By Rachel Bomberger
PHOENIX — On Tuesday afternoon, The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod (LCMS) in convention unanimously approved Res. 5-02, “To Support and Encourage Recognition of Altar and Pulpit Fellowship with Lutheran Mission—Australia,” thus laying the groundwork for a full recognition of fellowship in the coming weeks.
As the Rev. Dr. Joel Lehenbauer, executive director of the LCMS Commission on Theology and Church Relations (CTCR), explained prior to the vote, this resolution fell short of a full endorsement of fellowship with the newly formed Lutheran Mission–Australia (LM–A) only because of timing: The LM–A will not hold its first convention until August. At that event, with LCMS President Rev. Dr. Matthew C. Harrison in attendance, the partnership will be formally recognized.
In his remarks following the vote, LM–A President Rev. Matthew Anker expressed his joy at the outcome and deep appreciation for the strong show of support.
“It is a great joy and delight,” he 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,” Anker 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.”
LM–A was founded in May 2024 when several congregations voted to separate from the Lutheran Church of Australia (LCA) following years of increasing concerns over the doctrinal direction of the church. The final breach came following LCA’s decision to allow the ordination of women to the pastoral ministry. Anker recalled the events leading up to the split in an interview with KFUO Radio recorded Monday, July 20:
“Those of us who were involved in the formation of Lutheran Mission–Australia were formerly members and pastors of the Lutheran Church of Australia,” Anker said. “And, you know, that was our mother, and we remain grateful for what we received through that church. But over the years we recognized that the church was going in a direction that we weren’t comfortable with. And I guess this came to a head when the church decided to ordain women in 2024. … We wanted to make sure that people who could not remain in that church with a good conscience had a place to go.”
According to Anker, as of July 2026, LM–A currently comprises “21 or 22 congregations, depending on how you count them,” and as many pastors. Of those congregations, 16 have been newly formed and are made up not only of former LCA members but also, as Anker said, include “a growing number of new Lutherans who are sort of making their way into our churches and being catechized and received into membership. That’s quite exciting.”
Anker expressed special gratitude to the LCMS for its support during its process of formation.
“The people of the LCMS have reached out to us constantly over the past 18 months. Formalizing [fellowship] is just such an encouragement to a small group of people, [reminding us] that one, we’re not alone, and two, that other people actually think what we’re doing is good and right. … The people in Australia have a lot of respect for the Missouri Synod and what it stands for and what it continues to do in the cause of confessional Lutheranism across the world. So, for the Missouri Synod to say, ‘Hey, we want to be connected, that’s a huge endorsement.’”
2026 LCMS Convention
Under the theme “Christ Is Risen Indeed,” the 69th Regular Convention of The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod met July 18–23, 2026, at the Phoenix Convention Center in downtown Phoenix.
There are several ways to get convention news, including:
Web
• lcms.org/convention/national
Video
• lcms.org/convention/national/livestream
Audio
• kfuo.org
Social media
Posted July 22, 2026
