Church of the Lutheran Confession
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The Church of the Lutheran Confession (CLC) is a conservative Christian religious body theologically adhering to confessional Lutheran doctrine. Founded in 1960 in Minnesota (as descendants of Scandinavian Lutheranism grew discontent with mainline Lutheran churches), it has approximately 75 congregations in 24 U.S. states, and missions in Canada, India, and Africa.
The CLC maintains its headquarters at its ministerial college; Immanuel Lutheran High School, College & Seminary in Eau Claire, Wisconsin.
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[edit] Historical Background
The Church of the Lutheran Confession (CLC) was formed around the time of the break-up of the Evangelical Lutheran Synodical Conference of North America in 1963 (see also Lutheran Church - Missouri Synod, Wisconsin Evangelical Lutheran Synod and Evangelical Lutheran Synod).
The CLC was created primarily (though not solely) from churches that broke away from the Wisconsin Evangelical Lutheran Synod (WELS) and Evangelical Lutheran Synod (ELS) over a disagreement over the application of the principles of Christian fellowship (in this context, an agreement of a unity of belief). The CLC maintains that the WELS and ELS misapplied those principles by not breaking with the Synodical Conference and the Lutheran Church - Missouri Synod after they had publicly recognized doctrinal disagreements.
While there have been recent joint talks (1990's) between the CLC, WELS and ELS to resolve this issue, the talks were unable to come to a resolution. As such, the CLC, Wisconsin Evangelical Lutheran Synod and Evangelical Lutheran Synod remain at odds regarding this issue.
[edit] Beliefs and Practice
[edit] Core Beliefs
The CLC teaches that the Bible is the only authoritative source for doctrine. It subscribes to the Lutheran Confessions (the Book of Concord, 1580) as an accurate presentation of what Scripture teaches. It is strongly linked to the concept of sola scriptura -- scripture alone, and its website states, "That which is not scriptural is not Lutheran."
[edit] Ecumenical Relations
Fellowship between the CLC and other church groups is established only upon investigation and confirmation that both church groups hold complete unity in scriptural doctrine and practice.
The CLC is currently in fellowship with several worldwide synods, some founded through mission work by the CLC.
[edit] Publishing and Publications
The CLC Bookhouse is the official publishing house for the CLC. It is devoted to publishing Christian literature and CLC related religious materials, as well as several CLC periodicals. The CLC Bookhouse also offers books and items from other publishing houses.
CLC periodicals include:
- The Lutheran Spokesman -- The CLC's monthly family magazine.
- Ministry by Mail - Printed and online sermons for CLC members at a distance from their church.
- The Journal of Theology -- A quarterly theological magazine.
CLC educational materials include:
- God's Hand in our Lives -- The CLC Sunday School Series.
- Learn From Me -- An adult instruction manual.
