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LCA pastor commissioned for mission service in PNG

Even though COVID-related travel restrictions make deploying a missionary overseas a far more drawn out and challenging prospect than it was just two years ago, Pastor Murray and Tracy Smith are now a step closer to their move to serve in Papua New Guinea (PNG).

Pastor Murray has been called to serve as a lecturer at the Evangelical Lutheran Church of PNG’s (ELC-PNG) Senior Flierl Seminary at Logaweng, near Finschhafen from next year. The Smiths, who plan to move to PNG later this year, were joined by family and friends at St Martin’s Lutheran Church at Mannum on the River Murray in South Australia on 17 October for Pastor Murray’s commissioning as an LCA missionary.

Having grown up in the nearby Bowhill congregation, the choice of Mannum for the service was significant for Pastor Murray, as those who nurtured him in the faith were able to come together to praise God and encourage the couple as they set out on this new adventure of faith and service. LCA Assistant to the Bishop – International Mission Pastor Matt Anker officiated at the service and acknowledged that the Smiths are following a long line of LCA missionaries who have served in PNG and, in particular, at the seminary in Logaweng.

Pastor Matt said that, while the Smiths go to serve, they can look forward to being richly blessed by the community there.

Rev Dr Jack Urame, head bishop of the ELC-PNG, greeted Pastor Murray saying, ‘We wish you and Tracy all the best in your preparations for this great task ahead of you and look forward with excitement to seeing you soon. The peace of the Lord be with you! Lukim yu long PNG’.

Pastor Murray’s call to PNG is being financially supported in partnership with Mission Eine Welt of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Bavaria.

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Church child safety standards approved

The LCA’s new Child Safety Standards for Congregations have been approved by the General Church Board (GCB).

These standards were developed to implement the National Principles for Child Safe Organisations across all LCA congregations in Australia. Endorsed by members of COAG (the Council of Australian Governments), the national principles reflect 10 child safe standards recommended by the Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse. The approval of the LCA standards is ‘an important development for the church and an example of its long-standing child safety leadership and commitment’, says Child Protection Project Officer Mary-Ann Carver.

‘The LCA’s Child Safety Standards reflect the national principles in their content and aspiration but are tailored to the faith-based, congregational context’, Mary-Ann says. ‘The intent of the standards is to provide congregations with clear guidance regarding child safety expectations and to help congregational leaders maintain effective oversight of congregational safety and wellbeing.

‘The standards are also a reflection of God’s abounding love for children and his expectation that we will dearly and lovingly do our very best to keep them safe as they grow in their faith.’

Implementation of the standards will assist the LCA to meet its mandatory child safety responsibilities. This is particularly important given that robust regulatory systems are already in place in New South Wales and Victoria, with similar systems likely to be introduced across remaining states and territories.

The standards have been trialled in congregations and their feedback has helped make the documents as user-friendly as possible. The standards come with two implementation tools – a simple self-assessment by which congregations can measure their child safety status and a child safety planning template for congregational leaders to document and monitor priorities and initiatives. It is expected that from 2022 all congregations will do child safety self-assessments and prepare child safety plans annually. They will be supported through this process by the LCA.

GCB has also approved the LCA’s Statement of Commitment to Child Safety. This statement represents a public demonstration of the LCA’s commitment to keeping children safe. In part, it says: ‘The LCA is committed to providing a safe church environment for children and young people. The LCA also affirms that it has no tolerance for child abuse … The way we care for children is a reflection of our genuineness of faith. It is also a reflection of God’s love and his divine protection.’

To read the full statement and for more information about the standards, go to www.lca.org.au/css

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Added support for pastors and ministry candidates

As part of the LCANZ’s commitment to pastors and the communities they serve, the General Church Board (GCB) has approved a policy designed to strengthen the church’s support in the formation and equipping of pastoral ministry candidates.

To be overseen by the Church Worker Support (CWS) Manager on behalf of the Office of the Bishop, the initiative involves candidates for the office of the ministry taking part in a comprehensive psychological assessment. It has the backing of the Pastoral Studies Stream at Australian Lutheran College.

CWS Manager Dr Chris Materne said the move was designed to improve care for those wanting to serve in pastoral ministry and increase their understanding of their own mental health. Dr Materne added that the Psychological Assessment of Candidates for the Office of Ministry Policy would also ultimately benefit congregations, other calling bodies and the wider church.

‘I believe the outcome of this policy will be beneficial for the candidates for the office of ministry and to the church in the longer term, as we strive to improve our understanding of, and support for, psychological health and wellbeing across the church’, she said.

The objectives of the policy include understanding and supporting the psychological wellbeing of candidates for pastoral ministry, ordinands and pastors; improving the church’s capacity to identify suitable candidates for ordained ministry; providing better support to calling bodies; improving the church’s ability to support people with diverse mental health needs; and increasing awareness of mental health and wellbeing needs more broadly.

You can read the full policy at www.lca.org.au/policies/

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Call for Lutheran nurses award nominations

Nominations are open for the Lutheran Nurse of the Year award for 2022. Launched in 2020 to mark the 200th anniversary of the birth of Florence Nightingale, who is recognised as the founder of modern nursing, the award recognises faithful and outstanding service during the preceding calendar year by a registered or enrolled nurse who is an active member of a Lutheran congregation in Australia or New Zealand. The inaugural award winner in 2020 was Angela Uhrhane, of Albury-Wodonga, New South Wales-Victoria. Last year’s recipient was Wayne Kroker, of Nundah, Queensland. Nominations may be submitted by congregations, schools, aged-care facilities or other bodies or agencies within the LCANZ. Nominations must be lodged with Lutheran Nurses Association of Australia secretary Mrs Rose Howard, with supporting documentation, by no later than 31 March 2022. More information and nomination forms are at www.lca.org.au/ministry-groups/lutheran-nurses/

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Church@Home December 2021

CHURCH@HOME www.lca.org.au/churchhome

Encouragement in our daily faith walk

Regular devotions can help nurture our faith and even that of our families, as they strengthen our relationship with Jesus, increase our trust in God and our openness to the call of his Spirit. We pray that you will receive encouragement and blessings from the devotional materials here and in the Church@Home resources collection collated and shared on the special webpage at www.lca.org.au/churchhome

If you have internet access and a printer, why not print some and mail or deliver them to those who may otherwise miss out?

–Lisa

1 Chronicles 16:11

Seek the Lord and his strength; seek his presence continually!

DEVOTIONS FOR HOME WORSHIP

These reflections are adapted from a collection of devotions written for our LCANZ family and friends to help us keep our eyes on Jesus. You can find the full versions of these and others on the LCA website at www.lca.org.au/daily-devotion

Save us, O Lord by Tom Brennen

‘But surely, God is my helper; the Lord is the upholder of my life’ (Psalm 54:5).

Read Psalm 54.

Friends, look at the psalms for a reminder that God’s people before us have wrestled with their faith and their fear. We are not the first to cry out as this psalmist does, ‘Save me, O God, by your name’.

As a commentator writes of this psalm:

‘God may seem absent from the world, but those who invoke his name with faith and courage will discover the reality of his awesome presence … The message of the psalm is clear enough: the name of God will not fail the supplicant in a time of crisis. The enemies will not prevail. Yahweh will make a necessary connection between act and consequence, and the power of ruthless foes will be turned back against themselves.’

In this time of trouble and suffering, the psalmist seeks God in prayer, honours his holy and precious name, acknowledges him as the creator and sustainer of life, and proclaims that only he can save them. Verse 7 is so clear: ‘God has delivered them from every trouble’.

Throughout Scripture, we are encouraged to look to our mothers and fathers of faith for examples. This psalm, once again, shows the rich heritage we can draw upon for such examples.

God has indeed delivered us from evil. We have the gift of eternal life and the intimacy of knowing our Lord now. This doesn’t remove suffering from our lives nor the pain of suffering.

To be a Christian is to enter into suffering. To be a Christian is also to enter into the joy of knowing our Lord. When we are in trouble and amid suffering, let us cry, ‘Save me O God, by your name’, for this prayer has already been answered with eternal hope.

Father, Son and Holy Spirit, save us by your holy name. May you rescue us from our strife and empower us to do your will on earth. You are the upholder of our lives. Amen.

I have confidence by Sue Westhorp

‘Do not, therefore, abandon that confidence of yours; it brings a great reward’ (Hebrews 10:35).

Read Hebrews 10:32–39.

One of my favourite movies is The Sound of Music. I’ve always loved the scene where Maria leaves the confines of the abbey to begin her work as a governess to the Von Trapp family. She begins the journey tentatively, wondering what the future holds and feeling apprehensive and worried. A couple of minutes later, Maria is dancing down the streets singing about all of the things she has confidence in, finishing with ‘I have confidence in me’.

There is something stirring and inspirational about how Maria faces her fears, recounting what she knows about the world and herself.

What or who do you have confidence in? What happens when life experiences shake or damage this confidence? The writer to the Hebrews addresses these questions to the early church. The writer appeals to them to remember how they felt at the time of their conversion to the faith and that the light they experienced then also shone into the dark times that followed as they suffered for their faith.

When you are suffering or struggling, what is it that reminds you of God’s love for you? What is it that reminds you of who you have confidence in? Perhaps it is recalling times past when God has answered your prayers. Maybe it is remembering a time when you felt God was absent, but on reflection, you realised he was there with you in your suffering. For some of us, the journey of faith consists of days when we are confident of God’s goodness and presence in our lives, while on other days, well, we’re not so sure – the mystery of faith and doubt living side-by-side as we make sense of our existence as God’s beloved children.

So, what is this confidence that we hear about in this passage from Hebrews, and what is the reward? What we have confidence in is the reward! Our confidence is in the God who saves us through Christ. The God who is always with us in times of joy and in times of sorrow. When we feel less than confident about our ability to handle life’s challenges, we can have confidence in the one who loves and saves us, no matter what life brings. Go, live in that confidence!

Loving God, give me faith in you, confidence in your saving promises and endurance for the journey ahead. Amen.

PRAYER 

IN ADVENT WE WAIT

In Advent we wait for you,
God the maker,
Jesus the storyteller,
Holy Spirit of life.

In Advent we cry to you,
God of Justice,
Jesus of Bethlehem,
Holy Spirit of hope.

In Advent we long for you,
You, God, are our love,
Our warmth,
Our light.

– Ruth Burgess, from justprayer.org

Psalm 145:18,19

The Lord is near to all who call on him … he hears their cry and saves them.

In whom do I place my trust? by Pastor Glenn Crouch

‘Blessed are … those whose hope is in the Lord their God’ (Psalm 146:5).

Read Psalm 146.

In what – or in whom – do you place your trust? What are your hopes and dreams based on?

The psalmist addresses these questions as he proclaims how great is our Lord God! Our God is the creator of the universe – everything in heaven and on earth. He is reliable. God gives compassion to those in need. Those we forget, he remembers!

Why would we put our trust in other people? Why would we rely on political leaders or technology to save us? Given the events of recent times, we must see how fallible our leaders are. And we seem to find that our technology creates as many problems as it solves. Sometimes even bigger problems! The prophets of old laughed at those who took a lump of wood. They used part of it to cook their dinner, part to build some furniture and the rest to make an idol in which to trust. Are we really that much different? The psalmist proclaims we have this mighty God who wants a relationship with us – and this God not only has the power to save, he wants to save!

As we read this psalm, we are easily drawn to how our Lord Jesus fulfilled this Scripture. In his life, death and resurrection, he saved us all. He set us free; he gave us sight. We see that it is through Jesus all things were created. This Jesus, who is fully God and fully man, died for you. He wants a relationship with you. Put your trust in Jesus – he remains faithful forever.

Holy God, worthy are you to be praised. Help me to turn to you for help. Teach me to trust you more and more each and every day. Thank you for your dear Son, and that through him, I am forgiven. Amen.

What do you want? by Pastor Jim Strelan

‘What do you want me to do for you?’ Jesus asked him. The blind man said, ‘Rabbi, I want to see’ (Mark 10:51).

Read Mark 10:46–52.

‘What do you want me to do for you?’ What a fantastic question coming from the mouth of Jesus – if only he would ask me that! And such a simple reply: ‘I want to see!’ No long stories about what a miserable life it is when you’re blind, how nobody cares, or how you have to beg for help just to survive. No promises about what he will do if Jesus heals him, how he will follow him and give his life to him.

This man has one need, one thing above everything else. Nothing else matters. He needs change in his life, and he says it straight out: ‘I want to see’.

From deep in his heart, he screams his need to Jesus, and, most likely in tears, he places his burden at Jesus’ feet and says, ‘You want to know what you can do for me? Here it is quite simply: I want to see’.

Can you hear Jesus asking the same question of you? What do you want? We know that we need change. We know there are areas of our lives that aren’t what they should be. We live with worry, confusion, uncertainty. We know that we need healing in our marriage, family and relationships with others. The blind man says it straight, and Jesus responds immediately. And on receiving his sight, the healed man follows Jesus.

Be daring like this blind man, and say it straight: ‘This is my biggest issue’. And hear Jesus offer you the word of healing.

Jesus, I bring to you that part of my life which most needs healing. Heal me, walk ahead of me, and I will follow. Amen.  

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Dwelling in God’s word – What is family?

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Prayer calendar – January dates

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Prayer calendar – February dates

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Equipping faith partnerships

by Jodi Brook

A big part of the work of Grow Ministries is to develop resources that support families and congregations in their ministry to children and young people.

As the end of the year approaches and we look forward to a new one, we would like to share with you two of our updated resources. These aim to equip congregations as they develop partnerships with parents and carers, and together nurture faith.

UPDATED – FAITH TRAIL BEGINNING SCHOOL MARKER

Designed to encourage conversation with parents and children about starting school, this resource provides an opportunity to share the excitement and fears around beginning school, as well as empowering families to integrate sharing of highs and lows and prayer into their daily routine. This trail marker is intended for children who are starting school or who are in their first year of primary school.

Pastor Andrew Brook from St John’s Lutheran Church Unley in suburban Adelaide explains the impact that a trail marker event has had on a family in the community.

‘Each year St John’s holds the Faith Trail event ‘Blessing of the Backpacks’ at the beginning of the school year. We invite school families from the nearby Concordia-St John’s Campus to join us.

‘Last year a new school family came. Their five-year-old son proudly came forward to be blessed with his parents. This was not just the beginning of his school journey, but also their faith journey. They started coming to worship regularly and got to know us and the God we worship. The mother said she felt a sense of peace when gathered with us. COVID-19 hit, and we didn’t hold public worship for four months. But when we returned to face-to-face gathering, so did they, and then they attended an Alpha course.

‘This September the family was baptised – mum, dad and two boys. It all started with an invitation to a blessing, asking God to be a part of their son’s life as he started school.

‘From a little thing God was able to grow the big thing of faith in him and a new community of love and support. And with that St John’s has received all the blessings that this family have to give. Praise God!’

UPDATED – CHILDREN’S ADDRESSES 

This resource offers all you need to provide an engaging children’s address during your worship time. There are Bible readings, visual ideas and other helpful tips to ensure the gospel message is shared.

‘I’m loving the Grow Ministries Children’s Addresses and use them as a base for my children’s talks from time to time. We are encouraging others to be involved in this ministry and I’m looking forward to sharing this resource with our volunteers.’
– Sharon Green, Child, Youth and Family Ministry Director, St Petri Lutheran Church, Nuriootpa SA

Jodi Brook is Director of Grow Ministries.

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Celebrating the diversity of God’s people

by Anna Kroehn

This month on 3 December, the International Day of People with Disability (IDPWD) is observed. And this annual event is a wonderful opportunity for our church to celebrate the great diversity and creativity God has shown in making humankind.

We know God loves us all, and we know God made each one of us with a purpose and gift to share with the church and the world.

The Christian Care Sunday project has recently released new resources for worship that celebrate people living with disability and the carers who support people with disabilities.

 You can access the resources from the LCANZ’s Worship Planning Page (www.lca.org.au/worship/wpp) or at www.lca.org.au/ccs-resources365 

SET ASIDE DATE TO RECOGNISE CARERS

The LCANZ encourages every congregation to set aside one Sunday each year to celebrate the care work in our congregations and communities – the month in which IDPWD is observed is a wonderful opportunity to reflect, plan and celebrate Christian Care Sunday.

We give thanks for the work of organisations such as Lutheran Services and Anuha in Queensland and Lutheran Care and Lutheran Disability Services in South Australia, who do vital work with people with disability, and their families, 365 days of the year.

For more information, contact me at anna.kroehn@lca.org.au

Anna Kroehn is LCANZ Christian Care Sunday Project Officer.

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