Lutheran Church of Christ in Nigeria

The Lutheran Church of Christ in Nigeria
Logo of the LCCN
ClassificationProtestant
OrientationLutheran
LeaderArchbishop Musa Filibus
AssociationsLutheran World Federation
RegionNigeria
Origin1913; 112 years ago (1913)
Numan
Branched fromSudan United Mission - Danish Branch
Congregations2,400
Members2,200,000
HospitalsOne Referral Center at Demsa
Tertiary institutions1 (Bronnum Lutheran Seminary Mbamba, Yola South Adamawa State)
Official websitelccn.org.ng

The Lutheran Church of Christ in Nigeria (LCCN) is a major Lutheran denomination in Nigeria, a member of the Lutheran World Federation (LWF).[1]

It was established as an independent church in 1913 from the Sudan United Mission, Danish Branch, known today as Mission Afrika.[2] The LCCN now has 2,200,000 members[3] in over 2,400 congregations nationwide.[4] Members of the Lutheran Church of Christ in Nigeria are among the Christians and members of other religious groups being persecuted by Boko Haram, an Islamic terrorist organization.[1]

The archbishop of the LCCN, Dr Musa Filibus, was elected to become the 13th president of the LWF on 14 May 2017 at Safari Hotel in Windhoek, Namibia during the 12th Assembly of the LWF.[5]

History

The Sudan United Mission, Danish Branch first sent missionaries to Africa in 1913 with the pioneers being Niels Hoegh Brønnum, his wife Margaret C. Young, and Dagmar Rose. Brønnum's wife died shortly after arriving and Rose brought back the Brønnum's infant son to Europe. Brønnum continued his work and established a mission in Numan.[2]

The mission eventually expanded and in 1948, the first five indigenous Nigerian pastors were ordained. By 1955, it was known as the Lutheran Church of Christ in the Sudan[6] and in 1956 became independent as the Lutheran Church of Christ in Nigeria[2] with Pilgaard Pedersen as its first president[7] (Hausa: Ekkilisiyan Kristi a Nijeriya Lutheran).[4] In 1960, Akila Todi was elected the first indigenous Nigerian president of the Church.[7] He was made bishop in 1973 when the church adopted a modified episcopal polity.[7]

Structure

The LCCN is led by an archbishop and is further divided into nine dioceses, each led by a bishop. The headquarters of the LCCN is in Numan. The current archbishop is the Most Revd Musa Panti Filibus PhD.[1][6]

Dioceses

  • Abuja Diocese
Bishop: The Rt Revd Benjamin Fuduta
Congregations in the city of Abuja, Federal Capital Territory, Gombe State, Plateau State, Bauchi State, Niger State, Oyo State, Lagos State and Edo State
  • Arewa Diocese
Bishop: The Rt Revd Amos B. Elisha
Congregations in Northern Adamawa State
  • Bonotem Diocese
Bishop: The Rt Revd Solomon Nuhu
Congregations in southern Adamawa State
  • Gongola Diocese
Bishop: The Rt Revd Peter Bartimawus PhD
Congregations in Northwestern Adamawa State
  • Mayo-Belwa Diocese
Bishop: The Rt Revd Zethan L. Gajere
Congregations in Southern Adamawa State
  • ShallHolma Diocese
Bishop: The Rt Revd Dimga Jones Kadabiyu
Congregations in North Eastern Adamawa State
  • Todi Diocese
Bishop: The Rt Revd Clement Dogo
Congregations in North-Central Adamawa State
  • Taraba Diocese
Bishop: The Rt Revd Timothy Warimi
Congregations in North Eastern Taraba State
  • Yola Diocese
Bishop: The Rt Revd Theopilus Shedrach
Congregations in Central Adamawa State

Presidents and Archbishops of the LCCN

When the LCCN was established in 1956, the title of the head of the Church was president. The title was changed to bishop in 1973[7] and with the establishment of diocesan bishops within the LCCN, the title was again changed to archbishop in 1997.[8]

  • 1956-1960
Rev Pilgaard Pedersen
  • 1960-1987
Rev Akila Todi
Title changed to bishop in 1973
  • 1987-2002
The Most Revd David Windibiziri
Title changed to archbishop in 1997
  • 2002–2017
The Most Revd Nemuel A. Babba
  • 2017–present
The Most Revd Dr Musa Panti Filibus (also known as Filibus Musa)

Affiliations

The LCCN participates in ecumenical work through its affiliation with:[4]

The LCCN also works in partnership with:[6]

See also

References

  1. ^ a b c Kenny, Peter (5 March 2014). "Nigeria's Lutherans draw a million to convention, says bishop". Ecumenical News. Retrieved 7 January 2015.
  2. ^ a b c "How Mission Afrika started (former The Danish Sudan Mission)". Mission Afrika. Retrieved 16 December 2011.
  3. ^ Lutheran World Federation: LWF Statistics 2018
  4. ^ a b c "Global Mission - Nigeria". Evangelical Lutheran Church in America. Archived from the original on 7 July 2011. Retrieved 16 December 2011.
  5. ^ "Nigerian Archbishop Panti Filibus Musa elected LWF President". Lutheran World Federation. 13 May 2017. Retrieved 22 August 2018.
  6. ^ a b c "Brief History of LCCN". The Lutheran Church of Christ in Nigeria. Archived from the original on 28 March 2012. Retrieved 16 December 2011.
  7. ^ a b c d Musa A. B. Gaiya (2003). "Akila Todi". Dictionary of African Christian Biography. Overseas Ministries Study Center. Retrieved 16 December 2011.
  8. ^ "David Windibiziri". Contemporary Africa Database. African Seer. Archived from the original on 26 April 2012. Retrieved 16 December 2011.