Exceeding Joy at Altar and Pulpit Fellowship Announcements
The Synodical Assembly of Lutheran Mission - Australia has voted to approve altar and pulpit fellowship with three Book of Concord Lutheran churches internationally. The decisions are of great historical and spiritual significance after decades of relative isolation from the international Lutheran community.
The LM-A Confessional Statement commits the Church to pursue altar and pulpit fellowship with church bodies that share our confession of 'the doctrine and all its articles' (FC SD X.31) when it states, 'We welcome into altar and pulpit fellowship sister churches "among whom the Gospel is preached in its purity" and the holy sacraments are "administered in accordance with the divine Word."' (3.c.). Such fellowship seeks to conserve and promote the unity of the true faith (Eph 4:3-6; 1 Cor 1:10) and provides a united defence against schism, sectarianism (Rom 16:17), and heresy. As a nascent church body emerging from a context of false teaching, LM-A is particularly vulnerable to theological 'tunnel vision' which could very easily lead to sectarianism. To this end, it is important that LM-A establish church relations with churches who share our confession and can provide a steadying influence as we find our way.
Altar and pulpit fellowship allows the churches involved to commune together, to exchange pastors and churchworkers, to train in each other’s seminaries and to work together to further the gospel.
Fellowship with the LCMS
On Saturday 29 August 2026, the Assembly voted unanimously to recognise fellowship with the Lutheran Church - Missouri Synod (LCMS).
Pastor Lee van Rossen, on behalf of the College of Pastors, moved Proposal 5.2, which stated:
BE IT RESOLVED THAT Lutheran Mission – Australia acknowledge with gratitude the unity of confession that has been given to our church bodies under the guidance of the Holy Spirit; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED THAT this Synodical Assembly recognise altar and pulpit fellowship with the Lutheran Church – Missouri Synod; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED THAT we give thanks to God for the faithful confession of the Lutheran Church – Missouri Synod both within the United States and around the world, and for their steadfast support of confessional Lutheranism worldwide; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED THAT as a sign of our joy and thanksgiving to God for our common confession, and in joyful anticipation of our mutual recognition of altar and pulpit fellowship, the assembly rise and sing the common doxology.
The motion was passed unanimously, and President Matt Anker was delighted to announce that LM-A is in fellowship with the LCMS. The entire assembly rose as one to sing the doxology.
LCMS President Matthew Harrison then came forward to deliver a greeting and to declare fellowship on behalf of the LCMS. The LCMS Convention of Synod held in July 2026 voted unanimously to recognise fellowship with LM-A and authorised President Harrison to sign the formal letters of fellowship on its behalf at the LM-A Assembly.
The two presidents signed the agreement, and then exchanged gifts. President Harrison presented President Anker with a red stole to commemorate fellowship between the churches, while President Anker presented President Harrison with a wall cross in the style of the LM-A logo which was handcrafted from local timber by Mr Geoff Nuske of Hamilton.
Rev. Dr Jonathan Shaw, LCMS Church Relations, with President Matt Anker and President Matthew Harrison.
Fellowship with the Lutheran Church Canada (LCC)
Later the same day, the Synodical Assembly voted on fellowship with the Lutheran Church Canada.
Pastor Lee van Rossen, on behalf of the College of Pastors, moved Proposal 5.1, which stated:
BE IT RESOLVED THAT Lutheran Mission – Australia acknowledge with gratitude the unity of confession that has been given to our church bodies under the guidance of the Holy Spirit; and
BE IT FURTHERRESOLVED THAT this Synodical Assembly recognise altar and pulpit fellowship with the Lutheran Church – Canada; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED THAT we give thanks to God for the faithful confession of the Lutheran Church – Canada and for their steadfast support of confessional Lutheranism in Australia; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED THAT as a sign of our joy and thanksgiving to God for our common confession, and in joyful anticipation of our mutual recognition of altar and pulpit fellowship, the assembly rise and sing the common doxology.
At their Convention of Synod in June 2026 the LCC resolved to recognise that a state of altar and pulpit fellowship exists between Lutheran Church–Canada and Lutheran Mission – Australia. President Teuscher signed the LCC part of the fellowship document in anticipation of the LM-A Synodical Assembly.
The motion was carried unanimously and President Anker announced with joy that LM-A is in fellowship with LCC. Once again, the Assembly was delighted to rise to sing the doxology.
President-Elect, Rev. David Haberstock, came forward to present a greeting and to declare fellowship on behalf of the LCC.
After President Anker signed the fellowship agreement between the two churches, President-Elect Haberstock presented President Anker with a ‘touk’ (a Canadian beanie), mittens and a T-shirt, in a humorous response to President Matt’s gift of an Akubra to President Teuscher at the Canadian Convention of Synod.
Fellowship with the Evangelical Lutheran Mission Diocese Finland (ELMDF)
The member representatives voted unanimously in favour of fellowship with ELMDF, and all present send their greetings to our brothers and sisters in Finland.
On Sunday 30 August, the Synodical Assembly voted on fellowship with the ELMDF.
Rev. Mathew Ker, on behalf of the College of Pastors, presented Proposal 5.3, which stated:
BE IT RESOLVED THAT Lutheran Mission – Australia acknowledge with gratitude the unity of confession that has been given to our church bodies under the guidance of the Holy Spirit; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED THAT this Synodical Assembly recognise altar and pulpit fellowship with the Evangelical Lutheran Mission Diocese of Finland; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED THAT we give thanks to God for the faithful confession of the Evangelical Lutheran Mission Diocese of Finland and for their steadfastness in the face of ongoing opposition to their Biblical confession; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED THAT as a sign of our joy and thanksgiving to God for our common confession, and in joyful anticipation of our mutual recognition of altar and pulpit fellowship, the assembly rise and sing the common doxology.
The motion passed unanimously, and President Matt Anker was very pleased to announce that LM-A recognises fellowship with ELMDF. The ELMDF Consistory are currently considering fellowship with LM-A and it is hoped will ratify fellowship in the coming weeks. The Assembly rose to sing the doxology.
President Anker then read a greeting from ELMDF Bishop Juhana Pohjola, who was unable to attend the Synodical Assembly in person as his visa was denied by the Australian government.
“I came that they may have life and have it abundantly.” (John 10:10)
It has been wonderful to witness the birth of Lutheran Mission Australia. The Holy Spirit has worked to awaken the desire and courage to live as Christ’s own people and to partake fully in his gifts and his Word. Although much struggle and sorrow lie behind you, what has come through to me is a joy in belonging to Jesus’ flock and a desire to build new sheepfolds.
As we in Finland have gone through a similar process, two words come to mind on this historic day: continuity and renewal.
This day of celebration does not mark the founding of something entirely new, but rather the continuation of feeding and shepherding the flock that previous generations in Australia have cared for under the leadership of many pastors. It means embracing the same heritage of faith that fathers and mothers carried in their hearts and in their confessional writings when they arrived on the shores of Australia. It is a continuation of a heritage that reaches through the Reformation all the way back to the time of the apostles.
You are simply those who recognise your own helplessness and weakness, and therefore your need for the Word of God as it is written, and for the pastors and pastures that God has provided, according to the will of the Chief Shepherd.
At the same time, this is about the renewal of the Church. I understand that LMA is not defined by a reaction to the abandonment of God’s Word, even though that painful reality has certainly played a significant role in its background. You are free to set out to build confessionally faithful and genuinely communal, liturgical and missionary congregations in our post-Christian age.
Although many of you are Lutherans who have been left without a church home, the future of your church lies with those who have not yet heard the voice of the Good Shepherd. You have a vast continent before you, filled with countless people whom Jesus loves and seeks.
What a gift and privilege you have to share the abundance that flows from Christ’s wounds to us as the forgiveness of sins. What could you lack, and what could you fear, when you have Jesus, the Good Shepherd, with you and all the promises of his Word? Before you lie pastures as wide and open as only Australia can offer.
Live boldly and joyfully within the continuity of the Church, establishing new congregations and strengthening those that already exist.
For us in the Evangelical Lutheran Mission Diocese of Finland, it is a blessing and a great encouragement to have sisters and brothers in Australia. It is also a gift to the worldwide Lutheran family that LMA is part of the International Lutheran Council.
I would have loved to be with you to share in this celebration, but the television program Border Security: Australia, which is also popular in Finland, unfortunately became a reality TV experience for me. I look forward to visiting you at another time!
The Nordic Circle greets you, Southern Cross. So many kilometres lie between us, and yet we are one in Christ and united in confession of his Word.
The Lord be with you all!
+Juhana Pohjola
Bishop, Evangelical Lutheran Mission Diocese of Finland
Chairman, International Lutheran Council