Resolution passed by 2021–2023 General Synod
RESOLVED: That General Synod direct the LCANZ General Church Board and the College of Bishops to:
a) Work through the theological, constitutional, and governance requirements to operate as one church with two different practices of ordination and establish a detailed framework through which this could be accomplished, such as one or more existing LCANZ Districts becoming Districts that teach and practice the ordination of both women and men to the office of the public ministry or by establishing a non-geographical LCANZ ‘District’ that does so.
b) Submit the fruit of this work in the form of a proposal that should be discussed by the LCANZ General Pastors Conference for Convention of General Synod 2024.
c) It is the expectation of this General Convention of Synod that both women and men will be ordained in a District of the LCANZ during the 2024-2027 synodical period.
Logo
- The circle indicates the unity we have in Christ. We are contained in his grace. We are in this journey together, not because we agree with each other, but because God has adopted every one of us into his family.
- We recognise that this path is painful. The colour palette is sage. Sage is an ancient symbol of healing.
- The end of the pathway is not defined. We do not know exactly where it will lead us, but by faith we know that God is already there ahead of us, leading us towards his light.
- The two figures represent the different views on ordination we hold in the LCANZ. Both figures have shades of light and dark; we are at once saint and sinner. Whatever view we hold about ordination, we are each a broken person and a redeemed person.
- Together we carry the cross of Christ on this journey. Together we fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, our only hope, the joy of our salvation.
Way Forward introduction
Principles of engagement
In one way or another, everyone in the LCANZ will be affected by the outcome of the General Synod 2024 vote on the proposal for the Way Forward in the ongoing debate on ordination. Therefore, everyone is invited and encouraged to participate in this important conversation. As members of the church engage in consultation and provide feedback, we are asking everyone to abide by the same principles that we ask of General Synod delegates.
These principles include respect for everyone, regardless of the position they hold on ordination, gentleness in language and humility in attitude. The principles are based on the LCANZ Standards of Ethical Behaviour, which are, in turn, based on Colossians 3:12–14: Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity.
These principles form the basis for how the project team, including the working groups, are engaging with each other and with the wider church. We ask everyone participating in this conversation to adopt these principles, for the sake of Jesus Christ our Lord and for the building up of his church. This includes how we frame our communications to the project team and to others in the church, how we engage on social media, and how we speak about others in our church, family and social networks.
The team
The General Church Board and College of Bishops are the steering committee for the Way Forward project. Overseeing the deliverables and day-to-day operations and reporting to the steering committee is the project management team (pictured): Stella Thredgold (part-time), Tim Niewand (full-time) and Tony Vong (part-time). Supporting them is a three-member reference team and eight working groups comprising experts in their respective fields: (1) Synod Agenda and Outcomes Planning, (2) Theological Requirements, (3) Constitutional Requirements, (4) Governance Requirements, (5) Pastoral Care, (6) Candidacy, (7) Communications and (8) Finance and Budgeting.
The task
The project team's primary task is to deliver to the 2024 General Pastors Conference and Convention of General Synod a detailed framework through which the Lutheran Church of Australia and New Zealand could function as 'one church with two different practices of ordination' – in accordance with the resolution of the 2021-2023 General Synod. So far this process has involved gathering possible models from across the church, developing an evaluation matrix, and using it to distil the multiple submissions down to a shortlist of three frameworks for further work by the eight working groups. There will be regular information and updates to all church members and a Prayer and Preparation phase, during which the proposed detailed framework will be shared with the wider church for broad discussion prior to the 2024 General Pastors' Conference and the Convention of General Synod.
News feed
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.
Read more ..Members flock to Way Forward local gatherings
In the wake of the release of the Way Forward Detailed Framework, LCANZ members have attended local information sessions in encouraging numbers. More than 500 people have attended the seven face-to-face gatherings held so far.
Read more ..Spirit of respect marks first framework gathering
Almost 70 people met in a spirit of mutual respect at Cummins in South Australia on Sunday, for the first face-to-face gathering of the Preparation and Prayer phase of the LCANZ’s Way Forward project.
Read more ..Way Forward framework to be further refined; Conference dropped
In June, the General Church Board and the College of Bishops resolved to remove the Conference component from the Way Forward proposed framework.
Read more ..Timeline
Enhance frameworks
During this phase the shortlisted frameworks (up to three) are being further enhanced to meet the requirements of the General Synod resolution.
Preparation and prayer
There will be opportunities for the wider church community to prayerfully prepare for the proposal to go before General Synod. More details may be found on the Preparation & Prayer page.
General Pastors Conference and General Synod
In accordance with the General Synod resolution, General Pastors Conference will review the proposal for the Way Forward, which General Synod delegates will debate and vote on.
Make appointments (completed)
The project management team (Stella Thredgold, Tim Niewand, Tony Vong) and eight working groups were appointed to work towards presenting a model to General Synod 2024. The working groups are comprised of people from across the church who are experts in their respective subject areas.
Call for models (completed)
The entire church was invited to submit models for the Way Forward that aligned with the intent of the General Synod resolution. More than 50 models were received along with more than 50 responses providing suggestions of a general nature.
Evaluate frameworks (completed)
During this phase the frameworks were evaluated and shortlisted for further consideration and development.
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