Once-in-a-generation Vote changes LCAQD’s Governance Model

The Lutheran Church of Australia Queensland District (LCAQD) will undergo a restructure to become a ‘company limited by guarantee’ following a historic vote by Synod delegates.

The move will ensure good governance for the long-term and represents a cornerstone moment in the history of the LCAQD.

In addition, some of LCAQD’s larger ministries – Lutheran Education Queensland and Lutheran Services – will become sole member subsidiary companies limited by guarantee, while the Ministry and Mission Department will become the Ministry and Mission Commission to sustain and enhance the purpose of our church.

The Lutheran Youth Queensland Department will remain as is, with further recommendations being brought to the 2023 Convention of Synod.

In July 2021, District Church Board (DCB) established a Governance Advisory Committee to oversee a new model for governance reform and uplift, enhanced efficacy, empowerment and transparency.

The review was underpinned by a need to demonstrate that the LCAQD and mission departments remain fit for purpose to support the work that God is doing among us now and into the future.

Three lenses were applied during the discussions:

1. quality of governance
2. risk management, including asset protection
3. the current environment and what can be foreseen.

This was supported by six principles:

1. synodality and church together
2. mission continuity
3. subsidiarity
4. impost minimisation
5. durability
6. engagement.

An extensive legal report was made available to all Synodical members, along with 11 proposals brought to the Convention of Synod.

Following the approval from Synod delegates on the proposals, DCB will move to impact assessment and planning for transition and implementation, including:

• establishing an appropriately-resourced Office of the District to support the changes
• ceasing operations of the Governance Advisory Committee as DCB oversees the transition
• renaming the Nominations Committee to Nominations and Appointments Committee, with a revamped terms of reference and by-laws to be reviewed at a future Convention of Synod to continue to support the mission work of the District
• setting aside relevant LCAQD by-laws through to the next Convention of Synod, as supported by the Constitutions Committee and DCB.

LCAQD will also report back to Synod on district-wide matters of property held in trust and resourcing.

A special Convention of Synod may be required before the scheduled 2023 Synod to consider any remaining recommendations to implement the structural reform, approve required changes to the Constitution and/or by-laws, and elect board members for the new entities.

Synod delegates were thanked for their diligence in considering the proposals over the course of the discussions and in the lead-up to the Convention.

Pictured are LCAQD Governance Advisory Committee members and consultants Andrew Spyropolous, Darryl Muller, John Hoffman (Project Manager) Pastor David Schmidt, Geoff Crooks (Chair), Ruth Butler, Tanya Crooks, Nick Ryan, Kathy Matuschka and Aaron Glover

Not included in the photo are First Assistant Bishop Ben Hentschke, Trevor Ruthenberg and Bishop Mark Vainikka