Association of Independent Evangelical Lutheran Churches

From Reformation to Transformation

 

I cannot and will not recant anything, for to go against conscience is neither right nor safe.

Here I stand, I can do no other, so help me God. Amen.

Martin Luther, 1517

The Most Rev. Dr. +James Walter Clifton, Presiding Bishop

                The Rev. Dr. Thomas Dale Schwartz, Advisor to the Presiding Bishop                                  

The Rt. Rev. Dr. +Peter Paul Brennan, Supervising Bishop, R.I.P.

The Most Rev. Dr. +Pedro Bravo-Guzmán, Former Presiding Bishop, R.I.P.

The Rt. Rev. Dr. +Francis Spataro, Presiding Bishop Emeritus

 

The Association of Independent Evangelical Lutheran Churches, a church of the Augsburg Confession, founded in 1988 in Astoria, New York, is an organization dedicated to performing activities that are exclusively religious, charitable, and educational. The Association was founded by The Rev Dr +Peter Paul Brennan, The Rev Dr +Pedro Bravo-Guzmán, and The Rev Dr +Francis Spataro.

 

The Association declares and accepts God as manifested in Three Persons - - the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Jesus Christ is our Lord and Savior sent in love and mercy to reconcile us to the Father. So that at the name of Jesus every knee will bow in heaven and on earth and under the earth—and every tongue will confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.- - Philippians 2:10-11

 

We accept the canonical writings of the Old and New Testament as the true written Word of God sufficient for faith and practice. The Apostles' Creed is viewed as a true declaration of faith.

 

Our theological and doctrinal positions are based on the biblical expositions of Martin Luther and we find inspiration from the

Book of Concord which contains the following:

 

1. The Augsburg Confession

2. The Smalcald Articles

3. The Small and Large Catechism

4. The Treatise

5. The Apology for the Augsburg Confession

 

We profess a Quatenus subscription regarding the doctrines in the Book of Concord, meaning we subscribe to them insofar as they conform to the Holy Scriptures. The Association endorses the Evangelical Heritage Bible and The Lutheran Study Bible.

 

Believing in the priesthood of all believers, both clergy and laity are free to interpret the Scriptures according to the dictates of their conscience as they feel led by the power and inspiration of the Holy Spirit.

 

Additionally, we agree with Dr. Luther, God forbid that I should limit the time of acquiring faith to the present life. In the depth of the Divine mercy, there may be opportunity to win it in the future. The Association's soteriological position is universal reconciliation. 

 

The Association owns no property, has no bank accounts and neither solicits nor disburses funds. Each congregation owns its property, governs its affairs, and finances its operations. The Association offers counsel only by invitation.

 

The Association is theologically and sociologically pragmatic.

 

We are part of the worldwide Evangelical Catholic Community.