Search Results for: camps/jonathan.m.westphal@lca.org.au

LCAVD Strategy Review

Leaders from across our Vic-Tas District came together on Saturday 9 May for our annual Strategy Morning, to share and discuss their thoughts on the strategic direction for our District. Participants included representatives from the Ministry and Mission Council (MMC), Lutheran Youth Victoria (LYV), Lutheran Education Vic, NSW/ACT, Tas (LEVNT), and our Camps.

The morning began by capturing the purpose of the time together, which included:

Discern the Holy Spirit’s plan for us / our District
Clarify and confirm our work
Hear updates on accomplishments over the last 12 months
A space to encourage flexibility and ability to adapt
Share observations and experiences, to better understand the current state of the District
Understand and deepen partnerships between various groups (incl. schools, camps, youth/young adults) and the District

Informative updates were presented by Pastor Brett Kennett (Congregation Support and Acting Bishop), Sabine Haeusler (MMC), Michael Benbow (LYV), Colin Minke (LEVNT), and Stephen Mildred (District Church Council Secretary).

After a time of fellowship over morning tea, DCC Chair, Tony Vong, led the group in a review of the Vic-Tas Strategic Plan. This plan helps to guide District Church Council on where and how to focus attention and energy in support of the ministry of the Congregations and Parishes in our District.

We thank all of the participants for the gift of their time and energies, to support the District Church Council in setting, reviewing and realising the strategic directions for the District.

Photo: Strategy Day participants.

Christian Life Week 2026

CLW Registrations are open for 2026!

This year’s theme is ‘Detective’. We have some exciting new activities and studies planned, and we can’t wait to get back to Tandara in Halls Gap again, from Monday 29 June to Friday 3 July.

In our studies we’re going to be looking at Christian spirituality and how we can cultivate a closer relationship with God. Throughout the week, we’ll explore practical ways to experience God in our everyday lives. We’ll spend time on prayer: looking at why God doesn’t always answer the way we expect, and how it’s okay to bring our real, raw emotions to Him. We’ll also introduce some hands-on ways to read the Bible, so it makes sense and talk about why worship and the church community are so important to our faith.

For more information, please reach out to Georgia at clw.lyv@lca.org.au.

You can register with the QR code below.

Theological Foundations – LCA Child Safety Standard 8

This month we consider how we manage risk in our congregational life. This is for all ministry areas, but here we are specifically thinking about how it relates to our young people.

This is not something we “tack on” as we plan our programmes and events, but an integral part of our thinking, before, during and after all activities. Ideally, it’s part of our congregational culture, embraced by all members, not just a few in leadership roles.

Importantly, it’s a proactive approach: the fence at the top of the cliff …. rather than an ambulance at the bottom!

Congregations manage this through the “Permission to Proceed” process. If you need some help with this, please contact Denise / 0437 180 928.

Congregations are reminded that in Victoria and Tasmania, legislation requires safety planning and risk assessments to be conducted for all activities involving children and young people.

While it is not possible to eliminate all risk entirely, it is clear that God desires and seeks the protection of people, particularly the most vulnerable (Matthew 18:6; John 17:12; Proverbs 31:8).
Children are among the most vulnerable members of society and our congregations; therefore, as we assess risk, we do so with them at the forefront of our thinking and planning.
As the plight of the victim takes first priority, our risk management will include setting appropriate boundaries around child offenders, so that both justice and the need to reduce the chance of further harm are in place.

Investing in Leadership and Congregational Vitality

Two of our pastors, Rev. Wayne Muschamp and Rev. Nathan Hedt, have recently undertaken significant training to strengthen ministry across the Victoria–Tasmania District—both supported through the District’s Ministry and Mission Council.

Pastor Wayne has completed a year-long Church Consultancy Course focused on church vitality, mission planning, and healthy congregational life, and is now offering consultancies to congregations seeking renewal, growth, or guidance through transition.

Pastor Nathan has completed the Arrow Leadership Coach Mastery Course, gaining accreditation as a Christian leadership coach with the International Coaching Federation (ICF), and is now offering ministry coaching to pastors, church planters, and ministry teams to help them clarify vision, build resilience, and lead with greater effectiveness.

We celebrate their dedication and the way their new skills are already enriching ministry across the District. If your congregation or ministry team would like to explore church consultancy or coaching support—or learn how similar training might benefit your context—please don’t hesitate to reach out for more information. Pastors who are considering undertaking focused professional development in these or related areas are also warmly encouraged to contact me, Wayne, or Nathan to discuss opportunities for support and training.

Here’s some more detail about how Wayne and/or Nathan might be able to assist your congregation.

Since his retirement nearly three years ago, Pastor Wayne Muschamp, has been busy supporting congregations during vacancies and when pastors have been on rest and recreation leave. It has been an opportunity to learn about Lutheran members further afield from where he last served at Nunawading and Glen Waverley.

In addition, he has undertaken a year-long church consultancy course conducted by Rev Dr Ian Dunkum, with six other people, two of whom are also Lutherans. The principal area covered is church vitality and growth, helping congregations implement outreach into the community and see new people coming to Christ. But developing a mission plan and vision for a church is only the preliminary stage – it is the actual implementation that is the critical factor.

Consultancy is not restricted to thinking of creative ideas to engage with people, but also to develop a healthy response to conflict and to prevent conflict, develop staff and volunteers and effective teamwork, undertake congregational and pastoral reviews, deal with trauma and abuse in a congregation and the path to recovery, develop plans for a transitional ministry, understanding leadership, governance and management, thinking about the elements of a strategic plan, how to arrive at God’s vision for a particular place, burnout and self-care, and personal spiritual formation.

Pastor Wayne says, ‘I have a real passion for evangelism and to see congregations flourish, but I also know how hard it is to chart a new course and adopt an outward focus. Often, congregations get stuck and don’t know how to go about generating some ideas for change. It is where a consultancy can really help. While some suggestions and direction can come from a consultancy, most of the thinking, planning and actions come from the inspiration of Holy Spirit at work amongst his people. My only regret about the course is that I wish I had done this forty years ago!’

The District has paid for Pr Wayne to undertake this training and he has committed himself to not charge for a consultancy but only request that expenses be covered. Please email the District office for Pr Wayne’s contact number.

Pastor Nathan Hedt, Pastor at Luther College, Croydon, and church planter with the Ignite community based at Luther, has been sponsored by the District’s Ministry and Mission Council to undertake the Arrow Leadership Coach Mastery Course.

The course provides advanced professional coaching training, mentoring, and supervised practice, leading to accreditation with the International Coaching Federation (ICF).

Coaching is an intentional, gospel-shaped conversation that empowers pastors and leaders to grow in self-awareness, clarify priorities, and take purposeful action in their ministries.

Nathan explains, “Coaching helps people listen to the Holy Spirit, discover their next faithful steps, and live out their calling with greater focus and joy. I’ve seen firsthand how coaching strengthens pastors, planters, and ministry leaders, helping them flourish personally and lead more effectively in their local context.”

Nathan brings coaching experience from his previous role as Pastor for New and Renewing Churches, where he saw coaching significantly enhance the health and effectiveness of new ministries. Research supports what experience shows: ministry coaching is one of the most powerful tools for increasing both leadership effectiveness and congregational vitality.

Through his training with Arrow Leadership, Nathan is now offering Christian coaching to pastors, congregations, ministry teams, church planters, and leaders across the Victoria–Tasmania District. Coaching conversations can focus on areas such as:

Clarifying vision and priorities in ministry
Developing leadership teams
Navigating change and transition
Growing personal and spiritual resilience
Cultivating missional focus

Nathan says, “My hope is that many leaders in our District can experience the support, encouragement and growth in effective ministry that coaching brings. Having an accredited Lutheran coach available locally is a real gift to our shared mission.”

Pastor Nathan is currently serving part-time at Luther College, and volunteering part of his time in tentmaker ministry with the Ignite church plant emerging from the College community. As part of his financial support for this ministry, Nathan offers paid ministry coaching sessions.

As an expression of gratitude for the District’s sponsorship of his coaching training, he is pleased to offer coaching sessions at a reduced cost to pastors, leaders, and entities of the District. For further information or to explore coaching, please email Nathan.

‘Lutherans Live! Online Church’

Announcing a new initiative! – ‘Lutherans Live! Online Church’

In response to requests for support from LCA members, the LCA Vic-Tas District is preparing to host an online Worship and pastoral gathering for those feeling unsettled or adrift.

The gathering will be designed to provide pastoral support to people in situations where they find it hard to get support from a pastor, worship together with others, or find a community, and to create a space to listen, pray, and walk together.

Our plan is to gather online and join the Sunday morning Bendigo Lutheran Church livestream. This will be followed by online fellowship conversation, led by Pr. Gordon Wegener.

We will offer a safe and confidential space where you can share – if you wish – or simply be present and receive encouragement.

Our hope is to offer comfort and fellowship, and support you pastorally.

You are warmly invited to express interest in joining with us and get further information by contacting Trudi.

New Church History Published

For those interested in the history of our church, a new book has been published by Friends of Lutheran Archives. ‘The Other Kavels’ tells the story of the first Lutherans who emigrated to Australia from Prussia in 1838, led by Pastor August Kavel.

Through the lens of various members of the Kavel family, the story is told of the persecution of the Old Lutherans in Prussia who refused to join the king’s union church, the difficulties of gaining permission and funding to emigrate, and the challenges of establishing themselves and their church in the infant colony of South Australia.

The result of years of meticulous and exhaustive research into previously untapped sources, the book provides many new insights into the foundational narrative of the Lutheran Church in this country. It also tells the human story of the little-known members of the wider Kavel family, Pastor Kavel’s parents, three brothers and sister, who witnessed and participated in the events of those turbulent years. The author, John Schubert, is a descendant of Pastor Kavel’s sister, whose husband August Fiedler was Kavel’s right-hand man both in Prussia and South Australia, and who pioneered the Barossa Valley wine industry.

The book will be launched in Tanunda, South Australia, on 25 October.

Books can be obtained from Friends of Lutheran Archives ($35 plus p/h); email: fola@lca.org.au (please include your postal address). Books will be posted and an invoice emailed. All proceeds will go towards the work of Lutheran Archives.

Evangelism that Matters

In today’s world, many people feel lonely, uncertain, and overwhelmed. There is a deep hunger for meaning, connection, and peace. Surprisingly, research shows that Christianity still has something very attractive to offer—things that people are genuinely searching for.

Recent research from McCrindle shows that what most draws non-Christians to the faith isn’t flashy events or persuasive arguments—it’s a sense of community, genuine care for others, and a message of peace and hope. These are the very things so many are longing for in a fast-moving, often disconnected world.

This shapes how we think about evangelism. Evangelism isn’t about trying to win arguments or impress people with how much we know. It’s about being fully present in the lives of another. And when the Holy Spirit moves in that person’s life, it is about being ready, with humility and kindness, to share the hope that shapes our lives.

The Bible says it this way:
“Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect.”
— 1 Peter 3:15

That hope isn’t rooted in ourselves. It’s not about being perfect or having all the answers. It’s about knowing we are loved by God, that we’re not alone, and that there’s a bigger story we’ve been invited into—a story of grace, healing, and belonging.

Evangelism happens when we create spaces where people feel safe, seen, and welcomed. It happens when we listen deeply, care genuinely, and share our faith – not as a script but as a lived experience. When someone sees how we carry peace in difficult times, or how we show kindness when it’s not expected, they may begin to wonder: What’s different about you?

And that’s our moment. Not to preach, but to gently offer what’s been given to us—the good news that God is near, that love is real, and that hope is not just wishful thinking, but something solid we can build our lives on.

In a society hungry for meaning and connection, perhaps the most powerful form of evangelism is simply this: to live lives that reflect the hope we have, and to be ready—when asked—to share where it comes from.

The Lutheran Confessions also remind us that, at the end of the day it is the Holy Spirit alone who creates faith through the gospel. God is super-rich in how he conveys the Good News to us: through His Word, in the Sacraments, and by mutual conversation and consolation (see the Smalcald Articles III.4). We certainly can’t manufacture conversion through human effort!

With this theological foundation in place, we can gratefully receive practical tools that help us be more intentional in our witness. The courses and resources outlined below are not substitutes for the means of grace, but helpful frameworks that can equip us to share the Gospel more clearly and engage thoughtfully with our neighbours’ questions. When used with proper discernment—keeping Christ at the center—these tools can serve our calling to be ready to give an answer for the hope that we have.

Five Key Questions for Reflection and Conversation

What does it look like for us to “give an answer for the hope we have” in everyday conversations—with friends, family, or coworkers?
In what ways can our church community become a place where people experience belonging, peace, and care—even before they believe?
How has your own experience of God’s peace or hope helped you through difficult times—and could that be a story worth sharing?
What are the barriers—internal or external—that keep us from sharing our faith with gentleness and respect?
If someone walked into your life or your church this week, would they see signs of the hope you carry? What might that look like?

Evangelism Courses

Below is a list of some of the evangelism courses that Lutheran congregations around Australia have been using. Each course will have a different emphasis or focus, and will engage with people differently. (Each title links to the resource.)

Gospel Fluency
Designed by the LCANZ’s own Pr. Nathan Hedt, a Gospel Fluency Workshop can be a great blessing for you and your congregation. Each workshop explores vocabulary, your own specific context, prayer, and actual practice in sharing the good news in words and actions.

Alpha
An internationally renowned course that introduces the basics of the Christian faith in a relaxed, open environment. Alpha is structured around food, video talks, and small group discussions, making it ideal for those exploring life’s big questions in a community setting.

Introducing God
This Australian-developed course presents the Christian message through a conversational format, using video content and discussions. It is designed to help people explore who God is and what life is about, making it suitable for either those new to faith or seeking clarity on spiritual matters.

Starting Point
Created by North Point Ministries, Starting Point is a small group experience tailored for seekers, returners, and new believers. It offers a safe space to explore faith, ask honest questions, and engage with the foundational truths of Christianity through storytelling and discussion.

Christianity Explored
This course takes participants through the Gospel of Mark to investigate who Jesus is, why He came, and what it means to follow Him. With a mix of video, discussion, and personal reflection, it is well-suited to those curious about Jesus’ identity and mission.

Practicing the Way
A discipleship-oriented course inspired by John Mark Comer, focused on helping both new and mature believers follow Jesus through ancient spiritual practices like prayer, Sabbath, and Scripture reading. The course blends teaching with practical action to foster deep spiritual formation.

XP. Film Series
Targeted at younger Australians, xp. offers short, creative YouTube-style videos that explore life’s big questions—faith, identity, purpose, and God—through storytelling and visual engagement. It’s an ideal tool for youth-focused evangelism and discussion starters.

Questioning Christianity
Founded by Dan Paterson, this site offers thoughtful responses to common objections and questions about Christianity. Through articles, videos, and podcasts, it equips individuals to engage with the intellectual, emotional, and cultural challenges of faith.

Olive Tree Media
Led by Karl Faase, this Australian media organisation produces high-quality video series like ‘Jesus, the Game Changer’, that explore the relevance of Christianity in today’s world. The content is particularly useful for group studies and public evangelism within a cultural context.

Simply Christianity
Created by Matthias Media, this course presents the life and message of Jesus through the Gospel of Luke. It is designed for people with little or no prior knowledge of Christianity, and provides a simple, clear introduction to who Jesus is and why He matters.

Access Excellent Mission and Ministry Resources

If you are looking for tools to enhance the mission and ministry of your congregation, head to the LCANZ’s Congregational Life Hub.

Resources are thoughtfully organized under key headings, including:

Worship and Faith
Mission
Ministry
Pastoral Care
Safe Church
Churchworkers
Governance and Administration
Training
Grants and Scholarships

As this project is a work in progress, we’d love your input! If you know of other helpful resources or links that would benefit this collection, please share them by emailing Pastor Brett. Together, we can build a library that equips and empowers every congregation in their mission and ministry.

Growing Together in Prayer: A Powerful Start to the Year

The first LCANZ District Mission Directors Collaborative Learning Zoom session of the year took place on 11 February 2025, offering two identical sessions to accommodate participants across different schedules. With a focus on Spiritual Growth, inspired by last year’s LCA Leaders Retreat, this event provided an opportunity for leaders to reflect on prayer’s transformative role in personal faith, congregational renewal, and mission.

Approximately 50 participants engaged in deep conversations about the power of prayer in revitalising churches, drawing on insights from Scripture, Thom Rainer’s research, and the LCANZ Online Prayer Network. A key takeaway was the reminder that every sustained church revitalisation is undergirded by a powerful movement of prayer—a theme echoed in powerful stories of renewal and mission growth.

The session included:

Inspiring testimonies of God’s work through prayer.
Insights from the Online Prayer Network, highlighting how persistent prayer strengthens faith communities.
Encouragement, with practical guidance on how to develop small but faithful local prayer movements, recognizing that prayer warriors are marked by persistence, not numbers.
Practical examples of prayer initiatives, from 24-hour vigils to community-focused prayer walks.

The event concluded with collaborative prayer, as participants interceded for their congregations and the wider LCANZ mission. Many left the session encouraged to deepen their commitment to prayer as the foundation for renewal and evangelism.

For those who missed it, a recording of the teaching session and a PDF of the presentation slides are available here:

PDF of Powerpoint notes
Video of Evening Session

Additionally, fortnightly LCANZ Prayer Zoom gatherings will continue, providing an ongoing opportunity to pray for God’s Spirit to be poured out over the church. For more information contact Pastor Nathan Hedt at nathan.hedt@lca.org.au.

A heartfelt thank you to all who participated. It was certainly a rich time of learning and prayer. May we continue to grow together in faith, taking our requests and thanksgivings to the Only One who is able to transform our lives and communities by His grace, our Lord Jesus Christ, who intercedes for us (Hebrews 7:25).

Watch the Vic-Tas District eNews for details of the next LCANZ Mission Directors Collaborative Learning Zooms. We’re aiming to run about five more of these over the course of the coming year.

LYV – Church Crash!

If you’ve ever heard the term ‘to crash a party’ you may know it to mean to show up uninvited to an event. But the LYV like to do it a bit differently. We like to ‘crash’ churches – very politely and with prior notice!
Beginning late 2023, Lutheran Youth of Victoria began a new reoccurring event called Church Crash. Sunday Night at St Johns church (SNAS) had finished up and it left us with a new opportunity: to be able to go to different congregations around the state, rather than invite youth and young adults to SNAS, which meant their congregations no longer lost an important piece of their generational makeup.

Church Crash aims to strengthen connections of youth and young adults made at our other events (CLW, Easter Camp, Summer Camp, Empower) and provide an opportunity to worship together again. We believe that worshipping God and communing with other believers is a highly important part of our faith practice and vital in nurturing a strong faith in our youth. We also ultimately hope that by providing an opportunity to visit a church with others of a similar age, we can help someone find their home church.

Before a Church Crash is held, we get in contact with the church to make sure they are welcoming to the idea, and to give them a heads up on any promotional material that might come out before the crash.

LYV Church Crash at St Johns Geelong (left) and St Paul’s Box Hill (right). Photos supplied by Rachel Schier.

Throughout 2024 we held 5 church crashes, occurring approximately every two months. We visited St Philips Tarneit after Empower, St Johns Ballarat as part of Easter Camp, St Pauls Box Hill, St Johns Geelong and St James Moorabbin. Often after the service we were warmly welcomed with a BBQ lunch generously provided by the congregations, and really enjoyable conversations with people we met. We also enjoyed being able to spend extra quality time together playing board games or going ten pin bowling after a service.

Church Crash is back again in 2025, and we have a new crash in the works! Please check in on our Facebook page LYV: Lutheran Youth of Victoria for updates on upcoming Church Crashes and other events happening in the year. If your congregation is open to hosting us for Church Crash, please contact us via our social media page, or email admin.lyv@lca.org.au

New Role at LCAVD

Toward the end of last year, you may have seen that the LCA has restructured Safe Church training, with the roles of LCA Professional Standards Officers coming to an end (LCA eNews).

We are delighted that Denise Muschamp, previously the LCA Vic-Tas Professional Standards Officer, has now joined the LCAVD team as our new Relationship Manager and Compliance Coordinator (two days a week).

In this new role, Denise will facilitate regular discussion between congregation leaders and District Office. She will be phoning office bearers to listen to any questions or concerns, and help the District Office team more fully understand each community under our care.

Denise will also assist in the area of Safe Church, supporting the entities of the District to understand their obligations to and implement their compliance of the LCA Standards of Ethical Behaviour and Safe Church practices. Specifically, Denise will support your Safe Church Coordinator, ensuring any required support is being sourced from and/or provided via the LCA Professional Standards Department.

Denise will also act in the position of Risk Management Officer (RMO) for the LCA Vic-Tas District.

Denise can be contacted via email at: denise.muschamp@lca.org.au

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