A Joyful Beginning: President Haberstock Reflects on Lutheran Mission—Australia’s First Synodical Assembly

Photos Credited to Lutheran Mission–Australia

International—For LCC President Rev. David Haberstock, one word captures his experience at the inaugural Synodical Assembly of Lutheran Mission–Australia (LMA): joy.

In his first official, external representation in this new office, President Haberstock represented Lutheran Church–Canada at the assembly, which followed a Pastors’ Conference bringing together pastors and church leaders from LMA and representatives of sister church bodies. LMA, formed just over a year ago, has already grown to more than 20 congregations, most of them new church plants. Another congregation has joined since the assembly.

“What struck me most was the great joy,” President Haberstock said. “They achieved a landmark—the coming together of that church body.”

That joy was evident not only in LMA’s growth but in the fellowship it now shares with other confessional Lutheran church bodies. During the assembly, LMA declared altar and pulpit fellowship with The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod, Lutheran Church–Canada, and the Evangelical Lutheran Mission Diocese of Finland.

For President Haberstock, these relationships are significant because they remind Christians that they are not alone.

“It’s really important for us to know that we’re not alone, that we have brothers and sisters across the world,” he said. Fellowship also provides mutual encouragement and accountability, helping churches remain grounded in their common confession of the faith.

The assembly also demonstrated that unity does not mean the absence of discussion or disagreement. When a question of possible doctrinal contention arose, pastors discussed the matter on the basis of Scripture and listened to one another. By the time the matter reached the floor, the concern had been resolved.

President Haberstock described this as another source of joy: “We’re able to debate and discuss on the basis of Scripture, and it’s wonderful.”

The closing Divine Service provided a particularly memorable expression of the new fellowship. President Haberstock and LCMS President Rev. Dr. Matthew Harrison assisted LMA President Rev. Matt Anker in distributing Holy Communion, with President Harrison preaching.

“That really hits at the core of the beauty of this unity and the joy of it,” President Haberstock reflected.

The experience also reinforced a lesson President Haberstock hopes to carry into his service as LCC president: Christians are called to make a joyful and steadfast confession of the faith.

“You need to be a joyful warrior,” he said. “You need to stand up for what you stand for, not just about what you’re against.”

He also saw opportunities for mutual learning. LMA is exploring a renewed diaconal training program, while an Australian community outreach initiative called Mainly Music may offer ideas for connecting churches with young families.

“It was an honour and a pleasure to be there,” President Haberstock said. “They taught me a lot.”

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