Frequently Asked Questions

Lutheran Mission -Australia was established to support, encourage and strengthen confessional Lutherans in their faithfulness to God and his Word. Our aim is to establish a synod which ensures that people are served through the proclamation of the ‘whole counsel of God’. We are committed to ensuring that people in Australia are served with both the law and gospel so that God’s desire to bring peace and forgiveness of sins by grace alone, through faith alone in Christ alone is realised.

LM-A confesses the whole of the Scriptures as the inspired and inerrant Word of God and subscribes to the Book of Concord of 1580 because it is a faithful exposition of the Scriptures. LM-A is committed to the unaltered Theses of Agreement of the Lutheran Church of Australia (LCA) 1965.

LM-A is establishing new congregations around Australia. We welcome inquiries from individuals, confessional Lutheran groups and existing congregations interested in becoming members of LM-A.

We are also working towards founding a seminary to train pastors, deaconesses and layworkers for service in the kingdom of God.

The name Lutheran Mission – Australia has been chosen to emphasize both the strong commitment to the Lutheran Confessions and to the mission of preaching the gospel to the people of Australia and beyond. It seeks to support and advance the preaching of Law and Gospel that all people may be given the opportunity to ‘repent and believe’ (Mark 1:15) and so be saved.

We use the term ‘Confessional’ as defined by the International Lutheran Council, who state that Confessional Lutherans ‘proclaim the Gospel of Jesus Christ on the basis of an unconditional commitment to the Holy Scriptures as the inspired and infallible Word of God and to the Lutheran Confessions contained in the Book of Concord as the true and faithful exposition of the Word of God.’ We therefore reject all attempts to re-interpret the Scriptures and Book of Concord by making them subject to culture or history, and humbly pray that the Lord of the Church would grant us His Spirit that we may be faithful to His Word in all teaching and practice.

And they devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching and the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers. (Acts 2:42)

The Lutheran Church has always been a liturgical church, drawing on the best of the liturgical traditions that have come down to us from those who’ve gone before, while always ensuring that our worship proclaims the fullness of the gospel. The liturgy – the order that we follow – ensures that Jesus is at the centre, serving us as our Chief Liturgist and delivering His gifts to us week after week.

We would expect that all LM-A congregations should follow the same basic liturgical structure for the Divine Service which, in itself, proclaims Law and Gospel and delivers to God’s people all the gifts won for us in Jesus’ life, death and resurrection. This order is made up primarily of biblical texts which have been arranged to help us receive the fullness of God’s blessings to us in Christ, and its consistent use teaches us to pray and ‘hides’ God’s very Word in our hearts[1].

Within this order there is scope for helpful variation and LM-A is not suggesting that every congregation adhere to the identical musical setting. Often parts can be moved around for emphasis, hymns/songs can be used in place of traditional texts, and parts omitted for various reasons. It is the shape of worship and what it communicates that is important here.

Whether the liturgy is spoken, chanted or sung, the elements we would expect you to see in a regular LM-A Divine Service include:

Invocation – Matthew 28:18-20

Confession and Absolution – 1 John 1:8-9; John 20:19-23

Kyrie – Lord have mercy – Mark 10:47

Hymn of Praise – Luke 2:14; John 1:29

Word of God and Sermon – Acts 2:42

Creed

Offering and Offertory – Ps 51:10-12

Prayer of the Church – 1 Timothy 2:1-4

Preface – 2 Timothy 4:22; Col 3:1; Ps 136

Sanctus – Holy, holy, holy – Isaiah 6:3; Matthew 21:9

Lord’s Prayer – Matthew 6:9-13

Words of Institution – Matt 27:26–28; Mk 14:22–24; Lk 22:19–20; 1 Cor 11:23–25

Agnus Dei (Lamb of God) – John 1:29

Distribution

Nunc Dimittis (Song of Simeon) – Luke 2:29-32

Benediction – Numbers 6:24-26

[1] https://witness.lcms.org/2024/liturgy-brings-order-to-our-disorder/

Yes! The strength of a church and its mission is intimately connected to its seminary and the teaching that is offered there. As Confessional Lutherans in Australia, we are uniquely placed to serve not only our own churches, but also the churches of Southeast Asia as they seek faithful education of their future pastors and church workers. We believe that in-person instruction by experienced and confessional pastors is vital for the faithful proclamation of the Word of God and the care of souls. We have begun investigations into the establishment of a seminary in Australia and are engaging with international partners to ensure this is done faithfully and sustainably. The location of the seminary is part of these ongoing investigations. 

All Christians are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for God’s own possession, that we may proclaim the excellencies of Him who called us out of darkness into His marvelous light, and to offer our entire lives as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is our spiritual worship. (1 Pet 2:9, Rom 12:1).

Even as we are separated by sin (Ex 33:20), God wants to be among us to bless us (Ex 20:24b). This is why He has given His people the Divine Service; and this is why He has given us stewards of the mysteries of God (1 Cor 4:1), pastors, to serve His people in that unique setting and to deliver His gifts of forgiveness, life and salvation of behalf of Him.

The Divine Service is not a setting where we as the royal priesthood actively participate; that is a unique God-given setting where the Triune God Himself comes to us to bless us and to share His gifts with us, acting through His servants, the stewards of His mysteries.

We desire to restore this Biblical understanding of the Divine Service, on the one hand, along with the understanding of our entire Christian lives in all our many vocations as our service and spiritual worship to God, on the other hand, so that we can rightly focus on receiving God’s gifts where they are delivered, and serve our Lord in multiple vocations with which He has entrusted us.

In the Divine Service, Christ Himself is present to bless us with His gifts of forgiveness, life and salvation, through Word and Sacrament, administered by pastors who are called to serve in the name and stead of Jesus. In this heavenly setting God has called pastors and laypeople to different vocational responsibilities which have become blurred in recent years. The increase of lay leadership in the Divine Service and emphasis on ‘getting people involved’, while no doubt well-intentioned, has negatively impacted our understanding of worship.

The people of God have a privileged position and responsibility in the Divine Service that is focussed primarily on the reception of God’s gifts to us in Christ. We are called to enter the presence of God to receive, rather than to do anything. Having received these good gifts, we have the joy of responding in prayer and praise of the Triune God.

In a complementary manner, the pastor is called to serve in the name and stead of Christ, proclaiming the Word and administering the sacraments for the good and blessing of God’s people. We therefore encourage pastors to take full responsibility for the tasks they are called to, serving as the ‘father’ of the liturgical assembly, proclaiming the Word in readings and sermon, administering the sacraments according to Christ’s institution, and providing space for God’s people to come and rest in the presence of the Lord.

The LM-A board therefore considers it ‘best practice’ for pastors to read all the Scripture readings in the Divine Service, removing confusion about the nature of the Office of the Ministry and the public proclamation of the Word. We recognise that this would be a big change for some existing congregations, and we are NOT demanding blind acceptance. LM-A encourages pastor and people to study what God’s word has to say about the Divine Service and come to a conclusion as to what serves best in practice.

When it comes to distributing the Sacrament of the Altar, if it is necessary for the pastor to be assisted in the distribution, a duly elected elder (see FAQ on elders, pastoral assistants and lay readers) will serve the blood of Christ under the pastor’s oversight. (Please note that when an existing congregation joins LM-A, we acknowledge that changes in practice need to be accompanied with teaching and will take time to implement in a pastorally helpful manner.)

LM-A’s position is consistent with the apostolic and Reformation practices of the church in the past, which is the common practice among other confessional churches around the world. As LM-A congregations are being established, we will be working toward the practice outlined in the guidelines offered here but understand there will necessarily be pastoral exceptions as people negotiate the difficult positions they have found themselves in as a result of synodical decisions outside their control. Our pastors will enact these guidelines patiently and with grace as they teach and lead their congregations according to God’s Word. For more details, please see the Pastoral Guidelines for Admission to the Lord’s Supper.

Although the office of the ministry is the only office ordained by Christ for His Church of the New Testament, yet the Christian congregation has the authority to establish auxiliary offices (elders, deacons, teachers, Sunday-school teachers and superintendents, trustees, wardens, etc.) after the example of the apostles and the early Christian Church (e.g., diaconate). Acts 6:6; Rom 16:1. (Theses of Agreement 6.9)

As stated clearly above, the Christian congregation is free to establish auxiliary offices to support and promote the work of the Church and the ministry of the gospel. Many of these offices are appropriately occupied by either men or women. However it must be said that much confusion has been caused in the church as a result of decisions to open up various offices to both men and women which had been traditionally reserved for suitably qualified men due to their association with the Office of the Holy Ministry. LM-A understands those statements of Scripture which direct women to keep silent in the church, and which prohibit them to teach and to exercise authority over men, not only prohibits women from the pastoral office, but also indicate that women ought not to hold any other office in the church whose function it is to assist the pastor in the exercise of the Office. Therefore LM-A does not endorse women serving in the role of elder, pastoral assistant or lay reader.

LM-A seeks to restore the auxiliary office of elder as the primary office in support of the pastor and due to the reasons articulated above, reserves this office for men only. Likewise with respect to the office of lay reader which is perhaps even more closely connected to the Office of the Holy Ministry as the lay reader stands in for the pastor in his absence.

In place of pastoral assistants, we encourage the formation of a ‘Pastoral Care Committee’ made up of appropriately gifted men and women who will support the pastor and elders in the care of the congregation. Where a deaconess has been appointed by the congregation, she will take a leading role in this committee. (Please note that when an existing congregation joins LM-A, we acknowledge that changes in practice need to be accompanied with teaching and will take time to implement in a pastorally helpful manner.)

Now as they were eating, Jesus took bread, and after blessing it broke it and gave it to the disciples, and said, “Take, eat; this is my body.” 27 And he took a cup, and when he had given thanks he gave it to them, saying, “Drink of it, all of you, 28 for this is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins. 29 I tell you I will not drink again of this fruit of the vine until that day when I drink it new with you in my Father's kingdom.” (Matt 26:26-29)

As we celebrate Jesus’ holy supper, we do so in accord with His institution in order that we may receive the sacrament with a good conscience and with confidence that we are receiving His true body and blood, together with the elements. As Jesus commanded us to use bread and wine, we are not free to substitute these elements with alternatives, such as grape juice. Therefore LM-A congregations will not use grape juice as it is contrary to the Lord’s institution. Where communicants are allergic to alcohol or are suffering alcoholism, we encourage you to speak with your pastor to discuss ways in which you my still commune with a good conscience.

Please take the time to read Dr John Kleinig’s paper on this topic which is available here: https://lca.box.com/shared/static/r60s267e3u8apt5prnffpx70m5hggytz.pdf

As you come to him, a living stone rejected by men but in the sight of God chosen and precious, 5 you yourselves like living stones are being built up as a spiritual house, to be a holy priesthood, to offer spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ (1 Peter 2:4-5).

LM-A rejoices that God has created men and women to serve as members of the priesthood of all believers, through which God is glorified in the prayers, praise and good works of His people. As part of that priesthood men and women serve side by side in the local congregation in a variety of roles.

LM-A affirms that it is appropriate for women to vote in congregational and synodical meetings and commends to the reader the 1968 LCA statement on this matter available here. Please note that synodical meetings will not be determining doctrine by majority vote, but will be invited to receive teaching as agreed to by the pastors gathered in conference.

LM-A gives thanks to God for the faithful service of Christian women since the earliest days of the church. Paul’s letters abound with thanksgiving for women such as Eunice and Lois who taught their son and grandson Timothy the Christian faith (2 Tim 1:5); who like Prisca and Acquila, supported the work of the Apostles (Romans 16:3-4); who like Phoebe served as deaconesses to the congregation (Romans 16:1-2); and who like the countless unnamed are numbered among the saints who received the gospel and bore witness to Christ in their daily lives, and sometimes as they died a martyr’s death.

LM-A looks forward to the continued faithful service of women in the church as they take up roles that are consistent with the witness of Scripture. Faithful mothers teaching their children the faith remain one of the most precious gifts to the church and without whom the faithful would surely be much fewer in number. This vocation extends to ‘church mothers’ who teach Sunday School, nurture the faith of all through witness and service, and who contribute to the administration of the congregation through councils and committees. LM-A is also committed to the restoration of the Office of Deaconess.

Women’s ordination is a symptom of deeper problems in the wider church, rather than the key issue.

The key issue we are concerned about is the way in which the authority of the Word of God is being diminished in the church’s theology and life together. We are seeing many instances where the Word of God is being compromised as the LCA and her agencies accommodate to the spirit of the age contrary to the clear teaching of the Lord’s Word.

This is evident in:

• the preaching of a new gospel of inclusion that normalises sin;

• the strategic direction of Australian Lutheran College;

• the toleration of practices amongst LCA congregations that are contrary to its official teaching;

• areas such as sexual ethics.

No, it is most definitely NOT true. Most LM-A congregations are currently using the Hymnal and Supplement for the sake of simplicity, but in the future we expect congregations to utilise a range of resources that are theologically, pastorally and liturgically appropriate.

LM-A is not departing from the confession of faith as articulated in the unaltered Theses of Agreement, but rather seeks to uphold it in its fullness. Disunity and division are being foisted upon us by the attempt to introduce contradictory teachings in the one church body which is theologically and confessionally impossible. The Theses of Agreement states that ‘where a difference in teaching or practice is a departure from the doctrine of the Bible, such difference cannot be tolerated, but must be pointed out as an error, on the basis of clear passages of Holy Writ, and if the error is persisted in, in spite of instruction, warning, and earnest witness, it must at last lead to a separation’ (TA I.4a).

After many years of persistent instruction, warning and earnest witness, we recognize that the LCA is continuing down a path that is a departure from the doctrine of the Bible, and therefore our own confession compels us to separate. We therefore believe this action is a godly one which is required of us, as St Paul writes in Romans 16:17: ‘I appeal to you, brothers, to watch out for those who cause divisions and create obstacles contrary to the doctrine that you have been taught; avoid them’ (see also Titus 3:10).

Division is caused when a church body departs from the doctrine we have received (Jude 1:3) through the Holy Scriptures and is an inevitable consequence of such. We do not rejoice in the situation in which we find ourselves, but in seeking to remain faithful are compelled to act.

‘I appeal to you, brothers, to watch out for those who cause divisions and create obstacles contrary to the doctrine that you have been taught; avoid them.’  (Romans 16:17) 

‘As for a person who stirs up division, after warning him once and then twice, have nothing more to do with him.’ (Titus 3:10)  

‘If anyone teaches a different doctrine and does not agree with the sound words of our Lord Jesus Christ and the teaching that accords with godliness, he is puffed up with conceit and understands nothing. He has an unhealthy craving for controversy and for quarrels about words, which produce envy, dissension, slander, evil suspicions.’ (1 Tim. 6:3–4) 

‘Everyone who goes on ahead and does not abide in the teaching of Christ, does not have God. Whoever abides in the teaching has both the Father and the Son.’ (2 John 9–10) 

‘Pay careful attention to yourselves and to all the flock, in which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to care for the church of God, which he obtained with his own blood. I know that after my departure fierce wolves will come in among you, not sparing the flock; and from among your own selves will arise men speaking twisted things, to draw away the disciples after them. (Acts 20:28–30) 

We encourage you to contact us to discuss any concerns you might have with respect to our Statement of Faith. We have worked hard to make this statement clear and faithful and will gladly discuss any aspect of it with you. 

We welcome contact from anyone who wishes to discuss these matters and will do our best to address your concerns. Click here to open up a contact form and one of our team will be in touch as soon as possible. 

Becoming a member of LM-A is a straightforward process. Please go to How to Join LM-A to learn more.