Evangelical Lutheran Church in the Republic of Namibia

Evangelical Lutheran Church in the Republic of Namibia
ClassificationProtestant
OrientationLutheran
BishopSagues ǀKheib
AssociationsCouncil of Churches in Namibia
Lutheran World Federation
World Council of Churches
Origin1957
Congregations100[1]
Members600,000[1]
Official websitewww.elcrnam.org

The Evangelical Lutheran Church in the Republic of Namibia (ELCRN; German: Evangelisch-Lutherische Kirche in der Republik Namibia) is a Lutheran denomination based in Namibia. It has 54 parishes, over 100 congregations, and a total membership of about 600,000.[1]

The ELCRN grew out of work done by the Rhenish Missionary Society starting in 1842. The denomination was established in 1957 as the Evangelical Lutheran Church in South West Africa (Rheinische Mission). It adopted its present name in 1990, following Namibian independence.[2] It joined the Lutheran World Federation in 1970,[3] and the World Council of Churches in 1992.[2]

Together with the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Namibia, the ELCRN operates Paulinum Theological Seminary. In 2007, these two denominations. along with the German-speaking Evangelical Lutheran Church in Namibia, formed the United Church Council of the Lutheran Churches in Namibia. The aim of this body is ultimately to achieve church union.[2]

In December 2015, the ELCRN postponed its synod, which usually meets every six years, "pending the rectification of alleged irregularities regarding administrative procedures."[4] The synod took place from 30 January – 4 February 2016, but then the election of members to the national church council was "reportedly conducted improperly as some members with voting rights were denied participation in the election process."[5] The elections were declared null and void and an extraordinary synod was then held in July 2016. No consensus could be reached, however, and the term of the current church council was extended until 31 August 2017.[5]

References

  1. ^ a b c Ndeyanale, Eliaser (27 May 2025). "Holy house in turmoil". The Namibian. p. 1.
  2. ^ a b c "Evangelical Lutheran Church in the Republic of Namibia". World Council of Churches. January 1992. Archived from the original on 19 December 2016. Retrieved 15 October 2016.
  3. ^ "Evangelical Lutheran Church in the Republic of Namibia (ELCRN)". Lutheran World Federation. Archived from the original on 2 August 2018. Retrieved 15 October 2016.
  4. ^ Tjihenuna, Theresia (7 December 2015). "ELCRN forced to postpone synod over irregularities". The Namibian. Archived from the original on 18 October 2016. Retrieved 15 October 2016.
  5. ^ a b Tjihenuna, Theresia (8 August 2016). "ELCRN extends council term". The Namibian. Archived from the original on 19 October 2016. Retrieved 15 October 2016.

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