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Lutheran Church of Australia

where love comes to life

  • ABOUT US
        • A BIT ABOUT US

          The Lutheran Church is the largest Protestant church in the world, with over 70 million members. This website tells the story of Australian and New Zealand Lutherans, following Jesus Christ – where love comes to life. Whoever you are, whatever your story, you’re welcome here with us.

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FAITH AND WORSHIP

Theology and Inter-Church Relations

The Commission on Theology and Inter-Church Relations (CTICR) advises the church on matters of theology and doctrine and studies the theological implications of our relationships with other churches, at home and overseas. It also sponsors our formal bilateral dialogues, currently with the Roman Catholic, Anglican and Uniting churches in Australia.

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Ecumenical Dialogues

Through its ecumenical dialogues, it has an ongoing program of theological discussion with the major church bodies in Australia, the CTICR hears reports from the National Council of Churches in Australia (NCCA) and the NCCA's theological body, the Faith and Unity Commission, and it monitors developments within Lutheran World Federation and the International Lutheran Council.

We are engaged in bilateral dialogue with the Anglican Church of Australia (since 1972), the Roman Catholic Church (since 1976) and the Uniting Church in Australia (since 1979). The dialogue with the Anglican Church and the Uniting Church are each seeking mutual recognition, while the dialogue with the Roman Catholic Church is seeking theological convergence. Our Lutheran participants on each dialogue are elected by the Commission on Theology and Inter-Church Relations (CTICR), acting on behalf of the LCA.

Lutheran — Roman Catholic Dialogue
Lutheran — Uniting Church Dialogue
Anglican – Lutheran Dialogue Expand

Major document produced by the dialogue:

  • Anglican – Lutheran Statements, 1973–1993
  • Common Ground (2001)

You can read about an important development in international Lutheran – Roman Catholic dialogues at our History of the Lutheran Church page (Joint Declaration on the Doctrine of Justification).

Doctrinal Statements and Theological Opinions

Over the years the CTICR has produced Doctrinal Statements and Theological Opinions (DSTOs) and other resources on behalf of the LCA. The DSTOs are listed below (click on the accordion links). Some are available for download in PDF format.

Volume 1

Foreword Expand
  • Foreword
A. Theses of Agreement Expand
  • Title and Contents
  • I: Principles governing church fellowship
  • II: Joint prayer and worship
  • III: Conversion
  • IV: Election
  • V: The church
  • VI: Office of the ministry
  • VII: Eschatological matters
  • VIII: Scripture and inspiration
  • IX: Lutheran confessions
  • Appendix: statements on practical matters
  • The status of the Theses of Agreement and other doctrinal statements
  • The permanent status of the Theses of Agreement
  • Document of Union
B. The Scriptures Expand
  • The Theses of Agreement and inerrancy
  • Genesis 1-3: a doctrinal statement
  • A guide for the use of Bible translations
  • A consensus statement on Holy Scripture
  • Attachment 1: towards a common understanding on the authority of Holy Scripture
  • Attachment 2: The Extent and Certainty of Canon
  • A guide for the use of Bible versions: The RSV, The New International Version and The Good News Bible
C. Church Fellowship Expand
  • Altar and pulpit fellowship: special cases
  • Fellowships and declared fellowships
  • Relationships with overseas churches
  • Document of agreement: German-speaking Lutheran congregations in Australia and the LCA
  • Guidelines for inter-church marriages
D. Ministries in the Church Expand
  • The relationship between graduation from Australian Lutheran College (formerly Luther Seminary) & ordination
  • Graduation from Australian Lutheran College (formerly Luther Seminary)
  • The right to the use of the title 'Pastor'
  • The use of lay evangelists in the church
  • The relationship of the auxiliary offices to the office of the ministry
  • The status of the teacher in the church
  • Directives concerning parish workers
  • Elders in the Lutheran Church of Australia
  • Standard procedures and questions in colloquising prospective church servants
  • Call and appointment
  • What constitutes a call?
  • Guidelines for introducing the practice of separating first communion and confirmation
E. The Sacraments Expand
  • The mutual recognition of baptism (Roman Catholic and Lutheran Churches)
  • Pastoral practice in reference to holy baptism
  • Concerning the sacrament of the altar
  • Infant communion
  • The blessing of children at the altar
F. Women in the Church Expand
  • Statement on rights of women to vote at meetings of the congregations
  • The role of women in the church
  • The service of women on boards and committees of the church
G. Inter-Denominational Cooperation – Church Movements Expand
  • Dialogue with other church bodies or organisations
  • Pastors serving full-time in interdenominational ministries
  • World Day of Prayer & Women's World Day of Prayer
  • The Lutheran Church of Australia and the Lutheran charismatic renewal
  • Billy Graham campaign
  • The use of Lutheran Churches by other denominations
  • Radio mission
  • Pastoral attitude and practice where a pastor is attracted to or associated with the charismatic movement
H. Ethical and Social Issues Expand
  • Attitude to birth control
  • Abortion
  • War, peace, and conscientious objection to service in war
  • Homosexuality (1975)
    CTICR has finalised a document ‘Human sexuality: three key issues’ (refer Volume 3 below). This paper replaces the 1975 DSTO entitled 'Homosexuality'.
  • The involvement of the church in social & political problems
  • Capital punishment
  • Marriage, divorce and re-marriage
  • The use of drugs
  • Euthanasia or mercy killing
  • Human reproductive technology
  • Humanity's treatment of animals
  • Marriage and de facto relationships
  • Dancing
  • Guidelines on participation of pastors in protest marches
  • Declaration concerning communist and other persecution of Christians
  • Statement on Apartheid
I. Doctrinal Issues Expand
  • Summary pastoral statement concerning the body-soul issue
  • Public doctrine and pious opinion

Volume 2

Contents and Foreword Expand
  • Contents
  • Foreword
A. Theses of Agreement Expand
  • Theses of Agreement II: Joint prayer and worship
B. The Scriptures Expand
  • God and inclusive language
C. Church Fellowship Expand
  • The Lutheran Church of Australia's application for associate membership in the Lutheran World Federation
  • A confessional agreement between the Lutheran Church of Australia and the Lutheran Church–Canada
  • Guidelines for drawing up a statement of 'Recognition of Relationship' between the Lutheran Church of Australia and another Lutheran church body
D. Ministries in the Church Expand
  • Female elders
  • The ministry of the people of God and the public ministry
E. The Sacraments Expand
  • The service with holy communion for ministry to those who are sick
  • The treatment of unused consecrated elements
  • Some pastoral guidelines for responsible communion practice
  • The celebration of the Lord's Supper with thanksgiving
  • The distribution of the sacrament of the altar
  • The distribution of the Lord's supper to the sick by deacons, elders or lay servers
F. Women in the Church Expand
  • Should women serve as lay readers in public worship?

G. Interdenominational Cooperation – Church Movements Expand
  • A brief evaluation of the church growth movement
  • Guidelines for participants in cross-denominational or non-denominational Bible study groups
  • The Lutheran Church of Australia and interfaith worship
  • Pastoral care of isolated members of the Lutheran Church of Australia
H. Ethical and Social Issues Expand
  • Human rights
  • HIV and AIDS
I. Doctrinal Issues Expand
  • A Statement on mission
  • Is the Pope the Antichrist?
  • The two kingdoms and social ethics
J. Church–School issues Expand
  • The Lutheran Church of Australia and its schools
  • The teacher in the Lutheran school
  • The public ministry in the Lutheran school
K. Worship Expand
  • Rationale for synodical decision on use of approved orders with holy communion
  • The use of multi-purpose worship centres
  • A Lutheran approach to the theology of worship
  • Guidelines for services on special occasions
  • Worship at Luther Campus: a declaration and appeal

Volume 3

Volume 3 is online only; there is no print version.

C. Church Fellowship Expand
  • Church Fellowship and the LCA (2003)
  • Membership in LWF
D. Ministries in the Church Expand
  • Our Church in Mission (2003)
  • Prophecy in the Church (2014)
  • The Lay Preacher
  • The Use of Personal Testimonies in Public Worship
H. Ethical and Social Issues Expand
  • Voluntary Assisted Dying (2023)
  • Caring for God's creation (2023)
  • Human sexuality: three key issues (background paper) (2014)
  • Human sexuality: three key issues (summary) (2015)
    A series of studies suitable for small groups supports the Human Sexuality papers. Go to Study Guides page.
  • God’s creation: a sacred responsibility (2015)
  • One loving God: two hands – saving and caring
  • Christian vocation (2009)
I. Doctrinal Issues Expand
  • Spiritual Warfare and the Ministry of Deliverance (2014)
  • Infant Communion: a Reappraisal

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Lutheran Church of Australia
Commission on Theology and Inter-Church Relations

197 Archer Street North Adelaide SA 5006
08 8267 7300
cticr@lca.org.au

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