New era dawns for ALC

The Australian Lutheran College (ALC) community has plenty of reasons to be excited in Semester 1 this year – 18 of them in fact! That’s the number of current students seeking to enter ordained ministry in the LCANZ. You can read about some of them here. The changing landscape – figuratively and literally – heralds a new era for the college and the church it serves, says Dr Merryn Ruwoldt.

Sometimes institutions are presented with an opportunity to take stock and reset. Last year served that purpose for ALC. It was undoubtedly the end of an era.

There is considerable grief associated with the relocation to a non-residential site, as the college will do when it moves to the new Church House in the Adelaide CBD. However, ALC no longer requires a traditional campus. Its conviction is that pastors and other church workers are best trained in situ, under the mindful and loving eye not only of their lecturers, but their congregations, pastors, mentors and critical friends.

ALC students of the modern era study theology while grounded in their local communities. They pray and worship with their congregations, they examine, wrestle and explore coursework material in context, and acknowledge that the Holy Spirit works to form them through their lecturers, classmates, mentors and congregational members.

It is often said that it takes a village to raise a child. ‘At ALC,’ says principal Rev Dr Tim Stringer, ‘we believe it takes a congregation to raise a pastor or lay worker. There is academic work, of course, but this learning is more effective when embedded in a community of practice.’

In Semester 1, 2025, there are 18 students at ALC who have indicated they are discerning a call to the ordained ministry. Including women and men, part-time and full-time students, the cohort ranges in age from 31 to 65, and comes from a variety of backgrounds and previous theological study experiences. Each is on a pathway to the ordained ministry that contains academic and formational components specifically designed for them. Additional students are preparing to begin their courses in Semester 2.

One new student shares that the change in the way ALC delivers courses has opened up access to pastoral ministry studies. ‘Last time I inquired, I had to move my family to Adelaide,’ the student says. ‘I can’t believe how flexible training to be a pastor is now. This is so much better for our family. It is the right time for me.’

We are hearing such comments more and more often. The faculty and the students have begun to define a new institutional culture. This is underpinned by quality teaching, respectful engagement, explicit individual pathways and robust, contextual assessment practices.

Last year might have been the end of an era, but it is already clear that 2025 is the start of a new one. There is considerable excitement and confidence in the training programs and the people who are engaging with them. ALC looks forward to partnering with many more congregations as, inspired by the Spirit, members continue to encourage potential pastors and lay workers to embark on formal training for ministry.

Dr Merryn Ruwoldt is ALC Academic Dean.

Curious to meet some of the people stepping into ministry? Click here to meet three ALC pastoral students and be inspired by their journeys. You can also partner with ALC by supporting its mission through the annual appeal: alc.edu.au/connect/annual-appeal