Victoria Tasmania District of the Lutheran Church of Australia

1201 Riversdale Road
Box Hill South VIC 3128
Phone 03 9236 1200

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District Church Council News

District Church Council News

In June 2020 District Church Council conducted a survey to gain feedback on the Strategic Initiatives developed at District Convention in 2016 and revisited at District Convention in 2019. The revised Strategic Initiatives are as follows:

  1. Create and support Church Renewal and Church Planting.
  2. Support congregations in challenging and changing circumstances.
  3. Minister to a diverse community in our Church.
  4. Strengthen our Lutheran identity by collaborative mission and ministry with our Schools and Congregations.
  5. Build our Lutheran community and identity through communication.
  6. Explore and implement funding models and sources for the District in addition to congregational giving

Download Feb 2022 Update from DCC Chairperson HERE

Download LCAVD 2021-2024 Strategy - DCC approved (short form April 2021) HERE

Comparison of District Church Council Strategic Initiatives 2016 -2002 to 2021 - 2024 Download HERE

District Church Council

District Church Council

District Church Council (DCC) is the governance body for the Victoria – Tasmania District. Additionally, two sub-committees report to the Council, to provide additional advice to the Council for decision-making purposes. The two sub-committees are:

  • Finance, Audit and Risk
  • People and Strategy

DCC discusses and approves the major financial and policy decisions that impact the Victoria – Tasmania District.

Click HERE for DCC Terms of Reference.

Click HERE for the DCC Strategic Directions 2020 - 2024

Click HERE for the DCC Strategic Directions 2016 -2020

 

DCC Members

Current membership:

  • Tony Vong (Chair)
  • Pastor Lester Priebbenow (Bishop)
  • Pastor Matthias Prenzler (Assistant Bishop)
  • Katie Lang (Vice-Chair)
  • Michael Presser
  • Sonia Weidenbach
  • Adam Zibell
  • Pastor Matthew Huckel
  • Sabine Haeusler (Chair MMC)

Consultants to DCC:

  • Stephen Mildred (District Administrator)
  • Pastor Brett Kennett (Pastor for Congregational Support)
  • Colin Minke (Executive Director LEVNT)

Each year, DCC members meet with other leaders and representatives in our District at the annual Strategy Day. In some years, DCC also meet with congregational leadership (on a rolling geographical basis) as part of their scheduled meetings.

DCC meeting schedule* for 2025:

  • 6 February (videoconference)
  • 28 March (F2F)
  • 9 May (F2F)
  • 10 May - Strategy Day
  • 26 June (videoconference)
  • 16 August (tbc)
  • 23 October (videoconference)
  • 28 November (F2F)

*Meeting dates may be subject to change.

Church Worker Resources

This page contains links to resources from District events (Continuing Education for Pastors and Lay Workers, CEP) or useful external resources sourced by the District Congregational Support Team.
From CEP 2020

Employment and Volunteer Opportunities

Employment and Volunteer Opportunities

Positions available in Lutheran congregations and agencies can be publicised here. Please email the district office with brief details on the role including the title, time fraction, and location, plus contact details and applications close date. A short advertisement can also be included.

District Communications

District Communications

 

This page will be updated with official communications and relevant attachments from the Lutheran Church of Australia (LCA) Victorian District.

20220621 communication to congregational leaders regarding easing of restrictions HERE

20211130 Updated FAQ v3.1 new material in blue

20211119 Updated FAQ v3 new material updated in blue

20211103 Updated FAQ v2.6 new material in blue

20211029 LCA Victorian District Church Council's  encouragement to be COVID-safe communities HERE

20211027 Updated FAQ V2.4.1 issued 27 October. New material in blue.

202110121 Updated FAQ issued 21 October

20211018 Updated FAQ in light of easing of restrictions being brought forward. Revised dates and a suggested template for registering vaccine status are included

20211015 FAQ regarding the Vaccination rollout and National Roadmap

20211013 letter regarding the National Roadmap to chairpeople, pastors and lay workers from Bishop Lester Priebbenow

20210908 Letter re lifting of restrictions in Regional Victoria

20210823 On 21 August new restrictions were announced putting all Victoria under lockdown. Summary of Restrictions across all Victoria. 

20210816 email METRPOLITAN MELBOURNE extension of restrictions and curfew and permits for authorised workers

20210816 METROPOLITAN MELBOURNE summary of restrictions

20210809 email Lockdown to lift in Regional Victoria only

20210809 Summary of restrictions Metro Melbourne and Regional Victoria

20210623 Email re further relaxation of restrictions

20210610 Email re relaxation of restrictions

20210609 Summary of revised restrictions effective 11.59pm 10 June 2021

20211002 Summary of circuit breaker restrictions effective 11.59pm 03 June 2021

28 May Updated Religion and Ceremony information Victorian Government

27 May  7 day circuit breaker restrictions summary

07 April FAQS for congregations

30 March FAQs for congregations

23 March Victorian Government Summary of COVID restrictions HERE

03 March FAQs for congregations 

At 11.59pm Friday 26 February some restrictions were relaxed including re where and when to wear a face mask. Please also see the Stay Safe Stay Open Victorian Government summary of restrictions

As of 11.59pm 03 February it is required that face masks are worn in all indoor public spaces including religious gatherings.

27 January 2021 Industry Restart Guidelines for Religion and Ceremony updated

27 January FAQs for congregations

January 2021 Industry Restart Guidelines for Religion and Ceremony

8 December Frequently Asked Questions for Congregations

24 November FAQs for congregations relating to the Last Step Restrictions

24 November sign in sheet for gatherings (modified)

22 November Last Step easing of restrictions summary from the Victorian Premier

In July 2020 Victorian District Church Council communicated guidance for online church business meetings, for instance AGMs. Please find the communication and two attachments below.

20200727 DCC Guidance for Alternate Meeting Arrangements 

Attachment 1 ACNC advice on meeting via alternate methods

Attachment 2 COVID 19 Legislation re alternate meeting methods

20200927 Summary metropolitan Melbourne restrictions

20200907 Letter re JobKeeper 2 eligibility criteria and reporting dates from LCA National Office

20200812 Letter regarding Business Victoria Business Support Fund - Expansion from District Administrator

20200807 District email to pastors, church council chairs, secretaries and SP3 coordinators regarding COVIDsafe plan and permitted worker Travel Permit

20200807 COVIDsafe base congregational plan v1

20200805 permitted worker Travel Permit

20200804 Increased Restrictions across Victoria District Office

20200802 Statement on Changes to Melbourne's Restrictions Premier's Office

20200802 Statement on Changes to Regional Restrictions Premier's Office

20200802 Summary of Restrictions for Metropolitan Melbourne and Regional Victoria

20200730 Update on restriction outside of Metropolitan Melbourne and Mitchell Shire

20200729 Treasurers - Extension to Jobkeeper from District eNews. Includes a link to an explanatory article from District auditors Saward Dawson

2020727 Guidance for Alternate Meeting Arrangements V1.3.1

20200722 For professional reasons a face covering may be left off (for example leading worship and preaching) but that all other attendees at a live stream must abide by this new restriction and the preacher should wear a face covering in public when not recording. You can find more information on the quidelines for wearing face coverings HERE

20200720 Letter to Treasurers re Victorian State Government Business Support Fund Expansion from District Administrator

Attachment to Letter to Treasurers re Victorian State Government Support Fund Expansion 20200712 Information from the Victorian State Government

Tips for cleaning and disinfecting to reduce COVID-19

8 July 2020 – letter from District Administrator re the increased restrictions in Metropolitan Melbourne and Mitchell Shire

8 July 2020 attachment – link to additional information from Victorian Government on restrictions for religion and ceremony Metropolitan Melbourne and Mitchell Shire

Sign-in sheet updated format

23 June 2020 attachment 2 – Considerations for safe return to worship – update replacing former communications with this title

23 June 2020 attachment 3 – Frequently Asked Questions for Congregations
replacing former communications with this title

20 June 2020 – email sent regarding maximum worship numbers to remain at 20 until 12 July 2020 at least

16 June 2020 – COVID-19 Victorian District Contagion Communications Plan

16 June 2020 – LCA Victoria Tasmania Return to Worship Communications Plan

5 June 2020 – Premier of Tasmania – Stage 2 restrictions begin to ease

28 May 2020 – Can we celebrate Holy Communion email from Bishop Lester

26 May 2020 – email from Bishop Lester on return to worship considerations
Attachment 1 COVID-19 Bishop’s Update Vic–Tas

15 May 2020 – COVID-19 Bishop’s Update Vic–Tas
11 May 2020 – Victorian Government on easing of restrictions in worship
8 May 2020 – Tasmanian Government Roadmap to Recovery

5 May 2020 – District Administrator to Treasurers and Chairs
5 May 2020 #1 – three government grants available v3.1
5 May 2020 #2 – state government grants via the Business Support Fund
24 April 2020 #3 – COVID-19 Government JobKeeper Support

5 May 2020 – urgent HRS update
30 April 2020 urgent HRS update

6 April 2020 – District Administrator Communication v2 includes links to boosting cashflow for employers, stage 2 government release, government payment JobKeeper support and state government grants via the Business Support Fund

8 April 2020 – important communication from District Bishop Lester Priebbenow and District Church Council Chair Tim Wiebusch

3 April 2020 – PM Press Release including update on streaming worship services emailed 6 April 2020

District Sponsorship program

District Sponsorship Program

BE IT RESOLVED that Convention supports the establishment of a District Sponsorship Program (DSP) to replace the single District Appeal between Conventions and that the DSP be focused at supporting the District’s Strategic Initiative #1, especially Youth and Young Adults Ministry and Church Planting.
—2016 Victorian District Synod resolution

The District Sponsorship Program arose out of a direction by Synod to establish the systematically committed raising of funds around two specific projects, church planting and Youth and Young Adult Ministries.

This is an opportunity to participate and encourage the growth of the gospel at ground level through providing financial assistance and by prayer and advocacy.

The district Youth and Young Adult Ministry team (YYAM) supports young people through camping ministry, worship (Sunday Night at St Johns – SNAS), and in transition as teens move from school into further education, work life, travel and perhaps moving away from home. YYAM can help put networks around them as this unfolds.

Renew is the means by which tired or struggling congregations can be revitalised through discernment around their activities and strengths and a focus on ‘letting go’ to move forward. New church planting is the opportunity for existing mature churches to ‘plant’ a community of believers in a new location. Support, mentoring and training will be offered through the Congregational Support Department at a district level. The message of hope is then able to spread locally and organically in different cultural contexts.

Sponsorship, rather than a one-off donation, has been chosen as the model in order that commitment is made to keep these projects going. These ministries are the way our church can grow into the future. These ministries allow us to make a difference in peoples’ lives – including our existing members.

How to sponsor
Individually, in a sponsorship group (perhaps your small group or guild), or as a congregation, choose a project and financial goal. Then sign up by contacting us via email at sponsorship.vic@lca.org.au

You can also get straight into things by making a payment electronically to your chosen project!

Payments can be made electronically via your bank through the 'pay anyone' option. Make the payment to account name LCAVD, BSB 033 172, account number 117564.

Please include in the transaction comments the code for the chosen project and your initial and surname. Then email us to let us know you have signed up! We’ll get you set up to receive project updates.

Download a Sponsorship Form

Suggested finance goals per year: $1500 ($30 p/w), $1000, $500 and $250

The Sponsorship Project Codes are:

Renewing Churches – NREW
Church planting general – NRCHU

For a specific plant:
Pakenham Church Plant – NRPak
Wyndham Hobsons Bay – NRWer

For YYAM:
General – YYAM
YYAM Camping – YYCamp
YYAM SNAS – YYSNAS

District Sponsorship Program

District Office
sponsorship.vic@lca.org.au
03 9236 1200 (ask for Erin)
Tuesday to Friday

Victorian District Sponsorship Program

Victorian District Sponsorship Program

BE IT RESOLVED that Convention supports the establishment of a District Sponsorship Program (DSP) to replace the single District Appeal between Conventions and that the DSP be focused at supporting the District’s Strategic Initiative #1, specially Youth and Young Adults Ministry and Church Planting.
2016 Victorian District Synod resolution

District Sponsorship Project arose out of a direction by Synod to:
•use assets effectively, encouraging more support for Mission and Ministry,
•explore funding models outside of congregational giving,
•achieve new Churches planted,
•seek sustainable Ministry,
•establish a systematic committed generation of funds around particular projects – namely Church Planting and Youth and Young Adult Ministries.

This is an opportunity to participate and encourage the growth of the gospel at ground level through providing financial assistance and by prayer and advocacy.

The spiritual welfare of our youth and young adults is very much at the heart of many congregations. The District Youth and Young Adult Ministry team (YYAM) supports young people through Camping Ministry, Worship (Sunday Night at St Johns – SNAS) and in transition as teens move from school into further education, work life, travel and perhaps moving away from home. YYAM can help put networks around them as this unfolds.

Renew is the means by which tired or struggling congregations can be revitalised through discernment around their activities and strengths and a focus on ‘letting go’ to move forward. New Church Planting is the opportunity for existing mature churches to ‘plant’ a community of believers in a new location. Support, mentoring and training will be offered through the Congregational Support Department at District level. The message of hope is then able to spread locally and organically in different cultural contexts.

Sponsorship rather than a one-off donation has been chosen as the model in order that commitment is made to keep these projects going. These ministries are the way our Church can grow into the future. These ministries allow us to make a difference in peoples’ lives – including our existing members.

How to sponsor

Individually, in a Sponsorship group (perhaps your small group or guild), or as a congregation, choose a project and financial goal then sign up by contacting us via email sponsorship.vic@lca.org.au. You can also get straight into things by making a payment electronically to your chosen project!

Payments can be made electronically via your bank through the “Pay Anyone” option. Make the payment to Account: LCAVD, BSB: 033 172, Account No. 117564.

Please include in the transaction comments the code for the chosen project and your initial and surname. Then email us to let us know you have signed up! We’ll get you set up to receive project updates.

Download a Sponsorship Form

Suggested Finance Goals per year: $1500 (30.00 p/w), $1000, $500 and $250

The Sponsorship Project Codes are:

Renewing Churches- NREW
Church Planting General: NRCHU
For a specific Plant –
Pakenham Church Plant – NRPak
Wyndham Hobsons Bay – NRWer

For YYAM –
General – YYAM
YYAM Camping – YYCamp
YYAM SNAS – YYSNAS

Our contact email is: sponsorship.vic@lca.org.au or phone District Office and ask for Maya or Erin 03 9236 1200 Tuesday to Friday

ABOUT US

Please support us

This link takes you to our LCA online donation site, where you can pay securely via credit card.

About Us

The Lutheran Church dates back to the Reformation in the 16th century when Martin Luther challenged some of the teachings and practices of the church of his day. Luther insisted that the Bible is the authority that decides what the church should teach and do.

The Lutheran Church is one of the world’s major Christian churches, with 70 million members worldwide.

Across Australia, about 170,000 people call themselves Lutherans. In Australia, more than 600 congregations join together as the Lutheran Church of Australia (LCA).

In the words of the classic Lutheran summary of faith, we believe that we are saved ‘by grace, for Christ’s sake, through faith’. In other words, there is nothing we can do to earn God’s favour or to gain eternal life. Through his death and resurrection, Jesus Christ has won all this and more for us. We also believe that only the Bible is the source of inspiration and teaching.

The Victoria – Tasmania District is a synod made up of pastors and delegates from over 70 congregations who meet in convention every two years.

The Victorian District including Tasmania has 42 parishes and 83 congregations and preaching places, with 51 called pastors, and 21 retired pastors.

The district is also served by part-time and full-time lay workers, some fully accredited by the LCA. There are approximately 35 lay workers across Victoria and Tasmania. All congregations are also supported by paid and volunteer lay people across the areas of finance, administration, hospitality, and governance.

There are many Lutheran-operated agencies in Victoria and Tasmania including schools, aged care, camps and a community store.

YouTube and Social Media Connection

YouTube and Social Media Connection

This page is a sharing page. It includes a sample of social media posts and clips that pastors and lay workers have created to support the community during social isolation. Other items can be shared here at the district’s discretion.

The Lutheran Church of Australia’s (LCA) Social Media webpage – covers policy, including Social Media Guidelines and Standards of Ethical Behaviour

Holy Trinity LC Horsham – Lynda Henstridge general update and encouragement

Morning Prayer – from Pastor Matthias Prenzler from St Paul’s Lutheran Church Shepparton

Pastoral message – from Pastor David Wear to the Good Shepherd Lutheran Church Hamilton community 23 March 2020

Daily prayer points – from The Lutheran magazine. Each edition of The Lutheran magazine contains a calendar of daily prayer points. Follow the LCA on Facebook for daily prayer points and more

Daily prayer points – from Outer Eastern Lutheran Church

COVID-19 RESOURCES

COVID-19 Resources

LCA/NZ COVID-19 Response

The primary resource for pastors, lay workers and church leadership for the COVID-19 situation is the LCA/NZ COVID-19 Response page.

Church@Home

The LCA Commission on Worship has provided links to many resources that can be used at home. Visit the Church@Home website. Click the View@Home bar on that page for a list of live-streamed worship.

Live-streamed worship

Several Lutheran services are being televised on free to air channels. Community Station Channel 31 (tuned to Channel 44) is live streaming worship from St Paul’s Lutheran Church Box Hill Fridays at 1.00pm. This can be accessed in the Melbourne and greater Geelong area.

Victorian Government

The Victorian Government COVID-19 restrictions announcements are updated as changes to restrictions are announced. Information regarding health, financial support, business information, jobs support, and housing and your rights can also be found at the state government website. Victorian Government updates on restrictions for places of worship can be found here.

Tasmanian Government

The Tasmanian Government COVID-19 page is updated as changes to restrictions are announced. Community announcements can be found here.

District updates

Other pages in our COVID-19 Resources section include ministry resources, non-ministry resources, and district communications.

You will find previous District eNews links in the News and Events page.