Oct2021
Synod elects new church leaders
The 20th General Synod elected Pastor Paul Smith as the LCANZ’s next bishop and Pastor Neville Otto as the assistant bishop. Delegates also elected the General Church Board to serve the LCANZ for the 2021-24 synodical term.
Oct2021
Former LCANZ secretary elected as next assistant bishop
The General Synod of the LCANZ has elected Pastor Neville Otto, senior pastor at St Paul Box Hill in suburban Melbourne and former Secretary of the Church, as assistant bishop of the LCANZ.
Jun2021
New bishop for LCA’s Queensland District
Pastor Mark Vainikka will be the next LCA Queensland District bishop. He was elected unopposed during the District Convention of Synod at Eight Mile Plains in Brisbane’s south last weekend (4–6 June).
Jun2021
Century up for LCA’s oldest living pastor
Pastor Colin Scheer, the LCA’s oldest living pastor, turned 100 on 27 May and marked the occasion with a visit from his sister Val Kriewaldt and brother Kevin Scheer, who travelled from South Australia to be with him at St Paul’s Lutheran Aged Care at Caboolture in Queensland.
Jun2021
ALC launches annual appeal
On Sunday 30 May 2021, Australian Lutheran College (ALC) launched its annual appeal, with the theme ‘Connecting through faith’.
May2021
LCANZ Bishop announces retirement
LCANZ Bishop John Henderson will not stand for re-election at this year’s Convention of General Synod in September–October. First elected in April 2013, he will retire after serving three synodical terms in the role.
Apr2021
LCANZ answers Philippines’ mission call
Rev Dr Michael Lockwood has answered the call to serve as a missionary with the Lutheran Church in the Philippines (LCP), a partner church of the LCANZ. His move is in response to a request last year from LCP President Rev Antonio Reyes for assistance with the training of pastors and deaconesses.
Mar2021
Gifts to fellow pastors reflect God’s love
When Pastor Matt Anker, the LCA/NZ’s Assistant to the Bishop – International Mission, called on Lutheran pastors in Australia and New Zealand to support their brother pastors in the Philippines, he says the response was ‘breathtaking’.
Feb2021
Ordination joy despite lockdown
Despite a COVID-19 lockdown forcing a last-minute change, Stanley Roberts was ordained in unique circumstances as a Specific Ministry Pastor (SMP) at Papunya in the NT. With LCA/NZ Bishop John Henderson unable to travel due to the snap lockdown, Stanley was ordained by another SMP.
