Way Forward project team appointed

The project team to lead the Ordination Resolution Way Forward project has been appointed. The three-person team met for the first time on 18 April at the LCANZ head office in North Adelaide.

The team’s primary role is to project-manage the implementation of the 2021-23 General Synod resolution requesting a proposal to the next General Synod outlining how the LCANZ could operate as ‘one church with two different practices of ordination’. The small project team will report to GCB and CoB, which jointly hold overall responsibility for the implementation of the General Synod resolution.

Eight working groups will provide guidance, requirements and inputs on the theological, constitutional, governance and other issues that will be required in order for a ‘detailed framework’ to be presented in time for discussion by the 2024 General Pastors Conference and 2024 General Synod.

It is envisaged that the proposal development process will involve wide consultation within the LCANZ prior to the General Pastors Conference and General Synod.

Former Chief Executive Officer of Lutheran Super, Stella Thredgold heads up the project team in a part-time capacity as the project director. As an ASX100 C-Suite Executive, she has spent most of her career leading organisations through change. Stella will provide strategic oversight of the project direction, engaging with various stakeholders and ensuring that a disciplined and transparent process is followed.

Joining the team with Stella are Tim Niewand and Tony Vong, both of whom have extensive project-management experience coupled with longstanding membership of Lutheran congregations in Victoria.

Joining the team full-time, Tim brings 20 years’ experience in Fortune 500 companies, within Australia and internationally, and has managed projects across a diverse range of scopes including product development, process improvement, real estate, finance and software. A lifelong active member of the Lutheran Church, he is currently the chairperson at Pakenham Lakeside Church on Melbourne’s eastern outskirts.

Tony has 20 years’ experience leading programs and teams within the public sector, with a strong focus on risk and change management. He holds voluntary roles on District and congregation boards and committees, including that of his home congregation, Chinese Lutheran Church of Victoria. Tony joins the Way Forward project team in a part-time capacity.

‘We’re humbled to be able to lead this project. We understand this is a difficult time for the Lutheran Church but it also brings tremendous opportunity’, Stella said. ‘We’re committed to listening, openness, transparency and respect, and we invite everyone involved in the Way Forward to bring this spirit to the conversations.’

The project team will oversee and coordinate the assignments of the working groups, as well as manage the timeline and ensure successful preparation for 2024 General Pastors Conference and 2024 General Synod. The members of the working groups will be appointed by a joint meeting of GCB and CoB, upon recommendations from the Standing Committee on Nominations.

Click here for more information about the Way Forward project.