Ordination of Men and Women - Resources

 In 2024 the Lutheran Church of Australia and New Zealand at its National Synod over 71% of the delegates passed motions that permitted the LCANZ to ordain both men and women, and at the same time permit individual congregations to restrict their call list to males only.  

The full motion can be read here .  

This motion followed a thorough and lengthy process called Way Forward, you can read the Way Forward detailed framework here 

The decision did not happen overnight, but followed many years of biblical study, debate and discussion.  The following documents support the theological and biblical reasons for  the LCANZ choosing to ordain both men and women to the office of public ministry. 

2018 - A theological basis for the ordination of men and women

2006 - CTICR - The case for the ordination of women summary

2005 - 1 Corinthians 14:33b–38 and 1 Timothy 2:11–14 permit the ordination of women, CTICR, Lutheran Church of Australia

2004 -Controverted matters in the LCA Debate on the Ordination of Women, CTICR, Lutheran Church of Australia

2000, The Final Report of the Commission on Theology and Inter-Church Relations on the Ordination of Women, CTICR, Lutheran Church of Australia

1991, The Ordination of Women, Special Committee to the Commission on Theology and Inter-Church Relations, Lutheran Church of Australia

More documents covering the issue of ordaining men and men are available at the LCA's web site Ordination we are listening 

The LCA NSW and ACT and NZ Districts have produced an Easy to Understand guide relating to the LCANZ decision which is available here

Luthers Works - Free Online

The following versions of Luther's Works are available free online

American Edition

Lenker Edition 

Jacobs Edition

Cole Edition

Library of Christian Classics Edition

Lutheran Insulter

At Reformed Books Online

Internship - Warrambui ARISE internship program

Arise Internships provide a unique opportunity to learn, serve and grow in a dynamic Christian environment over a 12 month period.

It is designed for young adults, whether you be a recent school leaver or someone who is looking to discern your calling in life.

Arise focuses on building a faith foundation where character is built, identity in Christ is revealed, and questions of faith explored, while living and serving in a Christian community.

Interns experience practical aspects of ministry by working, living and learning alongside others in a camp setting.

Throughout the year we intentionally seek to build a faith foundation that will grow the Interns’ Christian faith and character. We grow valuable life skills and ministry experience that will benefit the individual and the communities they are involved with after Warrambui.

To achieve this goal, we have three core elements that help grow the Interns:

• Volunteer service tasks to Warrambui (e.g. Kitchen work, Cleaning, School Programs)
• Biblical and Theological Study
• Personal growth and Leadership Development through involvement in youth camps, youth groups, congregational visits, and team times.

Being part of a Christian community doesn’t mean things are always rosy, but we continue to praise and thank God for the tough times to grow and work through the differences in people’s behaviours and attitudes.

For more information  visit https://www.warrambui.com.au/arise/

Froniter School of Mission - update

Frontier School of Mission (FSM) is a mission-focused training and resourcing ministry of the Lutheran Church of Australia, NSW and ACT District. 

FSM offers accredited units and courses as well as non-accredited and informal training opportunities, with a practical and missional focus.  

Courses being offered include:

• Theology of Mission 
• Mission Perspectives
• Introduction to Preaching
• Worship 
• Foundations of Christian Belief
• Gospel, Church and Australian Culture
• The Early New Testament Church (a study in early church mission)
• Christian Apologetics (Communicating the Christian Faith in Twenty-first century Australia)
• Applied Evangelism
• Church Planting
• Pastoral Care
• Christian Spirituality  
• Jesus and the Gospels

For more information and to discuss your needs for ministry training visit https://frontier.lca.org.au/

Retreat: Shepherds Canyon Retreat

The Shepherd’s Canyon Retreat ministry is committed to providing spiritual and emotional healing to clergy, other full-time church workers and their spouses who are in the midst of various stages of burnout, depression, compassion fatigue, and conflicts of all types, offering the hope and renewal found through the Holy Spirit's work through God's Word.

Each retreat pursues three basic goals:

1. Allow each participant to safely unburden the hurts and pressures of life and ministry in a safe, non-judgmental, and loving environment.
2. Assist each person to understand herself/himself more completely.
3. To encourage the participants to develop new levels of self-acceptance as well as more effective relational skills.  This often includes evaluation of expectations, reordering of priorities, improving communication skills and bringing a new perspective concerning their life and ministry.

Shepherds Canyon Retreats was formed by Lutherans

For more information visit www.shepherdscanyonretreat.org

For any Australian Pastors wanting to access this retreat there is some assistance available contact me (richardschwedes@gmail.com) so i can refer you to the appropriate contact.