Through the LCA’s 50.500 initiative, a small team of people was formed to ask how the Lutheran Church of Australia (LCA) could hear the voices of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people at this time in the life of our church and Australian society.
At its Convention in October 2018, the LCA General Synod passed the following resolution:
That the General Convention of Synod requests General Church Council to develop and implement a Reconciliation Action Plan that will:
The General Convention of Synod authorises General Church Council to commit resources to facilitate the work required to prepare and deliver the plan.
The General Convention of Synod requests General Church Council to provide a report on the implementation of the plan to the 2021 Convention of Synod.
Photo: Joint presenters of the RAP proposal, Bishop David Altus and Shona Reid enjoy the standing the ovation at the passing of the resolution.
View video of the RAP proposal presentation
A Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP) is a framework for organisations to realise their vision for engaging well with Aboriginal people and creating good pathways and processes for people. Through the program, organisations develop a RAP – a plan that documents what an organisation commits to doing.
“Reconciliation is at the heart of the Christian faith. It is a gift of God in which we are invited and privileged to participate. We Christians believe that God has reconciled the world to himself through the life, death and resurrection of Jesus Christ …
“I am many things to many people. I am an Eastern Arrernte Woman. I am married to a Wangkungurru man. I am a mum to seven children. I am an Aboriginal Christian woman … I am also a person who is passionate about reconciliation and walking together …
“The LCA has a long history of working together with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. The LCA has demonstrated historical leadership in our relationships with First Nations people. Strong relationships and communities of faith have been established. We thank God for this story and the people who are part of it …