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LCA General Synod Reflections

In early October, delegates from the Vic-Tas District joined with others at the LCA 21^st General Convention of Synod, held at Concordia College in Adelaide. Presentations were heard, reports were accepted, and business was discussed and voted on. You can read the Popular Report HERE.

Prior to this gathering, a significant amount of work was put into an intense 18-month ‘Way Forward’ journey for our church – a strong and respectful collaboration by people of the LCA with differing views. Many of you likely spent time reading and discussing the various Framework versions as they were released by the Way Forward teams, and you may have joined one of our District’s online or in-person gatherings.

With the adoption at Synod of parts of the Way Forward Framework, many people are processing what this means for them personally and as congregations. It is natural that this may be an uncertain and unsettled time for congregations. Our District Bishop, Pr Lester Priebbenow, recently sent a congregational newsletter reflecting on people’s possible responses and encouraging open and respectful discussions at all levels – you can read the newsletter HERE. Our churchwide Bishop, Pr Paul Smith, has also shared a message with the church that you can read HERE.

We remind people that there are many great mission stories happening all of the time in our District. Some of these are:

the growing Lutheran school at Tarneit/Mambourin;
a new fellowship group, ‘Ignite’, at Luther College;
the realigning of the congregations of Greater Geelong into one “Living Faith” community;
The mission work with Chinese folks happening at Nunawading/Glen Waverley;
the Wodonga LCANZ mission grant and its close relationship with Victory Lutheran College;
South Sudanese ministry.

Many of these have been highlighted in eNews articles this year.

Another great mission initiative is the series of collaborative zooms currently being offered by the LCA Mission Directors. Many members from Victoria attended the last one. Information on the next Zoom is HERE – register soon, and encourage others to join in with you!

In time, there will be more information from the General Church Board and College of Bishops about next steps as a result of decisions made at Synod. Note that nothing needs to happen straight away; rather, it is important to allow time for rest and recovery from the intense time of Synod, time for personal reflection, and time for listening to how it may be affecting others.

For those needing assistance to process any issues, we remind church employees and volunteers that we have access to skilled counsellors though our EAP (Employer assisted Program) providers, ‘Empatia’. More information can be found HERE.

We conclude with excerpts from Bishop Lester’s newsletter:

“Besides our processing of what this means for us, we should not forget that there are always considerations beyond our own. We are part of a wider church-family which includes people who could benefit from our support. …
Some of you will have questions. Please speak to your pastor or church leadership if you do. They probably won’t have all the answers but will be willing to help you as best they can. …
Finally, be gentle with yourselves, as God is gentle with you.”

Introducing Ignite

On the first Pentecost day, God ignited something – the flame of faith in the risen Jesus spread like wildfire in the Roman empire, and became a movement that has passed down through millennia and spread across the globe!

As part of that movement of faith in Jesus, the Holy Spirit is igniting something exciting at Luther College. Since Covid lockdowns, there hasn’t been a Sunday worshiping community based at the College. But a group of committed Christian staff and students has been praying and discerning God’s will. This has led to the formation of IGNITE – a Sunday evening, student-led worship service and a developing community that is intergenerational and invitational.

The format of Ignite is simple and vibrant. Worship music led by a student band; the Word of God and a short gospel-centered message; time to personally pause, reflect and creatively respond to what God is saying; conversation in small groups, prayer, music and blessing; and then a shared meal with opportunity for continued conversation and relationships.

Ignite has begun as a monthly worship service, but the hope and prayer is that people might find their spiritual home here and that it may develop into more than just a monthly gathering, providing regular opportunities for discipleship, community and mission. Midweek discipleship opportunities for students and families, and ways to share the good news of Jesus beyond the Ignite community, may be some of the next steps. Staff and families are being invited to consider how they might contribute to what God is bringing forth. The leadership team, with Pastor Nathan Hedt acting as a consultant, are providing support, guidance, and mentoring, while young adults are involved with discerning and shaping this vision.

Ignite is a gospel-focused, Spirit-led initiative where young adult and student leadership, creativity, and passion are nurtured. The vision for Ignite is a vibrant community that provides spaces for people to explore and encounter Jesus; experience the presence of God; grow in genuine community; encourage service and mission to the world around us; and intentionally multiply leaders and disciples across generations.

The Holy Spirit has been at work, bringing joy and a sense of community to both Christians and non-Christians who have attended. You are welcome to attend Ignite, whether you’re connected to Luther College or not. People who are curious and open to exploring Jesus but not yet sure what they believe are also welcome!

How can I participate with Ignite?

The service begins at 5pm Sunday afternoon and concludes by about 5:45pm, but the meal afterwards is an important part of Ignite! We have been concluding the meal by around 6:30-6:45pm.

The next dates for Ignite are Sunday October 20^th and Sunday 17^th November.

The worship service is held in Building W at Luther College (diagonally opposite Jefferies Supermarket, enter the carpark through Gate 9 on Yarra Rd).

Because a catered meal is provided, we request that people book in with attendance and dietary needs, through a free Trybooking link that is provided prior to the service.

I hope God fans into flame your faith – and that Ignite may be part of that for many people.

Photos provided by Anita Foster

Unity: Elusive but a Blessing

Lately I’ve been thinking quite a lot about the matter of unity. The theme for our upcoming General Convention of Synod, “The Gift of God – It’s Grace that Unites us” calls us to contemplate the unity of the church in the face of theological differences.

Unity is also a current topic politically. After an assassination attempt on former US president Donald Trump, national leaders past and present made public appeals for unity, one of them urging people to consider that, ‘we have much more in common than what divides us.’

Unity is a common theme in the ‘objects of the church’ according to our constitutions. The church commits to ‘unite in one body… promote and maintain true Christian unity in the bond of peace… ensure that preaching, teaching and practice in the Church are in conformity with the Confession of the Church… cultivate uniformity in worship, ecclesiastical practice and customs in accord with the principles laid down in Article X. of the Formula of Concord’ (LCA Constitution 3.1). Our church constitutions require bishops ‘to strive for unity, harmony and good order in the Church’. For Lutherans, unity is always based on a common confession of faith in ‘the divinely inspired, written, and inerrant Word of God, … as the only infallible source and norm for all matters of faith, doctrine, and life’.

Better Together in Christ

The author of a devotion entitled, ‘Better Together in Christ’ reflected on the gift of unity in the body of Christ, focussing on Psalm 133: ‘How good and pleasant it is when God’s people live together in unity… Harmony is as refreshing as the dew from Mount Hermon.’ She then described unity as something that ‘may feel elusive’. [Patricia Raybon, Our Daily Bread, July 14, 2024].

Why is Unity Elusive?

This begs the question about why unity ‘may feel elusive’. What things threaten unity among God’s people? In Scripture, James asks the same question, ‘What causes fights and quarrels among you?’ He immediately answers his own question, saying, ‘Don’t they come from your desires that battle within you? You want something but don’t get it…’ (James 4:1-2). Unity between brothers and sisters in Christ is threatened when we give free reign to our selfish desires at the expense of our concern for others.

The unity of the church is also threatened by false teaching. St Paul appeals to Christians in Rome ‘to watch out for those who cause divisions and create obstacles contrary to the doctrine that you have been taught; keep away from them’ (Romans16:17). When he tells pastor Timothy to ‘command certain men not to teach false doctrines any longer,’ he says that ‘the goal of this command is love, which comes from a pure heart and a good conscience and a sincere faith’ (1 Tim 1:1-3). The Word of God is the basis for Christian unity and for that reason it can also be the cause of division. Martin Luther wrote, ‘The Word and doctrine will create Christian unity or fellowship. Where they reign, all else will follow. Where they are not, no concord will ever abide’ (Sermons from the year 1531. WA 34/2:387).

What Promotes Unity among God’s People?

Many New Testament passages urge God’s people to strive for unity in the body of Christ. From them we learn that true unity is found most of all in an attitude of humility, both under God’s Word and before one another. According to St Paul, ‘Speaking the truth’ of God’s Word, but doing so ‘in love’ promotes unity and maturity in the body of Christ (Ephesians 4:14-16).

I read recently how in any disagreement, ‘both positions are subject to their own forms of corruption by sinful humanity’. So, the desire for unity requires constant searching of the Scriptures, self-examination, repentant hearts, and lots of humility from all concerned. For example, it may be easy for me to issue a call for unity, but I must search my motives by asking, ‘Is the unity I desire on God’s terms or my own terms? Is the appeal for unity based on a result that is to my liking, in that unity will exist when the other person yields to my desire?’

Christian unity is never something that can be forced or demanded. Unity is the ‘fruit of the [Holy] Spirit’ at work in our hearts through the Word of God. That is why the apostles urge us to ‘live by the Spirit and not to gratify the desires of our sinful natures’, to let ‘the fruit of the Spirit’ triumph over ‘the acts of the sinful nature’ (Gal 5:16-26), to ‘let the Word of Christ dwell among us richly and let the peace of Christ rule in our hearts’ (Col 3:12-15), to ‘submit ourselves to God’ and ‘to one another out of reverence for Christ’ (James 4:7; Eph 5:21), and to ‘make every effort to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace’ (Eph 4:1-6).

Unity as a Gift and a Task

It is often said in the context of ecumenical relations that unity is both a gift and a task. The gift is that there is One Holy Christian Church which is the fellowship of faith and of the Holy Spirit in people’s hearts. The task is to seek and maintain outward unity through the right use of Word and Sacrament. Scripture would suggest that this principle also applies within church bodies as Christians put the gift of their unity in Christ to work in the task of living in Christ-like love toward one another. St Paul writes, ‘Therefore if you have any encouragement from being united with Christ, if any comfort from his love, if any common sharing in the Spirit, if any tenderness and compassion [the gift], then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and of one mind’ [the task] (Philippians 2:1-2). ‘As God’s people, chosen and dearly loved’ [the gift] we are urged, ‘clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience’ [the task] (Col 3:12-15).

A Practical Application

How may all this be applied? Unity in the body of Christ does not mean that we agree on everything, but that differences can and should be discussed in light of God’s Word and godly solutions sought for the good of the body as a whole. 1 Corinthians 8:9-13 and Romans 14:1-23 are examples of how the Biblical principles of humility, servanthood and love were applied to a situation in the early church. Some, whose consciences were not troubled by eating meat offered to idols refrained from doing so for the sake of their brothers and sisters in Christ whose consciences would have been troubled by doing so. The Jerusalem conference of Acts 15 is another example where these principles were applied to a church dispute.

In the LCA documents of union, the uniting synods echo a strong sense of eagerness to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. Yet even they acknowledge the elusive nature of unity, the inevitability of broken fellowship with other churches because of differences in doctrine, and the possibility of separation where there is persistence in error that is damaging to the cause of the gospel (DU 6; TA 1:4a).

Encouragement

My musings here are by no means comprehensive, but I leave them with you to consider. Just as the devotion I mentioned earlier reminded us that unity ‘may feel elusive’, it also said that unity is ‘a beautiful goal for believers’ and ‘it blesses all’. According to Psalm 133, ‘When God’s people live together in unity… there the Lord bestows his blessing, even life evermore’ (Psalm 133:3). My prayer is that each of us may consider how we may live in Christ-like humility, both under God’s Word and before one another, so that God may bless his church with true unity.

O Comforter of priceless worth,
grant one mind to your flock on earth;
support us in our final strife,
and lead us out of death to life.
LH 197 v.3 Martin Luther 1483-1546.
tr. Catherine Winkworth 1827-78 (1863) alt.

Wanted – Faithful Stewards

A recent Lectionary Reading (Sunday 30^th June 2024) was Paul’s letter in 2 Corinthians chapter 8, verses 7-15. In verse 9, Paul reminds us of the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, “who, though rich, became poor for our sake so that we might become rich through His poverty.” This ultimate act of giving sets the standard for Christian stewardship – and even more, provides us with the power to follow Jesus as ‘under-stewards’. Let me explain.

A Lesson from Apu

You may remember the “Simpsons” TV show (I’m showing my age here). My favourite character was Apu, who managed a convenience store called a Kwik-E-Mart. Seeing Apu always took me back to my student days when first in Melbourne, working night shifts at a 24-hour convenience store called “Food Plus.” The job was convenient and right around the corner from my house.

Eighteen months into the job, a new family bought the shop. They were nice folks, great to work for, and they themselves worked tirelessly, eventually reaching the point where they very badly needed a holiday. They were in danger of burnout. To my surprise they entrusted me to manage the store for a week. I’m not sharing that story to promote myself – but to share that at the time it felt absolutely awesome, and daunting, to be trusted with such a responsibility. I really wanted to do a fantastic job for them. Managing the store was a significant responsibility, teaching me much about stewardship and trust.

What Does It Mean to Be a Steward?

Have you ever been the manager of something that wasn’t yours? Have you ever been trusted with someone else’s property? Have you ever had to look after someone’s business or house or some other precious item so that you were responsible for it for a time, caring for it as if it were your own, but remembering it ultimately belonged to someone else?

The Bible uses the Greek word “oikonomos” to describe a steward or manager. In ancient times, a steward was responsible for managing the household affairs of a wealthy family. Joseph in the Old Testament is a prime example, rising from slave to Pharaoh’s right-hand man, managing all of Egypt’s resources (Genesis 41:45).

We Are God’s Stewards

The truth is, we are all stewards of God’s resources. God, our Heavenly Father, has entrusted us with parts of His creation to manage on His behalf. Nothing we have is truly our own; it’s all a gift from God. As Martin Luther outlined in his explanation to the Apostle’s Creed God is the generous provider of everything we need: food, clothing, home, family, daily work, and all our daily needs.

Lutheran Pastor Harry Wendt, in his Divine Drama Bible Studies used to illustrate stewardship with an image of God’s hands cradling the earth. Inside the circle representing the earth are symbols of everything we manage: people, food, homes, families, possessions, and money. At the bottom of this image are smaller hands open and ready to receive, symbolizing our role as beggars before God. Everything we receive comes freely from Him, highlighting our dependence on God.

Peter writes in 1 Peter 4:10, “Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms.” As we serve with our time, talents, and money, we represent Jesus, who came to serve and not to be served (Matthew 20:28).

Our sinful nature often leads us to believe that everything we have is ours to keep. We hoard our resources instead of sharing them. Paul addresses this in 1 Corinthians 4:7: “What do you have that you did not receive? And if you received it, why do you boast as if it were not a gift?”

Despite our selfishness, God responded with the greatest act of generosity – giving His only Son. John 3:16-17 reminds us of God’s sacrificial love and his love for the world. Paul echoes this in Romans 8:32, affirming that if God did not withhold His Son, He will also give us everything else we need.

We are called to be trusted managers who are even partners with God. Partners with him in His mission to bless the world. The Corinthians understood this and gave generously to help the Christians in Jerusalem. Paul encouraged them to complete their good work, inspiring them by reminding them of all that they had received through Jesus and that they were stewards of God’s resources, especially His grace.

We are God’s Stewards Together

In our congregational life we are stewards together. We have this vocation ‘in team’ with our fellow congregational members and our congregations have wonderful gifts of many kinds. I believe that our opportunities to share the good news are gifts as well. We are stewards of all of these things! What has your congregation been given responsibility for? What are your opportunities to serve? Let us continually re-evaluate how we manage what we’ve been given, trusting God to guide us in our stewardship.

As stewards of God’s abundant resources, may we faithfully manage all that we have for His glory, knowing that He will bless our efforts and multiply them for His mission.

May the peace of God keep your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus. Amen.

Making a difference with LLL Mission Outreach Grants

The strong relationship between LLL and our customers continues to benefit communities around the country, with our latest round of Mission Outreach Grants awarded in support of local projects that make a real difference to congregations.

LLL Mission Outreach Grants (MOGs) have provided $1 million in funding for over 60 projects since 2010.

Our MOGs, as well as Sponsorships, School Bursaries and support for Camping Ministries, are made possible by the missional purpose that we share with our investors.

LLL CEO Ross Smith attended the Synods of the South Australia-Northern Territory and Queensland Districts to award our most recent grants, with Victoria-Tasmania and New South Wales-ACT District grants awarded earlier this year.

These grants are used to help fund a range of inspiring projects that LLL is proud to support.

St Michael’s Lutheran Church in Hahndorf, SA, will use its grant to undertake a much-needed upgrade of its livestreaming capabilities with new cameras and other production equipment.

St Michael’s has been broadcasting weekly services for over 10 years, with many people inspired by this vital outreach ministry.

Three congregations in Canberra are able to install brand-new digital signage after they shared a grant totalling $25,000 that was awarded at the NSW-ACT Synod in March.

Holy Cross, Belconnen, Woden Valley’s Immanuel, and Good Shepherd, Tuggeranong, used the grant to help fund the purchase and installation of modern LED signage that replaced tired, static signs.

These new signs enable these congregations to communicate far more effectively with their local communities.

The remaining grants will help foster connection between congregations, their partner colleges and local communities.

Our Saviour Lutheran Church in Rochedale, Queensland, will hire a Community Connections Facilitator and Wodonga Lutheran Parish, Victoria, has installed a Ministry Coordinator with the support of LLL grants.

Our Saviour, situated at Redeemer Lutheran College, and Wodonga Lutheran Parish, part of the Victory Lutheran College campus, are committed to strengthening ties with their respective communities.

LLL is delighted to be able to support these endeavours thanks to the missional hearts of our customers.

Congregations are encouraged to apply for future Mission Outreach Grants through District offices.

Stories about previous Mission Outreach Grants and the many uplifting projects LLL is able to support thanks to our missional partnership with our depositors are available in Together in Mission – www.lll.org.au/tim – or via our regularly updated social media channels – Facebook: www.facebook.com/LLLAust and Instagram: @lll_australia.

Left Picture: Representatives of Our Saviour Lutheran Church, Rochedale, receive a Mission Outreach Grant from LLL CEO Ross Smith (far right) at the Queensland Synod.
Right picture: Wodonga Lutheran Parish’s new Ministry Coordinator, Lisa Enever, with Pastor Joshua Muller.

Adult Baptism at Outer Eastern Lutheran Church, Lilydale

Outer Easter Lutheran Church celebrated a very special event on Easter Sunday.

We were blessed to have Bishop Lester baptise JJ, who had come to the strong personal conviction that he wished to be baptised.

It has been a long time since OELC has been able to celebrate an adult baptism, and it gave us great joy to share this occasion with JJ and his family.

JJ spent considerable time working his way through the Lutheran Church of Australia and New Zealand’s publication ‘God for Us’. This small book has been produced as a guide for adults new to the Christian faith, and provides an outline and explanation of the key beliefs and understandings of Christianity and the teachings of the Lutheran Church.

JJ was helped in this journey by Barry Petering, a long-time member of the congregation. Barry worked one-on-one with JJ, responding to questions and filling in the gaps.

This time last year, the congregation celebrated its own renewal as it transitioned from a pastor-centric model to a lay-led model. It has been a year filled with blessings and many learnings.

Photos supplied by Sabine Haeusler

The Heart of Bethany

On Tuesday 13 February, Good News Lutheran College, Tarneit, held a ceremony to name and dedicate the Bethany Building (formerly known as the Junior Years Building). The building has been renamed in honour of Bethany Lutheran Church in Sunbury – a church that holds a special place in our community. The church is renowned for its four beautiful lead-light windows, which were designed by Raelene Kempe in 1982. The church was built from mud bricks sourced from a local farm.

Through the dedication of this building, Good News Lutheran College hopes to capture the heart of Bethany. It serves as an inspiration for the College to be resourceful when building facilities and relationships, keep service as an integral part of what we do, and ensure that we learn from the rich experiences of those around us. Just as the Biblical town of Bethany was a place of refuge and renewal, we pray that this building be a sanctuary where knowledge is imparted, character is shaped, and faith is strengthened.

To pay homage to the Bethany Lutheran Church, we have recreated the stunning leadlight window artwork in the Auditorium. This is a beautiful and meaningful reminder of the heart of Bethany. Bethany holds special significance in Biblical history as the town where Jesus spent time with, Mary, Martha, and Lazarus. Through His actions in Bethany, Jesus exemplified inclusive service leadership in various ways.

May the Bethany Building be a beacon of hope, a haven of learning, and a testament to the enduring values of compassion, integrity, and service. We hope that all who enter here will be inspired to live lives of purpose, wisdom, and grace.

Note: those attending the LCAV District Convention of Synod in July 2024 will be able to see this lovely artwork firsthand, as we will hold our business sessions in the Auditorium.

Photos below were provided by Good News Lutheran College:

Fiona McAuliffe, Principal of Good News Lutheran College (standing), and Pastor Lester Priebbenow, Bishop LCAVD (seated, first on left).

Mrs Rae Kempe, the original creator/designer of the leadlight window designs at the Bethany Lutheran Church in Sunbury.

The recreation of the GNLC Bethany Building windows, with permission of Rae Kempe, was crafted by Maree Svanborg of ‘Madmouse Graphic Design’ in South Australia.

But I don’t work with children!!

If you are involved in serving in a role in your congregation, you will have been asked to obtain a Working with Children Check (in Victoria) or a Working with Vulnerable People Check (in Tasmania).

You might not understand why this is so, especially if your role is not with children or young people, or those you recognise as being particularly vulnerable.

In the Lutheran Church, before a person is appointed to a role*, we want to ensure that they are suitable and so we will conduct some background screening. This includes obtaining referees and having an intentional conversation with the person to confirm that they understand the role and can manage it. We will provide some training to inform and equip the person for their role.

Obtaining a WWCC is another component of background screening. The WWCC while established primarily for use in services to children, can also be used more widely in most states and territories, and organisations are permitted, and encouraged to do this. WWCCs of some sorts are in place in all states and territories in Australia.

Thus, in the LCANZ, we use WWCC type checks as part of a range of practices which help us meet our duty of care to provide safe ministries.

So…. if you are in a role* in your congregation and don’t have a WWCC, please apply for one as soon as possible.

*************

Extra notes for congregations:

* Within the LCANZ, the following persons must hold a current working with children type check:

pastor on the roll of pastors (including emeritus in active service)
Safe Church Coordinator, ministry leader (e.g. Sunday school superintendent)
chaplain/elder/pastoral assistant
person (paid or volunteer) who directly engages with children, young people, or vulnerable persons as part of their ministry/position.
employee and volunteer, where and as specified in their position description.
board member/council member/committee member/district or General Synod delegate.

While WWCCs/WWVPs have been in use for many years now and are a crucial part of our appointment process in the LCANZ, it is important to recognise they are not failsafe, and indeed, they are limited to only identifying known perpetrators. Over-reliance on WWCCs without other background screening mechanisms is a dangerous practice. Rather, the use of WWCCs needs to be coupled with other protective measures to maintain safety in our ministries.

There are very specific requirements around the correct administration of WWCCs which are not always understood or applied well by congregations.

each congregation must appoint a person to have oversight of WWCCs (usually the Safe Church Coordinator). This includes keeping accurate, up-to-date, and secure records, checking congregational compliance, issuing reminders where required, and providing regular updates to Church Council.
The organisational details of both the congregation and the Victoria-Tasmania District must be added to every WWCC.

Information and support are available from the District Professional Standards Officer, Denise.

‘Our help comes from the Lord’

Most of us are aware of the work that is being done around a ‘way forward’ for our church leading up to the LCANZ General Convention in October this year. This has understandably led to many feelings, from hopefulness to anxiety, fear, hurt, anger, disillusionment, or a host of other emotions.

It’s a difficult moment for the LCANZ as we seek to walk together in unity of teaching and practice. We recall the days of peace and harmony in the church, and now we search for ways to maintain our unity in the face of theological differences. We struggle with the challenge of being church in our modern world. And with the challenge of what that should look like. We know the devil is always out to create division among God’s people. Where do we turn for help and hope?

We answer that each week as we pray, ‘Our help comes from the Lord, the maker of heaven and earth’ (Psalm 121:2). The chief pastor of his flock, the church, reminds us that we should not be surprised by times of trial. He reminds us that he is there in our suffering – there with the suffering and victory of his cross. That his gracious care often comes in uncomfortable forms, like disappointment, trial, suffering and loss. These are not signs he has abandoned us, but of his zealous grace, his redeeming love toward us. The apostle writes in Romans 8, that if God ‘did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all—how will he not also, along with him, graciously give us all things?’

So, my encouragement to the members and pastors of the church is to seek your care and direction from the Chief Shepherd. Come to him. God’s hope and direction for our future are found in Christ and his word alone.

Let’s continue to receive his life-giving gifts as they flow from the font, the altar, and the word.
Let’s turn to him in daily repentance and faith.
Let’s ‘bear one another’s burdens,’ just as Christ has borne ours.
Let’s pray constantly, pray for each other, for our leaders, for the unity of his church, and for faithfulness to his word.

Let’s pray, as we did in a recent liturgical prayer:
In all our doubts, dangers, and confusion, teach us, Lord, what we ought to say and do.
Give to us, who can do nothing good without you, the power to speak the truth and do your will.
Amen.

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

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