutheran Fraternity around the World especially the USA Functional adult Literacy Program Purchase, ownership, constructions, development of properties including but not limited to Land, Houses, Church Buildings Automobiles, etc. Future plans Acquisition of Land and Construction of National Church Headquarters in Kampala. Establishment of at least one Secondary Schools in every region. Establishment of a primary school at every Congregation. Starting of a Micro Finance and Saving scheme. Development of the Lutheran Theological College into a Lutheran university. Drilling of more boreholes. Establishment of Health Centres. Establishment of more Congregations/Churches Nationally Continued Leadership formation and Development to manage and over see the growth and development of the LCU and her communities 19

20 LUTHERAN THEOLOGICAL COLLEGE UGANDA Growing in Christ for Service Lutheran Theological College under Construction Situated in Kampala, Kansanga, at Aqua House. Plot 321 Ggaba Road, next to Kampala International University, P.O. Box Kampala. TEL: / bameka@infocom.co.ug; NSBT@LCU.org.ug