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161

Safe and saved

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by Lisa McIntosh

When Barbara Metzger welcomed new client Helen to her Adelaide Hills bed and breakfast 15 years ago, little did she know the meeting would lead to an enduring friendship and a life-changing spiritual journey for the two women. Australian-born Helen, who lived in Germany for approximately 40 years, stayed at Barbara’s holiday accommodation most years since that first visit for at least four to six weeks.

A member of Grace Lutheran congregation in Bridgewater, Barbara would speak to her friend about her love of going to church, something that wasn’t part of Helen’s own life experience.

When Helen was diagnosed with terminal pancreatic cancer while at home in Germany, she said she wanted to come back and die in Australia and she would like her funeral to be at Grace, Barbara explains. ‘Her family are not churchgoers and she said she would like it if our pastor could do her service’, Barbara says.

Helen returned to Australia in March, living with her sister. Barbara asked whether Helen minded if the Grace congregation prayed for her. Helen agreed and expressed a desire to attend a service but was too weak, so the pair watched worship together on Zoom. Pastor Michael Dutschke, who serves at Grace, also visited Helen. When Helen’s health declined further and she went into hospice care, Barbara visited often and, having discovered that her friend wasn’t baptised, asked whether she would like to be. Some days later, Helen asked to be baptised.

‘I thought this was a wonderful chance, we didn’t know how long she had left, but I didn’t know whether I could organise this’, Barbara says. Unable to contact Pastor Michael, who was interstate, or local retired pastor Alex Stevenson, Barbara asked Alex’s wife Gill to help her through an emergency baptism. Barbara prepared water, while Gill, over speakerphone, took Helen through an affirmation of her faith, read the Bible, and prayed, guiding Barbara through the baptismal rite. Gill says she ‘felt led by God’ through the situation.

‘Helen was really happy about it’, Barbara says of the baptism. ‘I believe that she is now Jesus’ child. She was very comfortable knowing that there is life after this life.’

Pastor Michael says when he phoned Barbara back, she told him ‘the great news’ about Helen’s baptism. ‘I was excited that Helen had received Jesus as her Lord and Saviour, and also excited that the “body of Christ” had done its work without me!’

Although she misses Helen, whose funeral was held at Grace last month, Barbara says she is ‘elated’ that her friend is saved, by having come to faith. ‘If we are called to do something, the power of God will take us through it. Helen was supposed to be saved’, she says.

162

Baptism – what we believe

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Baptism is one of the most important events in our life of faith and God’s way of welcoming people into his family. It is a sacrament of grace connecting people to salvation won for them through Jesus’ death and resurrection. Baptism cleanses us, renews us and gives us the Holy Spirit. To follow are some questions and answers addressing what Lutherans believe about this life-giving gift of God.

What does the word ‘baptise’ mean?

The word ‘baptise’ is used in connection with the application of water. To ‘baptise’ means to apply water by immersing, pouring, dipping, washing etc.

Who should be baptised?

Jesus said that ‘all nations’ should be baptised and taught to keep his commands (Matthew 28:19). God’s salvation plan was for all the people of the earth, so baptism is also meant to be for all the people of the earth.

Who can baptise people?

Normally the called pastor/priest/leader of a congregation officiates at a baptism. This is because baptism joins a person to the body of Christ. However, when no pastor/priest/leader is available, any Christian can perform a baptism.

What do you receive in baptism?

The forgiveness of sins (Acts 2:38; 22:16), deliverance from death and the devil (Romans 6:3-5; Colossians 1:13,14), eternal salvation and life with God (Mark 16:16; 1 Peter 3:21) and the Holy Spirit (Acts 2:38; Titus 3:5).

What is the proper way to baptise?

The method of baptism is not prescribed in Scripture, except that the use of water and the name of the Triune God (Father, Son and Holy Spirit) is required (Matthew 28:19). The traditional method among Lutherans is to apply water three times to the head of the candidate, making the sign of the cross each time. If practical, full immersion remains an option and that can also be done three times as the Trinitarian names are pronounced.

What is the difference between an adult baptism and an infant baptism?

Essentially nothing. Baptism is a sacrament of grace that is offered to infants and adults alike. Adults can consciously engage in the responses in the rite of baptism, renouncing the devil and declaring allegiance to the Triune God. However, the baptism and gifts received through it come about solely through the actions of God.

What is the link between baptism and eternal salvation?

The Bible links the two directly: ‘Whoever believes and is baptised will be saved’ (Mark 16:16); ‘this water symbolises baptism that now saves you also – not the removal of dirt from the body but the pledge of a clear conscience toward God. It saves you by the resurrection of Jesus Christ’ (1 Peter 3:21); and ‘he saved us … because of his mercy. He saved us through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit’ (Titus 3:5).

Is salvation possible without baptism?

Yes. It is only unbelief that condemns (see Mark 16:16). Those who believe the gospel and call on the name of the Lord, even if they aren’t baptised, will be saved (Romans 10:9-13). The thief on the cross received the assurance of salvation without baptism (Luke 23:39–43).

If I already believe in Jesus, why do I need to be baptised?

Even though salvation is possible apart from baptism, the assurance of salvation is connected to baptism. Jesus himself commanded it as the means to ‘making disciples of all nations’.

Why do we baptise infants?

The command of Jesus was to baptise all nations. Jesus accepted and blessed children too young to respond (Mark 10:13-16). Baptism is an act of God’s grace and marks entry into his family. Sin exists from birth (Psalm 51:5) and God’s solution is also provided from birth. We are saved through the gracious actions of God. Every time we baptise a baby, we proclaim to all the world that God’s grace is sufficient for everyone.

How is a Lutheran baptism different from other churches?

You can get baptised in a Lutheran church, but you are not baptised ‘Lutheran’. A person is not baptised into a denomination but into the family of God. Different denominations might have different rites of baptism and acts of symbolism, but all baptisms join a person to the body of Christ. The Lutheran church teaches that baptism is valid if water and the triune name of God are used, regardless of whether the person is an infant or an adult or is baptised by sprinkling or full immersion.

What if a child dies before they are baptised?

God does not require baptism to save. We can reassure parents who had been intending to bring their child to the waters of baptism that his grace extends beyond this rite.

Why does the church encourage there to be godparents/sponsors?

In the case of infants, godparents have the role of supporting the parents in their responsibilities of teaching the faith to their child. This responsibility is upon the whole church generally and upon parents and godparents specifically. For an adult, the sponsors are likewise there to support and mentor them in their faith journey.

What does it mean to be born again?

Jesus used this term to describe the mystery which occurs when someone enters the kingdom of God (John 3:1-8). It affirms that this act of regeneration (through baptism) depends on God’s work. Jesus says that unless a person is born of water and the Spirit, they cannot enter God’s kingdom. God brings about this new ‘birth’ through the waters of baptism, regardless of the age of the person being baptised.

Can I get baptised again?

You can – but you shouldn’t. God’s word teaches that there is only one baptism (Ephesians 4:4–6). His promises are attached to baptism and effective in baptism. Rather than get baptised again it is far more helpful to remember that you are a baptised child of God every day.

What if I am not sure whether I have already been baptised?

If no record nor witnesses can be found of your baptism, then you can request to be baptised in good conscience. Even if you were indeed baptised, this second baptism will not discount the first.

This Q&A is an excerpt from Trail Marker One on baptism from the Faith Trail Ministry resource by the LCANZ’s Grow Ministries.

163

Invited to join God’s family

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God can use any means, people, or situation to invite others into his family. A chat between a footballer and a netballer at a country pub. A blossoming romance. A footy-umpiring pastor. A family connection. Marriage preparation sessions. An adult baptism. A friendship born out of it all. And, of course, joy on earth and in heaven when the invitation is accepted. 

by Lisa McIntosh

Being baptised as a baby has been traditional for most Lutherans in Australia and New Zealand. But for Luke Horner, along with many others, the journey to joining God’s family has been different.

Now husband to Amy and a father of two young children, Luke went to church occasionally as a child with his mum and attended a Lutheran primary school. But he’d never been baptised.

‘I knew I wasn’t baptised in primary school, especially being a Christian-based school and learning about God’, Luke, from South Australia’s Riverland, says. ‘For my parents, baptism wasn’t something that they thought was essential for me.

‘I knew there was a God but, during my teenage years, I thought God was not as important as my other priorities at the time.’

In 2006, Luke got to know Amy as both were playing sport – football and netball – in Waikerie. They got chatting in the pub one evening after home-ground matches. When they started going out, Amy says, ‘we had no idea that we both held a connection to a belief in God’.

Amy had been baptised as a child, attended church and Sunday school and grew up with a strong Christian influence from her parents. ‘However, during my teenage and early adulthood years, I didn’t go to church as much’, she says. ‘However, I still held my Christian faith and always believed in God.’

When the couple became engaged, they decided on a church wedding. They knew Pastor Richard Fox, who was serving the Waikerie Lutheran parish and umpiring local Aussie Rules football, both through Amy’s parents being active church members and Luke’s sport. They asked Pastor Richard whether he would conduct their 2010 wedding and he offered some pre-marriage preparation sessions.

‘Luke was the vice-captain of the Waikerie Football Club at the time’, Pastor Richard explains. ‘Luke and I didn’t talk about Christianity while at footy, though a few of his teammates suggested I might be better in the pulpit rather than umpiring! I invited them to come and compare! But Luke and I acknowledged each other and said “hi”, which was a big thing between a footy player and an umpire.’

During Luke and Amy’s pre-marriage sessions, Pastor Richard chatted with Luke and the topic of baptism came up.

‘Luke wasn’t baptised but wondered what it was, and I shared about what happens. He seemed surprised about its simplicity but also the great gifts it gives.’

After completing the preparation, the couple was married. But while he remembers the wedding as a wonderful celebration, it was what happened the morning after that also stands out in Pastor Richard’s memory. ‘I think Luke and Amy were the first people at church’, he says. ‘I asked them why they were there, and they explained that they wanted to worship before going on their honeymoon.’

After their wedding, the Horners attended church regularly and Pastor Richard says occasionally he would ask how they were going, and if they had any questions about worship, God and baptism.

‘Some months later after church one Sunday, Luke and Amy waited around to talk with me’, Pastor Richard says. ‘They wanted to know more about baptism and what the options were for Luke. I went through the baptism rite with them and discussed any questions they had.’

Luke was baptised in 2011 in a private service with Pastor Richard and close family.

‘I wanted the baptism to be more intimate and, being a shy sort of guy, didn’t want to do it amongst a crowd of people’, Luke says.

Pastor Richard describes the occasion as ‘wonderful and intimate’. ‘The resulting joy on both of their faces was heart-warming and infectious’, he says.

Luke was happy to be baptised into God’s family. ‘Being baptised for me means that I know God is always there for me and always will be, no matter what happens’, he says. ‘Once baptised it was also a good feeling to know that I could join in holy communion.

‘If you are thinking about getting baptised as an adult or about going to church, look into it, as it’s never too late.’

Amy and Luke say that for them there are many blessings of baptism: ‘God’s love and belonging to his family indefinitely; knowing that God will forgive us for all our sins; knowing that he is always there watching over us and keeping us safe, no matter what life events we are enduring.’

After several years of trying to start a family before Isaac was born, followed by Evie, the Horners say it was ‘extremely important’ to them that their children be baptised. Pastor Lee Kroehn baptised Isaac. When Evie was born, Waikerie was in a pastoral vacancy, so the Horners invited Pastor Richard, who by then was serving as director of Lutheran Media, to baptise her.

‘Pastor Fox has been an inspiration and a great influence on our lives, and we will forever be grateful for this’, Amy says. ‘He continues to be a strong part of our life and now our children’s journey.’

Pastor Richard says, ‘God works in ways beyond our understanding and through people we may not expect. God was already working on Luke and Amy before I arrived, and he used me in a small part on their journey and relationship with Jesus Christ.’

And what do Amy and Luke, who are now members at St Pauls at nearby Ramco, believe are the most important things to remember from their faith journeys so far? ‘That God loves you and he wants you to be a part of his family.’

164

From shadows into Jesus’ glorious light

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by Matt Anker

In a village where more than 95 per cent of people are baptised and actively involved in the life of the church, it would be easy for the local congregation to lose a sense of urgency about mission.

But not so for the Lua people of Banden in Thailand’s Nan province. Knowing what it’s like to live without the hope of the gospel, our brothers and sisters in the Lutheran congregation there remain passionate about local mission even though only a handful among them don’t yet believe.

In May I had the joy of seeing the fruits of this tireless commitment while visiting with some recent converts. Tont and his wife Mi were baptised just a few months ago as God answered years of prayers from their daughter Wat and evangelist Pim who is supported by the LCANZ.

Tont was a spirit doctor and with Mi lived under the tyranny of spirits who demanded their total allegiance. The spirits demanded all they had – each moment of their days and every possession. Home life was confined to a darkened room where they lived in fear of upsetting the spirits, and despairing of the life their children would inherit when they could no longer appease the spirits through daily obligations.

The spirits had forbidden Tont to allow Jesus’ name to be spoken in their home and so the opportunity for nearby Christians to share their hope in Jesus was limited. However, as the couple’s health failed, they finally asked for the church’s prayers and were open to the gospel. The Holy Spirit provided physical and spiritual healing as they came to believe that the story of Jesus included them!

Mi shared that, as they were preparing for baptism, the efforts of the spirits to drive them away from Christ intensified. Plagued with illness and overcome with the spirits’ threatening voices, Tont and Mi were unable to sleep for days and described how a dark shadow enveloped their lives. Convinced they would not survive until the Sunday service, they called on the pastor to baptise them immediately. On their humble, rickety porch, this ageing couple received new birth by water and the Spirit and became our brother and sister in Christ.

Mi explained that after their baptism the shadow lifted, the spirits were silenced, and she was at peace for the first time. After a lifetime as strangers in their village, they formed friendships and were finally free. Mi’s greatest longing each day now is to sit in church and listen to the word of God that has changed her life. No longer living in the shadow of demanding spirits, they now live in the light of Christ’s love and face the future with the certain hope of eternity in that same glorious light.

Pastor Matt Anker is LCANZ Assistant to the Bishop – International Mission.

165

Splashed with God’s promise

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by Anne Hansen

My journey into God’s family began on 26 September 1965, when I was baptised by my father, Pastor Ronald Gerhardy, at St John’s Lutheran Church Ipswich in Queensland. I was 10 days old, and my parents wanted me baptised before the family travelled to Horsham in Victoria for the 1965 National Women’s Convention and General Synod.

When I was baptised, I was brought into God’s family and splashed with his promise that I would spend eternity with him. Not only eternity but that he would remain with me every day of my life and would guide me through the Holy Spirit.

God has indeed been with me every day. During my school years, I confirmed my faith in 1979 at Immanuel College Novar Gardens in South Australia.

He was with me when I tried to work out my vocation in teaching as I travelled throughout Europe, the UK, and the USA. God was with me in my ministry with Lutheran Youth Encounter and in meeting my husband, Mark. He guided us back to Australia, through teaching, seminary, and having a family, and continues to be my constant in all I do.

He blesses me every day with my ministry at Lutheran Tract Mission as he inspires me to put his words into stories and encouragements. I pray that God will continue to use me to reach others who do not yet know his saving love. It all began at my baptism when God splashed me with his promises.

WIDE VARIETY OF BAPTISM RESOURCES

Lutheran Tract Mission (LTM) has many resources relating to baptism – tracts explaining what it is; others celebrating the baptism day and baptism anniversaries; family devotions about baptism and tracts for congregations to fill in for godparents.

Have a look at our website www.ltm.org.au and choose ‘Find Resources’, then click on the category ‘Baptism’. Or come into the LLL offices and see them. There are about 35 different ones to choose from. While you are there, check out all our other resources – about 950 in total.

We all have our story of being brought into God’s family. Share your story with people you care about today!

Anne Hansen is Lutheran Tract Mission Development Officer.

166

All ages step out for refugee kids

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by Jonathan Krause

When more than 40 people on South Australia’s Eyre Peninsula gathered to do their own 12-kilometre Walk My Way recently through Australian Lutheran World Service (ALWS), young Amos gave it his all. ‘I’m exhausted, because the walk took two hours’, he said. ‘My feet are dead. I did the walk because of people that had to run away from their homes because they were getting attacked.’

Hannah, the youngest walker in the 25 June event near Cleve, is just five. She might have had a bit of help from her dad as they walked 4 kilometres, but at the finish line she was all smiles.

But you don’t have to have young feet to Walk My Way – Carly Zacher and husband Geoff have, as she says, ‘161 years between us’.

ALWS created Walk My Way in 2017 to raise money to support refugee children to go to school. Since then, more than $960,000 has been raised by thousands of dedicated walkers and their sponsors, supporting education for tens of thousands of children in places like Kakuma Refugee Camp in Kenya.

WALKS TO SUIT EVERYONE, EVERYWHERE

During the two years of COVID restrictions on large public gatherings, ALWS developed Walk your Way, in which local groups could do their own walk, on a date, in a place and across a distance that suited them.

That’s where passionate people like Eyre Peninsula organiser, Dawn Briese, come in. ‘I did the Walk My Way in the Barossa Valley last year, and thought it was a good opportunity to bring it out to the Eyre Peninsula’, she says.

Led by Dawn’s hard work, the people of Eyre Peninsula have raised more than $6,800 – enough to support 261 refugee children to go to school!

BRINGING LOVE TO LIFE ACROSS THE WORLD

On the weekend of the Eyre Peninsula walk, Assistant to the Bishop – International Mission Pastor Matt Anker and Julie Krause from ALWS shared how these two LCANZ agencies work side-by-side but serve differently. As International Mission supports overseas partner churches to reach out with the no-strings-attached gospel and ALWS provides no-strings-attached practical aid, our church helps bring love to life.

Love will come to life again this year, when Lutheran schools host a Walk My Way for the wider church at Victor Harbor South Australia on 21 October. The walk is being held on a Friday to maximise the number of students who can take part alongside the broader Lutheran community.

Jonathan Krause is ALWS Community Action Manager.

Find out more or register at www.walkmyway.org.au or phone 1300 763 407.

167

Church@Home August 2022

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Strengthening our relationship with God

Even though COVID-19 restrictions have eased in Australia and New Zealand, some members are still missing out on worship with their local congregations due to being unwell or caring for those who are. However, these devotional pages are not just for those unable to get to church. We can all benefit from reading or hearing some encouraging words and experiencing a sense of God’s closeness during the week as well as at Sunday worship. Nurturing our faith at home through regular devotions strengthens our relationship with God. We pray that you will be blessed by the devotional materials here and in the Church@Home resources collection online at www.lca.org.au/churchhome

Lisa 

Psalm 121:7,8
The Lord will keep you from all harm … the Lord will watch over your coming and going both now and forevermore.

DEVOTIONS FOR HOME WORSHIP

These reflections are adapted from a collection of devotions written for our LCANZ family and friends to help us to keep our eyes fixed on Jesus no matter what we face. You can find these and many others on the LCA website at www.lca.org.au/daily-devotion and you can subscribe to receive them daily via email by clicking on the link on that same page.

What do I have to do? by Darren Pope

Lord, who may dwell in your sacred tent? Who may live on your holy mountain? (Psalm 15:1).

Read Psalm 15.

Alarm switched off, out-of-office reply set – hooray for holidays! Woohoo, it’s time to do nothing! As I ponder breakfast choices, the list of jobs attached to the fridge door catches my eye. Okay, that’s for later. Back in the bathroom, the squeaky door bugs me again. That’s for later, too. A check of the mailbox reminds me of the tall grass that needs taming out front. Can that wait for later, also? Hmm, I just started holidays, and I feel loaded with all the stuff I have to get done. There’s a long and impossible list of tasks. Maybe it is relaxing that will need to wait until later!

As the psalmist, David often shares beautiful imagery, lyrics or poetic prose. In Psalm 15, we read questions from David seeking clarity about needing to be blameless, righteous, truthful, do no wrong, not change his mind, give away his money and keep all his promises to be in relationship with God. So, what’s with the long list of impossible tasks? If this all relies on me, it is not going to happen. There is no way I can make and keep a promise to do all of that, all of the time. If I need to do all those things to earn God’s love, I’ll fail!

Here’s the great news. David didn’t know God’s plan yet. It’s actually Jesus that does all those things on the long and impossible list – and more. He does them for us. He lived fully human and fully God, so he understands how hard it is every day. More than this, he died and rose for us. It’s always God’s work, not ours, that matters. His love is free, unconditional and never-ending. So, what do I have to do? Act justly, love mercy and walk humbly with God.

We are saved by his grace through faith.

Lord of love, thank you for walking with me today. The list feels long, but I know you’ve got this. I live in your grace and love. Amen.

You can handle the truth by Pastor Reid Matthias

But when he, the Spirit of truth, comes, he will guide you into all the truth (John 16:13a).

Read John 16:12–15.

n the movie, A Few Good Men, Jack Nicholson plays a passionate yet deceitful military officer, confronted by an upstart lawyer accusing him of the heinous crime of covering up the chain of command, which leads to murder. During the most iconic scene, Nicholson takes the stand, swears to tell the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth, so help him, God.

When posed with a yes or no answer as to whether he ordered the hazing of a marine, Nicholson gives an impassioned speech, criticising the lawyer and openly questioning those who don’t understand the military’s role. At the end of the monologue, his face full of fury, he iconically states: ‘You can’t handle the truth’.

There are many times in my life when I feel like that. When the next straw falls on top of the last one, our backs feel broken, and our spirits crushed, I wonder if I can handle the truthful statement that life really isn’t fair.

In our reading today, Jesus, about to be led to Golgotha, describes the unfairness of what will happen to him and the struggle the disciples will encounter afterwards. Knowing that his disciples could be overwhelmed by the entirety of the news of his death (and not listen to the good news following), he tells them, ‘I have much more to say to you, more than you can now bear’.

In other words, I don’t have enough time to ease you into this and to be honest, you couldn’t handle the truth.

Thus, Jesus promises the Spirit of truth, the one who will guide them into all the promises that Jesus has for them. The Spirit of truth, the Advocate, the one who will speak to them and for them, will reveal that there is much more to this life than death and despair, pandemic and pestilence, inflation and unfairness.

There is the resurrection. And the hope. And the peace of God that surpasses all understanding.

That is the truth they can handle.

Heavenly Father, through your Spirit who listens to the Son, please guide me into all the truth of your promises and relieve me from the fears that press in so closely. Amen.

PRAYER

THE GOLDEN CORD
Through every minute of this day,
Be with me, Lord!

Through every day of all this week,
Be with me, Lord!

Through every week of all this year,
Be with me, Lord!

Through all the years of all this life,
Be with me, Lord!

So shall the days and weeks and years
Be threaded on a golden cord,

And all draw on with sweet accord
Unto Thy fullness, Lord,

That so, when time is past,
By grace, I may at last,
Be with Thee, Lord.

– John Oxenham, (1952-1841, published in ‘Bees in Amber’ 1913). Oxenham was a novel writer, journalist, poet, and Christian teacher. Sourced from justprayer.org

Matthew 24:35
Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will never pass away.

At home with Martha and Mary by Ruth Olsen

Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken from her (Luke 10:42).

Read Luke 10:38–42.

Imagine being at home with Martha and Mary. Luke tells us that it was Martha who opened her home to Jesus, and she had a sister Mary, who sat at the Lord’s feet listening to what he said. In John 12:1–3, we read that the village is Bethany, and Lazarus lived with them also. In both settings, Martha is serving, probably exercising a gift of hospitality. Jesus was obviously at home with them, more than welcome to be there.

Luke says that Martha was distracted by all the preparations that had to be made. She was probably feeling under pressure and increasingly frustrated doing what needed to be done. Many of us, and predominantly women, most likely, can identify with her, whether we have the gift of hospitality or not. And if we are not responsible for preparing the food, we probably don’t even give it a thought.

From observation, Mary’s focus and priority were not on preparing food for the guests, and we can imagine there were other people in the home listening to Jesus also. Where would you be – in Martha’s shoes or Mary’s? Hospitality and food preparation are necessary parts of life. In any culture where it is expected that women do the food preparation and serving, people would agree with Martha’s frustrated plea to Jesus for him to tell Mary to help her. Do you sense the moment? Jesus heard Martha’s request, knew her heart in her frustration, but said, ‘Martha, Martha … only one thing is needed. Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her’. Do you sense a shift in priorities? And that sitting at the feet of Jesus is open to women also?

What catches your attention in this Scripture passage? Are you willing for Jesus to be at home with you?

Lord Jesus, we welcome you to be at home with us also. Enable us to hear what you are saying to us, and by the power of your Spirit, enable us to change focus to pursue listening to you. Thank you!

Set your face towards the lost sheep of Israel by Pastor Tim Castle-Schmidt

But go rather to the lost sheep of the house of Israel (Matthew 10:6).

Read Matthew 10:5–23.

When God calls, we are in a privileged place to be invited into God’s mission. Sometimes that takes us along smooth paths, but more often, we get called to roads we neither expect nor might choose. That’s certainly been my experience.

And when God calls, he typically sets our faces towards the lost. Indeed, if we are honest with ourselves, we are all lost (and so terribly lost!), and until we acknowledge that, we cannot be found.

Jesus came, remember, to seek the lost.

And so, as soon as we can recognise that we are as lost as the next person, the sooner we can know that God is actively seeking us. But God never leaves us where he finds us. Whether that is to a new station in life, a new town or country, or a new mindset, God leads us to a new place.

We, the lost, are found and then sent with a new call on our lives. That may be a call to see things differently in our own backyard or a whole new backyard. Either way, we are called to set our faces towards the lost.

Lord Jesus, you set your face towards us because we were lost and then call us to seek the lost sheep of Israel. Help me acknowledge my own lostness so that you can truly find me, and then give me eyes to see the lost ones you lead me to. Amen.

168

Lutheran education community back together

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by Kate Bourne

After a two-year delay due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Australian Conference on Lutheran Education (ACLE) was held in Melbourne last month, drawing 450 in-person attendees and a further 120 people online.

The hybrid conference at the Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre offered an opportunity for connection and re-connection for a Lutheran education community that has faced significant challenges in the past couple of years.

The ACLE theme was ‘One voice, many paths’. With more than 40 presenters leading sessions across the three-day event from 5 July, participants were able to hear from those currently serving in Lutheran education, as well as national and international keynote speakers.

Opening the conference, Lutheran Education Australia (LEA) Executive Director Lisa Schmidt thanked participants for their ‘passionate and dedicated service over the past few years’. ‘This is our long-awaited chance to gather as a whole again’, she said. ‘Communities need connection and nurturing – the next few days is a dedicated time for doing that.’

International speakers included Rev Dr Chad Rimmer, a Lutheran pastor who serves as the program executive for Identity, Communion and Formation at the Lutheran World Federation in Geneva, Switzerland. Neuroscience trainer Nathan Wallis travelled from New Zealand to present a three-part series entitled ‘Engage your brain and the first 1000 days’, which was of particular interest for early childhood educators.

During a collaborative session designed to inform the national initiative exploring our vision for learners and learning, attendees were asked, ‘What’s your vision for the learner and learning in 2022 and beyond in Lutheran education?’.

Given the experience schools have had in recent times it was no surprise that the session ‘Me, We, Us, Wellbeing in the Workplace’, led by Natasha Rae, was in high demand and required a last-minute change to seating configuration to allow more people to attend. Natasha works at Geelong Lutheran College and, with such a positive response to her session, it is anticipated further workshops will be arranged so more people can hear her message.

On the final day, Dave Faulkner and Maddie Scott-Jones from professional learning organisation Education Changemakers prompted participants to work together in school groups to develop a plan for action and impact to take back to their schools.

Addressing conference attendees, LCANZ Bishop Paul Smith described Lutheran schooling as an integral part of the ongoing life and mission of the church. ‘While the Lutheran Church has been forming young people through its schools, Lutheran schooling has been forming the church’, he said. ‘Therefore, that makes ACLE a significant event in the Lutheran Church calendar’.

At the conclusion of the conference, the ACLE candle was extinguished and handed to Lutheran Education Queensland, which will host the next triennial event in 2025.

Kate Bourne is LEA Administration Assistant.

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LCANZ hosts international mission gathering

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by Nathan Hedt

International mission practitioners, researchers and theologians from four different continents met recently in North Adelaide, hosted by the LCANZ’s New and Renewing Churches department at Australian Lutheran College.

The International Consultation on Ecclesial Futures (ICEF, formerly known as the IRC, International Research Consortium) is a yearly get-together of mission scholars and practitioners which is hosted across four continents on a rotating basis. The LCANZ was privileged to host the 2022 gathering, originally planned for June 2020, and twice postponed due to COVID, in Adelaide.

Guests from various denominations attended from South Africa, the USA, Australia, the UK and Denmark. Fifteen people attended in person and others joined in and presented online through Zoom. Each day of the week-long conference featured presentations and discussions of missional papers from various ICEF members.

The theme of the conference and open day was ‘Riding the Waves of Change’. Presentation and discussion topics included ‘Exploring exile as a theological narrative for churches emerging from COVID lockdown’, ‘Christian spiritual formation that guards resilience’, ‘Developing a Trinitarian theology of leadership’ and ‘Lessons from 30 years of NCLS surveys in Australia’.

Attendees at the open day held at Adelaide West Uniting Church heard presentations from missional scholars from four different continents and discussed the implications and actions arising from these presentations with a focus on their own local church’s mission and action.

The day was a wonderful opportunity for more than 60 attendees to receive and reflect on missional approaches from many different perspectives. Although originally planned as a fully in-person event, one of the presenters tested positive for COVID and one could not travel from the UK because of a COVID diagnosis, so they gave presentations on Zoom – a perfect illustration of the waves of change that all of us have faced in the past two and a half years! The presenters took us through a post-war history of the mission of the church in Australia; New Testament approaches to spiritual formation; assessing whether your local church is ready for change, and the dynamics of the change process in local churches.

The conference open day sessions have been recorded and will be made available for viewing via the New and Renewing Churches website at www.newandrenewingchurches.org.au

The IRC/ICEF conference and open day were made possible by a grant from the LLL.  What a wonderful blessing and privilege to get to know, and hear from, mission practitioners and researchers from all over the world during this week!

Pastor Nathan Hedt is Manager of the LCANZ New and Renewing Churches Department.

Pictured  L-R: Edwin Van Driel (USA), Marius Nel (South Africa), Scot Sherman (USA), Frederick Marais (South Africa), Scott Hagley (USA), Gayle Hill (Aus), Nelus Niemandt (South Africa), Nathan Hedt (Aus), Doret Niemand (South Africa), Dean Eaton (Aus), Ruth Powell (Aus), Ian Robinson (Aus), Glen Powell (Aus). At home due to COVID: Steen Olsen (Aus), Pat Keifert (USA), Nigel Rooms (UK), Mike Harrison (UK)

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Jubilee celebrates coming together of cultures

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We may think of cross-cultural or multiethnic ministry as a relatively recent focus of the LCANZ. But that’s far from the case, as a joyful anniversary celebration held in Brisbane this winter shows.

The first Lutheran Scandinavian-language service in Queensland was held on 26 June 1872 and was commemorated with worship and a jubilee celebration exactly 150 years later at St Andrews Lutheran Church, Brisbane City.

The original Danish-language service was led by Pastor Christopher Gaustad, a Norwegian missionary and Pietist, who was gifted with languages. He trained in Norway and Berlin, he also served in India.

Multiple languages were used during the Jubilee 150th service. The Lord’s Prayer was printed in Icelandic, Norwegian, North Sami, Swedish, Finnish and Danish for the consecration of the Lord’s Supper, while Bible readings were given in Finnish, Norwegian and Swedish. The current St Andrews pastor, Finnish-born Tommi Vuorinen, who also serves the Finnish congregation at Woolloongabba in Brisbane, was on leave at the time of the anniversary, so one of the congregation’s former shepherds, Pastor Stephen Nuske, preached and led worship.

As well as being followed by a Scandinavian high morning tea, the service included music from two contrasting wind instruments – the didgeridoo, played by Braden Chambers, and the Bethlehem Memorial Organ, built by the late Danish-Australian Knud Smenge, and played by Mark Boughen. A special canticle was written for the occasion with text by Pastor Stephen and a setting by Mark Boughen. It was sung by Owen Dixon. Braden’s grandfather Uncle Joe Kirk gave the Welcome to Country for those attending, while a significant hymn for the day was ‘Built on the Rock the Church doth stand’, which features in the Australian, Danish, Norwegian, Swedish and Icelandic Lutheran hymnals.

Pastor Stephen points out that today the LCANZ not only includes Scandinavian worshipping communities, but it also has links with outposts of the Scandinavian Mission to Seafarers in South-East Asia through LCA International Mission. ‘This is an important link’, he says. ‘Cross-cultural ministry is not new. The four corners of the world intersect in the city. “They will come from the east and the west, from the north and the south, and sit down in the kingdom of God”’ (Luke 11:29).