Search Results for: church

Faith at Home – An Advent Challenge

[Free image from Pexels]

It is no secret that many of our congregations are facing great challenges, including membership decline, financial unviability, and shortage of pastors.

At a recent discussion with congregational representatives, we were talking about some of the practices that sustained our church during its early days in Victoria when there were also very few pastors and many small congregations, covering large areas of the state.

One of those practices was a strong commitment to personal spiritual growth through Bible reading and family devotional times.

Surveys reveal that, over time, these practices waned and very few Australian Lutherans now make this a priority. Many have reduced the practice of their faith to participation in Sunday worship and have ‘outsourced’ the Christian education of their children.

Recently I read an article about a conference of the ‘International Society for Sociology of Religion’ which spoke about the impact of secularisation (worldliness) on religious belief and practice across all religions in Australia.

One speaker reported a finding from recent research that reinforces a message our own church has often spoken, ‘the one factor which is slowing down the process of secularisation is where there is a highly successful transmission of religious faith in families… If both parents are committed and are involved in religious practices in the home, such as mealtime and bedtime prayers and in singing Christian songs in the home, that makes a difference’.

This is a timely reminder as we consider the changing face of our congregations in the face of membership decline, financial unviability, and a shortage of pastors. One thing we can do is to teach and strive for a stronger focus on the practice of the faith in the home – the word and worship of God in our homes and congregational support of family ministry.

We may be tempted, when addressing the challenges in the life of the church to focus solely on what happens on Sunday rather than on the benefits of a strong commitment to personal and family devotional practices.

It’s worth contemplating, isn’t it? The very practices of personal and family devotional times that sustained our church during its early days in Victoria (and elsewhere) when there were also few pastors and small congregations, may again prove to be the thing that sustains the church as it faces the challenges of our time.

As the church season of Advent draws near, it is a good opportunity for each of us to reassess and, if necessary, reinvigorate our own personal and family devotional practices.

Perhaps you can use some devotional material you already own, or check out the Grow Ministry resources on the LCA web page: Faith at Home Archives – Grow Ministries or order a 2024 Bible reading guide or other tracts from LLL tract mission:

My prayer for you echoes St Paul’s prayer for the Christians at Ephesus (part of this Sunday’s Bible reading), which also highlights the immense benefit of personal spiritual growth:

¹⁷I keep asking that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious Father, may give you the Spirit of wisdom and revelation, so that you may know him better.¹⁸I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance in his holy people, ¹⁹and his incomparably great power for us who believe. [Ephesians 1:17-19]

Pastor Lester Priebbenow
Bishop – Victoria Tasmania District

Closure of the Rosebud, Bethany Congregation

After forty-two years, firstly as a preaching place in the St Peters Frankston parish, and later as a separate congregation, Bethany has been a small group serving members living on the Mornington Peninsula. St Peters drew members from across the peninsula, including Mornington, Mt Martha, Red Hill and Rosebud, and caused capacity problems for the church.

During this time, serving pastors at St Peters, including Pastors Paul Griebel, Wayne Muschamp and Tom Fischer held an early morning service in one of several places in Rosebud. Firstly, it was in a Uniting Church on the Nepean Highway in Rosebud, then another local Uniting Church in Murray Anderson Road. It then moved to Padua College, Rosebud, originally in the Staff Room or a classroom, until the College acquired an old church from Red Hill as the school chapel. The congregation assisted in the chapel’s renovation and it then became Bethany’s place of worship to this day. Bethany was always served with great care by Padua staff, and we are most grateful that they were willing to allow us to use that facility for many years.

Approximately 30 baptised souls formed the original congregation. When Bethany separated from St Peters, it was served by Pastor Peter Benz on a part time basis, until his retirement in 2008, due to ill-health. Since then, we have been served by a number of pastors on a part-time basis, mainly one service each month until 2019. This includes Pastors David Koehne, Ray Roehm, Warren Partridge, and Special Ministry Pastor James Hoth Luk. However, special mention must be made of Pastor Emeritus Janos Dabasy, who has faithfully provided the congregation with quarterly services and communion for 13 years, and as recently as 2 weeks ago.

We give thanks to God for providing all the Pastors, and also to each of them for their service to our community.

We thank God for Bethany Lutheran Church; we have been truly blessed. His hand is in evidence from its genesis, gestation, implementation, and survival, through to this day of closure. The Holy Spirit has been with us, supporting and encouraging us, every step of the way, motivating the original members and all who have followed them – the Pastors, Chairmen, Treasurers, Secretaries, Committee Members, the Lay Readers, those of the Altar Guild, the providers of morning teas and the worshipers of this congregation. How else could the congregation have survived for 42 years, meeting weekly, with such minimal Pastoral involvement? Lord, we ask that you continue to bless every member that has called Bethany “My Church

Today, February 26, 2023, sees the closure of this unique congregation, but not to our individual Christian journeys. Accordingly, we ask for God’s guidance, wisdom and support, as we determine how and where each of us will continue to worship Him.

Living Litugically

God, who made the earth and heaven, darkness and light:
you the day for work have given, for rest the night.
(Reginald Heber “God, Who Made the Earth and Heaven”)

The 6am alarm. Morning coffee. Children to school, off to the office. Emails. Meeting. Drive home. Family dinner. Bedtime devotions. Asleep by 10pm.

Does the rhythm of life soothe you? Do you feel at home in your routine? It’s not surprising if your answer is yes. The patterns in our life have been established by God Himself in His creation. We wake, we sleep. We are granted a Sabbath for rest. We can mark time and plan for the future using the seasons. Some seasons in our life are busier, and some more restful.

Advent. Christmas. Epiphany. Lent. Easter. Pentecost.

This rhythm is not seen only in the creation around us, but also the life of the Church. Do you remember getting excited as a child when you saw the Advent wreath show up in the sanctuary? Do you pray and fast as you sing “O Lord, Throughout These Forty Days” during Lent? Martin Luther marked his life according to the liturgical year – even signing his letters based on the season: signed on the Vigil of Saint Luke, Pentecost Eve, or the Wednesday following St Catherine’s Day. Having grown up in the Church and lived through these seasons repeatedly, I tend to mark my life just as much around the Church calendar as I do around the months of the year. This has become an even greater reality since I became a full-time church worker.

The lesson is in learning to read the seasons and allowing yourself to work in the ebb and flow of them. Some seasons are busier. Every parish worker feels the difference between the Third Week in Lent and the 17^th Sunday after Pentecost. It’s why I couldn’t write for Kate when she asked me in February – we were preparing for Transfiguration Sunday and I distinctly remember looking at the readings with Pastor and realising the time was flying quickly into Lent. The penitential seasons working up to the high feasts of the Church year are busy for us. Our minds are a flurry of activity and planning and looking forward.

But, ah! I can write now. It’s the week after the 5^th Sunday after Pentecost*. Kids have just started back to school for Term 3, and I’m ready to rest in the shade of the long, green season. Sure, there are many things on our church calendar between now and Advent 1 (Sunday, 27 November). It just feels different now. Slower. More restful. I’m at peace in the calmer seasons.

What routines have you established for your life? How do you mark your seasons? God has given us day and night, planting and harvest, days for high praise and great excitement and days for quiet, peaceful gratitude. I pray that each of you will have energy and focus in your busy seasons, and peace and rest in the quiet times.

Blessings,
Deaconess Kathleen

*Kathleen supplied this some weeks ago

2022 Continuing Education for Pastors and Lay Workers

The Church workers of the District met online and in person over the mornings of Wednesday and Thursday last week for the annual Continuing Education Program. Instead of gathering in one place pastors and lay workers met as they were able in their Zones, allowing for some fellowship time as well as some learning and sharing.

We heard from Pastor Stuart Kleinig on the topic of How to help people encounter and share Christ when experiencing conflict, a topic that we can relate to across various areas of our lives. Pr Stuart reminded us to consider that Jesus was always seeking to deal with the sin present within each person through his teachings and parables.

On Thursday we heard from John Jeffries from the organisation Partners in Ministry on the topic of How to make your church more welcoming. One of the valuable insights from his presentation is that the average church with 100 members in Australia gets 150 visitors per year, and these are not just on special Sundays but across regular Sundays. Another insight was that it is the ten minutes after the service where the newcomer makes up their mind whether this is in fact a welcoming church.

We are in conversation with John to provide a free online webinar so church leaders and volunteers can hear more about this topic.

We were also fortunate to hear from LCA Churchwide departments, Church Worker Support and Grow Ministries. Verena Johnson spoke about the many wonderful resources available on the LCANZ Learning Hub and Jodi Brook from Grow Ministries spoke to the variety of resources available through the Grow website

Grovedale and Greater Geelong Asylum Seeker Ministry and Tamil Christian Fellowship

On Saturday 26th February a Tamil Christian Church service was held at Our Redeemer Lutheran Church in North Geelong. Joyce Mailvaganam, a Tamil guest from London shared a message, and Pastor Vino from a Melbourne Tamil church led the praise and worship/service.

Ongoing, the Tamil community will be invited to either attend Sunday morning worship or a Tamil fellowship and prayer group in the afternoon at Our Redeemer. This gathering of people is the birthing of a Tamil church plant in Geelong.

We can only give God the glory for the ways in which He has and is working around us, bringing His Kingdom to earth as it is in Heaven. As Jesus leads us toward people coming to know Him as their Lord and Saviour, we are quietly expectant to see the unfolding of a new church.

Historically St Paul’s Lutheran Church Grovedale has been serving asylum seekers, refugees and migrants by means of practical, relational and spiritual support. The congregation were first called to support asylum seekers when some Tamil men arrived for worship one Sunday in 2013.

Now, together with the Lutheran churches in Geelong, St Paul’s Kindergarten and Geelong Lutheran College, the Grovedale congregation supports approximately 23 households of families and individuals. Nationalities supported include Iranians, Afghans, Tamils, Haitians and Kurds, with the Tamil community being the largest group the community walk with.

Lay worker Michelle Filipovic writes ‘The ministry to our families is practical, relational, and Pastoral. We have walked closely with our families, assisting them as needs arise. Doing life alongside them whilst offering prayer, reading scripture, and sharing God’s love and the gospel in very gentle and loving but bold ways.’

Practical support is offered via donating and distributing non-perishable food, prayer support, helping with delivering large items as needed, advocating and making referrals for support, teaching in-home English lessons, resourcing community opportunities for volunteering and employment, providing general support to families eg transport to appointments, and connecting, supporting and creating friendships with people through visiting them in their homes.

The ministry works closely with community organisations in Geelong such as Diversitat Asylum Seeker Program, Barwon Health, 3216 Connect Charity group, Geelong Mums and the Baptist and Uniting churches.

Michelle shares her favorite Bible verse;
John 6:40:
“For this is the will of my Father, that everyone who looks on the Son and believes in him should have eternal life, and I will raise him up on the last day.” and commments ‘I love this verse because of the evangelistic heart of God. God’s will is that everyone would know Jesus and have eternal life. This is my heart for those who do not know Jesus as their Saviour especially in my role with Asylum Seekers and Refugees. It is good news because it simply says that whoever believes in Jesus will be saved. A simple message and truth to share with the world. It also reminds me of the Lord’s prayer, ‘your will be done’, this verse says His will is ..’that everyone who looks on the Son and believes in him should have eternal life’. It is the great commission, the sharing of the gospel to all nations.’

Michelle has also added these prayer points for the ministry to Asylum Seekers

1. That their Visa applications are approved
2. Provisions for Bridging VISA families who receive no Centrelink payments nor a health care card
3. Open Hearts for families who don’t know Jesus yet, that as we serve and minister to them. they would hear and receive Jesus as their Lord and Saviour.

This article was put together from a variety of sources including the St Paul’s Grovedale website and an article for The Lutheran. We thank Michelle Filipovic for her input and for the photos provided.

Top picture Pastor Boyd Briese with one of the Tamil leaders
Below: signage for the new Tamil Christian Fellowship

Greater Geelong Tamil Ministry

Michelle has also added these prayer points for the ministry to Asylum Seekers

True Freedom – a devotional message from DCC member Pr Milton Fritsch

So if the Son makes you free, you will be free indeed. (Mark 8:36).

Friday week ago, the residents of greater Melbourne celebrated FREEDOM DAY! They celebrated the first day of easing of restrictions that they had been enduring for the past couple of months. Whilst the people of greater Melbourne are enjoying an easing of restrictions, there are still many restrictions limiting their freedom. Just as there are restrictions here in regional Victoria.

In Mark 8, Jesus is talking about true freedom! Jesus is not talking about freedom to travel where we like. Nor is he talking about freedom to do what we like. Jesus is talking about freedom from slavery to sin! Jesus is talking about freedom to be a disciple of Jesus!

Jesus is talking to the Jews who had believed in him. (John 8:31). Jesus is speaking to a group of Jews who had stopped believing the word that he was speaking to them. These Jews believed that because they are descendants of Abraham, that they are not slaves to anyone.

Jesus’ word to these Jews reminds them that they are not free. Jesus says: Very truly, I tell you, everyone who commits sin is a slave to sin. (John 8:34). There is a slavery that effects everyone. Everyone who continually commits sin is enslaved or bound by sin. Paul reminds us of this harsh reality when he writes: For there is not distinction, since all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God. (Romans 3:22-23). Everyone, including the descendants of Abraham have been born into sin. Everyone is a slave to sin. Nobody can free themselves from the bondage of sin.

The only one who can free us is Jesus. As the divine Son of God, Jesus has opened the way for all people to be free from sin and its terrible consequences. Paul reminds us how Jesus did this when he goes onto say: …they are now justified by his grace as a pure gift, through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus, whom God put forward as a sacrifice for the atonement by his blood effective through faith. (Romans 3: 24-25).

Jesus paid the terrible price for our sins and for the sins of the world. He did this by offering himself as the perfect sacrifice on the cross. Because Jesus did this on behalf of all fallen sinners, the way is now clear for all people to receive the benefits of his death and resurrection. These benefits include the gift of forgiveness. The gift of salvation, where we are set free once and for all from the consequences of sin. These gifts are available to anyone who joins to Jesus in faith. Everyone who is joined to Jesus in faith will be truly free!

Truly free to be a follower of Jesus. To be a disciple of Jesus means to hear his word and believe it. Jesus says: If you continue in my word, you are truly my disciples; and you will know the truth and the truth will make you free (John 8:31). Jesus also says: So if the Son makes you free, you will be free indeed. (John 8:36). True freedom means that we are free to follow Jesus.

On Sunday we Commemorated the Reformation. The Reformation happened because the Roman Catholic Church at that time was in a bad shape. For years it had been plagued by corrupt and inept leaders. It was a time of much ignorance and superstition. Very few church members knew much about the Bible. Teachings by the church, including false teachings were held up by the church leaders as the supreme authority. The Gospel of God’s forgiveness as a free gift, which is given through faith in Jesus Christ was largely forgotten and seldom proclaimed. People were taught to rely on their own good works to be right with God. This meant that many, many people at that time were slaves to sin.

God raised up faithful people (including Martin Luther) who started to question the false teachings and practises of the church at that time. They did this on the basis of scripture. They used the word of God to expose the false teachings and practises that were happening in the church. Slowly but surely, people were brought back to the centrality of the Gospel. Slowly but surely people began to hear the good news that their standing before God is dependant entirely on God’s grace and mercy shown to them through Jesus. People heard once again that by God’s grace through faith in Jesus Christ, they were truly free!

Today, we need to continue to listen to Jesus’ words, to believe them and follow him alone as our Lord and Saviour. Today, we need to hear that we are truly free by God’s grace through faith in Jesus Christ.

Prayer:

Lord God, free your people from their offences.
Through your great goodness
release us all from the net of our sins
which has entangled us because of our frailty.
We ask this through your Son,
Jesus Christ our Lord,
who lives and reigns
with you and the Holy Spirit,
one God, now and forever.
Amen.

New Special Purpose Facility Opened at Historic Doncaster

Advent Sunday was a day of community celebration for the small and vibrant congregation of the historic Trinity Lutheran Church at Doncaster. The day marked a new beginning for the congregation with the opening of their new special purpose facility linking the heritage church with a period-built hall at the rear. Former District Bishop Pastor Greg Pietsch led the day’s celebrations with District Bishop Lester Priebbenow and Emeritus Pastor David Kleidon participating. The new facility now provides easy and unrestricted access into the church worship space, and opens the hall as a sanctuary for congregational fellowship and welcoming area for Christian affiliates and community support groups to gather for meetings. The development has kept faith with the congregation’s core values by demonstrating God’s witness through service to the community in giving access to the legacy of property assets bestowed upon it.

Members of the former Ivanhoe Holy Trinity congregation were instrumental in making this development possible through a generous grant of funds from the sale of their church property.

The dedication of the new facilities to the glory of God was following by a community lunch at which representatives from nearby congregations and special guests attended, including Manningham City Councillor Geoff Gough (a baptised member of the congregation), and Pastor Adrian Kebbe and his leadership team from the Doncaster Presbyterian Church who worship on-site, and will share in the use of the new hall facilities.

Blessing of the Jeparit Front Hall Renovations

It was on a beautiful winter’s day, 2nd June 2024, that the members of St. John’s Lutheran Church, Jeparit and visitors officially opened, gave thanks and blessed the newly renovated hall.

Following the Second World War, it became obvious that a church hall was essential to serve the increasing needs of the congregation. So, in 1946, a Hall fund was set up. In early 1952, tenders were called to build a 43ft x 23ft concrete brick structure. The winning bid was 3,200 pounds. Members assisted with digging the foundations and the Jeparit Brick Kiln locally made bricks. The hall was completed in 1953, and a dedication service was held on July 5^th.

The Women’s Guild established a fund to equip the hall with a stove, crockery and cutlery for the kitchen. By 1954, the hall had been furnished for use by the Sunday School, and the debt had been paid out.

By 1967, the lack of teaching space was a concern as there were 90 students! So, an extension was needed. Renovations included new side walls, leaving the front façade as is, with the extension of a stage, kitchen, meeting room and several Sunday School rooms. The extension was completed in 1971, and a concert was held to celebrate. It was so popular that they had to repeat the concert in the Jeparit town hall to accommodate the people attending.

Jumping forward 48 years, in July 2019, the church began the long process of looking into renovating the front façade as it was in much-needed repair or replacement. PAREL Construction from Geelong was approved as the builder. Construction began and was completed in February 2024, and with several working bees, we officially opened and blessed the Hall at a dedicated service on the 2nd of June 2024. Cutting the ribbon was Marjorie Werner, a long-time member and one of the oldest members living in Jeparit and Gaye Golder, daughter of Marie & David Livingston, who donated the church bell and crucifix from the Anglican Church, and who is also the sister of the builder.

Members of St John’s would like to thank the following for their kind donations/grants and help:
Hindmarsh Shire Council, Members of St John’s Jeparit, Members of St Paul’s Nhill, Jeparit Lions Club, Nhill Lions Club, Donations of firewood, Donations of 10c recycling cans/bottles, Ladies Guild, Keller family, Gawith family and Pipkorn family.

“It won’t happen here!!”

Photo by Noah Silliman on Unsplash

As I work with congregations in our District, I sometimes meet members who believe our Safe Church practices are unnecessary, “over the top,” or a “lot of bureaucratic red tape.” This view is based on the belief that we in the Lutheran Church are immune from abuse and the highly publicised criminal abuse of some other denominations.

Furthermore, there is an assumption that because we know our fellow congregational members, there is no need for rigorous processes. A wise Lutheran school principal once told me, “Don’t assume anything.” He was absolutely correct!

We have had, and continue to have, instances of abuse in our church which cause great harm to individuals, financially cripple us, and damage our reputation.

Whilst we don’t want to dwell on the negative, acknowledging what can occur (the temptation to sin) is important in driving us to do better and act preventatively.

Three decades ago, at a Lutheran church in South Australia, Ryan Williams was sexually abused – while his parents were chatting with other adults after worship. Now a pastor of a church in New Mexico, Ryan explains what happened, why it often takes so long for survivors to talk about abuse, and why it’s so important to bring what happens in the dark, out into the light.

This is an important message for all of us to hear.

I encourage you to take the time to listen to Ryan’s message on Laudio, the LCA podcast platform.

Listen to Ryan’s story

If you need support, please contact: Lifeline 13 11 14; or Bravehearts 1800 272 831.

From Denise, your District Professional Standards Officer

« Previous Page

Search Results for: church

Footer

Contact Us