Lutheran Media manager to conclude role in 2026

Lutheran Media Manager Dr Tania Nelson has accepted a new ministry position at Mawson Lakes Community Church in South Australia. Tania will conclude her role with Lutheran Media in January 2026, after serving for more than two years.

Since she was appointed manager in August 2023, Tania has led significant developments across Lutheran Media’s ministry with her team. Her contributions include upgrading the Lutheran Media and Messages of hope websites, overseeing the adoption of a new constitution and registering Lutheran Media as a charity with the Australian Charities and Not-for-profits Commission.

She has also overseen the redevelopment of Happyland into Hope for kids and the updating and Australianising of booklet resources.

In addition, Tania has also helped grow Lutheran Media and Messages of hope’s social media presence, renewed podcast and video content production, and increased the number of radio stations broadcasting Messages of hope.

‘I thank God for how God has blessed me through my work with Lutheran Media,’ Tania said. ‘I serve with a small but passionate team, who give their all to share Jesus with others.’

Before joining Lutheran Media, Tania served as the LCANZ’s Executive Officer – Local Mission from 2016 to 2023. The first woman and the first layperson to hold that role, Tania said she originally applied for the Lutheran Media role because she had ‘long believed that Lutheran Media is a vital mission-focused ministry of the LCANZ’.

Lutheran Media Board Chair Pastor Ben Hentschke said that it would be hard to imagine Lutheran Media without Tania. ‘While we’ll certainly miss her energy, creativity and faith-filled leadership, we’re also overjoyed to see how God is opening this new door for her at Mawson Lakes,’ he said.

‘Tania has led Lutheran Media with clarity, warmth and purpose, always keeping the gospel at the heart of what we do. Her steady presence and deep care for the team, our supporters and everyone who hears the message of hope through this ministry have left a lasting mark.

‘As Tania steps into this next chapter, we’re praying God’s richest blessings over her. We pray that she’ll flourish in her new ministry and the community at Mawson Lakes will be as blessed by her as we have been.’

LCANZ Bishop Paul Smith said Tania’s contribution to the church has been deeply valued. ‘Tania is a dynamic, passionate and deeply faithful church leader,’ he said.

‘She has served in an extraordinary array of ministries in our LCANZ and always with a “listening heart” to find ways to build up those around her in their various Christian vocations. If you ever get to read her doctoral thesis (which is online), you will hear Tania’s inspiring commitment to the mission of the church.

‘On behalf of her sisters and brothers of the church, I pray God’s abundant blessing on her ongoing service.’

‘It has been a joy and a privilege to work alongside the staff, volunteers and our tremendous supporters,’ Tania said. ‘You are messengers of hope, to the glory of God.’

Recruitment has commenced for the next Lutheran Media manager. Details about the position can be found on Lutheran Media’s website.