LM-A Response to the LCA’s Advent Lament
Many of you would have read the LCANZ’s ‘Advent Lament’ in which it was lamented that Lutheran Mission – Australia does not recognise the LCANZ as an orthodox Christian church.
The term ‘orthodox’ in this context refers to ‘right teaching’ and to declare a church orthodox is to acknowledge that its teaching is in accord with Holy Scripture. On this basis it should not surprise anyone that LM-A cannot affirm the orthodoxy of the LCA. After all, most of us left the LCA because we could not accept a change in teaching that was contrary to the Scriptures. In order to follow the pattern of sound doctrine which we have received (2 Timothy 1:3) and contend for the faith once for all delivered to the saints (Jude 3), it was necessary to separate ourselves from the unscriptural position that had been adopted (Romans 16:17, Titus 3:10). We were therefore unable to agree to Bishop Smith’s request to acknowledge the LCANZ as an orthodox Christian church, but it should be noted that we do not make any judgement about the faith of individuals within the church body.
In the Heidelberg Disputation, Luther famously said, 'A theologian of the cross calls the thing what it actually is’. To overlook our serious theological differences and to declare the LCANZ an orthodox church contrary to what we actually believe (Matthew 5:37), would be to deny reality and fail to serve our neighbours by speaking the truth, and thus make us theologians of glory.
As Pastor Ker and I stated in our meeting with Bishops Smith and Schultz, while LM-A recognises that the LCANZ has formalised error in its official doctrine, we do not cast judgement on the faith of any individuals within the Church body. In fact, with the Scriptures, Lutheran Confessions and Theses of Agreement, we rejoice in the reality that true Christians are found wherever God’s Word is read and proclaimed (see Theses of Agreement V.5, Luke 17:20f). We thank God for the many faithful Christian brothers and sisters in Christ who remain in the LCANZ and continue to pray for the leaders and people of the Church.
On 3 September 2025 I wrote to Bishop Smith following an invitation to work toward a ‘Recognition of Relationship’ and stated:
Please forgive the long delay in my reply to your correspondence and the invitation for LM-A to consider entering into dialogue with the LCANZ. We are very appreciative of the sentiment expressed in this and it is our prayer that we could work toward a relationship that prioritises the pastoral care and spiritual wellbeing of the members of Christ’s church, whether they are part of the LCANZ, LM-A or somewhere in between.
While LM-A does not currently have the capacity to enter into a formal dialogue process to work toward a ‘Recognition of Relationship’, we are eager to meet with the LCANZ to work through practical matters that, if left unresolved, would likely be stumbling blocks to future dialogue and undoubtedly harm the cause of the gospel among our respective members.
What followed in that letter was a list of practical matters that are impacting both LM-A and LCANZ members who are going through the painful process of separation necessitated by the change in teaching.
This priority of addressing practical pastoral matters remained our focus at our most recent meeting with the LCANZ. While their representatives were constrained to pursue a conversation around orthodoxy, Pastor Ker and I appealed a number of times for us to prioritise the pastoral matters that are impacting people in the pews of both our churches.
The LCANZ is free to choose to work only with those church bodies that recognise their orthodoxy, however LM-A remains open to working with the LCANZ in order to assist our respective members who are struggling with recent decisions and the consequences of the same.
We are heartened to read in the LCANZ’s ‘lament’ that they will continue to reach out to LM-A to find ways we can work together. It is our prayer that this might prioritise the very real and practical matters that are impacting the work of the gospel in congregational communities.
As we approach Christmas, I encourage all LM-A members to continue to show Chrisian love and kindness to our baptised brothers and sisters in the LCA (Titus 3:2). In the Christ Child we see the mercy of God enfleshed for all people. Let’s keep our eyes fixed on Him so that all our interactions reflect His loving kindness and serve to bless our friends and family.
The peace of the Lord Jesus be with you all,
Pastor Matt Anker
President, Lutheran Mission - Australia