Support

Overview
- Final Synod Resolutions 2022
- LCAQD - Assurance Framework
- LCAQD - Board Appointments
- LCAQD - Culture of Church Together
- LCAQD - DCB and M&M
- LCAQD - Legal Landscape & Risk
- LCAQD - Letters Patent Migration
- LCAQD - Lutheran Education Queensland
- LCAQD - Lutheran Services
- LCAQD - Lutheran Youth Queensland
- LCAQD - Structural Reform
- LCAQD - Synodical Safeguards
In 2018 the LCAQD Synod approved District Church Council to develop an implementation plan to move towards a proposed governance model. Over the last few years representatives from all LCAQD agencies worked collaboratively on various elements of a new governance model which were presented to LCAQD Synod over the period of 2019 to 2021. This culminated in the Governance Advisory Committee (GAC) presenting a comprehensive and significant recommendation for forward-looking, agile, robust governance and assurance mechanisms for LCAQD and its members to Synod in 2022.
As set out and resolved by the LCAQD 2022 Synodical Convention, the Governance Advisory Committee (GAC) ceased at the conclusion of the LCAQD Convention of Synod 2022 and that the remaining structural reform activities be managed as a co-funded project of the LCAQD and its departments under DCB oversight and through the Office of the District (Resolution CoS22:027).
The DCB has therefore appointed the Governance Transformation Committee (GTC) to oversee the next phase of the Governance Change Program being the detailed design and implementation of the structural changes from the Synod approved proposals.
In support of the final proposed structure the GTC will ensure the 11 governance change resolutions agreed to by 2022 Convention of Synod are implemented including Lutheran Church of Australia Queensland District (LCAQD) to restructure into a company limited by guarantee, Lutheran Education Queensland (LEQ) and Lutheran Services (LS) move to companies limited by guarantee and the Ministry and Mission Department become a “Commission” of the District Church Board (DCB).
The GTC look forward to the significant outcomes and organisational change that will come through this project for the extension of God’s kingdom.
There will be ongoing communication and briefing session as the GTC deliverables progress and closer to Synod 2023.
There are a number of working parties established as below:
M&M Commission |
LCAQD Incorporation Migration |
LS Incorporation Migration |
LEQ Incorporation Migration |
District Property Review Project (PTR) |
District Resourcing Model Project (DRM) |
Transformation General Activities |
Change & Communications |
Membership will come from across the LCAQD – DCB, district and department staff, departments, councils.
FAQ
The GTC is not a decision making body but rather acts copacetically as an advisory body providing recommendations to DCB based on consensus representing the best interests of LCAQD holistically. I.e. A “Church First” approach aligned with a Synodical mindset.
In support of the final proposed structure the GTC will ensure the 11 governance change resolutions agreed to by 2022 Convention of Synod are implemented including Lutheran Church of Australia Queensland District (LCAQD) to restructure into a company limited by guarantee, Lutheran Education Queensland (LEQ) and Lutheran Services (LS) move to companies limited by guarantee and the Ministry and Mission Department become a “Commission” of the District Church Board (DCB).
- In support of the final proposed structure ensure the 11 governance change resolutions agreed to by 2022 Convention of Synod are implemented.
- To resolve non-compliances regarding legislative, funding and regulatory demands in an expedient manner.
- To ensure that an appropriately resourced Office of the District be established to provide better support across the District to LCAQD missional and operational activities, including multiple project outcomes associated with the GTC.
- To align district assurances, safeguards, and policies (to the extent allowable by law), whilst supporting non-conflictory localisation.
- To bring currency to the LCAQD Constitution and By-laws B and recommend relevant updates to By-Laws Part A.
- To reinforce the protection of the LCAQD assets through the property trust review project including determining the charitable purposes and beneficial use arrangements, future trust and licensing terms, and cleaning up associated ABN’s.
- To enhance synodality through governance legitimacy and maturity in all layers of governance, enabled and supported by objective assurance mechanisms.
The District Church Board (DCB) appointed a Governance Transformation Committee (GTC) to oversee the design and implementation of the recommended governance structure and proposal from Synod 2022.
Members
- Chair – DCB Member or delegate (Michael Klatt)
- Bishop/Delegate 1st Assistant Bishop – Deputy Chair (Mark Vainikka & Ben Hentschke)
- Department Council Chairs (LS – Leena Vuorinen, LEQ – Darryl Muller, M&M – Carl Eckermann, LYQ – TBC)
- Congregational Delegates x 2 (appointed by DCB and selected by nominations and review process)
- Executive Director – Lutheran Education Queensland or delegate (Tanya Crooks)
- CEO – Lutheran Services or delegate (Nick Ryan)
- Director – Lutheran Youth Queensland or delegate (Darren Pope)
- Director – Mission & Ministry of the LCAQD or delegate (David Schmidt)
- District Administrator – LCAQD (Trevor Ruthenberg)
- Chairperson - Constitutions Committee or delegate (Andrew Spyropolous)
- Keith Campbell (Congregations)
- Daniel Warrener (Congregations)
Invitees
- Program Project Manager (John Hoffman)
- Consultant expertise as required e.g. Legal Advisors

There will be ongoing communications through the LCAQD website, newsletters, meetings, briefings and other channels.
The GTC will establish a number of relevant departmental and stakeholder engagement and contribution opportunities and briefings.
The project is being jointly resourced and funded by the departments of the district in terms of membership/ invitee’s, stakeholder engagement, funding for project management and support, and through BAU activities.
The Governance Advisory Committee (GAC) was established in 2021 to deliver a proposal to Synod 2022 that would identify forward-looking, agile, robust governance and assurance mechanism for LCAQD and its members. The resultant mechanisms would position LCAQD to better deliver its’ purpose and mission and enhance its departmental focus on delivering their services with greater efficacy and confidence in ever changing environments.
The GAC outcomes and Synod 2022 Resolutions are included above in the section “GAC Final Synod Resolutions & Supporting Documents”
Please submit all queries to John Hoffman (Project Manager – Governance Change Project) on john.hoffman@qld.lca.org.au