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101

‘We need a way forward’: Delegates reflect on Synod decision

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Delegates at General Synod voted by a strong majority to seek a way forward in the decades-long ordination debate. They asked the General Church Board and College of Bishops to explore how the LCANZ might operate as ‘one church with two ordination practices’. We asked eight Synod participants for their reflections on the resolution. Excerpts of their responses follow; read their full responses at www.lca.org.au/we-need-a-way-forward-delegates-reflect-on-synod-decision

ROB EDWARDS, PASTOR DELEGATE QLD

As I stood up at Synod to speak, I was acutely aware there was nothing I could say which would change the minds of anyone in the room about ordination. We had discussed this topic for 30 years. What we needed was a plan, a way to move forward, and move forward together. Our job as delegates was to come away from that meeting with a plan. Our congregations expected it and needed it. To do anything less would be to provide a leadership vacuum that could lead to chaos. We had to come up with a plan which would provide a way in which we could remain united as a church, respect one another’s stand and get on with the business of the church. The question was not whether or not we ordain women. We had already discussed that and it is pointless to continue. The question is, ‘how do we function as a church with these two ways of thinking?’ Is it possible to carry out the great commission together? Ordination is not the most important matter facing the church, but it is where we are spending all our time. Of far greater importance is the great commission. I encouraged the church to grab this plan and run with it. Not because it was the best plan ever, nor that it would solve all our problems, but because it gave us an opportunity to stay united as one church. We need a plan which recognises where we are and what we are called to do; which recognises our differences but also our calling. And we need to broaden our definition of ministry to include all believers.

DAVID WEAR, SYNOD CHAPLAIN VIC

We’ve now had five votes on allowing the ordination of women in the LCA and we’re on track to have a sixth vote next year. If we were to have ‘one church, with two practices’ – essentially two contradictory teachings – how could we come together, with true unity, for a General Pastor’s Conference or Convention of General Synod? There are going to be women and men who cannot commune, in good conscience, with a female pastor officiating. As sad as that might seem, it’s the reality we need to face. We need to be set free from this debate but also adequately deal with the reality of our disunity, and the nature of our disunity. Maybe a peaceful and orderly separation into two synods would glorify God, give a better witness of love to the world, and enable a more genuine unity as outlined in Scripture (e.g. 1 Cor 1:10; 2 Cor 13:11). I think we need to prayerfully consider that in the light of Scripture. I feel like we are the Israelites up against the Red Sea, with no viable way forward – but God can provide a way. Let’s keep loving one another, trusting God our Father and praising Jesus. I also hope we will draw upon the Holy Spirit who works through Scripture more than he works through pragmatic arrangements and convenient compromises. If God were to show us that two synods was the way forward, that wouldn’t mean an end to love (1 Cor 13:4–8a) and partnership in the gospel.

MANUELA SWIFT, LAY DELEGATE WA

Exploring what the church would look like as one church, two practices is a really healthy step forward. On a community or congregational level, it is important that we begin having conversations about this. We need people to be prepared and aware of the steps the LCANZ is taking and don’t want people to feel hurt or left out of the loop, especially leading up to the Synod 2024. Thank you to our leaders for willingly following God’s calling and serving our church in this way. I know it isn’t easy, but trust that the Lord will give you strength in your task. I encourage our church leaders who are putting this proposal together to think outside of the box, think big, crazy and bold because God will make what seems impossible, possible and we can trust in that.

MARK TUNG, LAY DELEGATE NZ

The 2023 synod was the first one I attended but I was surprised that this one topic could take up so much time while other important topics – such as preaching to the immigrants, cross-cultural missions, and growing our youth – are all put on the back burner. These are critical things we need to do. I’m backing this one-church, two-practice model as it can finally put the debate aside and get the church moving again. Each of us individually needs to keep an open mind – knowing that a lot of our Lutheran brothers and sisters around the world are already having women ordained and even have had female bishops for a long time. As congregations and communities, we can keep an open mind and give it a try! Stop judging and restart the mission!

FRASER PEARCE, PASTOR DELEGATE SA

In principle, there is nothing wrong with having a variety of practices in the church. However, when different practices represent different, and even contrary teachings, then the unity and mission of the church are, at best, impaired. We have spent many years debating whether the prohibition of the ordination of women is the Lord’s command because we know that keeping his commands is central to carrying out our mission (Matthew 28:16–20). It is my conviction that our teaching does faithfully reflect Jesus’ will for the church. It is not clear how we would carry out our mission and be faithful to Jesus’ commands (with) different teachings on ordination, lived out in different practices. If the LCA were to allow all congregations to call and ordain women pastors, if they so desired, that is not something I could support. If the LCA were to break up into districts (with) different practices based on different teachings, it would seem the districts would hold different confessions and so be different synods/churches. This would be a lamentable outcome.

HELEN BRINKMAN, LAY DELEGATE QLD

The LCANZ is a church so loved by its members that not even 30 years of debate about ordination practice has broken it asunder. However, this Synod acknowledged the hurt created through this protracted, unresolved dialogue. So the Queensland District resolution to explore ‘one church, two practices of ordination’ is a vital step forward. During Synod, WA Bishop Michael Fulwood painted a beautiful picture of the Japanese art of Kintsugi, where broken pottery pieces are bound together with gold, building on the idea that in embracing our flaws and imperfections, we can create an even stronger, beautiful piece of art. I pray that God will bless our General Church Board as it works through the requirements to operate as one church with different practices. Despite our imperfections, I pray that God can use this process to create an even stronger church, in which our diversity is celebrated.

RICHARD SCHWEDES, PASTOR DELEGATE NSW

Focusing on Jesus is leading me to deeper prayer, listening to God and the different Christian perspectives around this and other issues as we go forward trusting God, even though we won’t have all the answers. I am looking forward to continuing to live and work with a diverse range of people in the Lutheran church and, most importantly, to keeping focused on being his missionary and disciple wherever God places me, so others can connect with him and gain life from him in our messy lives where people differ. Perhaps this is the message the world needs to hear at present … that God loves a diverse range of people, even people who see some aspects of life and the Bible differently. So, I pray that, as we move forwards into exploring being one church with two practices, Jesus and his gospel of forgiving and saving all remain our guiding and main focus.

HELEN MARTUL, LAY DELEGATE SA

This ongoing debate and division have crippled the church such that we have been unable to engage in meaningful dialogue about challenges in our ever-changing environment. It is time to confront reality in the context of our mission, focus on bringing Jesus’ healing gospel to our broken and despairing world. The resolution provides a clear timeframe and expectation for the ordination of women whilst maintaining one church. I pray that all members, congregations and pastors accept the clear Synod support for the resolution. Let’s embrace everyone, listening to each other rather than sabotaging. At the same time, leaders have a mandate to engage, consult, communicate and manage milestones that can be completed and celebrated. What an opportunity to walk with each other and God, trusting his love and grace.

102

‘Let’s build each other up’

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by Jess Smith

Two young consultants who attended the LCANZ’s Convention of General Synod in Melbourne in February have reflected on their experience as first-time attendees and offered a fresh perspective.

The journey to Synod began at a young adult forum in Adelaide for Eloise Quinn-Valentine, 25, a member at St John’s Lutheran Church in Unley, South Australia, and Christian Hansen, 23, who attends Our Saviour Lutheran Church in Rochedale, Queensland. The invitation to participate was extended to the pair after they attended the forum facilitated by Grow Ministries last year.

For Christian, the forum was the catalyst to get more involved in the church. ‘It was really encouraging to see the passion young people still have for the church, when a lot of people think young people are moving away from it’, he says. ‘It sparked a bit of hope and passion in me, that made me want to get involved a bit more in young adult ministry.’

While Eloise and Christian say that getting their heads around some of the Convention procedures and formalities was ‘challenging’, they agree that they have gained a lot by attending.

‘It’s been good to sit and listen and take it all in, and speak to people and meet people, and to see how it all works and get involved’, says Eloise. ‘Seeing out the process and getting to the heart of matters has been an exercise in patience, but also in listening and trying to think about where people are coming from.’

With the subject of women’s ordination being a focus on the agenda, both Christian and Eloise say they respect and appreciate the debate that has been ongoing since before they were born but look forward to the church moving forward.

‘What I long to see at Synod is the day when we can actually really share God’s word and discuss it as a group – to talk about new and renewing churches, education, uni groups, young people and aged care’, says Christian.

‘We’d love to see those sorts of discussions be what is at the heart of Synod’, agrees Eloise. ‘So that we’re coming together to be building each other up and going back to our congregations and out into the world to do this work and energised to do it.

‘A big thing for me that’s become clear is that whatever “going forward” looks like, it needs to involve all parts and aspects of the church. Particularly, I think we need to do research with people who have expertise, but we must also really invest in education and training in God’s word so that people can be scripturally informed and oriented towards service and building up the church at all levels.

‘Ministry is not just what pastors do; we’re all part of ministry in the world, and I think we can’t just address the office of the ordained ministry, we must also address the ministry of the saints – they’re absolutely connected.’

Both Christian and Eloise say they have been excited to see many other young people, both at Synod and within the broader church, who are committed to its future. ‘There is a lot of passion and drive and care there’, says Eloise. Christian echoes the sentiment. ‘It’s exciting to see that there are people like that who are not only the future but the present members of the church.’

103

New bishop for WA

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Pastor Peter Hage has been elected as the next bishop of the LCANZ’s Western Australia District.

The pastor of St Johns Lutheran Church in Perth, he was elected unopposed last month for an initial four-year term during the District Convention of Synod at Concordia Lutheran Church Duncraig, in suburban Perth. Pastor Kim Kuchel, who has retired from Army chaplaincy and is serving part-time with the Katanning–Narrogin Parish southeast of Perth, was elected and installed as WA’s new assistant bishop during the convention, held from 3 to 5 March.

Bishop-elect Peter will succeed Bishop Mike Fulwood, who has retired from the part-time role he has served in since June 2017. The pair have been working together during a handover period since the election.

The assistant bishop of the district since 2018, Bishop-elect Peter will also continue to serve St Johns. A self-described ‘reluctant bishop’, he says he is excited to be able to continue in the parish role as well as supporting the WA District as bishop.

‘I say to people I was initially a reluctant pastor and I’m a reluctant bishop’, he said.

‘I just think of those words that Jesus said, “To him who is given much, much is required”. He says that in the context of the master giving servants various talents to serve with and in that context not everyone is given that same ability, but we just simply need to reflect on our gifts. While this has not been an aspiration of mine, I’ve had great encouragement from others that I should take on this role. So, with the encouragement of pastors and congregations and the support of people, I’ve accepted that God has led me in this way.

‘I’m happy to serve and I’m happy to support but to take the lead is a responsibility that needs to be covered by much grace.’

Excited, too, by the prospects for church planting in WA, along with what is already happening in the Rockingham–Mandurah area, Bishop-elect Peter believes his district role is also to give hope to congregations through changing times.

‘It’s very clear that the LCA is on the verge of significant changes, and in that uncertainty, we need to keep trusting in God’s Spirit that he will lead us and guide us’, he said. ‘It’s God’s church, it’s not our church. We need not fear the future but move into the future expecting something different.

‘I am happy to lead our District through a season of transition and change just trusting in the faithfulness of God and the promises that he gives to us that he is always with us.’

Ordained in 1990, Bishop-elect Peter began his ministry in Papua New Guinea and served there for 10 years, before accepting a call to Freeling parish in South Australia in 2001. He also served at Mount Barker in South Australia and Mount Gravatt in Queensland, before beginning his ministry at St Johns Perth in 2017.

He and his wife, Lois, have two adult children.

104

NZ treasures hide in plain wrapping

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by Rosie Schefe

Three plastic-wrapped pallets sit in a Wellington loading dock. Not much to see here. But this 945-kilogram load holds taonga (treasure), both historical and spiritual – sacred even. This is the archive of the Lutheran Church of New Zealand (LCNZ), ready to depart from Te Puna Mātauranga o Aotearoa (the National Library of New Zealand) and bound for Lutheran Archives in Adelaide.

The Alexander Turnbull Library (which holds non-government archival material) has been the custodian of this collection since 1976, but the LCNZ archive has always remained the property of the church. Almost four years ago, the LCNZ Synod voted to send this collection to Lutheran Archives so that the history of Lutherans in New Zealand and Australia would be able to be told side by side.

Following early scoping work by Lutheran Archives Director Rachel Kuchel and Pastor Jim Pietsch, in December 2019, the LCNZ Council of Synod appointed Robert Nippert (a member of St Paul’s Lutheran Church, Wellington) to manage the project. The COVID-19 pandemic delayed its completion. As a part of New Zealand’s written history, the collection fell under the protection of Manatū Taonga, the Ministry for Culture and Heritage. Final permission to leave the Alexander Turnbull Library was only granted by Te Tari Taiwhenua, the Department of Internal Affairs, late in 2022.

A little drily, perhaps, the collection is variously described as ‘19 linear metres of documents pertaining to the Lutheran Church of New Zealand’ or ‘a range of documentary material including meeting minutes, correspondence, Parish magazines, registers and photographs dating from 1874–2006’.

But, as library staff and LCNZ representatives gathered in the loading dock earlier this year to conduct a poroporoaki (farewell ceremony, pictured), the importance of this taonga and the memories it holds was on display. The poroporoaki acknowledged the links to the past held within these documents, links to the people who went before.

Performed in te reo Māori, English and one hymn verse in German, the ceremony contained elements of both Māori culture and Christian ritual. Former LCNZ District Administrator Dr Tanja Schubert-McArthur – who now works as a learning facilitator at Alexander Turnbull Library – liaised with Bishop Mark Whitfield and cultural representatives to tailor the form of the rite.

Bishop Mark Whitfield chose to begin his part of the poroporoaki with verses from Matthew 1:1–17, the whakapapa (genealogy) of Jesus and outlining the journey of the gospel from Jerusalem (Acts 1:8) to New Zealand.

 

With waiata (songs and hymns), prayers, including the Lord’s Prayer (in te reo Māori), and mānawatanga (blessings), the rite ended with all participants laying hands on the pallets in farewell.

In Adelaide, the collection will remain accessible to New Zealanders and other international researchers through the Alexander Turnbull Library digital catalogue, referencing its new home at Lutheran Archives.

105

ALC welcomes new teachers

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Australian Lutheran College (ALC) has engaged three experienced practitioners to teach in its higher education program.

Dr Tania Nelson, the LCA’s executive officer for local mission, and Ms Sue Westhorp, a clinical pastoral educator, will be teaching units in ALC’s new practical-based Diploma in Ministry. Dr Tim Stringer, who is pastor of Victoria’s Greensborough Parish and holds a Doctor of Ministry degree in Biblical Preaching, will be teaching the unit Preaching the Word.

‘We are confident that students enrolling in ALC’s new Diploma in Ministry will be greatly blessed by the personal experiences these skilled practitioners in ministry bring to their teaching’, said ALC Principal James Winderlich.

‘While God’s word has not changed, the context in which our graduates are serving has changed and will continue to change. Our new ways of teaching at ALC demonstrate how we are responding to our church’s changing training needs.’

Tania agreed that understanding context is critical to effective mission and ministry. ‘With God’s mission as a foundational concept in their ministry journey, the students are well-placed to contextualise their learning where God has placed them’, she said.

‘As St Paul said in his first letter to the Corinthian Christians, “I have become all things to all people so that by all possible means I might save some”. That’s contextualisation 101! My prayer is that the students bring Jesus into all they do. That’s how we all contribute to the wider church.’

James said the Diploma in Ministry offers the ideal foundational training for people exploring God’s call towards vocations in local mission, chaplaincy and those seeking to one day be ordained for the pastoral ministry. ‘And remember that you don’t need to relocate to Adelaide for this or any other ALC program. We are wherever you are.’

Read more about ALC changes, the Diploma in Ministry and the new casual academics at www.lca.org.au/alc-welcomes-new-teachers

106

Keeping hope afloat

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It’s been a rough few years in many parts of Australia and New Zealand with COVID-19, floods, fires and droughts. Through it all, prayers, and financial and practical support from our Lutheran family are continuing to bring hope and shine Jesus’ love and light into dark days.

108

Celebrating community connections

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Originally a shy farmer’s daughter from the Wimmera region of Victoria, Jill Schefe has been recognised for her efforts as a vibrant community connector through the Lutheran Church of Australia’s Servant of Christ Award.

109

Because we bear your name

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Bishop Paul’s letter

Rev Paul Smith
Bishop, Lutheran Church of
Australia and New Zealand

It has become more and more common in this century, to speak of the ’Lutheran ethos’ of a school or community of care in our church. This expression comes from the desire to point to the overall culture and purpose of a ministry that carries the banner ‘Lutheran’, but for some, it is not always initially clear what the words ‘Lutheran ethos’ mean.

I like to write the words ’Lutheran ethos’ in a pictorial way that highlights the heart of being ‘Lutheran’. I write the word ’Lutheran’ in a vertical line, then the word ’ethos’, horizontally across the word ’Lutheran’ connecting them through the letter h. When you do this, the words ‘Lutheran ethos’ make the sign of the cross.

In 1 Corinthians 2, the Apostle Paul focuses faith on the work of Christ Jesus on the cross of Calvary. He writes, ’When I came to you, brothers and sisters, I did not come proclaiming the mystery of God to you in lofty words or wisdom. For I decided to know nothing among you except Jesus Christ, and him crucified’.

Dr Martin Luther explains why this witness to ‘Christ and him crucified’ is so central for faith. In his ‘Smalcald Articles’ in 1539 he described the first and chief article of faith: ‘That Jesus Christ, our God and Lord, “was handed over to death for our trespasses and was raised for our justification” … Now because this must be believed and may not be obtained or grasped otherwise with any work, law, or merit, it is clear and certain that this faith alone justifies us … Nothing in this article can be conceded or given up.’

These two ‘nothings’ from St Paul and Martin Luther explain everything we need to say about ‘Lutheran ethos’. To be Lutheran is to keep the work of the cross central in our witness and service.

When the cross is central, we expect sin to be at work in our world and lives. We also expect God’s means of grace to be at work for the forgiveness of sin. Where the cross is central, Christ is known as God and Lord, Saviour and friend. The cross is central where the word of God is properly distinguished as law and gospel and where God’s people strive daily to lead a holy life, even as Christ has made them holy. This is our Lutheran ethos.

In February 2023, we are gathering for the second part of our Convention of General Synod in Melbourne. Delegates will have significant matters before them, including proposals regarding whether only men or both women and men are to be ordained as pastors among us. Some are troubled about what is ahead for our church. What is the future of our ‘Lutheran ethos’?

Early on Sunday 28 November 1965, Lutheran leaders from two Lutheran churches in Australia and New Zealand gathered in a common church service to proclaim ‘altar and pulpit fellowship’ between their two churches. In this moment of our history, we received a good charter for our continuing work as Lutherans on both sides of the Tasman.

Firstly, Rev Dr C E Hoopmann, honorary president of the Evangelical Lutheran Church of Australia read a preamble, ‘By the grace of God and the guidance of the Holy Spirit, we the Evangelical Lutheran Church of Australia and the United Evangelical Lutheran Church in Australia have been led together in the confession and unity of the one faith in our Lord Jesus Christ and of the one doctrine of his holy gospel. We accept this unity as an unmerited gift of our God, in sincere repentance for that which lies behind us since our fathers went their divided ways, and in humble gratitude for all that God in his mercy has done through each of us in the years since 1846. He has kept us and blessed us, and for this we magnify his holy name’.

Then the presidents of the two churches, Rev H D Koehne and Rev Dr M Lohe, each called on the people to this witness to Christ and his cross, when they gave identical exhortations: ‘I call upon all pastors and members of our church to practise such fellowship in the spirit of true brotherly love as the expression of our common faith and confession. In the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Ghost.’

Finally, during the Prayer of the Church, the people prayed for the unity of the church using a prayer written by William Laud in the 1600s.

As we gather for Synod 2023, we continue this united common faith of the ‘Lutheran ethos’ that we have received: to know Jesus Christ and him crucified. Nothing can be conceded or given up of this doctrine of the gospel. Please pray for those who gather in February, that the Lord would continue to build his church through our Christian witness and service, as people of the Lutheran Church of Australia and New Zealand.

In Christ,
Paul

Lord Jesus, we belong to you,
you live in us, we live in you;
we live and work for you –
because we bear your name.

110

Keeping hope afloat

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by Lisa McIntosh

It’s not overstating things to say that it’s been a rough few years for some in many parts of Australia and New Zealand. Even apart from the tragedies and disruptions of the COVID-19 pandemic, floods, fires, droughts and more floods have destroyed lives, homes, businesses, property, land, livestock and livelihoods. Through it all, prayers, and financial and practical support from our Lutheran family are continuing to bring hope and shine Jesus’ love and light into dark days.

By the time Advent began last year, Pastor James Leach from the New South Wales Central West Lutheran Parish had been offering support, listening to, and talking and praying with people worst hit by the flood emergency in and around Forbes for several weeks.

Thanks to the support of our wider Lutheran family through donations being deposited in the LCA Disaster & Welfare Fund and assistance distributed under the direction of the NSW and ACT District, Pastor James and his wife Adele had been able to prepare and share home-cooked meals, other food and drinks, gift cards, tracts and other items in the first few weeks of the crisis.

With gifts of food and on gift card envelopes, Pastor James attached a note including the following wording, along with the LCA logo: ‘We know you must be dealing with so much right now, but we just wanted to reach out and tell you that you are in our hearts. Please know that there are people throughout Australia praying for you … If there is any way I can provide assistance, please just ask.’

While almost 100 families have now been helped through small financial gifts, and a further 40 to 50 families have accepted prayers or food, Pastor James knew many more families were struggling and in need.

One day in December, he was wondering whether what they were doing was enough. Then a parishioner told him about a news item on Channel Ten’s current affairs and talk show, The Project. Rebecca, a local pregnant mother of three, was being interviewed about having lost the family home and almost everything in it in the floods – and then to looters. Despite having to live in a tent with her partner and children and being in and out of hospital with early labour concerns, she said she was incredibly thankful for the support of locals, including home-cooked meals from the Lutheran Church.

It was the boost Pastor James needed – and evidence of ‘God’s timing’, he says. Not because of the recognition – it was the fact that ‘small gestures’ of love have meant so much to people who were suffering.

‘I was feeling a little bit low and vulnerable. And then I got to watch this interview on The Project of a person we’ve just been loving as much as we could – it was amazing’, he says.

Pastor James had prayed with Rebecca that her unborn baby would go to full term. He had given a reference and advocated for the family in their search for accommodation. Baby Sadie-Anne was born safely on New Year’s Eve after 38 weeks of pregnancy and, in the second week of January, the family secured accommodation for six to 12 months. Despite the house not being in the best condition or the best neighbourhood, Pastor James says Rebecca and her family are incredibly grateful to have a home – and for the ongoing support of and connection with the LCANZ.

Pastor James, too, is very grateful for donations from the wider Lutheran family. As of mid-January, around $15,000 had been distributed, and he expects to give out about $5000 more.

He said the support of the church had been both ‘humbling and empowering’ as they have reached out to those in the community with practical and moral support.

‘We are so thankful for the support that we’ve already received’, said Pastor James, who added that he was ‘blown away’ by the response to the appeal. ‘It means more than I can express. The encouragement that has given me that the church was praying for us – it’s uplifting, humbling and empowering.

‘I was also able to put together a number of small Christmas hamper boxes for the families that we’d already helped, as a second point of contact. I figured we’d go back to those people and see where we’d already planted some seeds of hope and see how we could help again.

‘We’ve been asked by a few of the bigger families whether we could help any further, which we have. Just because we were there initially, there have been a number of doors open up where people are a lot softer to being with us.’

Adele Leach said beyond the devastation they had seen and the heartache they felt as they headed around Forbes to see people, offering sandwiches, water, tea and coffee, they were left with a ‘feeling of privilege’. ‘[We felt] that we were welcome to step into people’s lives at their most devastated’, she said.

One example was when Pastor James was contacted by the single mum of a three-year-old foster daughter, who was asking for help. ‘She told me how her daughter was really struggling because she was wondering how Santa was going to work out where to put the presents this year, as their Christmas tree had been washed away’, Pastor James said. ‘It just broke my heart. So, I organised a Christmas tree. We got decorations, and I went over and decorated the tree with the daughter.

‘All of the drywall and insulation has been removed from their house due to the flood damage, so you could see from one side to the other. When I asked the little girl where she wanted the tree, she said, “Right here”, pointing to the middle of the house. When I asked, “Why’s that?”, she said, “Because no matter where I am in the house, I’ll be able to see the Christmas star, and that will make me happy”.’

And then there has been great support from the wider community – people outside the church with whom Pastor James and Adele have connected. When Pastor James reached out via social media to locals for a spare second-hand Christmas tree for another family, he ended up with 13 under his verandah!

NSW–ACT District Administrator Russell Veerhuis said what has happened in the Central West Parish is ‘the church in action’. ‘This is an example of the church getting out there and loving people, fulfilling our call as Christians to love all people, not just other Lutherans’, he said. ‘This is the church in action.’

Ways to donate can be found on the LCA website at www.lca.org.au/disaster-welfare

For more stories about flood responses and support in Lutheran communities in other areas, see the LCA website at www.lca.org.au/category/news

Visit the Worship Planning Page for prayers for flood-affected communities at www.lca.org.au/worship/wpp/lutheran-family-rallies-around-flood-hit-communities