Thousands engage with Way Forward gatherings

Thousands of people have engaged with the Way Forward project’s face-to-face and online district information gatherings around the LCANZ, the final three of which are being held in New Zealand over the next week.

Approximately 100 members met on Saturday 14 September at Concordia College Toowoomba in Queensland, which brought the tally of registered attendees to almost 1,500 across 19 Australian-based events. The numbers who have attended or participated online are likely to be much higher, however, as some districts did not require formal registration for events and livestream views of recordings are continuing to climb.

At the first two New Zealand events, held at Auckland and Feilding, there were 23 and 30 attendees respectively. Further Lutheran Church of New Zealand gatherings are still to be held at St Paul’s Upper Moutere on Thursday (6pm, 19 September), at St Paul’s Christchurch on Friday (6pm, 20 September) and at St Paul’s Wellington on Sunday (11.30am, 22 September).

Queensland District Bishop Mark Vainikka, who led the Toowoomba gathering, said the gatherings in the Sunshine State had ‘been marked by a peaceful atmosphere … despite the weight of acknowledging our brokenness and the long-standing contention around the ordination issue’.

‘Yet, amidst this, there was consensus that the church belongs to God, and he continues to journey with us even as we struggle to find common ground’, Bishop Mark said.

SA–NT District Administrator Angela Rogers reflected on the way people had connected with presenters and each other at the gatherings, noting the strong expressions of appreciation from attendees.

‘People have responded positively to the time and effort put into the presentations’, she said. ‘They have appreciated the honesty and also the care and concern. There has been lots of engagement with the normal wide variety of opinions, but otherwise completely respectful conversations.’

Some attendees provided feedback after gatherings, suggesting that the Way Forward project had facilitated more open conversations among members of the church and encouraged respectful dialogue in the lead-up to General Synod. Others observed that, while the work of the project was difficult, it was necessary to resolve a long and ongoing issue for the LCA.

‘It is clear that the project is working for good, that they care, and we can trust that they are hearing the voice of the people’, one person wrote.

Another reflection was indicative of an increasing sense of optimism about the future of the LCANZ: ‘My hope is that the Way Forward brings the church together so that the gospel message can once again be the focus – to bring others to Christ.'

Links to gathering recordings still available to view are at www.lca.org.au/wayforward/preparation-prayer/

Rachel Koopmans is Way Forward Engagement and Communications Officer.