Lutheran Church - Canada President, Rev. Dr. Timothy Teuscher shakes President Matt’s hand moments after signing fellowship papers formalising relations between LCC and LM-A. The LM-A Synodical Assembly will formally vote to recognise altar and pulpit fellowship with LCC in August. Photo: Sura Tulu, LCC Communications.

‘Oh, you’re one of those Aussies serving here!’ Such was the way I was greeted again and again as I attended the thirteenth regular Convention of the Lutheran Church – Canada (LCC). I was honoured to be confused with and numbered among our faithful brothers who are serving LCC congregations, and privileged to officially represent LM-A at this convention.

As many of you know there has been a long and blessed relationship between the LCC and Australian Lutherans. In 2024 President Tim Teuscher addressed the LCA Synod and declared with deep sadness that with the decision to ordain women, the LCA had broken fellowship with LCC. Shortly after that event President Teuscher contacted me to advise that the LCC desired to work toward altar and pulpit fellowship with LM-A.

Subsequently, LM-A and LCC held formal discussions based on our respective confessions of faith and the LCC’s Commission on Theology and Church Relations concluded that ‘these discussions have revealed a clear unity in the doctrine of the Gospel and all its articles and in the right administration of the Sacraments (AC VII)’ and recommended altar and pulpit fellowship be recognised.

While there were many moments of great encouragement at this convention, none were more encouraging or emotional that when the Convention considered the resolution to recognise fellowship. Those in favour were asked to stand and there was not a person left sitting on their chair. When the applause died down, the convention spontaneously sang the common doxology, acknowledging that it is God Himself who establishes unity on the basis of His Word through the work of His Holy Spirit.

President Matt presenting a greeting to the Convention on behalf of LM-A. His presentation and the subsequent signing of the fellowship agreement can be viewed on the livestream recording available here: *2026 LCC Synod Convention - Lutheran Church–Canada, beginning at 57:25 minutes. Photo: Sura Tulu, LCC Communications.*

On the final day of Convention, I was asked to give greetings on behalf of LM-A. In my presentation, I shared the progress of LM-A over the last 18 months and thanked the members of LCC for their support for confessional Lutherans in Australia.

Acknowledging the blessing that President Teuscher himself has been to me and to everyone in LM-A, I presented him an Akubra, suggesting that he should be regarded as ‘an honorary Australian’.

President Teuscher then signed an agreement between our churches on behalf of LCC. The LM-A Synodical Assembly will be asked to similarly recognise that confessional fellowship exists between our churches, at which stage the agreement will be signed on behalf of LM-A to formalise the agreement.

Altar and pulpit fellowship means that our pastors can serve in one another’s churches, our people can commune at each other’s altars, and opens the way for us to serve in mission together. But this relationship also serves another purpose – as brothers and sisters in Christ, bound together in a common confession of faith, altar and pulpit fellowship provides mutual accountability that seeks to safeguard one another from shipwrecking our faith by denying God’s Word (1 Timothy 1:18-20).

As a young church body in an isolated context, emerging out of a confessional crisis, there is a very real risk that we could develop theological tunnel vision and stray from the truth. To this end our relationship with LCC and other faithful church bodies will serve to help us hold fast to the faith once for all delivered to the saints.

The fact that LCC has recognised altar and pulpit fellowship with LM-A only 18 months after we began is quite remarkable and something for which to give thanks to God. Let us continue to strive for faithfulness and seek to be a blessing not only to those in our backyard, but also to the saints God has connected us with around the world.

Praise God from Whom all blessings flow,
Praise Him all creatures here below.
Praise Him above ye heavenly host.
Praise Father, Son and Holy Ghost.
Amen.
(Common Doxology)

Rev. Dr. Matt Anker
President, LM-A