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541

Welcomed by the gospel

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by Lisa McIntosh 

The cultural and ethnic make-up of communities in which many Lutheran churches are based has changed dramatically. How can we best serve alongside people of all nations so that we truly welcome ‘the stranger’ with the gospel? Two LCANZ congregational leaders share their insights.

Pastor Mark Schultz from LifeWay Lutheran Church in New South Wales is in no doubt – multi-ethnicity is God’s vision for his church. ‘We are to be a community united in Christ, made up of every tribe, nation, people, and language’, he says.

A multi-site church family, LifeWay has recently welcomed Illawarra worship centres at Wollongong and Oak Flats, and has launched a Western Sydney church plant in Glenmore Park to join locations at Epping and Newcastle.

‘Becoming a multi-ethnic church is not just about reaching out to the community’, Pastor Mark says. ‘It starts with an attitude and practice of accepting people of all nations as equal, fully participating members in church fellowship, and then living that out by all nations using their gifts and abilities and being actively involved in the mission and the vision of the church. The critical component is living Jesus’ love, which accepts, embraces and values.’

More than 20 nationalities are represented among LifeWay worshippers and 46 per cent of people in Epping’s local community were born overseas and speak a language other than English at home. The major ethnic groups in that area are Chinese, Indian and Korean.

LifeWay has celebrated more than 15 multi-ethnic baptisms of children, young people and adults in the past two years, while eight out of 10 young people who completed the congregation’s ‘Step up to communion’ course recently, were from multi-ethnic families.

Its mainly music ministry is a bridge into the local community with more than 80 per cent of those who attend representing the community’s ethnicities. Mums who attend this group but are not church members have brought friends to worship, which culminated in the Easter baptism of three members of one family.

Other multi-ethnic ministries at LifeWay include a ‘praise dance’ group; a weekly singing group with devotions from Asian Ministry Chaplain Wilkinson Hu; a fortnightly Bible study; and Chinese-speaking small groups. LifeWay also includes Chinese language, with English, on screens during worship for the creed and The Lord’s Prayer.

And in a region that in 10 years will accommodate 10 per cent of Australia’s population, with more than 160 nationalities, the fledgling LifeWay Westside church plant is intentionally a multi-ethnic ministry from its genesis.

‘A multi-ethnic mindset begins with my heart – redeemed, restored and reset for God’s purposes’, Pastor Mark says. ‘Without Christ sacrificing his all for me, I would remain lost and condemned. But he has made me his forever. He loves me, accepts me, values me. He delights in me.

‘Through that truth, you begin to look at others not as people who need to be converted, but as people whom Jesus also loves and are made in God’s image.’

Cross Cultural Mentor Barbara Mattiske from Glynde Lutheran Church in Adelaide says the local community there has also been changing. The suburb has long been home to an Italian community. However, in more recent times, an increasing number of people from China, India and Malaysia, and other nations such as Japan and Korea, have made the area their home.

‘We looked at the community around us and how we could integrate more into the community’, Barbara says. ‘And one of the main things we learnt is that friendship is one of the most important things we can offer.

‘We can offer friendship through activities for children, through listening, education and learning. So now we run mainly music classes for mums and dads with their children, we run English and cooking classes, we do learning mornings about education, we learn about being a parent, about marriage and about God.’

Rika, who is originally from Japan, has been coming to Glynde for several years, particularly for its family ministries. ‘Glynde is a very special place for me because I can see new people and also, I feel very important and [that I] belong and I feel this is a family to me’, she says.

After the first lockdown in Adelaide due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Rika’s family decided that her three young children would be baptised at Glynde. Her Christian background only involved adult baptism but, after input from Barbara and Pastor Wayne Boehm, Rika spoke with her family about baptism.

‘I wanted them to come to see God through Christ’, she says. ‘I talked to my husband; he is not a Christian, but he understood the importance of this baptism. But the most important thing was if my children wanted to have it. So, I sat down with them and I asked them, “Christ died for you, God loves you, would you like to be baptised?” And the three of them – they are little, but they understood to their level – they said: “Yes, we would like to have it”. And looking at their eyes, so serious but excited, I thought, “Yes, this is the thing God has prepared for them, not me to decide but for them to decide”.’

Barbara says the Glynde family was very excited about the baptism and that on the day in church were other young migrant mums who engage with Glynde ministries: ‘And as we all came back to our seats … the other two women turned around and looked at me and they said, “I need to have what they have”. God is amazing!

‘And that is so much what Glynde is about. We want everyone to have what Rika’s children received – to be part of God’s family – and so that is our prayer for everyone who comes here.’

BARBARA MATTISKE’S TIPS FOR WELCOMING THE STRANGER

Listen – not only with your ears

Smile – not only with your mouth

Remember names – it makes people feel special

Act – upon what you are told

Honour culture – don’t judge

Show hospitality – share a coffee or meal

Be careful with language – many don’t understand church talk

Pray – for those you meet

Enjoy – you will be blessed

542

Conferences support mission

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The LCANZ’s New Horizons local mission conference program is heading to Sydney next month. This follows a successful 2021 launch at which more than 50 people attended a two-day workshop in Adelaide.

Co-hosted by the New and Renewing Churches and Cross-Cultural Ministry departments, the conferences are being staged across Australia and New Zealand, as the teams work together to engage with new arrivals and support congregations wanting to be more embracing of newcomers. The conferences aim to:

  • build capacity for meaningful cross-cultural engagement at the local (congregational) level, and
  • shape and support congregations and leaderships for multi-ethnic/cross-cultural mission and ministry.

The next event will be held on Saturday 29 May at St Paul’s Lutheran Church, Darlinghurst, under this year’s New Horizons theme of ‘Bridging cultures with the gospel’.

Craig Heidenreich, the LCANZ cross-cultural ministry facilitator, said the conferences were for anyone who ‘longs to see Jesus honoured in our society’.

‘Australia and New Zealand have always been nations of immigrants, but lately, those arriving are people from non-European backgrounds who have had less exposure to the gospel’, he said. ‘Forty years ago, around one in 20 members of the Australian population was of non-European heritage – now it is one in four. In a city like Sydney this would be an even higher percentage.

‘There is an increasing desire within the LCANZ church family to better engage with our changing society.

‘We believe this changing demographic is a good mission opportunity, as these newcomers are less “inoculated” against the gospel and are probably more receptive.’Craig and Pastor Nathan Hedt, the LCANZ’s New and Renewing Churches department manager, will speak at the Sydney conference. ‘We find there is tremendous joy as we move out into the Lord’s harvest field and we would love you to join us at the conference’, Pastor Nathan said. ‘Come with your enthusiasm, your experiences and questions.’

A New Horizons conference is also planned for Melbourne on 24 and 25 July 2021, with Brisbane, New Zealand and Perth events slated for 2022.

Registrations for the Sydney workshop on 29 May are open. For more information or to register for the Sydney conference, go to www.lca.org.au/new-horizons

543

Clear vision for the way forward

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JESUS IS GOD’S LOVE.

HE GIVES US NEW HEARTS –

TO LAY ASIDE OUR OLD WAYS,

TO BELIEVE AND FOLLOW HIM,

TO LIVE WITH HIM EVERY DAY.

HEARTLAND

Rev John Henderson

Bishop Lutheran Church of Australia

I recently had a pair of multifocal spectacles that just weren’t right. Everything was slightly off. No matter how I twisted my head or swivelled my eyes, my vision was not clear. Outdoors, horizontal lines, such as house gutters, took on a blue-halo effect. Eventually I had the lenses replaced. Now, with new ones, I can see clearly.

When we read the Scriptures, we also see them through lenses of various types, and I don’t mean spectacles. In times of distress, God might lift up passages that you previously glossed over. In times of joy, words of praise will leap off the page. In a tight spot, words of encouragement will be there. When struggling with sin or guilt, you will read words of forgiveness and reconciliation in Jesus’ name. In times of persecution, you will see the hosts of heaven praising God in eternity. The Scriptures reveal God’s love for us in real, living ways as he meets us where we are at.

Our immediate situation, however, is not the only lens that shapes our reading of Scripture. Many lenses work together, just as they do when an optometrist tests your vision. We usually don’t notice them, just as a fish doesn’t notice the water it swims in. When the lenses work together well, we see clearly, but when they don’t, they distort our vision to varying degrees. Such lenses include culture, gender, race, affluence, poverty, pride, greed, prejudice, and many more. They can help or hinder the clarity of our vision. Some we choose, some we don’t.

We Lutherans also openly read the Scriptures through the lens of our Confessions, which we accept as ‘true expositions of the Word of God’ (LCA Constitution 2.1). Very specifically, they are the documents contained in The Book of Concord of 1580. (If you don’t have them, you can find them online at sites like https://bookofconcord.org/.) If you’ve ever read the Small Catechism, for instance, it is from our Confessions. The ancient Apostles or Nicene creeds we use in worship also are included. The Confessions are the lens which confirms us as trinitarian, small ‘c’ catholic (ecumenical), scriptural, sacramental (baptism and communion), and evangelical (the good news of Jesus Christ).

The Book of Concord, or ‘agreement’, comes from a time of great turmoil in western European society and the church. People died in defence of the truth, and people died in defence of error. Wrong was done on many sides. Holding on to the gospel of Jesus Christ, despite the violence, division and potential ruin of the time, took more than ordinary human vision. It required a very sharp focus, which came from the central scriptural witness to Jesus Christ and the doctrine of justification by faith, not by works.

God reveals his boundless love at work in the world through the cross, as summarised in Augsburg Confession IV: ‘ … we receive forgiveness of sin and become righteous before God out of grace for Christ’s sake through faith when we believe that Christ has suffered for us and that for his sake our sin is forgiven and righteousness and eternal life are given to us. For God will regard and reckon this faith as righteousness in his sight, as St. Paul says in Romans 3[:21–26] and 4[:5]’.

This is our confession. This is who we are. Without the gospel, the forgiveness of sins for Jesus’ sake, we are nothing. But our God is faithful. We can rely on him. Focused on the central teaching of justification by faith, we know the love of God, deeply and confidently. It is our clear vision for the way forward. As the Scriptures say, Jesus alone is the way, the truth, and the life. No-one comes to his Father but through him (John 14:6).

544

Editor’s letter

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Over the past few years, I’ve found great joy in worshipping alongside people who look nothing like me. My home congregation is complemented by people of different cultures and ethnicities, various ages and generations, contrasting backgrounds and experiences, and with a range of abilities and disabilities.

Many of us were once strangers to this gathering of believers but today we are a faith family. And I hope and pray that every time a ‘stranger’ visits, we will continue to welcome them with the love and hospitality of our Lord and Saviour.

The make-up of my congregation wasn’t always this way. Indeed, the Lutheran Church of Australia and New Zealand is more diverse in its membership than ever before – particularly in terms of race, ethnicity and culture – and what a blessing that is! After all, Jesus doesn’t say to ‘Go and make disciples’ of ‘one or two nations’ or of ‘this or that ethnicity’ (Matthew 28:19).

And, if our churches don’t reflect the changing faces of our cities and towns, it may be that we are missing the ‘Go’ part of our call as Christians.

In this edition, we are privileged to share stories from our Lutheran family members who are welcoming ‘strangers’ by inviting, hosting, engaging and building relationships with people in congregations, church groups and schools. You will read about ways in which multi-ethnic or cross-cultural ministry in the LCANZ – whether through planned programs or incidental acts of kindness and friendship – are enriching us as a church as we learn from those different to us.

As well as our themed and regular columns and resources, this edition contains two special features which prioritise care for others. One is about the warning signs of leadership burnout, while the other highlights our LCANZ Hidden Hurts Healing Hearts campaign as part of Domestic Violence Prevention Month in May.

Of course, in May we also thank God for mothers or our treasured memories of her, and we pray for mums who have lost children and those who wished to be mothers.

We pray, too, for unity and healing among First Nations peoples and other Australians as we mark National Sorry Day (26 May) and the anniversary of the 1967 Referendum leading into National Reconciliation Week from 27 May.

These special events are further reminders that no matter who we are or where we come from, we know whose we are, as God wants us all as part of his family. And, so, may he richly bless our efforts to welcome the stranger in whatever way we are called to do so.

Lisa

545

Delegates back electronic Synod meeting option

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The LCANZ’s General Synod will be able to meet electronically should this be necessary in future, following the approval of changes to the church’s bylaws.

The changes within sections 7.2, 7.3 and 7.4 of the LCA’s bylaws, which relate to the convening of General Synod, the procedure of transacting business by Synod and nominations and elections, were approved last month by a postal ballot of delegates from the 2018 Convention of General Synod.

The motion on the ballot, authorised by the General Church Board and submitted by the Secretary of the Church, proposed to allow conventions of General Synod to ‘take place by meeting in person or by electronic means’. The proposal also included bylaw changes to allow procedures in transacting business and nominations and elections to be amended to suit the form in which the meeting takes place, whether in-person or by electronic means.

The Secretary of the Church. Dr Nigel Long, has announced that of the 417 ballots mailed out, 279 (67 per cent) valid votes were returned, which exceeded the required quorum of 209. He reported that 232 or 83.15 per cent of responding delegates voted ‘yes’ to approve the changes, while 47 or 16.85 per cent of delegates voted against the changes. This exceeded the requirement of a two-thirds majority for the motion to be adopted.

546

Hundreds join online child safety seminar

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An estimated 300 congregational leaders and pastors joined a recent LCANZ Safe Church webinar.

The webinar in late March featured a presentation on the draft LCA Child Safety Standards for Congregations by Child Protection Project Officer Mary-Ann Carver.

The standards align with and will help the church to implement the Australian Government’s National Principles for Child Safe Organisations. The standards also are designed to help the LCANZ to build up its existing children’s ministries.

Videos from the event are available on the Child Safety Standards page on the LCA website at www.lca.org.au/css

Mary-Ann and the LCANZ’s Professional Standards Department thanked everyone who participated for their commitment and their contributions during the online seminar.

Tim Ross, manager of the Professional Standards Department, said many participants also asked insightful questions during the webinar. ‘It was fantastic to see such enthusiasm for Safe Church’, he said. ‘Due to the importance of the topics discussed, we encourage those who missed the webinar on the day to view and share the videos.’

547

No longer strangers thanks to acts of kindness

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by David Craig

During our retirement, my wife Ruth and I have been blessed to be able to volunteer in several countries. In each case, there were new faces, a new language and a different culture. As strangers in foreign lands, we knew there would be challenges. But there were also many kindnesses.

When Ruth first left her South Australian hometown to teach in a Lutheran mission in Papua New Guinea in 1960, she was unsure what lay ahead. But on her arrival, she was met by an act of kindness. The parents of her students presented her with a hen and bowl of eggs. Through an interpreter, they explained she was regarded as the mother to their children who would be safe under her wings.

This simple act of friendship gave Ruth an insight into the locals’ welcome to her, a stranger.

While living in Sumatra, in a seminary where we were helping incoming students with English, we received many invitations into people’s homes. Once when we were asked to visit for coffee, we were greeted with ‘Happy birthday’! Yes, it was Ruth’s birthday and they had made a cake to celebrate.

After the singing of ‘Happy Birthday’, Ruth was fed the first mouthful of cake on a spoon. Then, as was the custom, she fed other guests. It was a heartwarming experience.

One Easter while we were teaching in Pakistan, our director, knowing we were Christians, offered us his car and driver so we could attend the nearest church, two-and-a-half hours away. When we returned, it was touching to be welcomed by the director and his family. They said, as we were far from home, we should recognise our holy day with a party and they were happy to celebrate with us. We were then able to share our faith with our Muslim friends.

During our time teaching in Nepal, we began to long for some Aussie bread. The wife of a teacher must have heard us ‘grumbling’ and several days later was on our doorstep with a warm, freshly baked loaf.

In Bangkok, we were privileged to be invited to the blessing of a new Lutheran church in northern Thailand. The village had very few resources, but the locals wanted to show hospitality to those who had travelled long distances.

Some villagers spent many hours preparing meals, while at night they joined visitors in hymn-singing and testimonials. Bedtime was a revelation – 40 visitors, including the bishop, slept on the floor of the small church building. We were head-to-toe, but it was a most entertaining experience! We strongly felt our oneness in Christ with the villagers who had welcomed us.

Over the years, many offers of hospitality have led to enduring friendships. Thanks be to God for the opportunity to learn from other cultures. We were no longer strangers, but pilgrims on a journey.

David and Ruth Craig are volunteers with LCA International Mission. Go to https://lcamission.org.au/volunteer or phone Nevin on 08 8267 7300 for more information.

548

Respect is on the line

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by Helen Lockwood

How many times have you heard these or similar words: ‘If this program has raised any issues for you, please call 1800RESPECT’? Often it follows a show about domestic and family violence or sexual abuse. This national counselling service is a vital 24-hour helpline, ready to support people going through abuse or whose memories of abuse have resurfaced.

Have you wondered who might ring that number or what would it be like to take the calls of distressed and desperate people?

May is Domestic and Family Violence Prevention Month in Australia and recently I spoke to members of the Lutheran community who work on the 1800RESPECT line about their experiences.

They say it’s a heavy burden hearing the stories of those being abused or who have been abused in the past. Some callers are in crisis, fearing for their lives, and the counsellor works to give them strategies to stay safe and to connect to services. Perhaps the hardest to hear is the impact on children.

Some callers feel that they are going mad as their partner has been using coercive control, ‘gaslighting’ them. Sometimes the callers are experiencing spiritual abuse. Their violent partner is an important person in the church and so she fears she will not be believed. Or she believes her marriage vows mean she has to stay in a violent relationship, or he keeps telling her that this is the cross Jesus expects her to bear.

Both women and men call. Some abuse the counsellors. Some need to talk about their trauma. Some are asking how to help family and friends they suspect are experiencing domestic and family violence.

When COVID-19 restrictions began the lines went quiet. Counsellors were worried because they knew that abuse survivors were locked in at home with perpetrators 24/7. Fear and trauma were magnified by the isolation of COVID lockdowns.

The counsellors face many challenges. They spoke to me about how their understanding of God’s love for everyone helps them to respond positively to those they speak with and how they pray for the right words to say. Domestic and family violence workers are aware of their power with extremely vulnerable people. One worker said: ‘I need that power when I have to advocate for the survivor, but if I am to reach out to that person with compassion, I need to lay aside my power as Jesus did and stand alongside them as they share their pain. The name of Jesus may not be spoken, but Jesus goes along inside me as I work.’

Helen Lockwood is a member of the LCANZ’s Working Group on Domestic and Family Violence.

The Hidden Hurts Healing Hearts campaign website at www.preventdfv.lca.org.au features stories of survivors, resources and support.

If this article has triggered any concerns for you, you can ring the 1800RESPECT number or log in to the website at www.1800respect.org.au

GET HELP – Hidden Hurts Healing Hearts

If you or someone you know is affected by domestic and family violence, visit

www.anrows.org.au/get-support or call 1800 RESPECT (24-hour National Sexual Assault Family Domestic Violence Counselling Service), or Lifeline Counselling (24 hours) 131 114. In an emergency, call 000. www.preventdfv.lca.org.au

549

Grannies share ‘mother lode’ of wisdom

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Going GREYT! 1 Peter 4:10

In Going GREYT! we feature stories of some of our ‘more experienced’ people within the LCA, who have been called to make a positive contribution in their retirement. We pray their examples of service will be an inspiration and encouragement to us all as we look to be Christ’s hands and feet wherever we are, with whatever gifts and opportunities we’ve been given.

by Helen Beringen

Bringing together the teaching skills of retired teachers with the learning needs of children, many of whom are refugees, has been a match made in heaven for one northern suburbs school in Adelaide.

All it took was a school principal with a big heart, an inspiring online English program helping disadvantaged children, and a team of grannies.

This band of friends from the Bridgewater Lutheran congregation in the Adelaide Hills were retired educators who still had lots of love and learning to share. And share it they have – with 25 refugee students from the Blair Athol North Birth to Year 7 School’s remedial English program.

Over the past year, 73-year-old Gillian (Gill) Stevenson and friends Sheri Paschke, Judi Bell, Betty Lores and Julie Grierson have run weekly intensive English coaching sessions via the internet meeting system Zoom for the students, which also continued through COVID-19 restrictions. ‘It was very much on the cards before COVID struck – what has been an amazing blessing has been the development of the Zoom platform’, Gill explains. This allowed the program to go ahead online!

Teaching is in her blood for Gill, and her husband of 53 years, retired Lutheran Pastor Alex Stevenson, whose first career was in teaching before he was called to the ministry. It is a gift shared by their son Darren who, as principal of the Blair Athol school, was inspired to trial the program, known as the Granny Cloud, in which UK grandmothers provide English language support to Indian disadvantaged children. (You can learn more here: http://thegrannycloud.org/)

At Darren’s school, about 100 of the 500 students are part of the intensive English program, which focuses on acquiring conversational English and literacy.

That’s where Gill and her team of retirees come in. They help the students practise their conversational English, and share their stories and background with the children, through photos, words and books. Helping the children with other literacy skills, like reading, is also a focus.

In turn, the students have written about their journey from where they were born, to their coming to Australia.

‘One of them wrote about what it means to them to be in Australia, saying “I love being here because I feel safe”’, says Gill. ‘It highlights the fact that we take it for granted so much. It just reinforces how precious our country is, in that we can feel safe here in our environment and beliefs, and not fear war and death. It highlights the liberty we have here. What we can do is share the love of God, and we are sharing God’s heart in our actions and words.’

As Gill adds, ‘God has just taken this and blessed our involvement’. The outcome has been beyond their expectations. ‘It’s a win-win’, she says. ‘The school is appreciative. While there is lots of coordination involved, they are also so passionate about this program.’

The program also has been greatly appreciated by the students, 80 per cent of whom are refugees.

Gill shares the success story of one student who had been a reluctant learner, introverted, angry and grieving before taking part in the program. ‘But she has emerged like a butterfly’, says Gill. ‘She has grown in her confidence and has developed so well in her English that she is going into the mainstream school program. It is amazing what can happen as their confidence grows.’

Tapping into the wisdom of the retired educators is also a good way for them to keep active and reinforces their confidence as teachers.

‘What has happened here is that we have this incredible reserve of knowledge in retired teachers’, Gill says.

The program doesn’t even have to interfere with the lifestyles of the retired grandmas, including the grey nomads among them. All they need is a good internet connection. ‘Most of us grannies are caravaners, and I have even done a lesson from Wilpena Pound (in South Australia’s Flinders Ranges)’, Gill says. ‘It is just extraordinary when you can show the children the hills in the background and tell them a bit about Australia, sharing the land and culture.’

The teaching team members were thrilled when they were finally able to meet the students late last year.

‘Meeting them for the first time in November after COVID restrictions were eased, we were just overwhelmed’, Gill says. “They gave us the most beautiful thank you cards and a morning tea from the school’s kitchen garden.’

Gill and her team have been amazed by the response and interest generated by the program.

‘Every disadvantaged school should have a team of grannies helping with their English conversation and much, much more’, she says.

And they give all the glory to God, summed up in a favourite Bible verse from Paul’s letter to the Ephesians, chapter 3, verses 20 and 21: ‘Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen.’

Would you like to explore how you can help the program? Contact Gill Stevenson at gastevenson7@gmail.com

Helen Beringen is a Brisbane-based writer who is inspired by the many GREYT people who serve tirelessly and humbly in our community. By sharing stories of how God shines his light through his people, she hopes others are encouraged to explore how they can use their gifts to share his light in the world.

Know of any other GREYT stories in your local community? Email the editor lisa.mcintosh@lca.org.au   

550

Five signs your character is slowly imploding

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After the upheavals, uncertainty and suffering faced by many in the past year due to the pandemic, fires, droughts and floods, it’s not surprising that mental health has become a hot topic. For community leaders, the danger of burnout may be great as they try to serve others in difficult and trying circumstances. That’s why LCANZ Pastor Adrian Kitson says it’s important for pastors and other church leaders to reflect on their mental health and watch out for …

Five signs your character is slowly imploding

Sound a bit dramatic? It’s not. I reflect on my journey as a pastor and leader and hear this as God’s gentle leading for the impossible never-ending task of serving God’s people. I share it to bless the many pastors and ministry leaders whom Jesus loves in our dear LCANZ.

This is all about self-awareness. There are few better friends for a leader than self-awareness. I suspect you have seen leaders who think they’re doing well, when in fact, everyone around them knows they are not.

How do you not become that leader? Here are five signs I’ve watched in my own life and seen in the lives of others that help me determine whether my character is in check or slowly imploding. They are a reflection on a podcast by Carey Nieuwhof, a Canadian pastor and leadership mentor (www.careynieuwhof.com).

1 – THERE’S A GROWING GAP BETWEEN WHAT YOU SAY PUBLICLY AND HOW YOU LIVE PRIVATELY

Character rarely implodes suddenly. Instead, there’s almost always a slow erosion until eventually, it happens. Consequently, wise leaders keep an eye on gaps between what they say publicly and how they live privately.

When you preach grace but snap at your partner, kids, church members or staff, that’s a problem. When you say you care about people but don’t make time for anyone in need in your personal life, that’s an issue.

What’s the solution? If your partner, kids or close associates see a growing gap between what you say and what you do, and tell you, listen up! They will help you never say publicly what you’re unwilling to live privately.

Be honest about any flaws you have and speak from your weakness as much as your strength. And if you have a growing gap that needs to be addressed, address it. Get help. Tell a friend. See a counsellor. Get on your knees.

And in leadership, try to ensure what you say publicly is how you live privately.

2 – YOUR EMOTIONS ARE INAPPROPRIATE TO THE SITUATION

A sure sign something is wrong with your character are emotional responses that are disproportionate to a given situation.

  • You fly off the handle over small things.
  • You feel nothing when people tell you something upsetting.
  • You can’t celebrate someone else’s success.

Those could be signs of burnout or could flag something deeper – a character issue. These are signs of danger ahead.

Your character is at its best when Christ, by the Spirit and his word, take over the deepest parts of who you are – your heart, mind and soul. And when he is at the centre of you, your reactions become much healthier.

The only way my character stays at this level is if I submit my heart and life to Jesus’ word daily. We call it repentance and forgiveness – and forgiveness is available!

3 – YOU HAVE LESS AND LESS GRACE TO GIVE

When my character has been at its weakest, grace is in short supply.

There’s nothing wrong with having high standards as a leader. There’s a tremendous amount wrong when those high standards cause you to treat people like dirt.

Grace runs out in your life when God runs out in your life. If you need more grace, you need more God.

4 – YOUR LEADERSHIP HAS BECOME ABOUT YOU

Leaders serve people. They don’t believe people exist to serve them. When your character begins to implode, you forget that.

Usually at the heart of a character implosion is unresolved pain. And pain, by its nature, is selfish. When you are hurting, you completely forget about anything else.

So, if you’re a selfish leader, get on your knees, see a counsellor, get help. When that pain is resolved in some helpful way, you’ll quickly return to leading well again.

5 – YOU JUSTIFY YOUR BAD ACTIONS AND DECISIONS

There’s a certain point in the journey where you realise there’s a problem but refuse to deal with it.

How do you know you’ve hit that point? When you start justifying bad behaviour and decisions. You may start saying things like: ‘If you had this much pressure in your life, you’d do it too’, and ‘Nobody understands’.

Well, believe that if you want to, but also believe that your complete implosion and erosion of trust with those around you is closer than you think. Leaders who justify their bad behaviour lose their authority to lead. Conversely, leaders who recognise it and seek help almost always get better.

Hope is in seeking good conversation with trusted people – professionals, family members, friends and local colleagues.

Habits that stay close to God’s word are healing habits. They keep you serving with grace in the freedom that is yours in Jesus.

Listening to those who know and love you the most is very wise. Listening to people in your community who notice things and have a quiet humility with a challenging word are often the Lord’s instruments of gentle (or not so gentle) warning and prodding.

Ask people you trust to monitor your public words and give them permission to share their sense of you in that public space.

Set yourself boundaries in all aspects of daily life – how it begins, where you go and who you hang out with.

The best news is that Jesus hangs out with us, no matter the stage of our character. That is what I see in the gospels in the likes of Zacchaeus, Matthew, Peter, the Gerasene guy, the woman caught in the act and the men accusing her.

Jesus is our source of best character and faithful serving in his mission.

Adrian Kitson is Senior Pastor at St Petri Lutheran Church Nuriootpa, in South Australia and is the chairperson of the LCANZ’s Commission on Worship.