By Cheryl Magness
On July 22, the 69th Regular Convention of The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod (LCMS) unanimously adopted Resolution 5-02, “To Support and Encourage Recognition of Altar and Pulpit Fellowship with Lutheran Mission–Australia [LM–A].”
A little over a month later, that fellowship was formally recognized during the first Synodical Assembly of LM–A, held Aug. 28–30 at Good Shepherd Lutheran Church in Hamilton, Victoria, Australia.
On Aug. 29, after the Synodical Assembly unanimously voted to recognize altar and pulpit fellowship with the LCMS, LCMS President Rev. Dr. Matthew C. Harrison came forward to recognize that fellowship on behalf of the LCMS.
“To ask the Lutheran question, ‘What does this mean?’” Harrison said in his remarks. “I joyfully reply that LCMS pulpits are now open to LM–A pastors, LCMS communion tables are now open to LM–A communicants, and the world is now open to our joint work in communio in sacris — preaching, teaching, absolving; worshiping, baptizing, communing; working together in joint mission with the saving Gospel of Jesus Christ for a world in desperate need.
“God grant us His Spirit for our work together as confessional Lutheran sister churches. The gates of hell cannot prevail against Christ and His Word on our lips, in our hearts and in our mutual service. On a personal note, I cannot adequately express my overwhelming joy in our shared ministry going forward.”
Harrison and LM–A President Rev. Dr. Matthew Anker then signed the official protocol document laying out the fellowship framework.
Holding to the authority of Scripture
LCMS Res. 5-02 came a little more than three years after the LCMS pledged its support for confessional Lutherans in Australia who, on April 18, 2023, signed a “Letter of Confession” holding to the authority of Holy Scripture and rejecting women’s ordination. The letter followed the February 2023 decision of the Lutheran Church of Australia (LCA) to prepare a “Way Forward” proposal by the LCA for a “one doctrine, two practices” approach that would allow for the ordination of women and men, at least in some districts. After hearing the then-bishop of the LCA declare that “we are not going to resolve this issue with further truth claims, even about Scripture,” a group of confessional Lutheran pastors and laity began planning a new church home for those who could not in good conscience remain in a church body that no longer recognized God’s Word as the sole rule and norm.
Lutheran Mission–Australia formed in mid-2024. On Oct. 5, 2024, the LCA Convention of Synod voted to allow the ordination of women. By the end of 2024, LM–A held a formal launch, installing Anker as president, and four congregations began holding Divine Services. In the first 14 months of LM–A, all congregations were new church plants, formed by laypeople who could no longer remain in their former church. By 2026, LM–A began to receive former LCA congregations as they worked through the lengthy process of changing church bodies. To date, LM–A has 22 constituted congregations and three mission congregations, with several more congregations expected to join by the end of the year. In making the good confession, LM–A has not only attracted existing confessional Lutherans but has welcomed new converts, especially among young people.
A news release from LM–A following the Aug. 29 recognition described the day as one “marked by a sense of joy and unity.” At a banquet that evening, the Rev. Dr. Jonathan E. Shaw, director of LCMS Church Relations, echoed the sentiment: “We are here to celebrate our unity in Christ and His Word. Jesus prayed for this in His John 17 High Priestly Prayer, that we might be sanctified and united by His Word, which is truth.”
The LM–A news release also thanked Harrison for his keynote address, which it described as speaking “eloquently on the death of Martin Luther, highlighting Luther’s commitment to serving the church and encouraging people in the Gospel right to his last days.”
In the keynote, Harrison quoted a 1545 letter from Luther to George of Anhalt on suffering, in which Luther wrote, “God is abler to do beyond all we ask … or even imagine. … But He cannot give these things unless He first takes away those things without which we think we cannot live, which we think we cannot lose without great misfortune and danger.”
Harrison noted the great pain and sacrifice of seeing one’s beloved former church sink into heterodoxy, while noting Christ brings His people through suffering to joy — and that joy, above all else, marks this fledgling church body.
Joy and gratitude
During the LCMS convention in July, LM–A President Anker expressed his own joy at Res. 5-02’s adoption and his appreciation for the LCMS’ ongoing support.
“It is a great joy and delight,” Anker said, “to greet you on behalf of Lutheran Mission–Australia, a small gathering that is smaller than this convention, stretched out over a country that is roughly the same size as the United States. We are deeply humbled and appreciative for the support and encouragement and love that’s been shown to us by The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod.”
“The fact that you would consider altar and pulpit fellowship with us at this stage,” he continued, “is such a huge encouragement. … We thank God for you. We continue to pray for you, and we look forward to the recognition of what you have created this day.”
LCMS missionary and sacred music educator Deaconess Sandra Rhein, who assisted with the music for the services at both the Synodical Assembly and an LM–A pastors’ conference held before it, said the joy she experienced at both events is something she “will never forget.”
“There were tears of joy, relief, gratitude and thanksgiving throughout the proceedings,” Rhein said. “But the most moving moment came at the final Divine Service, when we gathered around the Lord’s table and communed together for the very first time.”
At that closing Divine Service, held Aug. 30, Harrison preached, and Anker served as celebrant. Rhein summarized the feelings of many who were present: “Knowing something of the years of struggle and painful separation that had brought [LM–A] to this moment, it was overwhelming to see the joy on their faces and the tears in their eyes as we all finally shared the Sacrament together. I felt deeply humbled and privileged to be there — to witness this historic moment when, after so much difficulty, these brothers and sisters could rejoice together in the unity we have in Christ.”
As reported by the LM–A communications office, the Synodical Assembly included 58 member representatives; nine international guests; and many volunteers, staff and observers, with daily attendance numbers ranging from 160 to 190. The closing Divine Service was attended by more than 300 people.
Over the course of the three-day gathering, member representatives considered a variety of proposals on subjects ranging from the operational to the theological. The LM–A press release summarized the Synodical Assembly:
“While there were questions, discussion and amendments during the sessions, the overwhelming impression was one of a unified desire to be faithful to God’s Word in everything LM–A does. Member representatives conducted themselves with humility and mutual respect, and in the end all proposals were resolved unanimously. Words of thanksgiving were frequently on the lips of speakers. Given past very challenging experiences, this bodes well for the future of LM–A, as we seek to address areas of contention in a God-pleasing and faithful manner.”
In addition to recognizing fellowship with the LCMS, LM–A also voted to recognize fellowship with Lutheran Church—Canada (LCC) and the Evangelical Lutheran Mission Diocese of Finland (ELMDF). (LCC had voted to recognize fellowship with LM–A during its own convention in Winnipeg in June; the ELMDF will hold a vote on the recognition of fellowship at its next Diocesan Assembly.) The Rev. David Haberstock, who was installed as LCC’s new president on Sept. 6, brought greetings from LCC; and although ELMDF President Rev. Dr. Juhana Pohjola was not able to attend in person, he sent greetings on behalf of both the ELMDF and the International Lutheran Council, for which he serves as chairman.
To learn more about LM–A, visit lutheranmissionaustralia.org.au.
Posted Sept. 18, 2026
