User:Mlorfeld/Lutheran Church in Southern Africa

Lutheran Church in Southern Africa ...

History
In 1967 the Lutheran Church in Southern Africa (LCSA) became an autonomous church. The LCSA originated from the Mission of the Evangelical Lutheran Free Churches (MELFC) in Germany (formerly known as the Hanoverian Evangelical Lutheran Free Church Mission) which was founded in 1892 and is now known as the Lutherische Kirchenmission (LKM). Therefore, the LCSA has close connections with the LKM (Bleckmar Mission) and with the Free Evangelical Lutheran Synod in South Africa (FELSISA). Since 1980, the LCSA has also worked together with The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod, which resulted in a partnership agreement between these churches. As partner church the LCSA receives assistance in the fields of theological education and finances. It is a member of the International Lutheran Council (ILC).

The LCSA does mission work through its congregations and pastors in South Africa, Botswana and Swaziland. At the present, the LCSA is also involved in the translation of the Bible into the Kalanga language.

The LCSA has its own seminary at Enhlanhleni (KwaZulu Natal) where future pastors are trained. Training of catechists at the Catechist School in Kanye, Botswana, is planned. It also developes CLTP (Commission for Lay Training Program) programs to train laypeople to help in church and mission work.