In October 2024, 97 representatives from 40 countries and 45 LCMS sister church bodies, along with six other church bodies with whom The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod (LCMS) is working toward fellowship, gathered in Wittenberg, Germany, for the International Church Relations Conference 2024 (ICRC24) to study God’s Word, encourage and support one another, and promote global confessional Lutheranism.

The group met under the theme “Christ the Lord of History, Yesterday, Today and Forever,” based on Hebrews 13:8: “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.” They focused on their shared mission to proclaim the Good News of salvation by grace through faith in Christ Jesus.

“To understand the … current landscape of global confessional Lutheranism helps us to better serve the broader church,” said the Rev. Dr. Thomas J. Egger, President of Concordia Seminary, St. Louis.

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. Jonathan E. Shaw, Director of Church Relations and Assistant to the President for the LCMS.

Christ — The Lord of History: Yesterday, Today and ForeverRev. Dr. Jonathan Shaw, director of LCMS Church Relations

“In the Old Testament Narrative” — Rev. Dr. Burnell Eckardt, LCMS pastor

“In Witness” — Rev. Dr. Peter Abia, bishop of the Evangelical Lutheran Church of South Sudan/Sudan

“In Church Planting” — Rev. Ted Krey, regional director for LCMS work in Latin America and the Caribbean

In Luther’s Eschatological Understanding of Confession” — Rev. Dr. Stephen Pietsch, assistant professor at Concordia Seminary, St. Louis

“In Creation” — Rev. Dr. Thomas Egger, president of Concordia Seminary, St. Louis

“In Re-Ordering the Image of God” — Rev. Christopher Esget, LCMS fifth vice-president

“In Mercy” — Rev. Dr. Matthew C. Harrison, president of The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod

“In Worship” — Rev. Dr. Jon Vieker, associate professor of Practical Theology and dean of Chapel at Concordia Seminary, St. Louis

“In Sacramental Remembrance” — Rev. Dr. Jonathan Shaw, director of LCMS Church Relations

LCMS Church Relations