| Evangelical Lutheran Church in the Republic of Namibia | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Classification | Protestant |
| Orientation | Lutheran |
| Bishop | Sagues ǀKheib |
| Associations | Council of Churches in Namibia Lutheran World Federation World Council of Churches |
| Origin | 1957 |
| Congregations | 100[1] |
| Members | 600,000[1] |
| Official website | www |
TheEvangelical Lutheran Church in the Republic of Namibia (ELCRN;German:Evangelisch-Lutherische Kirche in der Republik Namibia) is aLutheran denomination based inNamibia. It has 54parishes, over 100congregations, and a total membership of about 600,000.[1]
The ELCRN grew out of work done by theRhenish Missionary Society starting in 1842. The denomination was established in 1957 as theEvangelical Lutheran Church in South West Africa (Rheinische Mission). It adopted its present name in 1990, followingNamibian independence.[2] It joined theLutheran World Federation in 1970,[3] and theWorld Council of Churches in 1992.[2]
Together with theEvangelical Lutheran Church in Namibia, the ELCRN operatesPaulinum Theological Seminary. In 2007, these two denominations. along with theGerman-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 achievechurch union.[2]
In December 2015, the ELCRN postponed itssynod, 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]