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

Book: Lady Like - Living Biblically

In a society where conversations about gender have too often become stale and predictable, LadyLike: Living Biblically reimagines what it means to be a Christian woman in our feminized secular society.
Radically retro, freshly old-fashioned, and powerfully submissive, Rosie Adle and Rebekah Curtis, two playful and mischievous sisters, challenge us to rethink everything we thought we knew about men and women. Like a jolt of espresso, or a polar bear plunge, their writing enlivens the senses, helping us to see the world, as it were, for the first time.

You can buy the book here

CONTENTS

WORLD VIEWING

• Out of Order
• The Pie-Eating Contest 
• Products of Our Time
• Brains for Women! 
• Bridezilla of Christ 
• Not Fair
• The Real Winners of the Sexual Revolution 
• Submission: Impossible?
• The More, the Merrier? 
• Deborah vs. She-Ra: Exception vs. Rule
• Who Washes the Dishes After Feminism? 
• Peace and/or Quiet
• Put Your Name on It 

VOCATION STATION

• The Family of God
• To the Virgins, to Make Much of What They Are 
• Here Comes the Bride
• Marriage: Not Actually the Most Christianest Thing Ever 
• Earthen Vessels 
• To My Friend Who Has No Babies Today
• She Respects Her Husband 
• The Fallen Ones
• Widows and the Redemption
• A Righteous Life 
• Calling 

SOME THEOLOGY STUFF

• Is the Old Testament Misogynist?
• What Would Lydia Do? 
• Jesus the Feminist?
• Fiat Mihi, Fiat Lux 
• Sins of the Fathers 
• Hey Mister Pastor Man 

PIETY

• What Is God Trying to Tell You?
• Marthas, Marthas
• If We Confess Our Sins 
• The Sixth Commandment: Not Just for Men!
• Eight, Nine, Ten—Last, but Not Least
• Actually, God Might Give You More Than You Can Handle 
• Sophia, Sophronia, and Babylon
• Being Special Is Special! 
• On a Search for Self 
• Romans 12:15—Vicarious Rejoicing with a Whole Heart
• Mirror, Mirror 
• Dear Sisters
• Selfies—Oh, Snap! .
• Whac-a-Mole
• When Life Gives You Lemonade 
• The Belle Choir: A Parochial Fantasy 

What others are saying
"In this well-written book, Rose and Rebekah challenge women with clever, yet honest truths served up with a 'delicious gulp of Gospel.' Their striking insights and crisp language encourage us to see our lives in new ways. You will be blessed!"  
—Renee Gibbs, Women’s Retreat and Bible Study Leader, Concordia Seminary

“I guarantee you will not be able to put this book down. Sisters Rosie and Rebekah write in a style crystal clear and magically engaging, all the while gleefully butchering sacred cultural cows, and serving up a feast of rich meaty delights for anyone, especially any Christian woman, who has found herself wresting with what it means to be a child of God in today’s world. You’re gonna loves this book, even as its wit and brainy argumentation stretch you to new limits of genuine Christian faith, love and piety.”
—Rev. Matthew C. Harrison, President, The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod

“Adle and Curtis don't pull any punches in their dash to ride the counter cultural wave of Biblical Truth about womanhood as Christ designed and redeemed her. With a healthy dose of sardonic wit, spiced with the right dash of caregiving reserve, their work is a breath of fresh air in a world of women caught up in the maelstrom of not being "good enough" unless they try to be men.”
—Rev. Jonathan Fisk, Pastor, Host of Worldview Everlasting, and Author of Broken: 7 "Christian" Rules That Every Christian Ought to Break as Often as Possible

“LadyLike strips away all flowery cross-stitch stereotypes while  exposing the burlap of what it means to be a Christian woman in 21st century society. Adle and Curtis hold nothing back as they take an uppercut at the lies of our modern era, simultaneously weaving in the delicate ribbons of mercy found in Christ's timeless Truth. These essays are at once strong and sassy, while maintaining the graceful art of what it means to be a woman in Christ. They contain the healing balm of Christ and Him crucified that is vital for staying the course on the lonely road of being a Christian woman, Christian mother, and Christian wife in today's world; a balm so soothing that the reader is left wanting more.”
—Meridith Fisk, Wife, Mother, and Homemaker

“One of the best 'hear and do' pieces I’ve read, out of hundreds. Rosie and Becky are freedom fighters and, in the sacred sense, burden bearers of women’s issues!  Lost your voice amidst the chaos of twenty-first century womanhood?  Find it here. Not to scream or demand, but to follow Christ into contentment, fulfillment, and with gusto resist the pull of lesser gods. This book is impossible to put it down!”
—Phyllis Wallace, Author, Speaker, Broadcaster

Web Site: Women's Ordination - We are listening

We are listening is a resource site for the Lutheran Church of Australia as it discusses and dialogues the issue of Women's Ordination.  
There is a considerable number of resources and documents relating to the issue of Women's Ordination, presenting both sides of the arguments as well as information relating to how best to be involved in the dialogue.
Take some time to explore the site at http://owl.lca.org.au/