by Pastor Matt Anker, President (Elect), LM-A
In you, O Lord, do I take refuge;
let me never be put to shame;
in your righteousness deliver me!
Incline your ear to me;
rescue me speedily!
Be a rock of refuge for me,
a strong fortress to save me!
For you are my rock and my fortress;
and for your name's sake you lead me and guide me;
you take me out of the net they have hidden for me,
for you are my refuge.
Into your hand I commit my spirit;
you have redeemed me, O Lord, faithful God. (Ps31:1-5)
We join with faithful people the world over in lamenting the recent decision of the Lutheran Church of Australia and New Zealand (LCANZ) to abandon the clear teaching of the Scriptures and embrace the unbiblical practice of the ordination of women. Article 2 of the LCANZ’s constitution states that God’s Word is the only infallible source and norm for all matters of doctrine and life. With this decision Article 2 has been sidelined as the LCANZ has adopted procedures that usher in a new doctrine that declares God can say both ‘yes’ and ‘no’ in answer to the same question.
Abandoning God’s Word in such a manner is bound to have a detrimental impact on the faith and life of God’s people. It introduces uncertainty, undermines the clarity of the Word and establishes an unbiblical precedent for dealing with doctrinal disputes in the future. Our hearts break for the damage this will wreak on people’s faith.
Our prayers continue for the people of the LCANZ as they try to discern how to proceed given the way in which this whole process has revealed the depth of division within the Church, especially in regard to diverse opinions on what is meant by upholding the authority and inerrancy of Scripture.
In light of this sad news Lutheran Mission – Australia is more committed than ever to pursuing the establishment of a thoroughly Confessional Lutheran synod in Australia for the sake of the gospel and the mission which the Lord has entrusted to His people. Lutherans have been blessed with a doctrinal foundation which grounds us on the Scriptures and promotes the life-changing message of the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ. We are looking forward to seeing this renewed throughout our country as we respond to the requests of people on the ground to ‘come over here and help us’ (Acts 16:9).
The issues regarding the authority of scripture have plagued us for far too long. They have undermined people’s confidence in Christ’s word of promise and distracted us from reaching out to those who continue to live without Christ. It is time to stand firm on the faith that was once for all entrusted to the saints (Jude 3), and take bold steps for the sake of the gospel in our day and in the years ahead.
We invite you to join us in prayer for all God’s people and especially those in the LCANZ at this most difficult time. LM-A stands ready to support congregations, individuals and pastors who cannot in good conscience abide with this decision. We invite you to contact us to discuss how LM-A can serve and support you as you seek to stand on the certain foundation of God’s Word alone.
The Church's one foundation
is Jesus Christ her Lord;
She is His new creation
by water and the Word.
From heaven He came and sought her
to be His holy bride;
with His own blood He bought her,
and for her life He died.
Though with a scornful wonder
Men see her sore oppressed,
By schisms rent asunder,
By heresies distressed,
Yet saints their watch are keeping,
Their cry goes up, “How long?”
And soon the night of weeping
Shall be the morn of song.
Yet she on earth hath union
With God the Three in One,
And mystic sweet communion
With those whose rest is won:
O happy ones and holy!
Lord, give us grace that we,
Like them, the meek and lowly,
On high may dwell with Thee.
S. J. Stone (1866), The Church’s One Foundation (LHS 191)