Going north to cane country

Brisbane lay behind them, now a distant memory as they continued northward. Stunning cane fields swept past their windows. Finally they made it to Bundaberg, Queensland. Perhaps they might visit a nearby beach. What would the next six days hold?

Under the motto ‘The Church’s HOLY MISSION’, the synod focused on how the church could best ‘go and grow’.

Sounds like a relaxing family holiday, doesn’t it? In reality it was the prelude to the 1962 United Evangelical Lutheran Church in Australia (UELCA) General Convention of Synod. And a record-breaking convention it turned out to be!

Bundaberg was the farthest north any Lutheran general convention had been held, an honour it still holds. The distance was no deterrent. With 185 delegates, the Bundaberg convention had the largest representation the UELCA had seen, and the greatest number of interstate visitors.

Spare a thought though for the delegates from Cowell and Cleve, on the west coast of South Australia, who faced a 2500-kilometre journey to be there. Not to mention the official representatives from the Evangelical Lutheran Church of New Guinea. Of course, even some Queensland delegates had long distances to cover. The four representatives from Hope Vale Mission travelled 1700 kilometres to attend. Not surprisingly, this convention turned out to be the most expensive in travel costs!

For such a ground-breaking event, St John’s at Bundaberg was an apt choice. Built just two years earlier, the new building was the largest UELCA church in the country. With a membership of more than 1000, there was no shortage of hosts for delegates.

Under the motto ‘The Church’s Holy Mission’, the synod focused on how the church could best ‘go and grow’. Modern preaching methods and Bible versions were discussed. Evangelism workshops had been held in more than 100 congregations. The church was experiencing unprecedented growth, with 27 congregations added since the previous convention. Mission work was increasing. More than 45,000 Lutheran migrants needed spiritual care. New Guinea Mission was being served by 95 members, but more staff were needed. There were 20 Aboriginal evangelists serving the Finke River Mission. But this was hampered by an acute shortage of pastors, and parents were exhorted to ‘lend their sons to the Lord’.

The other topic on people’s hearts was union with the Evangelical Lutheran Church of Australia (ELCA). The synod affirmed its offer of altar and pulpit fellowship and encouraged the intersynodical committee in its work of promoting union. But most importantly, the UELCA urged its members to pray for union. The delegates may have left this convention somewhat despondent. Little did they realise that just a few years later those prayers would be answered.

Lutheran Archives holds original film footage of the 1962 General Convention at Bundaberg and the Pastors Conference at Nundah, Queensland. The digitisation of this footage has been generously funded by an LCA member. Can you help us save other significant films of our church’s work and ministry? To find out more about the ‘Seeds that Sprout’ appeal, visit www.lca.org.au/seeds or contact Janette Lange, Acting Director and archivist, Lutheran Archives 08 8340 4009 lutheran.archives@lca.org.au

General conventions of synod in Queensland

UELCA

1925 – Beenleigh

1937 – South Brisbane

1950 – Indooroopilly

1962 – Bundaberg

ELCA

1950 – Toowoomba

1965 – Toowoomba

LCA

1970 – Indooroopilly

1981 – Indooroopilly

1993 – Robina

2006 – Toowoomba

2015 – Rochedale

This feature story comes from The Lutheran March 2016. Visit the website to find out more about The Lutheran or to subscribe.