The Evangelical Lutheran Free Church (Evangelisch Lutherische Freikirche) is a small confessional Lutheran denomination based in Germany and western Austria. It currently consists of over 1600 members in 15 congregations.

It is independent of the Evangelical Church in Germany and can be classified as a free church in that it is an independent denomination and not under the umbrella of the German state church. Historically, it is said to have formed in reaction to the perceived deviations from scripture by the German state church. The Evangelical Church in Germany (German Evangelische Kirche in Deutchland, abbreviated by EKD) is a federation of 24 Lutheran, Reformed and United churches in their respective regions. ...

Beliefs

The Evangelical Lutheran Free Church teaches that the Bible is the only authoritative source for doctrine. It subscribes to the Lutheran Confessions (the Book of Concord, 1580) as accurate presentations of what Scripture teaches, that Jesus is the center of Scripture and the only way to eternal salvation, and that the Holy Spirit uses the gospel alone in Word and Sacraments (Baptism and Holy Communion) to bring people to faith in Jesus as Savior and keep them in that faith, strengthening them in their daily life of sanctification.

Ecumenical Relations

Fellowship between the Evangelical Lutheran Free Church and other church groups is established only upon investigation and confirmation that both church groups hold complete unity in scriptural doctrine and practice.

The Evangelical Lutheran Free Church is in fellowship with the members of the Confessional Evangelical Lutheran Conference, all of which meet this requirement. It is also a member of said organization. The Confessional Evangelical Lutheran Conference (CELC) is the successor to the Evangelical Lutheran Synodical Conference of North America except that it is international in scope rather than restricted to North America. ...

Internet Links

• Info page for the Evangelical Lutheran Free Church from the CELC website
• Website of the Evangelical Lutheran Free Church (in German)