2025 International Church Relations Conference video presentations

The Rev. Dr. Jonathan Shaw, assistant to The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod (LCMS) president and director of LCMS Church Relations, answers a question during the 2025 International Church Relations Conference in Wittenberg, Germany, on Oct. 27-31.

Approximately 100 Lutheran church leaders from around the world gathered for The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod’s (LCMS) 2025 International Church Relations Conference (ICRC) in Wittenberg, Germany, on Oct. 27-31.

The group met under the theme “Church Body Fellowship,” based on John 17:21: “That they may all be one … in Us, so that the world may believe that You have sent Me.”

The LCMS is working toward fellowship to study God’s Word, encourage and support one another and promote global confessional Lutheranism.

“The doctrine of fellowship is really pretty simple: The Word that creates saving faith is the same Word that unites the faithful,” said the Rev. Dr. Jonathan E. Shaw, director of Church Relations and assistant to the president for the LCMS.

Conference presentations were recorded and are available to view on demand below. The video on the top left features an introduction from the Rev. Dr. Matthew C. Harrison, president of the LCMS.

2025 International Church Relations Conference overview — Rev. Dr. Jonathan Shaw, Director, LCMS Church Relations

“Confessional Unity as the Basis for Church Body Fellowship” — Rev. Michael N. Frese, Deputy Director, LCMS Church Relations

“Communion Fellowship in the Book of Concord” — Rev. Dr. Matthew C. Harrison, President, LCMS

“Holding to Christ’s Word Alone: Addressing the Fellowship Fiascos and Failures of Agreements, Associations and Offices” — Rev. Dr. Jonathan Shaw, Director, LCMS Church Relations

Church Body Fellowship Panel Discussion — Conference presenters and other guests answer audience questions

Church Body Presentation — The Evangelical Lutheran Church—Synod of France

“Personal Faith as Participation in the Mystical Union with Christ” — Rev. Dr. Jon S. Bruss, President, CTSFW

“Communion Fellowship in Holy Scripture” — Rev. Dr. Karl F. Fabrizius, Pastor Emeritus, Greendale, Wis., LCMS

“Church Body Sacred Trust: Putting the Word into Action in Church Planting” — Rev. Sebastian Grünbaum, Pastor, ELMDF

“Church Body Fellowship and Triangular Fellowship” — Rev. Dr. Richard J. Serina Jr., Associate Executive Director, LCMS CTCR

Church Body Presentation — The Christian Evangelical Lutheran Church of Bolivia

Church Body Presentation — The Lutheran Church in Korea

LCMS Church Relations

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