1st General Convention of Synod, Jerusalem, Year of our Lord 50
“It is a full agenda for this historic general convention of synod. Representatives from Judea to Antioch, as well as from the Jerusalem hosts, are in attendance to discuss matters including the distribution of aid to widows and church health and growth strategies.
The major and controversial item on the agenda is the applicability of the law of Moses, particularly in relation to the matter of circumcision. Increasingly, there appears to be two camps on this issue. Those who prize tradition (some are using the derogatory term ‘legalists’) are pro-circumcision. Many arguments have been put forward and words like ‘honour’, and ‘command of the Lord’ are being used to describe their stance. The opposing camp – the Circumcision Is Not Required alliance – are using the language of ‘freedom’ and ‘new commandment’.
The chair, Jude the Just, has allowed ample time for the matter to be debated.
Breaking news: Votes are in and there has been a resounding and surprising win to the Circumcision Is Not Required party. In a late-night press conference, Paul declared ‘For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision has any value. The only thing that counts is faith expressing itself through love’.
So in Christ Jesus you are all children of God through faith, for all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ. There is neither Jew nor Gentile, neither slave nor free, nor is there male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus. If you belong to Christ, then you are Abraham’s seed, and heirs according to the promise. Galatians 3: 26-28
Jew and Gentile issue – tick. One deeply ingrained cultural issue decided. Two to go.
Press-conference, Washington DC, September 22, 1862
Today, in a heartfelt speech from the steps of the White House, President Abraham Lincoln issued a preliminary emancipation proclamation. He declared, ‘Slaves within any State, or designated part of a State in rebellion, shall be then, thenceforward, and forever free.’
White house sources say that the ‘Emancipation Proclamation’ will be made official by Congress on January 1, 1863.
President Lincoln has long been known for his anti-slavery stance. Writers report that by freeing some 3 million enslaved people in the rebel states, Congress is depriving the Confederacy of the bulk of its labour forces and is turning international public opinion strongly on the Union side.
So in Christ Jesus you are all children of God through faith, for all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ. There is neither Jew nor Gentile, neither slave nor free, nor is there male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus. If you belong to Christ, then you are Abraham’s seed, and heirs according to the promise. Galatians 3: 26-28
Slave and Free issue – tick. Two deeply ingrained cultural issues decided. One to go.
Lutheran Church of Australia and New Zealand, potential Communication release regarding 20th General Convention of Synod, Melbourne – May 2021
The communications department of the LCANZ released the following statement to the 2021 synod delegates and have asked delegates to pass this information on to their congregation members:
Grace and peace to you in our Lord Jesus Christ.
At this stage, planning is continuing for the 20th General Convention of Synod to be held in Melbourne on 28 Sept to 3 Oct. The Synod Planning Committee however are investigating the logistics of an online general convention and are considering what items of the agenda can be conducted online and what items are best deferred to a face-to-face meeting.
Commentators on the long-standing women’s ordination issue believe that, due to the polarising nature of the debate, the matter may be deferred to 2022 when God-willing, we will be able to readily travel across borders and in and out of New Zealand.
The 2000 synod in Tanunda was the first year that the LCA/NZ General Convention of Synod discussed the matter of women’s ordination. Since then, discussion on the practical outworking of Paul’s radical statements on freedom of the gospel and Paul’s controversial words to the Galatian Christians on gender and the gospel have been widely debated.
So in Christ Jesus you are all children of God through faith, for all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ. There is neither Jew nor Gentile, neither slave nor free, nor is there male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus. If you belong to Christ, then you are Abraham’s seed, and heirs according to the promise. Galatians 3: 26-28
Male and Female issue – pending.”
