The Lutheran Church of Christ in Nigeria

The Lutheran Church of Christ in Nigeria

Logo of the LCCN
Classification Protestant
Orientation Lutheran
Leader The Most Rev Nemuel A Babba
Associations LWF
Region Nigeria
Origin 1913
Numan
Branched from Sudan United Mission - Danish Branch
Congregations 2,400
Members 1,700,000
Official website http://web.archive.org/web/20120426052958/http://www.lccnigeria.org/

The Lutheran Church of Christ in Nigeria (LCCN) is a major Lutheran denomination in Nigeria, a member of the Lutheran World Federation.[1] Established as an independent church from the Sudan United Mission - Danish Branch (known as Mission Afrika today) in 1913 (SUMD),[2] the LCCN now has 1,900,000 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 actively persecuted by Boko Haram, an Islamic terrorist organization.[1]

History

The SUMD first sent missionaries to Africa in 1913 with the pioneers being Niels 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[5] and in 1956 became independent as the Lutheran Church of Christ in Nigeria[2] with Pilgaard Pedersen as its first President[6] (Hausa: Ekkilisiyan Kristi a Nijeriya Lutheran).[4] In 1960, Akila Todi was elected the first indigenous Nigerian president of the Church.[6] He was made bishop in 1973 when the church adopted a modified episcopal polity.[6]

Structure

The LCCN is led by an archbishop and is further divided into eight dioceses, each led by a bishop, together with a mission in Taraba State. The seat of the LCCN is in Numan. The current archbishop is The Most Rev. Nemuel A. Babba.[1][5]

Dioceses of the LCCN

Bishop: Rt Rev 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
Bishop: Rt Rev Amos B. Elisha
Congregations in northern Adamawa State
Bishop: Rt Rev Jediel Nyenbenso
Congregations in southern Adamawa State
Bishop: Rt Rev Dr Peter Bartimawus
Congregations in northwestern Adamawa State
Bishop: Rt Rev Dr. Musa Panti Filibus
Congregations in southern Adamawa State
Bishop: Rt Rev Dimga Jones Kadabiyu
Congregations in northeastern Adamawa State
Bishop: Rt Rev Clement Dogo
Congregations in north-central Adamawa State
Bishop: Rt Rev Amos Yakubu
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[6] and with the establishment of diocesan bishops within the LCCN, to Archbishop in 1997.[7]

Rev Pilgaard Pedersen
Rev Akila Todi
Title changed to Bishop in 1973
Rev David Windibiziri
Title changed to Archbishop in 1997
Rev Nemuel A. Babba

Affiliations

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

The LCCN also works in partnership with:[5]

See also

References

  1. 1 2 3 Kenny, Peter (March 5, 2014). "Nigeria's Lutherans draw a million to convention, says bishop". Ecumenical News. http://ecunews.com. Retrieved January 7, 2015.
  2. 1 2 3 "How Mission Afrika started (former The Danish Sudan Mission)". Mission Afrika. Retrieved 16 December 2011.
  3. ↑ Lutheran World Federation: LWF Statistics 2010
  4. 1 2 3 "Nigeria". Global Mission. Evangelical Lutheran Church in America. Retrieved 16 December 2011.
  5. 1 2 3 "About Us". The Lutheran Church of Christ in Nigeria website. The Lutheran Church of Christ in Nigeria. Retrieved 16 December 2011.
  6. 1 2 3 4 Musa A. B. Gaiya (2003). "Akila Todi". Dictionary of African Christian Biography. Overseas Ministries Study Center. Retrieved 16 December 2011.
  7. ↑ "David Windibiziri". Contemporary Africa Database. African Seer. Retrieved 16 December 2011.
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