Theme and logo unveiled for Synod 2027

God’s abundant gifts and our calling to share them generously are at the heart of the theme and logo for next year’s 22nd Regular Convention of General Synod in Brisbane.

The theme Open Arms and its accompanying tagline Receiving Abundantly – Sharing Generously, along with a new logo, have been approved by the LCANZ General Church Board.

Based on 2 Corinthians 9:8, which speaks of God’s abundant blessings and our calling to share abundantly in every good work, the theme echoes the final line of Robin Mann’s well-known worship song Reaching Out: ‘We’ve been given so much, people, let’s all share. Reaching out with open arms.’

LCANZ Bishop Paul Smith said the theme focuses on ‘the mission of God at work amongst us’.

‘We are called to share the grace we have received in abundance with open arms,’ he said.

‘We have abundant grace from the cross for life and for salvation from the Lord who extends his wounded, crucified hands towards us with open arms. We have abundance from God’s divine providence for all we need from day to day.

‘We are sent into the world to give as we have been given to, with open arms to the neighbour and to the poor and needy.’

Bishop Paul said the theme also reflects the church’s shared mission as it gathers for Convention.

‘We join in Convention as sisters and brothers in Christ with this common mission, to support each other and to encourage each other to reach out with open arms, to the glory of God.’

The General Synod logo was created by Elysia McEwen, a member of the LifeWay congregation in Sydney and graphic designer for The Lutheran.

The logo reflects the theme’s focus on God’s abundant gifts and the church’s mission through the following elements:

• A figure with open arms representing the people of the church serving in Christ.
• A cross beside and supporting the figure, representing the grace received through Christ and the centrality of the ‘word of the cross’ (1 Corinthians 1:18).
• Flowing lines symbolising God’s abundance, life, growth and generous sharing.
• Imagery that draws on the flames of the LCANZ logo, pointing to the work of the Holy Spirit.
• Blue colouring in the words Receiving Abundantly, highlighting God’s grace given in baptism.

‘Together, this displays a church that receives God’s gifts with gratitude and shares them generously in service to others,’ Bishop Paul said.

The 22nd Convention of General Synod will be held from 1 to 4 October 2027 at the Brisbane Convention and Exhibition Centre in Queensland.

For more information about the Convention of General Synod 2027, including key dates and deadlines, read an overview of what you need to know about Synod 2027, or visit the Synod 2027 webpage for ongoing updates.