AUSTRALIA – Lutheran Mission – Australia (LM-A) held its inaugural Synodical Assembly from August 28-30 in Hamilton, Victoria, during which time the church reelected Rev. Dr. Matt Anker to continue serving as President.
President Anker has led LM-A since its formation, and was formally installed as its president in December 2024. President Anker, who received an honorary doctorate from Concordia Seminary (St. Louis, Missouri) in 2025, previously served as Assistant to the Bishop in the Lutheran Church of Australia and New Zealand (LCANZ). LM-A emerged out of the LCANZ over concerns that church body was declining from historic Lutheran teaching and practice.
In 2025, President Anker was elected to serve as the Asia Region’s representative on the International Lutheran Council’s (ILC) Board of Directors.
At the time of its inaugural Synodical Assembly, the LM-A had grown to include 22 congregations and 3 missions. One highlight from the assembly was the recognition of fellowship with several church bodies. On August 29, the LM-A unanimously voted to recognize fellowship with The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod (LCMS) and Lutheran Church–Canada (LCC).
LCMS President Matthew C. Harrison was present for the event and formally recognized fellowship with the Australian church on behalf of the American church, in keeping with a resolution to that effect adopted during the LCMS’ 2026 Synodical Convention. LCC President Elect David Haberstock was also present, bringing greetings to the Australian church. LCC voted to recognize fellowship with LM-A in June 2026.
LM-A also unanimously voted to recognize fellowship with the Evangelical Lutheran Mission Diocese of Finland (ELMDF). The ELMDF will hold its own vote on the recognition of fellowship at its next Diocesan Assembly. While ELMDF Bishop Juhana Pohjola was not able to be present in person, he sent greetings to LM-A both on behalf of the church in Finland as well as in his capacity as ILC Chairman.
“It has been wonderful to witness the birth of Lutheran Mission –Australia,” Chairman Pohjola noted. “The Holy Spirit has worked to awaken the desire and courage to live as Christ’s own people and to partake fully in His gifts and His Word. Although much struggle and sorrow lie behind you, what has come through to me is a joy in belonging to Jesus’ flock and a desire to build new sheepfolds.”
“What a gift and privilege you have to share the abundance that flows from Christ’s wounds to us as the forgiveness of sins,” Chairman Pohjola continued. “What could you lack, and what could you fear, when you have Jesus, the Good Shepherd, with you, and all the promises of His Word? Before you lie pastures as wide and open as only Australia can offer.”
The LM-A’s inaugural assembly also saw the election of Rev. Matthias Prenzler as Vice-President; elections for the National Church Council and various boards and committees; and the installation of officers, including Dcs. Kathleen Mills as Registrar of Lutheran Theological Seminary – Australia. Rev. Michael Frese, Deputy Director of Church Relations for the LCMS, served as Bible Study leader over two days, presenting an essay entitled “If Moses Had Glory, How Much More Christ? A Biblical and Confessional Case for Reverent, Liturgical Worship from 2 Corinthians 3:7-11.”
The leadup to the assembly also saw the LM-A hold a Pastors’ Conference.
Lutheran Mission – Australia is a member church of the International Lutheran Council, a global association of confessional Lutheran church bodies dedicated to the proclamation of the Gospel of Jesus Christ, grounded in the authority of Scripture and the Lutheran Confessions.
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