By Laura Owings
Lutheran church bodies around the world face similar pressures to succumb to progressive Christianity, or to abandon scriptural doctrine and practice entirely for the sake of modern times. It might seem that confessional Lutheranism is declining all over the globe, but that is not the case for the saints in Australia, who are boldly confessing the truth in their words and actions following recent decisions made by the Lutheran Church of Australia (LCA).
A group of confessional Lutherans, reading the writing on the wall in the lead-up to 2024 Synod, banded together to form Lutheran Mission – Australia (LM-A), with the guidance and support of The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod (LCMS). What started as a confessional movement within the LCA over the last several decades has turned into a public entreaty to create a new Lutheran synod. LM-A intends to reflect and practice the confession of faith that has been handed down to us from the days of the Reformation.
“Breaking with a church body is sad,” said the Rev. Matthew Wood, area facilitator for the LCMS Asia region, “but in the bigger picture … it is a determination to remain united with the historical confession and the church of the Gospel.”
The Rev. Matt Anker, who had been serving as head of International Mission for the LCA, accepted the call to serve as the first president of LM-A. He was installed on Nov. 24, 2024. The weekend was filled with excitement and joy as nearly 400 people gathered from around Australia, Asia and the U.S. to celebrate with Lutherans who are confidently confessional in a world that’s constantly changing.
It is an exciting time for Lutheranism in Australia as these faithful saints work to become their own synod and plant churches all over the country. There is always a great need for God’s Word and Sacraments, and these saints are eager to carry on teaching pure doctrine in accordance with Scripture, as upheld by our Lutheran forefathers.
“The establishment of LM-A has brought out confessional Lutherans from all over Australia who are seeking churches in their local areas,” said Wood.
In response to the excitement for biblical teaching and practice, LM-A has a strong focus on church planting. The efforts to form this new synod go beyond simply welcoming churches that wish to come out of the LCA; they are also working to start new congregations where pastors can serve people and bring the Gospel to every corner of the land.
One of the primary goals of LM-A is to establish a seminary to ensure that Gospel proclamation and the teaching of the historic Lutheran Confessions may continue in Australia for generations to come. In a time of renewed vigor for the proper preaching of the Gospel in Australia, there is certainly a lot of work to be done, even if the laborers are few, and the vineyard is ripe for the harvest.
