願 父 神 所 賜 的 恩 惠 和 平 安 與 你 們 同 在
Grace and peace to you from God
A Strong and Praying Council of Synod
This past weekend, your Council of Synod (CoS) met in Wellington for its latest round of meetings. We began on the Friday evening by hearing St Paul speak to and encourage us –
Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his power. Put on the whole armour of God, so that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For our struggle is not against enemies of blood and flesh, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers of this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places. Therefore take up the whole armour of God, so that you may be able to withstand on that evil day, and having done everything, to stand firm. Pray in the Spirit at all times in every prayer and supplication. To that end keep alert and always persevere in supplication for all the saints. Pray also for me, so that when I speak, a message may be given to me to make known with boldness the mystery of the gospel, for which I am an ambassador in chains. Pray that I may declare it boldly, as I must speak. (Ephesians 6:10-20)We, your servant-leaders acknowledge that we must be strong in the Lord and that we must function in the strength of his power so that the Lutheran Church of New Zealand and its members may be supported to continue to proclaim the gospel of Jesus Christ with boldness.
In view of the fact that St Paul points out that God’s people will be attacked and undermined in the ministry of Christ’s gospel, he encourages us to put on the whole armour of God and to pray in the Spirit at all times. We pray against this wily and devilish reality in Martin Luther’s Evening Prayer when we ask that the wicked foe will have no power over us.
And so your Council of Synod began a prayer journey this last weekend which will see each member commit to intentional prayer with another member of COS; a prayer partnership we hope and pray will make us strong in the way we function as a servant-leadership body, a prayer partnership we hope and pray will make us more loving and caring of each other, and a prayer partnership that will support the Lord’s ministry through our church.
COS members have been encouraged to regularly email, phone, or text one another in order to be intentional in this prayer partnership. And it may interest you to know that the LSM are also overseeing the establishment of an LCNZ Prayer Chain.
- We pray in the Spirit – clothe us in the armour of God that we may stand strong against the devil, always ready to proclaim the gospel of peace … we pray in the Spirit – wrap your church, the Lutheran Church of New Zealand around with the armour of God, that we may boldly make known the mystery of the gospel. E te Atua atawhai whakarongo mai ki ta matou inoi; God of grace you hear our prayer, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
What follows is a summary of some of the main matters discussed and decided upon at the Council of Synod meeting this last weekend –
- We heard that the local authorities in Whakatane are planning to begin work on the stream in the township that has caused flooding issues with our manse there. In the meantime COS made a decision to rent the manse for anywhere between 18 and 24 months. We expressed our appreciation to Roxanne Bakke who does an amazing amount of work looking after the Whakatane manse.
- In an attempt to be more efficient and focused in our serving on COS, Pastor Member, Chris Janetzki has offered to draw up draft portfolio responsibilities for each member.
- President Mark and Vice President John have been invited to convene a Planning Group to start organising the Convention of Synod of the LCNZ next year. Thought is being given to asking Botany Lutheran Church to host this event.
- There is always an attempt to have mission as the main focus of our COS meetings. President Mark attempts to set a pro-active mission focus as he reports on his engagement with pastors, church workers and congregations around the LCNZ. Once again we spoke of the need for the people of the Lord’s church in New Zealand to be people of the Word – i.e. reading the Bible and having regular devotions. Interestingly, the theme for the LCA/NZ General Synod next year is ‘Growing in Christ.’ Unless we feed on him, how will grow?
- COS are looking to explore the possibility of lay representation on the General Church Council (GCC). This is permissible under GCC guidelines and would reduce the amount of time that President Mark is away from the LCNZ and his family.
- COS voted to negotiate a 1-year lease for new office space in Molesworth House in the suburb of Thorndon in Wellington from the beginning of November. Our lease at Oxford Terrace runs out at the end of October. A Task Force continues to explore the possibility of a ‘low-cost’ option for locating the National Office at St Pauls Wellington.
- COS has appointed Mr Robert Hagen as the new LCNZ Administrator. Robert will begin his orientation next week.
- COS were also informed that Anna Kroehn has been appointed by Lutheran Support Ministries (LSM) to the position of part-time LSM administrator.
- A reminder to all congregations to ensure they are registered for charitable status so that members can claim tax deductions on donations with the encouragement to donate the deductions to further support the work of sharing the Gospel through the ministry of the church.
- COS was informed of an initiative from Lutheran Support Ministries (LSM) which is setting up a Prayer Network across New Zealand to pray for the LCNZ, members, committees , congregations and ministries.
Pastor Colin Hartwich and his wife Mary arrived in Wellington last Friday to begin a locum ministry at St Pauls Wellington and St Francis Mauriceville West (Wairarapa) through September and part of October. We welcome them to our place and our church, and wish them much joy as they live and serve amongst us.
- Again Lord, we say thank you for providing shepherds for our souls and for your church. Thank you for Colin and Mary. Amen.
An exciting day looms for the members of the Auckland Lutheran Parish, and indeed for the whole of the LCNZ. If you’re anywhere near the Auckland area on the 9th September, then consider calling in to Mountainside Lutheran Church to share in the joy of welcoming Joe and Julie and their children – Lucy, Emily, Nicholas and Alexander to New Zealand, and to the joy that is the installation of a pastor to ministry in this parish.
Mountainside Lutheran Church
Sunday 9th September, 10.00am
- Lord Jesus, continue to watch over Joe and Julie and their family as they settle in to life in New Zealand and prepare to begin ministry amongst your people at Mountainside. Amen.
Check this out … Upper Moutere featured on Jim Mora’s Afternoons on Radio New Zealand this afternoon (Thursday 30th August). Most of the initial 140 immigrants were Lutheran Protestants, but within a few short years more than a quarter of them had left the district. It was, in fact, a settlement built around a pub. A Mr Cordt Bennseman built an inn between Richmond and Motueka, and the town grew around it. Present day Upper Moutere is not a great deal larger than it was 160 years ago. Follow through to the Radio New Zealand website to listen to the interviews, featuring Jenny Briars. There’s even mention made of the great Aussie pastor in UMO … Chris Janetzki. The publican told Radio NZ that Chris played rugby for the local team and that he thought that he would have to be a prop (go Rangers!!), but we all know that Chris is one of the finest fullbacks in the valley!
175 Stories … where history comes to life!
As part of the 175th anniversary celebrations for the LCA/NZ next year, a collection of 175 stories that will together reflect the history of Lutherans in Australia, New Zealand, Papua New Guinea and South-East Asia will be compiled. These stories will be about ordinary Lutheran men and women who exemplified service or who figured in significant events in our Lutheran narrative. The stories, which will be about people now deceased, will tell not only what they did but also something of their personality and faith. Lay people will feature prominently in the collection. We realise that not everyone can write confidently, so suggestions and ideas for stories are also invited. Examples of stories are available upon request. Please send stories (around 500 words), with a photo if possible, and suggestions for stories to Dr John Koch: john.koch@lca.org.au or to 34 Gallery Road, Highbury SA 5089. Also include the author’s name and contact details.
Mā te Atua koe e tiaki
God be with you.
+Mark
President – Lutheran Church of New Zealand / Te Hāhi Rūtana o Aotearoa
