Strategic Direction to guide reorganisation at ALC

Like many parts of the Church, ALC has been financially struggling for some time. Low student numbers, increased expenses (including rising wages and costs associated with maintaining a large but underutilized campus) and a decrease in external funding, mean that the College, like so many congregations and parishes in the LCA, is needing to reorganise itself.

While reorganisation will address the low student to staff ratios and ensure rationalisation of resources, ALC remains open for business and committed to its student's learning and formational success. Students will not be adversely impacted by this reorganisation, which has been deemed necessary by the ALC Board, and endorsed as a ‘major reorganisation’ by the LCANZ’s General Church Board.

As part of this reorganisation, which is being guided by Towards 2028, Our Strategic Direction, the ALC Board held a call meeting under the oversight of the LCA Bishop on 1 November, following which new part-time calls were issued to five of the College’s ordained staff. These new calls reflect the reduced teaching loads associated with smaller class sizes and in accordance with ALC’s Constitution, the calls are for a specific time period, namely for 3 years from 1 February 2023. Staff in ALC’s Library are facing similar cost cutting measures.

These actions bear no reflection on any staff member’s ability, capacity or generosity towards the College and Church. They are entirely due to external factors that impact the College’s financial viability.

ALC remains committed to serving the LCA and its partners and looks forward to providing post-secondary and tertiary theological education for many more years to come.

You might wonder how you can support ALC at this time. Pray for the College, and its staff and students. Encourage people to consider preparing for service as the LCANZ’s pastors, teachers and church workers. If you want to know more about studying at ALC, please email enquiries@alc.edu.au, or telephone the College on 08 7120 8200. Enrolments for 2023 are now open.