Growing Vital Churches

Administration & Governance

For volunteers and paid congregational staff including chairpersons, treasurers, councils and boards.

The LCAQD Office exists to support Lutheran congregations and agencies. In turn, we are supported by the LCA national office, which manages some congregational support matters.

Resources

Chair & Treasurer Booklet

Not sure if you have the bases covered? The LCAQD Congregational CHaT Booklet guides Chair Persons and Treasurer in their roles.

LCAQD Constitutions & By-Laws

LCAQD Constitution 2010
LCAQD By-Laws Part A 2015
LCAQD By-Laws Part B 2019

Congregational Constitutions & By-Laws

There are a variety of ways a congregation is set up. See summary of Constitutional Models expanded here.

School/College Council Appointment

Appointment Cover Memo Template
Council Appointment Decision Request Template
School/College Council Nomination/Reappointment Form
Council Appointment Support Info Protocol and Guidelines

Property & Risk

Here is a Property & Risk checklist to guide your annual checks.

Volunteer Role Information Pack

We thank the SANT District for adapting the document produced last year by St Andrews Brisbane to make it more generic, and to both organisations for offering it here for your use.

Policies

Wondering about the relevant policies? See https://www.lca.org.au/services-resources-training/policies/ or contact the district office.

LCAQD Synod

All information about LCAQD Synod can be found on the Synod page.

Branding - Appropriate Use

The LCA website has information about:
The LCA logo and its usage
The LCA Brand Guide for Districts and Congregations

Services

Church Worker Support

Kitrina "Kit" provides Church worker support and/or HR advice within the LCAQD, whether in times of difficulty or in your routine operations.

CONTACT Kitrina.Scott-Davies@lca.org.au
inet 34935641 m 0490 889 652

Professional Standards Department (PSD)

The Professional Standards Department (PSD) assists congregations and other bodies to promote high standards of ethical behaviour and care for all, and especially for children and others in vulnerable circumstances. Professional Standards Overview

LCA Standards of Ethical Behaviour
https://www.lca.org.au/services-resources-training/policies/

Professional Standards Training
https://www.lca.org.au/departments/ministry-support/professional-standards/training-prof-standards/

Working with Children Check – Blue Card
The LCAQD District Church Board (DCB) has adopted LCA Policy 06.03 Child Protection Policy and the associated procedure 06.03 P01 LCA Child Protection Procedure (https://www.lca.org.au/policies/)

The LCA Child Protection Policy states: “In bringing God’s love to life, the church is committed to ensuring the health, safety and welfare of all children who engage with the church. It will take all reasonable measure to nurture children and protect them from harm and ensure compliance with all legislative requirements for the prevention of harm to children.”

To find out who needs a Blue Card please refer to page 1 (one) of The Child Protection Procedure. For advice relating to particular situations that the policy or procedure may not specifically address, or for support with Blue Card management please contact the Professional Standards Officer (PSO) at Elizabeth.Kloeden@lca.org.au or on mobile on 0437 252 736.

Obligations towards Locum Pastors

Supply of Casual Services by Pastors

A Locum Pastor is a pastor who temporarily fulfils the duties of an absent Pastor. Often this locum pastor is an Emeritus (or retired) Pastor.

For those congregations and parishes without a Pastor, or if your Pastor is on R&R leave, please make sure you are aware of your obligations towards locum pastors.

Pastors not already in receipt of an LCA stipend (e.g. retired pastors) are eligible to receive payment for providing locum pastoral services to a parish, congregation, school or care ministry facility whilst the called pastor is absent or the parish is in vacancy. Approved ALC pastoral students may also be entitled to receive payment.

All payments to locum pastors are made using the LCA HRS. A Congregational representative must follow this link to the 2020 Locum Services Form (under the Humans Resources System tab) which needs to be completed, signed and submitted by the relevant entity to HRS (hrs@lca.org.au) within the fortnight of Locum work performed. Prompt processing is essential, as if claims accumulate this may affect the locum pastor’s pension.

The form is updated annually to reflect the relevant payment rates.

Casual service cost may be covered by the Pastor Transfer and Support Fund. This levy is payable by parishes during a parish vacancy.

For Locum Pastors

Retired pastors should contact the LCA HRS hrs@lca.org.au in order to receive a payment summary, check on eligibility for payment by way of fringe benefits and seek advice on the superannuation threshold where applicable.

If you have any questions please contact Kitrina Scott-Davies (CWS LCA/HR Officer LCAQD):

p: 07 35127284
inet. 34935641
m. 0490 889 652
e. kitrina.scott-davies@lca.org.au

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