Publications - Australian Lutheran College - Fulfilling Our Mission
Preamble: The purpose for which an educational institution exists is usually defined by the community which the institution serves. Australian Lutheran College, however, has its purpose defined not primarily by the Lutheran Church of Australia which it serves, but by the commission given to the church by God in his word, to which the Lutheran Church of Australia seeks to be faithful. The theological base drawn from God's word defines the task of Australian Lutheran College, determines the character and content of the curriculum, and describes student outcomes in personal and vocational development.
1: Our Theological Basis:
- Australian Lutheran College is the tertiary educational institution of the Lutheran Church of Australia. Its curriculum is thus determined by the confessional basis of the Church whose mission it serves. Particular elements of that confession have immediate relevance for the way in which courses are structured and taught.
- The holy Scriptures of the Old and New Testament are God's revealed and authoritative word for all people so that they may be called to faith in Jesus by the Holy Spirit and come to share in the fellowship of God's Son with his heavenly Father. Scripture is the source and norm for faith, doctrine, and life in response to the Triune God.
- The Lutheran confessions, as contained in the Book of Concord of 1580, are normative because they express what God says in Scripture. They point to the central teaching of the Christian faith, namely, the doctrine of justification by grace alone, because of Christ alone, through faith alone, and founded on Scripture alone. In teaching this truth we distinguish between the law as God's word of demand and the gospel as God's word of salvation.
- God saves and sustains people through the preaching of the word, and the administration of the sacraments of Baptism and the Lord's Supper. These are the means by which the Holy Spirit comes to people, bringing salvation, reconciliation with God, and everlasting life. They are thus the marks of the church.
- In public worship the Triune God serves the people of God through word and sacrament. The people in turn respond with adoration, confession, thanksgiving and supplication.
- All Christians are in fellowship through Christ and together form the body of Christ, the church. They are called to use their gifts in service to God, which results in service to each other and the whole world.
- All God's people are called to mission and to participate in the ministry of reconciliation by bringing the gospel to others who come into their lives. Some are called by God to proclaim the word publicly and to administer the sacraments rightly. Others are called to auxiliary service in bringing the gospel to people in word and deed.
- In order that word and sacrament be applied to the lives of people, and law and gospel achieve their purpose, those who bring the message of reconciliation need to understand God's word. They must also have an understanding of the general human condition, and of people in their particular cultural context.
- The church is not simply a communion of contemporary people, but is made up of all God's people past, present, and future. Those in past centuries contribute to the life of those in the present, and those in the present contribute to the life of those in the future
- Since all people are unique creatures of God, their creaturely status must be acknowledged and respected in education and in all forms of service carried out by God's people.
- The whole world has been created by God, and is still maintained by God in wisdom and justice. God's people are thus called to discover and teach what is true about it, to pursue social justice in it, and to care for it by respecting its ecological integrity. God works in different ways in the order of creation and in the order of salvation. The world is ruled by the law with its appeal to human reason and responsibility; in the church God operates through the word and the Holy Spirit.
- To teach and study theology is first of all a gift, for God is the author of all truth. To do theology is a special vocation carried out in praise of God with the goal of greater service to God, to the church, and to the world.
2: Our Task:
- The task of Australian Lutheran College as the tertiary educational institution of the Lutheran Church of Australia is to serve the mission and ministry of the LCA through the preparation and ongoing education of men and women for service in the church and for witness in the wider community. This involves the provision of appropriate courses related to a variety of service opportunities, including those of pastors, teachers and ministry assistants. These courses attempt to meet the expanding vision of the church in its mission to an ever-changing, complex and diverse world.
- The programs offered by the Australian Lutheran College are inseparably tied to the College community worship life through which students are served and encouraged day by day for their tasks and relationships.
- The programs offered by the Australian Lutheran College are inseparably tied to the College community worship life through which students are served and encouraged day by day for their tasks and relationships.
3: Our Goals:
The curriculum, worship, and communal life of Australian Lutheran College encourages students to be:
- joyful in confessing the gospel
- true to the Triune God
- committed to the truth of Scripture as God's word
- faithful to the confessions of the church
- responsive to Christ and the gospel for all life and study
- actively involved in the life of the church
- vigorous in cultivating a devotional life
- regular in public worship
- loyal to the LCA
- respectful and loving in relationships
- intent on using knowledge and skills in the service of others
- eager to promote justice for all
- culturally and relationally sensitive to people
- urgent in witnessing to others
Updated: 15/8/2006 [1.00]
ALC | RTO/state code: 90032 | National code: 2287 | CRICOS No: 00707J | ACN: 108 602 151
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