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581

God our rescuer amid life’s storms

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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

‘When the storm is over, there’s nothing left of the wicked; good people, firm on their rock foundation, aren’t even fazed’ (Proverbs 10:25 – The Message).

One day, while driving across the western plains of New South Wales in the mid-summer, we were suddenly caught in the most terrific storm. It seemed to come from the smallest of clouds, yet it blew a gale and pelted horizontal hail and rain at us. Instantly, the road was under water and drains became raging torrents. Debris flew past and tree limbs crashed. Blinded, all we could do was pull up on the highway with our hazard lights on, hoping that no-one would run up the back of us. It was only a local storm and soon over, but for that short while it transformed the peaceful countryside into a world of danger.

In 1975 I visited Darwin soon after Cyclone Tracy and saw the devastation left in its wake. It must have been terrifying for those who experienced it.

I think of those in Fiji and the Pacific who have been struck twice recently, first by Cyclone Yasa and then Cyclone Ana.

Sometimes we can feel like the world itself is in the midst of a storm. Not necessarily a meteorological event, but an event involving change, loss, danger and destruction (think COVID-19). We might think the ground itself is moving under our feet – a sensation New Zealanders know all too well.

Truly, the world has been like this ever since humankind’s fall into sin. We might long for an imaginary halcyon time when everyone is happy and fulfilled. But history shows that whenever human beings come close to happiness, or whatever it is they seek, it doesn’t last. There is more substance in the promise than in the actual delivery. The Bible contains evidence of that over thousands of years of human history. Just when the people get it good, something – often what they themselves do – brings it all crashing down.

In response to the chaos self-seeking humans bring upon themselves, the Bible introduces us to a God who patiently and lovingly rescues his people over and over again. It’s a true miracle that we have survived and are still here to share the good news of God’s love for humankind. We owe him everything. However bad the storm may seem to us, God remains in control (see, for instance, Matthew 8:23-27 and Acts 27:18-26). His word is constant whatever happens. He does not need our endorsement or approval. We contribute nothing to his power and might. All the same, we struggle to accept our complete and utter dependence on him. Some even choose to deny his existence. But without him, we could not even take the next breath needed to finish reading this sentence. If God were to withdraw that breath, we would simply cease to be.

So, the storm itself is not our greatest risk. Our greatest risk is forgetting God. Storms will come and go – sometimes more than once. The word of the Lord, however, remains forever.

Your life might feel like a whirlwind. You might think the church you love is being tossed around by the winds of change and human desire. Sometimes the only thing to do is pull up, put the hazard lights on and wait for it to blow over, as we did on the road that day. But once the storm had passed, and we had checked for damage, we could go on our way once more.

Have confidence that this is God’s world. We are and remain God’s redeemed children. As baptised believers, we belong to God’s family, his church.

We will survive and be the stronger for it. All thanks and praise to him.

582

2018 General Synod delegate postal vote

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Delegates to the LCA’s Convention of General Synod in 2018 are being asked to vote in a postal ballot ahead of this year’s Convention.

General Church Board has authorised the Secretary of the Church to submit to the delegates of the LCA’s 19th General Synod a postal vote to authorise changes to the LCA’s bylaws.

The ballot requests that 2018 delegates approve changes to the bylaws to enable Conventions of General Synod to take place by meeting in person or by electronic means. The changes to the bylaws will allow procedures in transacting business and nominations and elections to be amended to suit the form in which the meeting takes place.

The ballot papers with supporting information were posted to delegates (at the home address listed on LCA files) last month.

They must be returned to the Secretary of the Church in the prepaid supplied envelope by the postmarked date of 26 March 2021.

583

God’s word brings life in PNG

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by Hanna Schulz

We know from 1 John that the ‘word of life’ is revealed in Jesus – the Word who took on flesh, lived among us, defeated death and is living still. The Bible is this word of life, it is ‘alive and active’ (Hebrews 4:12) and brings us life.

It is for this word that we named our new training building in Ubuo village, Papua New Guinea – the ‘Oroi’io Madei Training Centre’. This can be translated as either ‘Word of Life’ or ‘Living Word’ Training Centre. Both translations remind us that the word brings life and is alive in Jesus, speaking to us today, across time and cultures.

The centre was built to train and support people in translating God’s word into their language, for Bible-use training and supporting literacy work.

Since 2015 I have worked alongside the Kope people, training and supporting them in translating Luke into Kope. I have seen the translation team members’ faith grow as they come to understand God’s word more clearly. These co-workers share their learning with their families, churches and communities.

I also have become increasingly aware that neighbouring language communities do not have similar access to God’s word and I have been looking for ways to support them. A training centre seemed a good path.

The path from dream to reality, from planning and fundraising to building, has been long and rocky, but steeped in prayer and with each step taken in faith. God confirmed our path, often providing what was needed just in time. For example, just as solar panels and batteries needed to be paid for, I received a gift from the sale of Peace Lutheran Church Anna Bay in New South Wales! This is love in truth and action.

Despite the challenges of such a big project, especially during COVID, God raised up partners to help. Local villagers contributed through land and foundation preparation and assisted the building team. As a result, the building was completed in three-and-a-half weeks. Local women fed hungry builders and a day before the opening, the builders and electricians worked into the evening, with the power only turned on at 10.00pm.

The dedication and opening on 15 November was a huge communal effort and what a day of celebration it was! With guests from throughout the region and with much joy, we dedicated the building to the glory and work of God.

In June we plan to host a Scripture-use workshop and in September a literacy workshop. Further ahead we hope to reach out to a dozen language groups through training in oral Bible storying. This is a first step in translating God’s word into their languages.

Praise God for all he is doing among the Kope people and their neighbours. Pray for more workers and that he will prepare the hearts of those attending workshops. Pray that as they spread the word in their own languages, their communities may believe and, ultimately, know eternal life.

Hanna Schulz is a linguist and Bible translation advisor in PNG with Wycliffe, a partner of LCA International Mission. Email her at Hanna_schulz@wycliffe.org.au

To support Hanna, visit the Wycliffe Australia website at www.wycliffe.org.au/hanna or email finance@wycliffe.org.au

584

Lutherans recognised in Australia Day Honours

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LCA/NZ members Chris Halbert and David Mattiske have been recognised in the Australia Day 2021 Honours List.

Chris Halbert, who received a Medal (OAM) of the Order of Australia in the General Division for service to the history of Australian Rules football, and to music, is the founding director of the South Australian National Football League (SANFL) History Centre and has managed the centre in a volunteer capacity since its establishment in 2014. A former singing teacher at the University of Adelaide’s Elder Conservatorium of Music, Chris has also been a member of the Bethlehem Lutheran Church Adelaide choir and one of its choir librarians for approximately 18 years.

Chris said she initially ‘thought someone was pulling my leg’, but was ‘delighted and honoured’ to receive the award.

Project manager for the LCA’s Alive!175 anniversary event at the Adelaide Entertainment Centre in 2013, Chris is passionate about church music. ‘The Lutheran Church has a wonderful musical heritage and I don’t want to be a part of the generation that loses that’, she said.

Chris helped establish the SANFL History Centre to collect and preserve league memorabilia, including items from the career of her husband, former Sturt premiership captain, State and All-Australian footballer, 1961 Magarey Medallist and SANFL club coach, John Halbert. Also a member at Bethlehem, John has twice been recognised in honours lists – in 2009 with a Member of the Order of Australia award and 1969 as a Member of the Order of the British Empire.

A member of Trinity Lutheran Church, at Southport in Queensland, David Mattiske was awarded an OAM in the General Division for ‘service to veterans and their families, and to the community’.

Now 95, David was an Able Seaman aboard Royal Australian Navy cruiser HMAS Shropshire in the Pacific during World War II, from the age of 18 to 20. Part of a team of lookouts during the pivotal Battle for Leyte Gulf in the Philippines in late 1944, David was awarded the Philippine Liberation Medal in 1995. His words are immortalised on the memorial wall of one of the four engagements of Leyte Gulf, the Battle of Surigao Strait: ‘Let us pray that we never have another world war.’

He wrote the book Fire Across the Pacific, which was published in 2000, and rates the relationships he and others have built with the Philippines’ embassy, ambassadors and staff since the war as ‘by far the most important thing’ he has done.

David, who was made a Life Member of the Returned and Services League of Australia (RSL) in 1964 and has been a member of the Naval Historical Society of Australia since 2000, said it was a ‘great honour’ to receive his OAM.

The congratulations of the church are offered to these recipients and any other members honoured with awards.

585

Gifts to fellow pastors reflect God’s love

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When Pastor Matt Anker, the LCA/NZ’s Assistant to the Bishop – International Mission, called on Lutheran pastors in Australia and New Zealand to support their brother pastors in the Philippines, he says the response was ‘breathtaking’.

Pastor Matt had heard from President Antonio Reyes of the Lutheran Church in the Philippines (LCP) about the effect of COVID-19 church shutdowns, inadequate health facilities, isolation and the lack of a government safety net on LCP pastors. Rev Reyes also shared that for months his pastors had not received stipends as their congregations were not meeting in person, and many members had lost their incomes.

‘He asked if we would consider buying a month’s supply of rice for each of their pastors to help them get by – the cost of which was A$7000’, Pastor Matt says. ‘Although this is not the usual work of LCA International Mission, it was an appeal I couldn’t ignore. Calling to mind the Apostle Paul’s encouragement in Galatians 6:10, “As we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers”, I wrote to our pastors and asked them to consider supporting their brother pastors in the Philippines by donating $60 to help one family.

‘Literally within minutes of hitting the send button on the emails, our pastors started to donate and they didn’t stop! Within a couple of days, we were beyond the goal of $7000 and still the donations continued. Some pastors shared this need with their congregations and one congregation sent on a $9000 bequest they had just received so that the ministry of word and sacrament in the Philippines could continue unhindered.

‘Thanks to the generosity of our pastors and those they shared this need with, we have sent more than $35,000 to the Philippines, enabling their pastors to continue their ministry without having to seek alternative work to feed their families.’

LCP’s Pastor Daniel Pondevida sums up the response of our friends in the Philippines when he says: ‘No words of heartfelt thanks can express my joy for your goodness and kindness towards us.’

Pastor Matt says that, while the scale of generosity he has witnessed in this example is ‘breathtaking’, he has been more surprised by the words of thanks he has received from LCA/NZ pastors who ‘were grateful for the opportunity to support their extended family in this way’.

‘Their words reminded me that their generosity is not of their own doing, but instead is born of gratitude for the abundant generosity of our Heavenly Father who did not spare his own Son, but willingly gave him up for us all that we might have forgiveness of sins and life in his name’, Pastor Matt says.

‘Their gifts reflect the love they have received from the Lord, a love which is so generous it overflowed their own lives and reached all the way to the Philippines.

‘Thanks be to God for his generosity in Christ that enables us to be bearers of his generous love to others.’

586

Dwelling in God’s word – Christian meditation

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by Michael Mayer

My father, Pastor Reini Mayer, is valued for his clear gospel focus on preaching Christ for us, and justification by faith. He says I preach sanctification (how forgiveness from Christ lives itself out in us) much better than he did. My son Andreas, who is now studying for ministry, already works in evangelism on a university campus. I love how the Holy Spirit takes what is good and adds to that through successive generations.

God’s Spirit also works through Christian meditation. This includes any contemplative practice that allows the Holy Spirit to centre and grow us in Christ. It’s about God’s Word (which includes Jesus Christ) and God’s love coming alive in us.

Read Psalm 1:1-6.

What is the contrasting way to happiness offered in verses 1 and 2?

For the Jewish people the law was a gift from God. What does verse 2 invite them to do?

The word for meditate means to mouth words quietly, under your breath. What happens if you try doing that with a favourite Bible verse or phrase? Could this be a practice to use instead of some of the other things you mutter under your breath?

As New Testament people, everything is focused through Christ and the gift of forgiveness freely given to us.

As we spend time meditating on Jesus and his gift of forgiveness to us, what will our lives start to look like in verse 3? 

Read Psalm 46:10 – ‘Be still and know that I am God’. 

What is the invitation here? What is the connection between our stillness and knowing God?

Think of a situation where you usually ‘lose it’ or get stressed. Prayerfully picture yourself in that situation but do that in God’s presence. Look at yourself. What do you notice? Is there anything you want to tell God about what you notice? Does the Holy Spirit have any message for you?

An alternative meditation activity is to place your hands on the part of your body where you know God, or need to know God more. Let your hand rest there and be prayerfully still for a couple of minutes. What happens? How can you take some of this strength with you back into the pressure situation?

Read Romans 8:26-27.

This text reminds us that the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We don’t know how to pray, but the Spirit intercedes for us with sighs too deep for words.

When do you sigh? What is that expressing?

The connection between God’s Spirit and breathing (or wind) goes all the way back to Genesis 1:2 and 2:7. Our breathing can be a help to being with God.

As you pray, picture God’s Spirit coming into you. As you breathe out, release what needs to be let go of to God. Use a short Biblical phrase or words and say them silently as you breathe in and out. If you go off on a thought tangent or daydream, just come back to your phrase and your breathing.

As you meditate on these verses, know that you are a dearly loved child of God.

Pastor Michael Mayer is an accredited spiritual director and serves the congregation of Trinity Lutheran Church Ashmore in Queensland.

587

Free to trade ministry ideas

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In this column we hear from young people in our church about the ministries and mission they are part of – and how we in the LCA can better engage with youth in our communities.

#youngSAVEDfree

by Josephine Matthias

At her home church in suburban Adelaide, Josephine Matthias serves confirmation students as the program’s games and activities coordinator and a small group leader. This experience in supporting young people in her congregation led the 18-year-old chemical engineering student to participate in a global conference of young Lutherans passionate about youth work and sustainability.

Last year I had the incredible opportunity to represent the LCA/NZ in the international ‘Like a Tree’ conference run by Mission EineWelt, the partnership, development and mission arm of Germany’s Evangelical Lutheran Church in Bavaria.

The conference involved young Lutherans from around the world who are leaders in youth ministry and interested in sustainability. The conference theme was a reference to Christians being like trees, standing together in God’s forest.

We were all created to look after God’s creation and called to share the word of God with others and support them in their growth as Christians. During the nine days of the conference, we talked about our calling as Christians through the topics of sustainability and youth work.

The conference was meant to be held in Germany, but due to COVID travel restrictions, it was staged online via seminars and a website.

Before the conference began, we each had the task of creating a video introducing ourselves and our involvement in youth ministry. These helped us to get to know each other, as did the 24-hour challenges we were given throughout the conference. For one challenge, we had to find a song about sustainability, so I wrote an original composition called ‘Save the World’. Another challenge was to write a poem. We began the conference with an online church service where I read the opening liturgical sentences in English after they were heard in Portuguese and Hungarian. For the concluding online service, we each had to bring something green to hold up for a screenshot ‘photo’ to make a ‘forest’ of humans. We talked about how the word of God is the rain which helps us to grow.

Our other main topic was sustainability and we looked at the United Nations’ 17 Sustainability Development Goals. We discussed how churches around the world are already working towards these goals.

Our final topic was youth ministry around the world, with each region sharing about the ministry in their churches.

It was so refreshing to meet other young Lutherans who are passionate about their faith, and active in their churches. We have remained in contact and continue to share ideas for youth activities.

Mission EineWelt and Like a Tree also staged a global worship event after the conference and I was blessed and honoured to be a part of the planning team. Creating the service to allow people from around the world to ‘meet’ together even while apart was very exciting. After all, we are all trees in God’s forest.

Josephine Matthias is a member of Good Shepherd Para Vista in South Australia.

How can the LCA engage more effectively with young people?

I think that the way to engage young people is to offer more opportunities for mentoring and conversations. These allow young people to have a sense of belonging in their church community because relationships are being built and they know that other members care about them. Along with this, young people love the chance to use their skills.

588

Easter joy in cultural celebrations

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by Matt Anker and Basa Hutabarat

‘Selamat Hari Paskah’ means ‘Happy Easter’ for members of the Batak churches of Indonesia. Easter is an all-day celebration despite being a regular workday for most in this predominantly-Muslim South-East Asian nation. Women play a particularly important role in traditional observances which, in many places, begin at 5.00am.

Pre-dawn prayer and song 

In rural areas, women gather to re-enact the journey of ‘Mary Magdalene and the other Mary’ who rose early to anoint the Lord on the first Easter day. With lanterns in hand, these modern-day ‘Marys’ march to the cemetery to sing and pray. They next process to the church where the children are already hunting for Easter eggs and together celebrate the resurrection until around 8.00am.

Food is an important feature of Batak celebrations and, after this first Easter worship, they enjoy a traditional Batak cake called ‘lapet’. (Here’s a recipe if you want to try it: https://45all.blogspot.com/2016/12/bugis.html)

Worship, food, fashion, learning … you name it!

At 10.00am the congregation returns for worship which typically lasts several hours. The importance of Easter is further emphasised through afternoon activities, which typically involve a traditional food festival, along with events such as choral performances and fashion shows which encourage people to dress well for worship.

Indonesian Christians are eager to learn more regarding faith and so seminars are often held on Easter Sunday. Games such as ‘Name that hymn’ are also enjoyed, as a musician plays part of a hymn and participants vie to name its title and its number in the hymnal!

Encouragement facing persecution

These activities do more than celebrate an important day on the liturgical calendar. Christians in Indonesia take encouragement from their Easter celebrations to persevere in the faith in the face of grave persecution, being renewed in the sure hope of the resurrection. As St Paul says, ‘If we have been united with him in a death like his, we shall certainly be united with him in a resurrection like his’ (Romans 6:5).

Pastor Matt Anker is the LCA/NZ’s Assistant to the Bishop – International Mission and Rev Basa Hutabarat is executive secretary of the National Committee of Lutheran World Federation churches in Indonesia. For more about the Easter traditions of the LCA’s partner churches, visit www.lcamission.org.au

589

God is at work through his people

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by Tania Nelson

Are you worried about our church because congregations are shrinking or even closing, while others are without a pastor? And what about the people who may miss out on hearing the gospel because of these trends?

Despite our fears, God is at work in our church and our communities. There are green shoots of growth in his kingdom. These include new congregations being planted by people like Jacob and Kate in Canberra, and Matt and Becca in Rockingham, Western Australia.

Meet our church planters

Jacob and Kate moved from Adelaide to Canberra for work in 2013 – the year they were married. They have been involved in Immanuel Woden Valley’s journey as a sending church and Jacob co-led the congregation’s first missional community. He is now employed by their church while completing theological studies. A statistician, Kate is also a member of the LCA’s Committee for New and Renewing Churches.

Jacob says: ‘Canberra has the second-highest percentage of non-religious people in Australia – imagine what would change if more people experienced the love and hope we receive from Christ.’

Matt and Becca are newly married and live in a growing WA area. With a background in youth and young adult ministry, Matt is completing his Master of Theology through Australian Lutheran College and working with Rockingham Mandurah Lutheran Church in their church planting journey. Student Becca is a gifted violinist and enjoys joining Matt in ministry.

Matt says: ‘Did you know 1.2 million West Australians don’t know the gospel of Jesus? Church planting is the best way to change that.’

Your support can make a difference

They can’t do this alone though – they need your support to bring love to life in new places, in new ways, to new people. That’s why you’ll soon hear in your congregation how to share in this exciting outreach through Local Mission’s appeal.

Your prayers and donations will enable:

  • A congregation like yours to be supported in missional training
  • A church planter to be mentored by a team member from the LCA/NZ’s New and Renewing Churches department
  • A sending church to receive a grant to support the fledgling church plant

What else can your support do?

As well as enabling our LCA/NZ church planters to share the good news of God’s amazing love, your prayers and gifts support the vital mission work of Cross-Cultural Ministry, Ministry with the Ageing, Grow Ministries and Lutheran Media.

Dr Tania Nelson is the LCA/NZ’s Executive Officer – Local Mission.

590

New website showcases mission opportunities

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www.newandrenewingchurches.org.au  

New and Renewing Churches has a new website. A department of LCA/NZ Local Mission, New and Renewing Churches serves the kingdom of God by supporting church planting and missional renewal. Executive Officer – Local Mission Dr Tania Nelson says: ‘We desire to go as God’s people and form missional communities and congregations across Australia and New Zealand. We know that God’s love comes to life when God’s people grow in his grace and go out into the world with his love. Will you join us?’