About Mike
For over 40 years, Mike Pietsch has served as a defining voice within the Lutheran Church of Australia, bridging the gap between rigorous theology and everyday life. With a ministry spanning three congregations, government schools, and 17 years as a University Chaplain and Co-ordinator in South Australia, Mike specialises in taking the Gospel out of the sanctuary and into the public square.
A scholar of Dietrich Bonhoeffer, Mike’s work focuses on the "nexus" where faith meets reason, science, and the complexities of modern ethics. He holds a Master of Theology, with a thesis focused on Bonhoeffer’s Christology as a framework for chaplaincy. Mike is not just a pastor; he is a dialogue partner who thrives on the "cut and thrust" of debate, committed to helping students and laypeople navigate the "tough and ticklish" topics of faith without compromising intellectual honesty or Lutheran doctrinal identity.
Acknowledgement of Country
I acknowledge the Kaurna people as the Traditional Custodians of the land on which I live and work in the Adelaide CBD, and the Peramangk people whose Country extends through the Adelaide Hills.
I pay my respects to Elders past and present, and recognise their enduring spiritual and cultural connection to the land, waters, and community.
May our shared learning and reflection honour their continuing stories and care for this place.