• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to footer
  • LCA Portal
  • Staff Login
  • Login to (old) LAMP
  • LCA Online Donations
  • IT Help
  • Contact

Lutheran Church of Australia

where love comes to life

MENUMENU
  • HOME
  • ABOUT US
    • A BIT ABOUT US

      The Lutheran Church is the largest Protestant church in the world, with over 70 million members. This website tells the story of Australian and New Zealand Lutherans, following Jesus Christ – where love comes to life. Whoever you are, whatever your story, you're welcome here with us.
    • MORE ABOUT US

      • OUR PEOPLE
      • OUR LOGO, OUR MISSION
      • OUR BELIEFS AND TEACHINGS
        • WHAT LUTHERANS BELIEVE – VIDEO SERIES
      • HOW WE WORSHIP
      • OUR STRUCTURE (GOVERNANCE)
        • NOMINATIONS
      • OUR HISTORY
      • LUTHERANS WORLDWIDE
        • WHAT LUTHERANS BELIEVE
          • WHAT LUTHERANS BELIEVE – VIDEO SERIES
        • HISTORY OF THE LUTHERAN CHURCH
  • THE LATEST
    • THE LATEST

      • COVID-19 UPDATES
      • CHURCH@HOME RESOURCES
      • CHURCH@HOME WORSHIP
      • DAILY DEVOTION
      • STORY OF THE WEEK
      • SPREAD THE WORD bulletins and announcements
      • NEWS
      • FEATURE STORIES
      • COLUMNS
      • THE LUTHERAN
      • LCA FACEBOOK
    • THE LATEST

      • NEW! CHRISTIAN CARE SUNDAY
      • BULLETIN INSERTS
      • CALLS – EMPLOYMENT – VOLUNTEERING
      • eNEWS LISTS
  • DEPARTMENTS & AGENCIES
    • DEPARTMENTS

      • DEPARTMENTS – OVERVIEW & SEARCH
      • DISTRICTS
      • OFFICE OF THE BISHOP
        • LCA INTERNATIONAL MISSION
      • LOCAL MISSION
        • CHILD YOUTH & FAMILY MINISTRY (GROW MINISTRIES)
        • CROSS-CULTURAL MINISTRY
        • LUTHERAN MEDIA
        • CARE MINISTRIES
        • GOD’S LOVE OUR CARE
        • CHRISTIAN CARE SUNDAY
        • NEW & RENEWING CHURCHES
    • DEPARTMENTS & AGENCIES

      • MINISTRY SUPPORT
        • CHURCH WORKER SUPPORT
        • COMMUNICATIONS
          • THE LUTHERAN
        • FINANCE & ADMINISTRATION
          • INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY
        • LUTHERAN ARCHIVES
        • PROFESSIONAL STANDARDS
      • EDUCATION & TRAINING
        • AUSTRALIAN LUTHERAN COLLEGE
        • LUTHERAN EDUCATION AUSTRALIA
      • AUSTRALIAN LUTHERAN WORLD SERVICE
      • FINKE RIVER MISSION
      • LLL
        • LUTHERAN TRACT MISSION
    • COMMISSIONS & MINISTRY GROUPS

      • COMMISSIONS
        • SOCIAL AND BIOETHICAL QUESTIONS
          • LUTHERANS FOR LIFE
          • CAMPAIGN AGAINST DOMESTIC & FAMILY VIOLENCE
        • THEOLOGY AND INTER-CHURCH RELATIONS
        • WORSHIP
          • VISUAL ARTS
      • MINISTRY GROUPS
        • DEAF MINISTRY
        • LUTHERAN NURSES
        • LUTHERAN MEN
        • LUTHERAN SINGLES
        • LUTHERAN WOMEN
        • YOUNG ADULT MINISTRY
  • SERVICES & RESOURCES
    • SERVICES & RESOURCES

      • OVERVIEW & SUMMARY
      • BIBLE READING PLAN
      • BULLETIN NOTICES
      • BUSINESS PARTNERS
      • CAMPAIGN AGAINST DOMESTIC AND FAMILY VIOLENCE
      • CHILD SAFETY
      • CHILD YOUTH & FAMILY MINISTRY (GROW MINISTRIES)
      • CHRISTIAN CARE SUNDAY (NEW!)
      • COMMUNICATIONS
      • CONGREGATION WEBSITES
      • CONSTITUTIONS
      • DAILY DEVOTIONS
      • DOCTRINAL STATEMENTS & THEOLOGICAL OPINIONS
      • EMPLOYMENT & VOLUNTEERING OPPORTUNITIES
      • ENEWS
      • FORMS
      • HUMAN RESOURCE SYSTEM
      • INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY
      • LAMP2
    • SERVICES & RESOURCES

      • OVERVIEW & SUMMARY
      • LCA DISASTER & WELFARE FUND
      • LCA FACEBOOK
      • LCA LEARNING HUB
      • LCA LOGO
      • LCA POLICIES & STANDARDS OF ETHICAL BEHAVIOUR
      • LCA SONG
      • LUTHERAN ARCHIVES
      • CARE MINISTRIES
      • NEW & RENEWING CHURCHES
      • REGULAR ELECTRONIC GIVING (REG)
      • STORY OF THE WEEK
      • STUDY ASSISTANCE
      • STUDY GUIDES
      • TELECOMMUNICATIONS
      • THE LUTHERAN
      • TRACTS
      • WORSHIP
      • WORSHIP LIVE STREAMING AND DVDs
      • VOLUNTEERING & EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES
    • CONFERENCES & TRAINING

      • TRAINING – Continuing Education for Pastors
      • TRAINING – Professional Standards
      • TRAINING – LCA Learning Hub
      • TRAINING – Campaign against Family & Domestic Violence Resources and Training
      • TRAINING – New Horizons
      • TRAINING – Renew Mission Life
      • TRAINING – Grow Coaching
  • PROJECTS & EVENTS
    • PROJECTS, CONSULTATONS & EVENTS

      • OVERVIEW: PROJECTS, EVENTS, CONSULTATIONS & DIALOGUES
      • CONSTITUTION REVIEW
      • ECCLESIASTICAL DISCIPLINE ADJUDICATION AND APPEALS REVIEW
      • CALL PROCESS REVIEW
      • LUTHERAN AGED CARE AND COMMUNITY SERVICES
      • WORKING GROUP – COMMISSIONS & INQUIRIES
    • PROJECTS, CONSULTATIONS & EVENTS

      • OVERVIEW: PROJECTS, EVENTS, CONSULTATIONS & DIALOGUES
      • CONVENTION OF GENERAL SYNOD 2021-22
      • RECONCILIATION ACTION PLAN
  • FIND A …

Review Team

Review Group
Peter Schirmer (chair)
Paul Argyle (NZ)
Ralph Brinkmann (Tas)
Nancy Fox (NSW)
Bruce Lockwood (Qld)
Faye Schmidt (Vic)
Rev Mark Vainikka (Qld)
Rev Andrew Vanderwal (SA)
Bishop John Henderson (ex officio)

Review Facilitators
Les Stahl (team leader)
Rev Terence Corkin

LCA/NZ Constitution Review (Phase 1)

After 50 years, our church has commenced a major review of its constitution. We give thanks to those church members who prayerfully drafted the constitution and to those who have provided ongoing stewardship and maintenance of it.

Our constitution has served us well for many years but it is now in need of a review for a number of reasons, including enabling us to better witness and thrive in the 21st century.

Over the last 25 years, multiple amendments have turned it into a somewhat complex and cumbersome document, difficult in places to use and interpret. Over 50 years we have added 27 pages of additional information. In summary, it was considered the exercise of providing further bandaids to the current constitution may only result in further risk of confusion and non-alignment.

The aim of the review is to achieve a constitutional framework that has longevity and reflects who we are, why we exist, how we are governed, is consistent with contemporary standards, and be of such a nature that requires minimal changes over time.

Phase 1 of the review has identified and analysed the key issues, and proposed the key principles that will be presented for approval as the framework that will guide the development of a new constitutional structure.

Review process

In summary, the process followed by Phase 1 of the review was:

  • listening to the views and opinions of review respondents
  • facilitating analyses of issues and concerns raised during the review
  • prayerfully discerning principles to guide Phase 2 of the review.

The review was publicised through the church website, church publications, and via emails and regular communiqués from the LCA Bishop.

Approximately 250 people actively engaged with the review, some representing congregations and agencies/boards/commissions.

Other groups of people that participated in the review included congregational members, synod delegates, pastors, young people, people involved in cross-cultural ministry, people involved in aged-care ministry, Indigenous ministry, schools ministry, community services ministries, ministry with the deaf, Australian Lutheran World Service, bishops, GCB members, members of the LCA Standing Committee on Constitutions, District Administrators and others.

Church members engaged with this review by submission, by the completion of a ‘church member’ survey or by telephone and video discussions. Young people also provided guidance to this review via a ‘young persons’ survey.

To ensure that issues raised by respondents to this review were well understood and considered, key issues were assessed not just by the reviewer and the review group but also exposed to review by working groups, bishops, and other learned persons and groups within the LCANZ during the review period – including by an online forum of 20 LCANZ ‘leaders’ in May 2020 and a final forum of over 50 leaders in February 2021.

A final report was submitted to GCB by the lead facilitator in April 2021. The report is currently in the process of being assessed by GCB, including consultation with key bodies within the church as to proposals to be put to General Synod.

In 2021, the church will decide if, when and how we will move into Phase 2 - planning for the actual updating of our constitutional framework.

Review communiqués Expand
  • Communique 1 (13 December 2019)
  • Communique 2 (6 February 2020)
  • Communique 3 (28 April 2020)
  • Communique 4 (15 July 2020)
  • Communique 5 (7 September 2020)
Review information and resources Expand
  • Constitution Review Terms of Reference
  • LCA Five Principles of Dialogue
  • LCANZ Constitution Review (Phase 1) Interim Report Volume 1
  • LCANZ Constitution Review (Phase 1) Interim Report Volume 2
Existing church resources Expand
  • LCA Constitution (2018)
  • LCA Governance Framework
  • LCA 'Our Direction' 2018-2024
  • Theses of Agreement (DSTO Volume 1)
  • Doctrinal statements
  • Cleary Governance Report
  • LCA Model Constitution for Congregations
  • Ministry Structure in the LCA - structuring ourselves for growth in the 21st century (Rev Stephen Schultz, Assistant Bishop for Mission, SA-NT District, March 2019)
  • Review of Constitution - Key Issues Assessment Paper
Church member survey Expand

This was a ‘constitutional issues’ survey that all church members and/or agency representatives were invited to complete.

The survey began with a few compulsory questions (marked with an asterisk [*]) to enable data analysis. Then the real (non compulsory) survey questions followed:

  1. What are the top 3 issues you (or the group you are representing) are experiencing now that could be improved by a change to the Constitution?
  2. What do you think are the top 3 issues the whole of LCA/NZ is facing which need to be considered in the context of the review of the constitution?
  3. What are the best 3 aspects to the LCA/NZ’s current constitutional arrangements?
  4. What are the worst 3 aspects to the LCA/NZ’s current constitutional arrangements?
  5. What key changes (if any) do you think need to be made to the existing LCA Constitution?

The survey closed in July 2020.

Summary of ‘Church Member’ Survey Results

Survey results identified a number of improvements respondents would like to see:

In-scope improvements

  • an easier to read and understand constitution (they want to remedy the lack of clarity in several parts of the existing constitution and add clarifying definitions)
  • a more Christ-focused and inspiring constitution
  • a focus on supporting ministry and mission with greater constitutional support for the diverse forms of ministry that now exists including church plants, cross-cultural ministry, ministry with young people and ministry in Indigenous communities
  • being more inclusive of specialist ministries including ensuring they each have a ‘voice’ within the church
  • changing our name to the Lutheran Church of Australia and New Zealand
  • improving the way we list current church objects
  • simplify the definition of ‘membership’ of congregations to bring our definitions in line with typical current practice
  • reorder the constitution into two or three distinct documents
  • more use of modern systems and technology within the church
  • ensuring all our processes meet modern standards of good governance
  • clarifying ‘authorities’ within the church
  • ensuring greater accountability of governing bodies and leaders
  • have our separate General and District synods constitutionally linked and working together more
  • clarity on the process by which doctrine within the church can be adopted and/or changed/rescinded
  • a better legal structure for the church
  • a review of the future financing of the church to ensure sustainability
  • agreeing on a new inclusive paradigm of ‘voting members’ within the church that would include representatives of our specialist ministries (eg schools, aged-care etc)
  • a review of what the future objects of the church should be
  • making significant changes to existing processes (eg model of ministry) and structures (eg reducing the number of ‘Districts’) in order to have an effective, sustainable model of ministry, improve relationships and reduce the organisational costs of the church
  • a review of pressing operational matters within the church in regard to pastors, volunteers and succession planning.

Review out-of-scope improvements suggested

  • resolution of the ‘women's ordination’ matter, with most respondents seeking gender equality in the ministry
  • a review of the Lutheran Confessions, the doctrinal statements and theological opinions, and the doctrinal practices of the church to ensure they are relevant for Christian ministry in the 21st century.
Young Persons Survey results Expand

Young Persons Survey Results

Almost all survey respondents self-identified as members and regular attenders of LCA and there was an approximately equal gender balance in respondents.

The main messages from these 18 to 31 year olds were

  • They love the scriptural focus and fellowship of the Lutheran Church as they seek to live their life as a disciple of Christ
  • They feel some congregations value their presence, but others don’t. (They report the local climate and culture of each local congregation is very important in attracting and keeping young people.)
  • They would like congregations to engage and include them more in the life of the congregation and decision- making, including allowing modern forms of worship, music and Bible study.
  • The church should listen more to young people.
  • Decision-making in the church should be consultative, collaborative and representative.
  • The church should involve more young people in decision-making throughout the whole church but particularly at congregational level.
  • The church should provide more activities (eg camps) and forums relevant to young people.

Other messages included

  • They had lots of ideas about how to ‘lead’ in the church, make better decisions and better engage young people.
  • Current church membership criteria seems out of date and unimportant for many of them.
  • Most of the respondents preferred bishops to be known as they are now, that is: Pastor x, Bishop of…; or as District Pastor; but not be just known as Bishop of….
  • Although seemingly not an important issue to them, approximately one-third of survey respondents preferred the church name to be the ‘Lutheran Church of Australia and New Zealand’; one-third preferred the name of ‘Lutheran Church of Australasia’; a quarter of respondents preferred to keep the existing name (Lutheran Church of Australia); with the remainder of the respondents not fussed about the church name.

More information

Peter Schirmer, Executive Officer of the Church
peter.schirmer@lca.org.au

Footer

Quicklinks

  • HOME
  • DEPARTMENTS & AGENCIES

 

  • SERVICES, RESOURCES & TRAINING
  • PROJECTS & EVENTS
  • FIND A …

Contact us

197 Archer Street
North Adelaide SA 5006

08 8267 7300
email us

© 2022 Lutheran Church of Australia

Privacy Policy • Disclaimer

Designed by LCA Communications