Lutheran ministry amongst the 6000 Aboriginal Christians in Central Australia is conducted under the auspices of the Finke River Mission Board. The area encompasses more than 60 communities with 5 main Aboriginal language groups (Arrarnta, Pitjantjatjara, Luritja, Alyawarr, Anmatyer).
An FRM staff team of pastors, linguists, maintenance workers, an accountant, and a store manager supports the local communities.
FRM encourages the establishment of local, independent, self-supporting congregations. The first two Aboriginal pastors were ordained in 1964. Now there are 20 pastors serving local communities. The theological and literacy training of pastors is an ongoing task carried out in conjunction with the Australian Lutheran College.
Yirara College, in Alice Springs, is a Lutheran boarding school providing education for post-primary children from Aboriginal communities in Central Australia.
Scripture translation is being undertaken by several skilled linguists working in close cooperation with groups of indigenous co-translators. Translation activities include the Luritja Bible; Alyawarr gospels and hymnbook; selected Old Testament books in Pitjantjatjara as well as a series of reading primers, recordings of hymns and Christian songs; and the beginnings of translation work for an Anmatyerr Bible.
Read more about FRM work and Aboriginal Christianity in Central Australia in “From Mission to Church”, Paul Albrecht's expansive publication. The book is still available from the FRM office.
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