13 July 2015

Dear Pastors of the LCA,

A large number of us met in Conference last week in Hahndorf as the LCA prepares for the Convention of Synod in September/October this year. The weather was cool and wet, but inside it was dry and your hearts were warm. Thank you for the good spirit in which you attended this meeting, and responded to the process and the issue before us.

This time our Conference dealt for the most part with only one matter: women and the call to the office of the public ministry. Other issues were put to one side so we could serve the Church as best we could in this one thing. I thank those who wanted to pursue other matters for your forbearance in allowing this to happen.

We now have a piece of advice to the Synod which will you will receive through official channels this week. The bishops worked on through Friday and Saturday to finalise this advice according to the work left to them by the Conference.

This is the first time in the history of the LCA that advice from the General Pastors Conference has been prepared in time to be printed in the Synod Book of Reports. This advice, however, will be disseminated before the Book is finalised for publication. The General Church Council and the Synod Planning Group will be considering how to do that.

Some of you who were there, and some who weren’t, might be wondering why the GPC did not vote on the proposals themselves, even in the form of a ‘straw vote’. Bishop Greg, as chairman, explained this during the Conference. The GPC is an advisory group rather than a ‘mini-Synod’. Voting on the proposals will be the responsibility of the Church when it gathers as Synod. We were asked to consider them, which we did as best we were able. Our advice on the proposals will now allow the matter to proceed to the floor of Convention, and we have advised which of the 16 proposals it should best be used as the basis for dialogue and debate.

I realise that the lack of a direct vote has disappointed, and even frustrated, some of us. It is, however, the way in which the LCA does its business, and I believe we have acted properly in this matter.

The bishops have prepared the following prayer to accompany the advice of GPC as it goes to the Church:

Heavenly Father thank you for your church into which you have graciously called us.

Thank you for your Word through which you reveal your will and work in this world.

As we look forward to and plan for our General Convention of Synod, give our delegates  wisdom, guidance and patience. Open our hearts to your leading so that we may speak and  act in ways that will honour your name.

Continue to give us unity as we consider the business before us, especially the matter of  Women and the Call to the Office of the Public Ministry.

Focus our attention on you and empower us with your Holy Spirit so that we continue to  bring the joy of your salvation to our communities and your love to life in our world.

Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to  his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus  throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen.

Pastor John Henderson
Bishop
Lutheran Church of Australia
13 July 2015