Congregation Leaders

Child-safe churches are always looking at ways to reduce risks to children in both our physical and online spaces.

It has been a difficult week at the Churchwide Office. Eight of our valued staff were given notice that their roles are not likely to be included in the new structure of the Churchwide Office or they will be significantly impacted.

At its October 2023 meeting, the General Church Board agreed to make some important changes to Child Safety Standards submission timelines. The next round of Child Safety Plans will now be due in 2025.

The General Church Board and College of Bishops have approved three Way Forward frameworks for distribution across the LCANZ. The three frameworks are entitled Confessional Communities, Congregations Decide and District Alignment.

More than 90 per cent of Australian congregations have submitted either a Child Safety Plan or an assurance that they have no children in regular attendance, indicating that they are embracing their child safety responsibilities. The next step is to ensure plans are implemented and reviewed.

Voluntary Assisted Dying legislation has been introduced in Australia and New Zealand. As it is now a legal process, the Lutheran Church of Australia and New Zealand (LCANZ) has outlined how God’s people can respond to this practice.