Evangelical Lutheran Church in Kenya

The Evangelical Lutheran Church in Kenya (Kanisa la Kiinjili la Kilutheri Katika Kenya) is a Lutheran denomination in Kenya. It is a member of the Lutheran World Federation, which it joined in 1970, and of the International Lutheran Council. It is also a member of the National Council of Churches of Kenya.

Origin of the Church

The Evangelical Lutheran Church in Kenya (ELCK) was born out of the missionary work of the Swedish Lutheran Mission in 1948 under the name Swedish Lutheran Mission (SLM). In 1963, the name of the church was changed and registered as the Lutheran Church of Kenya (LCK). In 1973, the name was changed again to ELCK with three districts, namely North, Kisii and Nyanza. In 1996, the church adopted the Episcopal polity of the church and the first Bishop of the ELCK was elected. In 2002, the church was restructured into four dioceses, forming the Central, Lake, South-West and North-West. The first Archbishop of the ELCK was elected the same year under the title of Presiding Bishop and each Diocese elected a Diocesan Bishop.

The Church doctrine

1. The church believes, confesses and teaches that the Holy Scriptures contained in the 39 canonical books of the Old Testament and the 27 canonical books of the New Testament are the inspired Word of God and the only infallible authority in all matters of faith and life. 2. The church professes the Christian doctrine and belief that is founded on the Holy Scriptures, which belief is comprised in each and all of the ecumenical creeds, Viz. the apostles' Creed, the Nicene Creed and the Athanasian Creed, and is also expressed in the Unaltered Augsburg Confession of 1530 as well as in Martin Luther's large and small Catechisms and the other symbolical books of the Lutheran church.

Vision

The vision of this Church is to proclaim the good news of the crucified and resurrected Christ, the only way to salvation.

Mission and objectives

ELCK exists to proclaim the gospel of Jesus Christ through the proper administrative of the sacraments,providing the confessional Lutheran teachings and caring for the well being of the whole person.

The objectives for which this Church exists are as follows: i.To make disciples of Jesus Christ by teaching and preaching the Word of God, both the Law and the Gospel, to all people, according to the command of the Lord Jesus in Mathew 28:18-20. This purpose is fulfilled by the use of the means of Grace. Arranging public worship services and meetings, prayer meetings, Sunday schools, Christian meetings for young people, Christian education, by making Bibles available, Printing and making available Christian books that are in accordance with the church confession, by visiting the sick, by individual care of souls, by looking after orphans and windows in their distress and other activities. The work of this Church should thus be carried out within the congregations as well as outwardly among non-Christians, aiming at the extension of the Kingdom of God. ii. It is the aim of this Church to be Self-supporting, self-propagating, self-governing and self-theologizing within the limits of this constitution. iii. In keeping with her mission, the church shall serve and care for the needs of the whole person through formal and informal education, provision of healthcare, social work, development work, communication and any other activity as may be approved by the General Assembly. iv. The Church shall establish such institutions, organizations, boards and departments as may be necessary for the better carrying out of her objectives.

External links

• Official website
• Lutheran World Federation listing
• International Lutheran Council listing