• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to footer
  • LCA Portal
  • Staff Login
  • Login to 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

      • ONLINE WORSHIP
      • DAILY DEVOTION
      • PRAYER POINTS
      • BIBLE STUDIES
      • STORY OF THE WEEK
      • SPREAD THE WORD bulletins and announcements
      • NEWS
      • FEATURE STORIES
      • COLUMNS
      • THE LUTHERAN
      • LCA FACEBOOK
    • THE LATEST

      • 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 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
    • SERVICES & RESOURCES

      • OVERVIEW & SUMMARY
      • EMPLOYMENT & VOLUNTEERING OPPORTUNITIES
      • ENEWS
      • FORMS
      • HUMAN RESOURCE SYSTEM
      • INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY
      • LAMP2
      • LCA DISASTER & WELFARE FUND
      • LCA FACEBOOK
      • LCA LEARNING HUB
      • LCA LOGO
      • LCA POLICIES & STANDARDS OF ETHICAL BEHAVIOUR
      • LCA SONG
      • LUTHERAN AGED CARE & COMMUNITY SERVICES
    • SERVICES & RESOURCES

      • LUTHERAN ARCHIVES
      • LUTHERAN WINEMAKERS
      • NEW & RENEWING CHURCHES
      • REGULAR ELECTRONIC GIVING (REG)
      • STORY OF THE WEEK
      • STUDY ASSISTANCE
      • STUDY GUIDES
      • TELECOMMUNICATIONS
      • THE LUTHERAN
      • TRACTS
      • WORSHIP
      • WORSHIP LIVE STREAMING & DVDs
  • TRAINING & EVENTS
    • TRAINING

      • TRAINING OPPORTUNITIES – OVERVIEW
      • LCANZ LEARNING HUB
      • SAFE CHURCH TRAINING
      • CONTINUING EDUCATION FOR PASTORS
      • CAMPAIGN AGAINST FAMILY & DOMESTIC VIOLENCE RESOURCES & TRAINING
      • NEW HORIZONS
      • RENEW MISSION LIFE
      • GROW COACHING
    • EVENTS

      • CONVENTION OF GENERAL SYNOD 2021-23
      • CROSS-CULTURAL MINISTRY CONFERENCE 2023
      • DIGITAL MISSION AND MINISTRY FORUM 2022
  • FIND A …
  • COMMISSIONS Homepage
  • Social and Bioethical Questions – ARCHIVE
    • Lutherans for Life
  • Commission on Theology and Inter-Church Relations
    • Ecumenical Dialogues
  • Commission on Worship
  • Return to Website Homepage

Commission on Theology and Inter-Church Relations

About us

The Commission on Theology and Inter-Church Relations (CTICR) advises the church on matters of theology and doctrine, and studies the theological implications of our relationships with other churches, at home and overseas.

It also sponsors our formal bilateral dialogues, currently with the Roman Catholic, Anglican and Uniting churches in Australia. At the request of the church the CTICR also studies current theological issues and trends, and provides advice to the church in the form of papers and statements.

Through its ecumenical dialogues, it has an ongoing program of theological discussion with the major church bodies in Australia, it hears reports from the National Council of Churches in Australia (NCCA) and the NCCA's theological body, the Faith and Unity Commission, and it monitors developments within Lutheran World Federation and the International Lutheran Council.

Click the button below to learn about our dialogues with other Christian churches in Australia.

Ecumenical Dialogues

Doctrinal Statements and Theological Opinions

Over the years the CTICR has produced Doctrinal Statements and Theological Opinions (DSTOs) and other resources on behalf of the LCA. The DSTOs are listed below (click on the accordion links). Some are available for download here (in PDF format).

Volume 1

Foreword Expand
  • Foreword
A. Theses of Agreement Expand

 

  • Title and Contents
  • I: Principles governing church fellowship
  • II: Joint prayer and worship
  • III: Conversion
  • IV: Election
  • V: The church
  • VI: Office of the ministry
  • VII: Eschatological matters
  • VIII: Scripture and inspiration
  • IX: Lutheran confessions
  • Appendix: statements on practical matters
  • The status of the Theses of Agreement and other doctrinal statements
  • The permanent status of the Theses of Agreement
  • Document of Union
B. The Scriptures Expand

 

  • The Theses of Agreement and inerrancy
  • Genesis 1-3: a doctrinal statement
  • A guide for the use of Bible translations
  • A consensus statement on Holy Scripture
  • Attachment 1: towards a common understanding on the authority of Holy Scripture
  • Attachment 2: The Extent and Certainty of Canon
  • A guide for the use of Bible versions: The RSV, The New International Version and The Good News Bible
C. Church Fellowship Expand

 

  • Altar and pulpit fellowship: special cases
  • Fellowships and declared fellowships
  • Relationships with overseas churches
  • Document of agreement: German-speaking Lutheran congregations in Australia and the LCA
  • Guidelines for inter-church marriages
D. Ministries in the Church Expand

 

  • The relationship between graduation from Australian Lutheran College (formerly Luther Seminary) & ordination
  • Graduation from Australian Lutheran College (formerly Luther Seminary)
  • The right to the use of the title 'Pastor'
  • The use of lay evangelists in the church
  • The relationship of the auxiliary offices to the office of the ministry
  • The status of the teacher in the church
  • Directives concerning parish workers
  • Elders in the Lutheran Church of Australia
  • Standard procedures and questions in colloquising prospective church servants
  • Call and appointment
  • What constitutes a call?
  • Guidelines for introducing the practice of separating first communion and confirmation
E. The Sacraments Expand

 

  • The mutual recognition of baptism (Roman Catholic and Lutheran Churches)
  • Pastoral practice in reference to holy baptism
  • Concerning the sacrament of the altar
  • Infant communion
  • The blessing of children at the altar
F. Women in the Church Expand

 

  • Statement on rights of women to vote at meetings of the congregations
  • The role of women in the church
  • The service of women on boards and committees of the church
G. Inter-Denominational Cooperation – Church Movements Expand

 

  • Dialogue with other church bodies or organisations
  • Pastors serving full-time in interdenominational ministries
  • World Day of Prayer & Women's World Day of Prayer
  • The Lutheran Church of Australia and the Lutheran charismatic renewal
  • Billy Graham campaign
  • The use of Lutheran Churches by other denominations
  • Radio mission
  • Pastoral attitude and practice where a pastor is attracted to or associated with the charismatic movement
H. Ethical and Social Issues Expand

 

  • Attitude to birth control
  • Abortion
  • War, peace, and conscientious objection to service in war
  • Homosexuality (1975)
    CTICR has finalised a document ‘Human sexuality: three key issues’ (refer Volume 3 below). This paper replaces the 1975 DSTO entitled 'Homosexuality'.
  • The involvement of the church in social & political problems
  • Capital punishment
  • Marriage, divorce and re-marriage
  • The use of drugs
  • Euthanasia or mercy killing
  • Human reproductive technology
  • Humanity's treatment of animals
  • Marriage and de facto relationships
  • Dancing
  • Guidelines on participation of pastors in protest marches
  • Declaration concerning communist and other persecution of Christians
  • Statement on Apartheid
I. Doctrinal Issues Expand

 

  • Summary pastoral statement concerning the body-soul issue
  • Public doctrine and pious opinion

Volume 2

Contents and Foreword Expand

 

  • Contents
  • Foreword
A. Theses of Agreement Expand

 

  • Theses of Agreement II: Joint prayer and worship
B. The Scriptures Expand

 

  • God and inclusive language
C. Church Fellowship Expand

 

  • The Lutheran Church of Australia's application for associate membership in the Lutheran World Federation
  • A confessional agreement between the Lutheran Church of Australia and the Lutheran Church-Canada
  • Guidelines for drawing up a statement of 'Recognition of Relationship' between the Lutheran Church of Australia and another Lutheran church body
D. Ministries in the Church Expand

 

  • Female elders
  • The ministry of the people of God and the public ministry
E. The Sacraments Expand

 

  • The service with holy communion for ministry to those who are sick
  • The treatment of unused consecrated elements
  • Some pastoral guidelines for responsible communion practice
  • The celebration of the Lord's Supper with thanksgiving
  • The distribution of the sacrament of the altar
  • The distribution of the Lord's supper to the sick by deacons, elders or lay servers
F. Women in the Church Expand

 

  • Should women serve as lay readers in public worship?

 

G. Interdenominational Cooperation – Church Movements Expand

 

  • A brief evaluation of the church growth movement
  • Guidelines for participants in cross-denominational or non-denominational Bible study groups
  • The Lutheran Church of Australia and interfaith worship
  • Pastoral care of isolated members of the Lutheran Church of Australia
H. Ethical and Social Issues Expand

 

  • Human rights
  • HIV and AIDS
I. Doctrinal Issues Expand

 

  • A Statement on mission
  • Is the Pope the Antichrist?
  • The two kingdoms and social ethics
J. Church–School issues Expand

 

  • The Lutheran Church of Australia and its schools
  • The teacher in the Lutheran school
  • The public ministry in the Lutheran school
K. Worship Expand

 

  • Rationale for synodical decision on use of approved orders with holy communion
  • The use of multi-purpose worship centres
  • A Lutheran approach to the theology of worship
  • Guidelines for services on special occasions
  • Worship at Luther Campus: a declaration and appeal

Volume 3

Volume 3 is online only; there is no print version.

C. Church Fellowship Expand

 

  • Church Fellowship and the LCA (2003)
  • Membership in LWF
D. Ministries in the Church Expand
  • Our Church in Mission (2003)
  • Prophecy in the Church (2014)
  • The Lay Preacher
  • The Use of Personal Testimonies in Public Worship
H. Ethical and Social Issues Expand

  • Human sexuality: three key issues (background paper) (2014)
  • Human sexuality: three key issues (summary) (2015)

A series of studies suitable for small groups supports the Human Sexuality papers. Go to Study Guides page.

  • God’s creation: a sacred responsibility (2015)
  • One loving God: two hands – saving and caring
  • Christian vocation (2009)
I. Doctrinal Issues Expand

 

  • Spiritual Warfare and the Ministry of Deliverance (2014)
  • Infant Communion: a Reappraisal

Commission on Theology and Inter-Church Relations

cticr@lca.org.au

Footer

Quicklinks

  • HOME
  • DEPARTMENTS & AGENCIES

 

  • SERVICES, RESOURCES & TRAINING
  • FIND A …

Contact us

197 Archer Street
North Adelaide SA 5006

08 8267 7300
email us

© 2023 Lutheran Church of Australia

Privacy Policy • Disclaimer

Designed by LCA Communications