‘Inspired and free to flourish’: Lutheran educators gather

Six hundred Lutheran school leaders, principals and teachers met under the theme of ‘Free to flourish’ for the 2025 Australian Conference on Lutheran Education (ACLE) at the Brisbane Convention Centre earlier this month.

The gathering, from 1 to 3 October, explored how Lutheran education can help learners to grow to be more compassionate, purposeful, adventurous and relational – the four dispositions of the new Free to Flourish framework.

ACLE 2025 was the seventh quadrennial conference over a period of 25 years.

Keynote speakers included Rev Dr Sarah Hinlicky Wilson, an American Lutheran pastor, who shared about five centuries of Lutheranism; Hugh van Cuylenburg spoke about his book, The Resilience Project, while Tod Bolsinger encouraged leaders about the importance of change management and building resilience and strength in the face of sabotage. There were also opportunities for delegates to learn from other guests and colleagues throughout the conference.

Lutheran Education Australia (LEA) Acting Executive Director Suzanne Jessen described ACLE as an inspirational event.

‘Our educators, leaders, administrators, and church partners joined in worship, learning, connection and celebration with friends old and new,’ she said. ‘It was an inspiring time of worship, connection and learning. We are blessed to work in places where the light of God’s love shines through every day.’

LCANZ Bishop Paul Smith said ‘a common desire to be clear about “Lutheran Identity”’ shone through the sessions at ACLE.

‘This desire, at the sessions of the conference and among the people of our Lutheran schools and early learning communities, is not about being “inward-looking”,’ he said. Rather, it is about being purposeful with our schools, serving each other and serving the community with the best of education grounded in our Lutheran witness to the gospel of Jesus Christ.

‘I encourage the people of the church to continue praying for our schools and early learning communities, particularly for our principals and leaders.’

Local Mission Coordinator Jodi Brook, who attended ACLE as a representative of the LCANZ, described the conference as a wonderful example of Christian community and collaboration.

‘It was uplifting to attend alongside many of our dedicated, gifted and passionate educators, who are continuing the wonderful legacy of education in the Lutheran Church of Australia, in nurturing and educating young people,’ she said.