pastors

by Rosie Schefe

Pastor Nich Kitchen is the new assistant bishop for the Lutheran Church of New Zealand, following the unexpected early retirement of former assistant bishop, Pastor Jim Pietsch.

LCANZ pastor Darren Jaensch, who has served as the Australian Army’s Director General Chaplaincy since 2017, has been recognised in the Queen’s Birthday 2022 Honours List.

Almost six in 10 Lutheran pastors in Australia have dealt with domestic and family violence (DFV) situations, and almost all LCA clergy have responded to victims of abuse, national survey findings suggest.

Some Queensland Lutherans would know at least a little about new LCANZ Bishop Paul Smith, who served as their district bishop between 2015 and 2021. But many in our church may not have heard the incredible and inspiring story behind the faith journey of our sixth churchwide leader.

The LCANZ has welcomed three new pastors to its ranks over the summer.

Pastors are being invited to share their insights into how religious beliefs and practices have been misused in the perpetration of violence, as part of a research project initiated by the LCANZ.