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What does the confessional Lutheran church look like in South Africa? We were honored to meet and share stories of global Lutheran church leaders at the International Church Relations Conference (ICRC), held during the LCMS Synod Convention. In this conversation, the Rev. Helmut Paul (Bishop, Free Evangelical Lutheran Synod in South Africa) joins Sarah Gulseth (co-host of The Coffee Hour) and the Rev. Roy Askins (executive editor of the Lutheran Witness, LCMS Communications) to talk about where he lives and works, the history of the Free Evangelical Lutheran Synod in South Africa, challenges this church body has faced as they seek to be faithful to Scripture and the Lutheran Confessions, how the church fits into the broader culture of South Africa, how they are able to serve their neighbors with the love of Christ, and the joy he’s found among fellowship with fellow Lutherans. Find the Free Evangelical Lutheran Synod in South Africa at felsisa.org.za/en. To learn more about Global Lutheranism: Read more about the 2026 International Church Relations Conference at reporter.lcms.org/2026/global-lutheran-leaders-challenges-abound-contentment-rules. Learn more about partner churches around the globe at lcms.org/how-we-serve/international/partner-church-bodies. Find the International Lutheran Council at ilc-online.org/members. For more information on The Lutheran Witness or to subscribe to the magazine, please visit witness.lcms.org.

What does the confessional Lutheran church look like in Portugal? We were honored to meet and share stories of global Lutheran church leaders at the International Church Relations Conference (ICRC), held during the LCMS Synod Convention. In this conversation, the Rev. Adalberto Hiller (President, Portuguese Evangelical Lutheran Church) joins Sarah Gulseth (co-host of The Coffee Hour) and the Rev. Roy Askins (executive editor of the Lutheran Witness, LCMS Communications) to talk about where he lives and works, the history of the Portuguese Evangelical Lutheran Church, challenges this church body has faced as they seek to be faithful to Scripture and the Lutheran Confessions, how the church fits into the broader culture of Portugal, how they are able to serve their neighbors with the love of Christ, and the joy he’s found among fellowship with fellow Lutherans. Find the Portuguese Evangelical Lutheran Church at ielp.pt. To learn more about Global Lutheranism: Read more about the 2026 International Church Relations Conference at reporter.lcms.org/2026/global-lutheran-leaders-challenges-abound-contentment-rules. Learn more about partner churches around the globe at lcms.org/how-we-serve/international/partner-church-bodies. Find the International Lutheran Council at ilc-online.org/members. For more information on The Lutheran Witness or to subscribe to the magazine, please visit witness.lcms.org.

What does the confessional Lutheran church look like in the Philippines? We were honored to meet and share stories of global Lutheran church leaders at the International Church Relations Conference (ICRC), held during the LCMS Synod Convention. In this conversation, the Rev. Antonio Reyes (President, The Lutheran Church in the Philippines) joins Andy Bates (co-host of The Coffee Hour) and the Rev. Roy Askins (executive editor of the Lutheran Witness, LCMS Communications) to talk about where he lives and works, the history of The Lutheran Church in the Philippines, challenges this church body has faced as they seek to be faithful to Scripture and the Lutheran Confessions, how the church fits into the broader culture of the Philippines, how they are able to serve their neighbors with the love of Christ, and the joy he’s found among fellowship with fellow Lutherans. Find The Lutheran Church in the Philippines at ilcouncil.org/members/asia/philippines. To learn more about Global Lutheranism: Read more about the 2026 International Church Relations Conference at reporter.lcms.org/2026/global-lutheran-leaders-challenges-abound-contentment-rules. Learn more about partner churches around the globe at lcms.org/how-we-serve/international/partner-church-bodies. Find the International Lutheran Council at ilc-online.org/members. For more information on The Lutheran Witness or to subscribe to the magazine, please visit witness.lcms.org.

What does the confessional Lutheran church look like in Norway and Iceland? We were honored to meet and share stories of global Lutheran church leaders at the International Church Relations Conference (ICRC), held during the LCMS Synod Convention. In this conversation, the Rev. Torkild Masvie (Bishop, Lutheran Church in Norway and Iceland) joins Andy Bates (co-host of The Coffee Hour) and the Rev. Roy Askins (executive editor of the Lutheran Witness, LCMS Communications) to talk about where he lives and works, the history of the Lutheran Church in Norway and Iceland, challenges this church body has faced as they seek to be faithful to Scripture and the Lutheran Confessions, how the church fits into the broader culture of Norway and Iceland, how they are able to serve their neighbors with the love of Christ, and the joy he’s found among fellowship with fellow Lutherans. Find the Lutheran Church in Norway and Iceland at lkn.no/information-in-english. To learn more about Global Lutheranism: Read more about the 2026 International Church Relations Conference at reporter.lcms.org/2026/global-lutheran-leaders-challenges-abound-contentment-rules. Learn more about partner churches around the globe at lcms.org/how-we-serve/international/partner-church-bodies. Find the International Lutheran Council at ilc-online.org/members.

What does the confessional Lutheran church look like in Nigeria? We were honored to meet and share stories of global Lutheran church leaders at the International Church Relations Conference (ICRC), held during the LCMS Synod Convention. In this conversation, the Rev. Dr. Christian Ekong (Archbishop, Lutheran Church of Nigeria) joins Andy Bates (co-host of The Coffee Hour) and the Rev. Roy Askins (executive editor of the Lutheran Witness, LCMS Communications) to talk about where he lives and works, the history of the Lutheran Church of Nigeria, challenges this church body has faced as they seek to be faithful to Scripture and the Lutheran Confessions, how the church fits into the broader culture of Nigeria, how they are able to serve their neighbors with the love of Christ, and the joy he’s found among fellowship with fellow Lutherans. Find the Lutheran Church of Nigeria at lcms.org/partner-church-bodies/the-lutheran-church-of-nigeria. To learn more about Global Lutheranism: Read more about the 2026 International Church Relations Conference at reporter.lcms.org/2026/global-lutheran-leaders-challenges-abound-contentment-rules. Learn more about partner churches around the globe at lcms.org/how-we-serve/international/partner-church-bodies. Find the International Lutheran Council at ilc-online.org/members. For more information on The Lutheran Witness or to subscribe to the magazine, please visit witness.lcms.org.

What does the confessional Lutheran church look like in Norway? We were honored to meet and share stories of global Lutheran church leaders at the International Church Relations Conference (ICRC), held during the LCMS Synod Convention. In this conversation, the Rev. Thor With (Bishop, The Evangelical-Lutheran Diocese in Norway) joins Sarah Gulseth (co-host of The Coffee Hour) and the Rev. Roy Askins (executive editor of the Lutheran Witness, LCMS Communications) to talk about where he lives and works, The Evangelical-Lutheran Diocese in Norway, challenges this church body has faced as they seek to be faithful to Scripture and the Lutheran Confessions, how the church fits into the broader culture of Norway, how they are able to serve their neighbors with the love of Christ, and the joy he’s found among fellowship with fellow Lutherans. Find The Evangelical-Lutheran Diocese in Norway at delsin.no and ilcouncil.org/members/europe/norway-2. To learn more about Global Lutheranism: Read more about the 2026 International Church Relations Conference at reporter.lcms.org/2026/global-lutheran-leaders-challenges-abound-contentment-rules. Learn more about partner churches around the globe at lcms.org/how-we-serve/international/partner-church-bodies. Find the International Lutheran Council at ilc-online.org/members. For more information on The Lutheran Witness or to subscribe to the magazine, please visit witness.lcms.org.

What are the latest updates from our friends in Lutheran Mission - Australia? The Rev. Michael Prenzler (Interim Principal, Lutheran Theological Seminary - Australia) and Deaconess Kathleen Mills (Registrar, Lutheran Theological Seminary - Australia) join Sarah Gulseth (co-host of The Coffee Hour) and Rachel Bomberger (managing editor of The Lutheran Witness, LCMS Communications) to talk about the very exciting first Synodical Assembly for Lutheran Mission - Australia (LM-A), the now-official altar and pulpit fellowship between LM-A and the LCMS, the new developments for LM-A's seminary (Lutheran Theological Seminary - Australia), the story of the beginning and development of the seminary, the state of theological education for the upcoming year, and future goals for Lutheran Theological Seminary - Australia. Learn more about Lutheran Mission - Australia and the new seminary at lutheranmissionaustralia.org.au. For more information on The Lutheran Witness or to subscribe to the magazine, please visit witness.lcms.org.

What does the confessional Lutheran church look like in Sweden? We were honored to meet and share stories of global Lutheran church leaders at the International Church Relations Conference (ICRC), held during the LCMS Synod Convention. In this conversation, the Rev. Bengt Ådahl (Bishop, Mission Province in Sweden) joins Sarah Gulseth (co-host of The Coffee Hour) and the Rev. Roy Askins (executive editor of the Lutheran Witness, LCMS Communications) to talk about where he lives and works, the history of the Mission Province in Sweden, challenges this church body has faced as they seek to be faithful to Scripture and the Lutheran Confessions, how the church fits into the broader culture of Sweden, how they are able to serve their neighbors with the love of Christ, and the joy he’s found among fellowship with fellow Lutherans. Find the Mission Province in Sweden at ilcouncil.org/members/europe/sweden. To learn more about Global Lutheranism: Read more about the 2026 International Church Relations Conference at reporter.lcms.org/2026/global-lutheran-leaders-challenges-abound-contentment-rules. Learn more about partner churches around the globe at lcms.org/how-we-serve/international/partner-church-bodies. Find the International Lutheran Council at ilc-online.org/members. For more information on The Lutheran Witness or to subscribe to the magazine, please visit witness.lcms.org.

What does the confessional Lutheran church look like in Paraguay? We were honored to meet and share stories of global Lutheran church leaders at the International Church Relations Conference (ICRC), held during the LCMS Synod Convention. In this conversation, the Rev. Alceu Figur (President of the Evangelical Lutheran Church of Paraguay) joins Sarah Gulseth (co-host of The Coffee Hour) and the Rev. Roy Askins (executive editor of the Lutheran Witness, LCMS Communications) to talk about where he lives and works, the history of the Evangelical Lutheran Church of Paraguay, challenges this church body has faced as they seek to be faithful to Scripture and the Lutheran Confessions, how the church fits into the broader culture of Paraguay, how they are able to serve their neighbors with the love of Christ, and the joy he’s found among fellowship with fellow Lutherans. Find the Evangelical Lutheran Church of Paraguay at lcms.org/partner-church-bodies/the-evangelical-lutheran-church-of-paraguay. To learn more about Global Lutheranism: Read more about the 2026 International Church Relations Conference at reporter.lcms.org/2026/global-lutheran-leaders-challenges-abound-contentment-rules. Learn more about partner churches around the globe at lcms.org/how-we-serve/international/partner-church-bodies. Find the International Lutheran Council at ilc-online.org/members. For more information on The Lutheran Witness or to subscribe to the magazine, please visit witness.lcms.org.

“Adiaphora,” while not a biblical term, was employed during the Reformation to refer to “ceremonies and Church practices … neither commanded nor forbidden in God’s Word, but … introduced into the Church with good intention, for the sake of good order and proper custom, or otherwise to maintain Christian discipline” (SD X 1). Already in the Augsburg Confession, the basic Lutheran position on adiaphora was articulated: “For the true unity of the Church it is … not necessary that human traditions, that is, rites or ceremonies instituted by men, should be the same everywhere” (AC VII 2–3). However, a question soon arose: How should churches respond when a hostile government attempts to impose human traditions upon the church? During the Adiaphoristic Controversy (1548–1555), Roman Catholic-controlled governments attempted to impose certain outward traditions and trappings upon Lutheran churches in the territories they governed. Some Lutherans opined that compromise with the persecutors was acceptable, while others refused to budge. Article X insists that, when the Gospel and Christian freedom are at stake, even things that are, strictly speaking, adiaphora become matters of confession. Context is crucial for determining whether something is or isn’t an adiaphoron at a particular time or place. This article also upholds the usefulness of churchly traditions while acknowledging that they can be altered to meet local needs. Rev. Carl Roth, pastor of Grace Lutheran Church in Elgin, TX, joins Andy and Sarah to talk about the “Searching Scripture” feature in the October 2026 issue of the Lutheran Witness titled “Article X: Church Practices” on Article X in the Formula of Concord. This year, “Searching Scripture” is themed “Following the Formula” and will walk through the Formula of Concord in the Augsburg Confession. Follow along every month! This year, “Searching Scripture” is walking through the Formula of Concord (FC) from our Lutheran Confessions, exploring the biblical foundations for each topic. Before starting this study, it may be helpful to read FC Ep X on Church Practices (p. 496) in Concordia: The Lutheran Confessions (CPH, 2005). Or follow along with the full Formula of Concord monthly reading plan at witness.lcms.org/reading-plan. Listen to the Coffee Hour episode with Rev. Brady Finnern on Article VIX at kfuo.org/2025/10/07/coffee-hour-100725-adiaphora-in-the-formula-of-concord, and find correlating Concord Matters episodes at kfuo.org/formulaofconcord. Find online exclusives of the Lutheran Witness at witness.lcms.org and subscribe to the Lutheran Witness at cph.org/witness.

What does the confessional Lutheran church look like in Lithuania? We were honored to meet and share stories of global Lutheran church leaders at the International Church Relations Conference (ICRC), held during the LCMS Synod Convention. In this conversation, Bishop Mindaugas Sabutis (Bishop, Evangelical Lutheran Church of Lithuania) joins Sarah Gulseth (co-host of The Coffee Hour) and Rachel Bomberger (managing editor of The Lutheran Witness, LCMS Communications) to talk about where he lives and works, the history of Lutheranism in Lithuania and the history of his church body, challenges this church body has faced as they seek to be faithful to Scripture and the Lutheran Confessions, how the church fits into the broader culture of Lithuania, how they are able to serve their neighbors with the love of Christ, and the joy he’s found among fellowship with fellow Lutherans. Find the Evangelical Lutheran Church of Lithuania at liuteronai.lt. To learn more about Global Lutheranism: Read more about the 2026 International Church Relations Conference at reporter.lcms.org/2026/global-lutheran-leaders-challenges-abound-contentment-rules. Learn more about partner churches around the globe at lcms.org/how-we-serve/international/partner-church-bodies. Find the International Lutheran Council at ilc-online.org/members. For more information on The Lutheran Witness or to subscribe to the magazine, please visit witness.lcms.org.

What does the confessional Lutheran church look like in Kenya? We were honored to meet and share stories of global Lutheran church leaders at the International Church Relations Conference (ICRC), held during the LCMS Synod Convention. In this conversation, the Rev. Dr. Joseph Omolo (Archbishop, Evangelical Lutheran Church in Kenya) joins Sarah Gulseth (co-host of The Coffee Hour) and Rachel Bomberger (managing editor of The Lutheran Witness, LCMS Communications) to talk about where he lives and works, the history of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Kenya, challenges this church body has faced as they seek to be faithful to Scripture and the Lutheran Confessions, how the church fits into the broader culture of Kenya, how they are able to serve their neighbors with the love of Christ, and the joy he’s found among fellowship with fellow Lutherans. Find the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Kenya at lcms.org/partner-church-bodies/evangelical-lutheran-church-in-kenya. To learn more about Global Lutheranism: Read more about the 2026 International Church Relations Conference at reporter.lcms.org/2026/global-lutheran-leaders-challenges-abound-contentment-rules. Learn more about partner churches around the globe at lcms.org/how-we-serve/international/partner-church-bodies. Find the International Lutheran Council at ilc-online.org/members. For more information on The Lutheran Witness or to subscribe to the magazine, please visit witness.lcms.org.

What does the confessional Lutheran church look like in Ghana? We were honored to meet and share stories of global Lutheran church leaders at the International Church Relations Conference (ICRC), held during the LCMS Synod Convention. In this conversation, the Rev. John Donkoh (President, Evangelical Lutheran Church of Ghana) joins Sarah Gulseth (co-host of The Coffee Hour) and Rachel Bomberger (managing editor of The Lutheran Witness, LCMS Communications) to talk about where he lives and works, the history and culture of the Evangelical Lutheran Church of Ghana, the church body's relationship with the LCMS, how the church fits into the broader culture of Ghana, how they are able to serve their neighbors with the love of Christ, challenges the church body has faced as they seek to be faithful to Scripture and the Lutheran Confessions, and the joy he’s found among fellowship with fellow Lutherans. Find the Evangelical Lutheran Church of Ghana at lcms.org/partner-church-bodies/evangelical-lutheran-church-of-ghana. To learn more about Global Lutheranism: Read more about the 2026 International Church Relations Conference at reporter.lcms.org/2026/global-lutheran-leaders-challenges-abound-contentment-rules. Learn more about partner churches around the globe at lcms.org/how-we-serve/international/partner-church-bodies. Find the International Lutheran Council at ilc-online.org/members. For more information on The Lutheran Witness or to subscribe to the magazine, please visit witness.lcms.org.

What does the confessional Lutheran church look like in Germany? We were honored to meet and share stories of global Lutheran church leaders at the International Church Relations Conference (ICRC), held during the LCMS Synod Convention. In this conversation, Hans-Jörg Voigt (Bishop, Independent Evangelical Lutheran Church - SELK, Germany) joins Sarah Gulseth (co-host of The Coffee Hour) and Rachel Bomberger (managing editor of The Lutheran Witness, LCMS Communications) to talk about where he lives and works, the history of SELK, the SELK's relationship with the LCMS, challenges this church body has faced as they seek to be faithful to Scripture and the Lutheran Confessions, how the church fits into the broader culture of Germany, how they are able to serve their neighbors with the love of Christ, and the joy he’s found among fellowship with fellow Lutherans. Find SELK at selk.de. To learn more about Global Lutheranism: Read more about the 2026 International Church Relations Conference at reporter.lcms.org/2026/global-lutheran-leaders-challenges-abound-contentment-rules. Learn more about partner churches around the globe at lcms.org/how-we-serve/international/partner-church-bodies. Find the International Lutheran Council at ilc-online.org/members. For more information on The Lutheran Witness or to subscribe to the magazine, please visit witness.lcms.org.

What does Lutheranism look like in the Wisconsin Evangelical Lutheran Synod? We were honored to meet and share stories of global Lutheran church leaders at the International Church Relations Conference (ICRC), held during the LCMS Synod Convention. In this conversation, the Rev. Mark Schroeder (President, Wisconsin Evangelical Lutheran Synod) joins Sarah Gulseth (co-host of The Coffee Hour) and the Rev. Roy Askins (executive editor of the Lutheran Witness, LCMS Communications) to talk about the history of WELS, the relationship between WELS and LCMS, what WELS looks like today in the United States and abroad, the current emphases of the WELS, how WELS does pastoral formation, challenges they've faced as they seek to be faithful to Scripture and the Lutheran Confessions, and what he's enjoyed about being among Lutherans from around the globe. Find the Wisconsin Evangelical Lutheran Synod at wels.net. To learn more about Global Lutheranism: Read more about the 2026 International Church Relations Conference at reporter.lcms.org/2026/global-lutheran-leaders-challenges-abound-contentment-rules. Learn more about partner churches around the globe at lcms.org/how-we-serve/international/partner-church-bodies. Find the International Lutheran Council at ilc-online.org/members. For more information on The Lutheran Witness or to subscribe to the magazine, please visit witness.lcms.org.