Synod elects new church leaders

The 20th General Synod elected Pastor Paul Smith, the immediate past bishop of the Queensland District, to be the LCANZ’s next bishop. Currently serving a six-month placement at St Peter’s Lutheran College Indooroopilly, Pastor Smith will be installed as the LCANZ bishop early in 2022. He succeeds Pastor John Henderson, who has served as bishop since 2013 and did not seek re-election. (Read the full story.)

Delegates also elected a new assistant bishop, Pastor Neville Otto. Currently serving the St Paul Box Hill congregation in suburban Melbourne, Pastor Otto has formerly served the church as president of the New South Wales District and subsequently in the national role of Secretary of the Church. As the LCANZ assistant bishop, he succeeds Rev Dr Andrew Pfeiffer, who had served in the role since 2015 and did not stand for re-election. (Read the full story.)

Hobart barrister Kim Baumeler was elected as a new member of the LCANZ’s General Church Board (GCB). Joining her as fellow members on GCB are Pastor Tim Stringer and lay members Paul Argyle, Charmaine Harch, Tim Wiebusch, Mel Zerner and Peter Zweck, who were returned to their roles. Faye Schmidt, who was first elected to General Church Council, as it was then called in 2015, did not nominate for re-election, and was thanked for her service by Bishop Henderson. (Read the full story.)