A new Advocacy for Women in Pastoral Ministry (AWPM) team has been established in the LCANZ, continuing the church’s work following the 2024 Convention of General Synod resolution that both women and men may be eligible for ordination.
The formation of the team, approved by the General Church Board (GCB) and College of Bishops (CoB), marks a transition from the 2025 Advocate for Women in Pastoral Ministry role, held by Dr Pauline Simonsen, to a collaborative, team-based approach.
Dr Tania Nelson has been appointed by GCB and CoB as convenor of the AWPM team. Other team members are Pastor Maria Rudolph, Jordan Moore, Helen Middelmann and Emma Graetz, who were gathered by Pauline and have generously offered their time in this voluntary ministry.
The team will continue to advocate for women in pastoral ministry as part of the LCANZ’s Way Forward process. It will provide advice to LCANZ Bishop Paul Smith and to joint meetings of GCB and CoB, as well as serve as a key point of contact for women across the church.
Tania said she is honoured to build on the foundations laid over the past year.
‘I’m delighted to continue the excellent work of Dr Pauline Simonsen to advocate for women in pastoral ministry in the LCANZ,’ she said.
‘Our team has been tasked with establishing a primary point of contact and a voice for women discerning, training or serving in pastoral ministry within the LCANZ. To all women who are discerning a call to ministry, those who are training for ministry and to the women who are already serving as pastors, we are here to support you.’
Tania encouraged women considering a call to pastoral ministry to connect with the team via email at advocateWPM@lca.org.au
Pauline, whose appointment in 2025 focused on establishing the advocate role, reflected on the significance of this next step.
‘Thank you to all the women who are holding or discerning a call to pastoral ministry,’ she said. ‘Thank you for your forbearance and tenacity. I hope and pray that those Jesus is calling – women and men – will hear and answer his call.’
Tania brings extensive experience in church life and ministry to the role. A specific ministry pastor candidate, she currently serves as ministry lead at Mawson Lakes Community Church in suburban Adelaide, where she was installed on 1 February 2026. She was the manager of Lutheran Media from August 2023 to January 2026 and previously served as the LCANZ’s executive officer – Local Mission. Before this, Tania was the head of school of theological studies and associate dean for academic affairs at Australian Lutheran College.
Find more information about the implementation of the Way Forward resolution at www.lca.org.au/implementation-ordination-resolution
St Petri Lutheran Church’s ‘Reading Revelation Today’ teaching series is off to a flying start with more than 80 people attending on the first night.
The series, which commenced in late April, is being taught by Rev Dr Noel Due. It is part of the Barossa congregation’s Regional Learning Hub program, which was established to encourage local people to develop skills in church ministries, learn more of the Scriptures and develop confidence in living their faith amid the challenges of daily living.
‘Noel’s presentation was inspiring … people went away “thinking”, not afraid but curious’, said Kerry Kroehn, the Regional Learning Hub’s project officer. ‘[They] are keen to come back; some have told their friends to come, so that’s a good sign that we are on target.’
St Petri Lutheran Church was one of 10 congregations that received grants through the inaugural round of the LCANZ’s Local Mission Fund for projects commencing in 2025. Funding for the program is supporting learning, growth and resources covering the areas of Theology, Discipleship and Ministry, Creative Arts and Community Support and Growth.
The Regional Learning Hub is located on the campus of St Petri, with an outreach to local church and community across Barossa and Light regions.
As well as the ‘Reading Revelation Today’ series, in 2026 the Regional Learning Hub will be running sessions and activities to ‘nurture the souls of those who give to others’ and also a series to help people to ‘express their feeling and inner creative self’ through journalling. Also planned are sessions with a Christian psychologist to help young people, families and those in leadership people deal with anxiety and other life challenges.
In September the Hub will be hosting a retreat with Rev Dr Dean Zweck, who will lead sessions on ‘Acts of the Spirit’. For those wanting to grow in their confidence and capacity to connect with people in sharing the gospel, experienced mission facilitator Craig Heidenreich will be leading a series of short online sessions, titled ‘Sharing the God Story – Building Confidence to Connect with Outsiders’.
There will be something for history buffs, too, with sessions over four Sunday afternoons exploring the expansion of German Lutheran congregations into South Australia.
‘We are excited to explore these opportunities and are looking to present each one in a different way that will connect with people, their variety of life experiences and availability’, Pastor Adrian Kitson said. ‘Most sessions will have an interactive element, connecting real people to real concerns and experiences.’
A youth camp for those in school years 7-12
From the 6th - 10th July 2026 @ Cornerstone College, Mount Barker.
$250 per person. Registrations close 29th June.
First Time Camper LLL Sponsorship: Pay only $50!
Bus transport available to and from Faith Lutheran College.
For more information please contact: admin@blueprintministries.org.au
See attached for QR code and information on the July 2026 Camp
LCANZ NEWS Go to www.lutheranmedia.org.au or call 1800 353 350 to read the latest ministry news.
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