Way Forward Framework released; webinar announced

A framework by which the LCANZ could operate as one church with two different practices of ordination has been released for information, engagement, and discussion in church communities. The Way Forward Framework will be refined and finalised by mid-June, prior to publication in the General Synod Book of Reports.

The executive summary of the framework, which was developed in response to a request by General Synod in 2023, states:

‘The current teaching of the church on the matter of the ordination of both women and men to the office of the public ministry does not accommodate the different theological interpretations and convictions that are held by members of the church.

‘In accordance with the resolution of General Synod, the Way Forward Framework accommodates two different views on ordination to exist within the church …

‘The key components of the framework to enable the two practices of ordination within the church are:

1. Changing the teaching of male-only ordination …
2. Providing a pastoral-theological place in the LCANZ (‘Conference’), whose members uphold male-only ordination while also enabling the ordination of both men and women in the LCANZ and the calling of female pastors by congregations that choose to do so …’

In a Way Forward eNews announcing the release of the framework on 26 April, LCANZ Bishop Paul Smith commended the work that had been done to develop it.

‘During this past year I have seen your sisters and brothers working together to find a common way forward in the matter of who is to be ordained as pastors among us’, Bishop Paul said.

‘Those who believe that the Scriptures teach that only men may be ordained as pastors have been working with those who believe that the Scriptures teach that both women and men may be ordained as pastors. Their common purpose is to present to … General Synod in October a way forward that would enable communities of the LCANZ to call a pastor without being required to call a man or being required to call a woman. Your sisters and brothers who have done this work believe that such a church is possible so that we can continue the witness we have received.

Church members will be able to learn more about the framework and ask clarifying questions on a webinar on 14 May. Clarifying questions need to be submitted by 10 May via email to wayforward2024@staging.lca.org.au

The Way Forward Framework, framework development information, questions and answers about key principles of the framework and registration for the webinar are available at www.staging.lca.org.au/wayforward/framework

Feedback on the framework, to be submitted via email wayforward2024@staging.lca.org.au, will be closed by 21 May. This will allow time for the proposal to be matured and then published in the Book of Reports for General Synod.

The LCANZ’s Way Forward project was established in response to the 2023 Synod resolution which asked GCB and CoB ‘to work through the theological, constitutional, and governance requirements to operate as one church with two different practices of ordination and establish a detailed framework through which this could be accomplished … and to submit the fruit of this work in the form of a proposal that should be discussed by the LCANZ GPC for Convention of General Synod 2024’. It was also resolved that: ‘It is the expectation of this General Convention of Synod that both women and men will be ordained in a District of the LCANZ during the 2024-2027 synodical period’.