Implementation of the 2024 Synod Resolution on Ordination
(That) General Synod direct the General Church Board and the College of Bishops to implement the Way Forward Detailed Framework, with particular attention to the resourcing and provision of pastoral care and support to address issues that may arise from the introduction of female pastors to the LCA pastorate.
Resolution 21-06 of the 21st Convention of General Synod
Background
The 21st Convention of General Synod resolved that the General Church Board (GCB) and College of Bishops (CoB) would implement the Way Forward Framework that had been adopted by the Convention. These webpages outline how that project is progressing according to the Object of the Church 'to promote true Christian unity in the bond of peace'. The implementation of the Way Forward Framework includes elements that were established in the Synod resolution and draws on the structure of the Church to provide a robust, transparent and purposeful process for the sake of the gospel.
Central to the implementation are the 'commitments' made in the resolution, namely:
General Synod affirm the commitments outlined in the Way Forward Detailed Framework (Agenda 8.1):
- Section 5 (Part A): Maintaining the identity and form of the LCANZ
- Section 7 (Part C): Commitments to pastors and pastoral ministry candidates
- Section 8 (Part D): Commitments to congregations and parishes.
Resources
Video series on ordination
LCANZ Bishop Paul Smith has recorded a series of short videos in which he addresses some questions people have been asking about ordination and why the LCANZ has changed its teaching.
Latest update
Women’s ministry advocate appointed
As part of the implementation program of the ordination proposals from the 2024 Convention of General Synod, Dr Pauline Simonsen has been appointed as the LCANZ’s Advocate for Women in Pastoral Ministry.
Read moreMore news and updates
Opening pathways to follow the call
The changes in Australian Lutheran College’s learning model and the widening of ordination pathways are making studying to become a pastor more accessible and appealing, say members of the current student cohort.
Read more
New era dawns for ALC
The Australian Lutheran College 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.
Read more
Ordination joy for LCANZ … and more to come!
The LCANZ has joyfully welcomed two new pastors: Mark Tung, ordained in Auckland on 6 April, New Zealand, to serve the Mandarin-speaking Botany Lutheran Church, and Maria Rudolph, the church’s first female pastor, ordained in Adelaide on 13 April. She will serve at St John’s Lutheran Church Perth.
Read more
Bishops explain ordination pathways
The four pathways to ordination in the LCANZ are explained in the new ‘Candidacy Pathways for the Office of the Public Ministry’ document released this month.
Read moreInformation for pastors and pastoral ministry candidates
Information for congregations and parishes
Advocate for Women's Ministry
As part of the implementation program of the ordination proposals from the 2024 Convention of General Synod, Dr Pauline Simonsen has been appointed as the LCANZ’s Advocate for Women’s Ministry. This is a voluntary role to provide a primary contact for women of our church who are considering training for the office of the public ministry and women serving as pastors among us. Pauline will serve in this work throughout 2025, after which time the General Church Board and the College of Bishops will review the role.
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