Introducing… Lutheran Mission–Australia!

by David Haberstock

“How good and pleasant it is when brothers dwell together in unity.”
– Psalm 133:1 –

At the end of August I was down under attending the Inaugural Synodical Assembly (what we would call the founding Synodical Convention) of Lutheran Mission – Australia (LM-A). They are the new Confessional Lutheran church body in Australia. In 2024, Lutheran Church of Australia (LCA) broke fellowship with LCC by electing to ordain women to the Office of Holy Ministry. Throughout history this has been a bellwether that denotes a church body’s departure from faithfulness to our Lord’s Word. In recent decades we have seen several church bodies in Canada do this and how they have drifted from Scripture. Some of those church’s public statements show that there is little confession of Christ left in their midst.

Consequently, at our June Synodical Convention, LCC officially ended fellowship with LCA and then approved altar and pulpit fellowship with LM-A. LM-A reciprocated at their Synodical Assembly, establishing altar and pulpit fellowship with LCC. This means we recognize that we are in unity “on the doctrine of the Gospel and the administration of the Sacraments” (AC VII.2). The “doctrine of the Gospel” is not merely John 3:16 but is defined in the Solid Declaration of the Formula of Concord as “a comprehensive, unanimously approved summary and form of teaching. The common doctrine must be brought together from God’s Word and reduced to a small circle of teaching, which the churches that are of the true Christian religion must confess.” (SD – The Comprehensive Summary, Foundation, Rule, and Norm 1). It was noted in one presentation down under that agreement in the doctrine of the Gospel and administration of the Sacraments is agreement in doctrine and practice—hence, altar and pulpit fellowship.

Working toward and publicly recognizing such agreement is pleasing to our Lord who prays that His Church may be one (John 17:20-21). And our oneness must be through public agreement on His Holy Word (John 17:17-19). For instance, when I first arrived in Australia I was not able to commune at LM-A altars. However, after LM-A’s public recognition of our fellowship not only did I commune at an LM-A altar, but I assisted President Matt Anker, and President Matthew Harrison (LCMS) in distributing our Lord’s body and blood to the entire assembly at LM-A’s closing Divine Service.

Before the Synodical Assembly, LM-A held a Pastors’ Conference. There has been great disappointment, pain, and wounds suffered by many of those brothers (and laity) due to LCA’s departure from their historic and biblical confession. That is the backdrop of the great joy which pervaded LM-A’s Synodical Assembly. And with that in mind, pray for our LM-A brothers and sisters for their healing from bitterness and continued steadfastness in the Word of God, for boldness to proclaim it to the glory of God and the salvation of many souls.

To have a pastors’ conference where speakers quoted Scripture and the Lutheran Confessions approvingly was a new and joyful experience for the brothers there. The main speaker talked about church planting using the gifts of Word and Sacraments and biblical pastoral care. This encouraged everyone in attendance. You often do not know what you have until you lose it, or until you meet a man who has lived without it. Also, the joy of settling disputes on the basis of studying the Word of God together was another blessing they received. There was not universal agreement on all proposals at their Synodical Assembly, but there was respect for one another, and a desire on behalf of all to align themselves with Scripture.

LM-A President Matt Anker noted that, as a church body which formed in reaction to LCA’s departure from the Word of God, it would be easy to become rigid and sectarian. So, President Anker was especially happy that LM-A declared fellowship with LCC, The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod, and the Evangelical Lutheran Mission Diocese of Finland. Having friends who will hold you accountable to a standard of doctrine is one of the blessings of fellowship with a sister church. This allows for “iron to sharpen iron” and provides LM-A with brothers to stand beside on the world scene, who will provide the blessings of correction and prayerful support.

I’ve talked a lot about Australia in recent years as LCC received five Australian pastors and their families (four of them in our Central Region). So this is a wonderful chapter of the Australian story! There has been sadness and loss but now we rejoice with our brothers down under!

Rev. David Haberstock is President of Lutheran Church–Canada.

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