Westfield House International Symposium, 2007

In August 2007, Westfield House hosted an international symposium on confessional Lutheran theology, held at High Leigh Christian Conference Centre in Hoddesdon, Hertfordshire.

 The theme for the symposium was "Fear not, little flock" (Lk 12.32). One of the central aims of the symposium was to bring together confessional Lutherans from a variety of backgrounds, to meet one another in study and discussion, and thereby assist in creating new networks of individuals and churches. Delegates represented a variety of Lutheran churches and organizations from Africa, North America and Europe.

Each delegate presented a brief report on the state of confessional Lutheranism in his church body or organisation. It was an excellent opportunity for members of diverse Lutheran communions to meet one another, to share their situations with one another and to be nourished and encouraged through fellowship and study.

Spread throughout the Symposium programme, there were four major presentations. These covered the history of the erosion of confessionalism in Lutheranism in recent centuries, Lutheran missiology, theological education and church fellowship. These are available for download.

God willing, the Symposium will become a regular event. More details will follow on this site in due course.

Main Presentations:

Dr. Anssi Simojoki, Vice President, Lutheran Heritage Foundation , Nairobi, Kenya

From Augsburg to Geneva: The erosion of confessionalism in Lutheran theology.

Dr. Bengt Birgersson, General Secretary, Mission Province, Sweden

The true unity of the church: Confessing Article VII in a changing world.

Dr. K. Detlev Schulz, Assistant Professor, Concordia Theological Seminary , Fort Wayne, Indiana, USA

Teaching them to observe all that I have commanded... Confessional Lutheranism and world mission.

Dr. John Kleinig, Professor, Australian Lutheran College , Adelaide, Australia

Wake up, and strengthen what remains and is about to die! - Pastoral education for the ministry of the Spirit through the Word as the lifeline of the church.

Delegate Presentation:

Prof. Dr. Reinhard Slenczka

Confessional Lutheranism within the EKD (Evangelical Church of Germany)

Countries Represented:

Afghanistan, Australia, Canada, The Democratic Republic of Congo, Denmark, Finland, Germany, Japan, Madagascar, Norway, Portugal, Russia, Rwanda, Somalia, South Africa, Sudan, Sweden, Turkey, United Kingdom, Ukraine, USA

Download: Symposium Programme  

Westfield House acknowledges the generous support of the Marvin M. Schwann Charitable Foundation, without which the Symposium would not have been possible.

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