WHITE BANNER WITH PURPLE LATIN CROSS. LUTHER CHURCH FLAG. LITURGICAL BANNER.
SELK is the abbreviation of "Selbständige Evangelisch- Lutherische
Kirche", translated "Independent Lutheran Church". It is an only
German affair. In 1972 in the Bundesreplublik Deutschland (Western
Germany) the "Evangelisch- Lutherische (Altlutheraner) Kirche", the
"Evangelisch- Lutherische Freikirche" and the SELK merged, keeping the
name of the last one. In 1976 the "Evangelisch- Lutherische
Bekenntniskirche" joined the Federation of Churches. In 1991 the
Evangelisch- Lutherische (Altlutheraner) Kirche der DDR" also joined
the SELK.
The roots of SELK are lying in the awakenings-movement of the 19th
century. The first parishes were established since 1830. The Lutherans
refused the unification of the Lutheran Church and the Reformed Church
in Prussia(1817- 1830). Despite of heavy suppressions of the Prussian
state finally a church, faithful in confession and independent from
the state was built. The movement spread out from Pommern and
Schlesien all over Prussian lands. In Hessen(1873/ 74) and Baden(1851)
there were similar developments. Refusing liberal theology and
rationalism independent Lutheran churches were also established in
Sachsen and Hannover, but they remained under the roof of the
state-churches in those countries.
Organization:
The SELK is led by a bishop. The parish is led by a pastor, there is
always a managing committee in every parish and an assembly of
members. Parishes form a District, led by a superintendent and his
convent, controlled by a "Beirat" and a parliament(= district- synode).
Districts form a "Sprengel", led by a Probst and his convent. The
whole church is ruled by a Kirchenleitung with the bishop as its
chairman and the general convent, controlled by a parliament(= synode).
In 1972 most of the Confessional Lutheran Church bodies in Germany formed the SELK. In 1991 the Evangelisch-Lutherische (altlutherische) Kirche [Evangelical-Lutheran (Old-Lutheran) Church] in the former GDR joined the SELK (this wasn't possible before). At present almost all of the Confessional Lutheran Churches in Germany are joined together in the SELK.
For further information click: www.selk.de
Description of the flag:
The banner of the SELK is white with a violet Latin cross all over but
not touching the edges of the flag.
Recently, in order to further distinguish this group from other Lutherans they have added the letters SELK to the lower left quadrant.
A gift from Martin Sr., Anita, Martin Jr., Viktor, Jochen and Sohie Wedel of Vestenbergsgreuth in the Franconian region of Germany. Presented to Ben Zaricor in August 2002 in Santa Cruz, California.
Pattern is based on the Christian "Banner of Victory".
ZFC Noteworthy Flag
No Description
