LCNZ Update 24 September 2012

Kia tau ki a koutou te atawhai me te rangimarie o te Atua
願 父 神 所 賜 的 恩 惠 和 平 安 與 你 們 同 在
Grace and peace to you from God

Wellington / Wairarapa Extend Call
At a meeting at St Pauls Lutheran Church in Wellington yesterday, Sunday 23rd September, Pastor Jim Pietsch – currently serving the Melbourne North West Regional Ministry Multipoint Parish in Victoria – was called to be Pastor of St Pauls Wellington and St Francis Mauriceville West. Please ask the Lord of the church to bless Jim as he listens to God speak through his Spirit and as he discerns God’s will with respect to this call. And pray for the members at St Pauls and St Francis as they continue to wait for a new pastor.

• Lord God, we pray in the words of the psalmist: lead us in your truth and teach us, for you are the God of our salvation; for you we wait all day long. By your Holy Spirit instruct your servant, Jim, as he considers the call to serve your people in Wellington and in the Wairarapa; reveal to him the way he should choose. Amen. (Ps.25:1,5,12)

Mā te Atua koe e tiaki
God be with you.

Pastor Mark Whitfield BTh MSM
President – Lutheran Church of New Zealand / Te Hāhi Rūtana o Aotearoa

LCNZ Update 21 September 2012

Kia tau ki a koutou te atawhai me te rangimarie o te Atua
願 父 神 所 賜 的 恩 惠 和 平 安 與 你 們 同 在
Grace and peace to you from God

Partnership in the Gospel
It’s been an exciting couple of weeks in the Lutheran Church of New Zealand, since I last wrote to you. I’ve experienced great joy as President as I have participated in and shared in moments, conversations, events, etc. where partnerships have been established and celebrated; partnerships that, God-willing, will strengthen and enhance our witness to the saving power of the gospel of Jesus.

Let me tell you all about it!

Partners in the Gospel in Auckland
On Sunday 9th September around 170 people gathered at Mountainside Lutheran Church in Auckland to welcome Pastor Joe and Julie Kummerow and their children (Lucy, Emily, Nicholas and Alexander), and to see Joe installed as Pastor of the Auckland Lutheran Parish. There was great joy as both Joe and the congregation committed to a partnership in the gospel that will see the love of God in Jesus Christ continue to be proclaimed through the various ministries of that parish.

Our sung prayer after we’d called ‘Naumai; haere mai’ (welcome) – as the Kummerow family entered the church at the beginning of worship – was that this pastor and these people would be one, bound in love for ever, growing close together day by day; growing as God fills them with his life.

We pray for you Joe and Julie and te tamariki o te whanau Kummerow (your family), that you settle in well to life and ministry here in New Zealand, and that joy will be in abundance as you hear Jesus speak to you and as you open your hearts and lips and lives to share him with Auckland.

• Heavenly Father, we thank you for calling Joe to be a steward of your holy mysteries and for giving him to this parish as its pastor. Fill him with your Holy Spirit, so that he may tenderly care for your people and give freely of himself to them. Help him to proclaim the gospel clearly and lead your people boldly. Watch over Julie and the children also, as they settle into the routine of home life and school life. As this parish is led by Pastor Joe let it hold firmly to the word of life, rejoice in your grace, and shine brightly as a light in the world; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Kogudus – a Partnership / Relationship of Prayer
Over 40 people gathered at the call of the Holy Spirit at Foxton Bible Camp last weekend (14-16 September) for a Kogudus Retreat under the theme – Prayer : Growing in a relationship; not mastering a technique. And we were blessed as we were drawn close to the Father God’s heart. Under the capable and gentle leadership of Sharolyn Mollet, the Spirit stirred in us as we heard stimulating presentations, and were given opportunity to meet in small groups and to pray intentionally for each other.

The adage that a family that prays together stays together is true for our church also, and is God’s plan and purpose for us.

I want to highlight the blessing for me personally and for four other members of your Council of Synod (COS). We were placed in our own small group. What a blessing this was as we read scripture together and talked, as we discussed matters pertaining to our role as servant leaders of the National Church, and as we prayed for the Church and for the Lord’s will to be done through us and in us. And what a wonderful moment when the five of us were invited by Retreat Chaplain, Pastor Phil Husband, to stand together as one during Sunday worship, surrounded by the people of the Church praying for us.

It was also a joy to welcome the participation of sisters and brothers in Christ from other church denominations as well (remember, it’s all part of this relational thing when you belong to Christ!).

• Lord of relationships, thank you for relating to us in such loving ways and for inviting us to into relationship and partnership with you through the gift of prayer. Thank you for the blessing that Kogudus was and is to so many in your Church. Amen.

A New Partnership in Ministry at Marton and Halcombe
On Wednesday evening I had the pleasure of ‘introducing’ the members of St Martin Marton and St Johns Halcombe to Sharolyn and Dennis Mollet. Of course, most of these folk know each other already. But on Wednesday evening, we marked the start of a new partnership in ministry.

Sharolyn and Dennis have heard the Lord’s call to offer themselves for specific pastoral ministry in Marton and Halcombe, where it is hoped that, God-willing, Dennis might eventually offer himself as an SMP (Specific Ministry Pastor) for these two congregations. At this stage we’re just beginning the journey … exploring and discerning God’s will; it’s not formal yet. However over the next few weeks and months, Sharolyn and Dennis will meet regularly with the folk at Marton and Halcombe, so that together they can hear the call of God to be partners in the ministry of the Gospel.

• Lord, you surely know the plans for your people – plans to give us a future with hope. Please prosper your plans and purposes for the partnership in ministry that is beginning between Sharolyn and Dennis at Marton and Halcombe. Amen.

The National Office Parternship Team
It’s been said that behind every good church there’s a good administration (well, there’s a saying that goes something like that, anyway). During this past week we have welcomed a new part-time administrator to the LCNZ National Office. Robert Hagen comes to this position with great skills and with a real desire to assist our church in attaining real efficiency in administration. Welcome Robert!

So on Tuesday past, we gathered as a team for the first time – Wayne Drogemuller (Treasurer who has also kept the administrative home fires burning since August last year / thanks Wayne!), Robert Hagen (new LCNZ administrator), Anna Kroehn (Lutheran Support Ministries administrator), Petrus Simons (who has done wonderful work sorting through files and folders and stuff), and yours truly.

We opened our day together in the name of the God of relationships – Father, Son and Holy Spirit – and then spent the day talking together and working out how best we could function in such a way that the Lord’s ministry through the LCNZ might be supported and blessed.

• Lord God of relationships, please bless the partnerships in ministry that exist in our National Office. Keep those partnerships and friendships strong, that we may be a blessing and support to your church. Amen.

Child Safe Team Leader Training – Whanganui

• Wednesday 17th October and Wednesday 24th October
• 7.30pm at Harrison Street Community Church (ending by 9.30pm)
• Attendance at Team Member training is a pre-requisite for this training
• RSVP to Anna Kroehn, LSM Administrator if you are planning on attendin

And Finally Partners (or should that be “take your partners …”) …
I thank my God every time I remember you. In all my prayers for all of you, I always pray with joy because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now, being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus. (Philippians 1 3-6)

Mā te Atua koe e tiaki
God be with you.

Pastor Mark Whitfield BTh MSM
President – Lutheran Church of New Zealand / Te Hāhi Rūtana o Aotearoa

LCNZ Update 5 September 2012

Kia tau ki a koutou te atawhai me te rangimarie o te Atua
願 父 神 所 賜 的 恩 惠 和 平 安 與 你 們 同 在
Grace and peace to you from God

In the Family
Friends – I have been informed of the death of Trevor Wishnowsky, saint and child of God, member of St Johns Lutheran Church Halcombe, who was called to be at home with his Lord yesterday morning. May you all, along with Barbara and her family be encouraged by what Jesus – Lord of life and death says to us:

My sheep hear my voice. I know them, and they follow me. I give them eternal life, and they will never perish. No one will snatch them out of my hand. (John 10:27-28)

In asking you to pray for Trevor’s family, I also need to ask you to pray specifically for his son-in-law, Lawrence Satherley who ended up in hospital later in the day. I don’t have details to share of the circumstances surrounding Lawrence’s hospitalisation.

• O God of grace and mercy, we thank you for your loving-kindness show to Trevor who, having finished his course in faith, now rests from his labours. Give to Barbara and her family and to all who mourn comfort in their grief and a sure confidence in your loving care that. casting all their sorrow on You, they may know the consolation of Your love. Bring us at last to our heavenly home that with Trevor we may see You face to face in the joys of paradise; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Funeral details:

Friday 7th September
11.00am Funeral Service at St Lukes Lutheran Church, Palmerston North
2.00pm Committal at St Johns Lutheran Church, Halcombe

Kogudus Retreat … Prayer – growing in a relationship; not mastering a technique
You are warmly invited to the Kogudus Retreat on Prayer on 14th – 16th September 2012 at Foxton Bible Camp. The retreat seeks to deepen your walk with the Lord through worship, teaching, discussion and prayer ministry. Kogudus is an Estonian word that means Christian fellowship. The retreat format provides an environment of encouragement in which you can ask and discuss questions, share what you have already learned and just simply grow in exercising your faith. The retreat begins meeting by 6pm on the Friday evening to start with a meal and conclude at 2pm on the Sunday. In between there is a mixture of teaching, prayer, good food, laughter, opportunity for a walk, fun, and fellowship.

• 14th – 16th September 2012
• Foxton Bible Camp
• Register online at http://goo.gl/vkYjP

Marriage (Definition of Marriage) Amendment Bill
Yesterday I did two things with respect to the Marriage (Definition of Marriage) Amendment Bill which passed its first stage with a conscience vote in Parliament last week:

1. I provided all pastors of the LCNZ and the Council of Synod (COS) with a copy of the letter that The President of the Church, Dr Michael Semmler, sent to the Standing Committee on Social Policy and Legal Affairs in the Australian Parliament in March of this year. While this was written for the Australian context, it also has relevance for us here in New Zealand.
   
   You can check this out in more detail from the LCA website at http://www.lca.org.au/lca-says-no-to-same-sex-marriage.html
2. I also read from Dr Semmler’s letter during a discussion on the Marriage Amendment Bill that we had as part of the National Church Leaders meeting in Wellington yesterday, and these comments were appreciated.

I was disappointed to hear that the Dominion-Post newspaper (and possible others) reported on the weekend that the Lutheran Church of New Zealand had no comment to make on this matter. While this is technically true, the reason that there was no comment made was due to the fact that I was out of Wellington at the time, travelling to the Bay of Plenty to do parish visiting and also to attend an Anglican-Lutheran Consultation meeting in Feilding on the way. By the time I received the communication from the journalist and his question (will the Lutheran Church conduct gay marriage?), it was already too late for any response from me to be included in the paper.

I hope to provide you with some information that might be helpful to you as you consider communicating with your local MPs on the matter.

Mā te Atua koe e tiaki
God be with you.

+Mark
President – Lutheran Church of New Zealand / Te Hāhi Rūtana o Aotearoa

LCNZ Update 30 August 2012

Kia tau ki a koutou te atawhai me te rangimarie o te Atua
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.

Report From Council of Synod Meeting
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.

Haere Mai (Welcome) Colin and Mary
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.

Installation at Mountainside – Sunday 9th September
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.

Your Place – Upper Moutere … feature on Radio New Zealand National
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

LCNZ Update 10 August 2012

Kia tau ki a koutou te atawhai me te rangimarie o te Atua
願 父 神 所 賜 的 恩 惠 和 平 安 與 你 們 同 在
Grace and peace to you from God

Excerpts From a Letter to the Lutherans of Aotearoa-New Zealand (with a bit of help from St Paul)
I’ve loved the readings from Paul’s letter to the Ephesians over recent Sundays, and I’ve had the privilege of preaching on them as well.

In this update, I’ve simply picked out some of the best bits and I offer them to you as encouragement.

Long before God laid down earth's foundations, he had us in mind, had settled on us as the focus of his love, to be made whole and holy by his love. Long, long ago he decided to adopt us into his family through Jesus Christ. (What pleasure he took in planning this!) He wanted us to enter into the celebration of his lavish gift-giving by the hand of his beloved Son. (Eph.1:3-6)

It's in Christ that we find out who we are and what we are living for. Long before we first heard of Christ and got our hopes up, he had his eye on us, had designs on us for glorious living, part of the overall purpose he is working out in everything and everyone. (Eph.1:11-12)

Christ brought us together through his death on the cross. The Cross got us to embrace, and that was the end of the hostility. (Eph.2:16-18)

I ask the Father to strengthen you by his Spirit – not a brute strength but a glorious inner strength – that Christ will live in you as you open the door and invite him in. And I ask him that with both feet planted firmly on love, you'll be able to take in with all followers of Jesus the extravagant dimensions of Christ's love. Reach out and experience the breadth! Test its length! Plumb the depths! Rise to the heights! Live full lives, full in the fullness of God. (Eph.3:14-19)

God can do anything – far more than you could ever imagine or guess or request in your wildest dreams! He does it not by pushing us around but by working within us, his Spirit deeply and gently within us. (Eph.3:20-21)

Get out there and walk – better yet, run! – on the road God called you to travel. I don't want any of you sitting around on your hands. I don't want anyone strolling off, down some path that goes nowhere. And mark that you do this with humility and discipline … pouring yourselves out for each other in acts of love alert at noticing differences and quick at mending fences. (Eph.4:1-3)

Stay together, both outwardly and inwardly. You have one Master, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all, who rules over all, works through all, and is present in all. Everything you are and think and do is permeated with Oneness. (Eph.4:4-6)

We take our lead from Christ, who is the source of everything we do. He keeps us in step with each other. His very breath and blood flow through us, nourishing us so that we will grow up healthy in God, robust in love. (Eph.4:14-16)

Take on an entirely new way of life – a God-fashioned life, a life renewed from the inside and working itself into your conduct as God accurately reproduces his character in you. (Eph.4:20-24)

Tell your neighbour the truth. In Christ's body we're all connected to each other, after all. When you lie to others, you end up lying to yourself. Don't use your anger as fuel for revenge. And don't stay angry. Don't give the Devil that kind of foothold in your life. Watch the way you talk. Say only what helps, each word a gift. Don't grieve God. Don't break his heart. His Holy Spirit, moving and breathing in you, is the most intimate part of your life, making you fit for himself. Don't take such a gift for granted. Be gentle with one another, sensitive. Forgive one another as quickly and thoroughly as God in Christ forgave you. (Eph.4:25-32)

• Dear Lord God, help us watch what you do and then do it ourselves, like children who learn proper behaviour from our parents. God, what you mostly do is love us. By your Spirit help us keep company with you and learn a life of love. Help us to watch how Christ loved us. His love was not cautious but extravagant. He didn't love in order to get something from us but to give everything of himself to us. Help us to love like that. Amen. (Eph.5:1-2)

(All quotations from The Message, ©1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 2000, 2001, 2002 by Eugene H. Peterson)

Chinese Gold – 28th / 29th July
Just as the Chinese are heading the medal table at the Olympics, so too our sisters and brothers from Botany Lutheran Church (BLC) ‘took the gold’ a couple of weekends back, excelling in their ability to prepare and facilitate a wonderful celebration to mark the ordination of Tat Ming Tsui as a Specific Ministry Pastor (SMP).

More than 300 people packed into All Saints Anglican Church in Howick for a concert of wonderful music on the Saturday before the ordination – much of the music in the concert praised God and proclaimed his love for all people in Christ. I commend the members of BLC for their vision of engaging with their community and for their commitment to giving witness to the gospel of Jesus Christ. We pray that many lives were gently touched by the Spirit of Jesus as a result of this concert. I believe this concert is intended as an annual event.

Then on the Sunday morning, the Spirit gathered about 150 people together for the ordination of Tat. People travelled from as far away as Turakina Beach (who came from there?), Wellington, Hamilton, Brisbane, and Mountainside (which isn’t very far away, eh). There was a real sense of joy in the Lord amongst the congregation and a deep sense of gratitude to God for providing them with a new pastor. My conversations with various members of BLC reveal that the Spirit is stirring this congregation in amazing ways towards being intentional about sharing Jesus – the Bread of Life – with Auckland.

During the service we also acknowledged the wonderful way that God had worked through his servants, Pastor David and Annie Chiang in establishing BLC.

• Again we pray: thank you Lord God for watching over Tat and Irene, and the members of Botany Lutheran Church during this time of preparation and affirmation of call on Tat to become a pastor for this congregation. We are grateful to you for your provision of pastors and we thank you for the foundational ministry provided by your Spirit through the ministry of Pastor David and Annie. Grow this congregation in faith, hope and love. Amen.

Haere Ra (Farewell) Rex
This Sunday marks the end of the locum ministry of Pastor Rex Mickan at Mountainside Lutheran Church in Auckland. Thank you Rex for your faithful ministry in the Lord’s church here in NZ; we wish you blessing as you return home to Sydney. Pastor Colin Hartwich will be the next locum pastor at Wellington / Wairarapa, beginning at the end of August.

• Thank you Lord God for providing pastors for your church and especially for those who come and serve during vacancies – Pastor Rex Mickan and Pastor Colin Hartwich. Thank you for their ministry of encouragement among us. Amen.

It’s Almost Naumai / Haere Mai to the Kummerow Family
Please continue to pray for Pastor Joe Kummerow, his wife Julie and their family as they prepare to relocate to New Zealand – and particularly to Mountainside at the end of next week.

• Lord Jesus, we pray that you would watch over Joe and Julie and their family and provide travelling mercies as they prepare to leave friends and family and a familiar place to come us here in New Zealand to begin ministry amongst your people at Mountainside. Amen.

Meetings, Meetings … And More Meetings … In Order to Bring Glory to God
Tomorrow the next round of quarterly meetings for the LCNZ begin in Wellington – Finance Advisory Council (FAC) and the Lutheran Layman’s League (LLL) meet on Saturday 11th August; Lutheran Support Ministries (LSM) meet on Saturday 18th August, and the Gateway Gift Trust Board (GGTB) and the Council of Synod (COS) meet on the 24th and 25th August.

The leadership of your church have some very challenging and important matters to discuss during this round of meetings.

I believe the real challenge for us is to make sure that all of us – those of us in national leadership and those of us worshipping and serving in local congregations – remain absolutely committed and focused on the task that we have been called and claimed for through our baptism – viz. to let our light shine to the glory of God the Father.

These days it’s very easy to become distracted by things that take us away from the main task at hand. St Paul will even encourage us in our second reading this coming Sunday, not to make room for the devil (Eph.4:27).

I’ve been asked by some on COS to ask you – the church we serve – to pray for us in these coming days and meetings – so that we will remain focused on Jesus and on the task of proclaiming him to New Zealand, and not be distracted by things that should not distract us.

• Almighty God, direct and guide us by your Holy Spirit both to plan and to accomplish those things that will benefit Your Church and glorify Your name; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Mā te Atua koe e tiaki
God be with you.

+Mark
President – Lutheran Church of New Zealand / Te Hāhi Rūtana o Aotearoa

LCNZ Update 20 July 2012

Kia tau ki a koutou te atawhai me te rangimarie o te Atua
願 父 神 所 賜 的 恩 惠 和 平 安 與 你 們 同 在
Grace and peace to you from God

Get Cheering
A couple of weeks back on a lovely crisp winter’s Saturday morning, I was working in our garden planting the first of the new roses. Through the clear winter air I could hear cheering from a sports game at the local park. It could have been midget rugby, or football or hockey. Whatever it was, the parents / spectators were in full voice encouraging their children … kick it, tackle, run … try!!

In a few days’ time we’ll be cheering for our heroes … for the black singlet and the silver fern as Kiwis go for gold at the London Olympics. Even though they’ll be running, throwing and rowing around the other side of the world, if you’re anything like me, there’s something pretty special about cheering our athletes on and encouraging them to do their best.

I’m looking forward to conducting the rite of Holy Baptism for a young child in 3 weeks’ time … the rite of initiation and incorporation into Christ that sets all the people of God on the journey – the race of life through to eternity. And one of the special things we pastors get to do during the rite of baptism is to ask the spectators whether they’ll cheer this new little runner on –

Members of X congregation: Receive N, whom God has given to us as our brother/sister in Christ. Pray for him/her and be a good example to him/her.

We don’t have to wait for a baptism to take place to offer the ministry of encouragement. On Sunday I preached in a couple of our congregations and I was absolutely delighted that during worship a leader in one of the congregations offered love and encouragement to a new young member of that particular congregation. “You belong to this family; consider us your sisters and brothers,” the young man was told. Wow! What wonderful encouragement.

And just last week … the ministry of encouragement in faith and life in Christ was given to about 28 of our young people at the LCNZ National Youth Camp held at Foxton Beach during the second week of the holidays. (Here, I might just record our appreciation as a church to all those who planned the camp and looked after our young people during the week – especially to Pastor Lee Kroehn and his wife, Anna).

What opportunities are you aware of that God is giving you to encourage someone in their life-long journey (race) with Jesus. Who are you going to cheer on?

May the writer to the Hebrews give you encouragement too –

Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus (Hebrews 12:1-2).

Back to my roses. When I put them in the ground they were just bare sticks it seemed, but I’ve been checking on them every day and guess what? I’ve noticed they’re growing fresh, young leaves. I think I’ll have to set up a roster with my girls to keep going out and checking (encouraging) my roses when I’m away.

Get the picture?

• Father God, thank you for loving us through your Son Jesus, and thank you for giving us the Holy Spirit who encourages us and cheers us on as we journey through life to eternity, looking to Jesus. Open our eyes and ears and hearts to the opportunities that exist for encouraging and cheering on others. Amen.

Thanks For Cheering Us On – Karen & John
This Sunday marks the end of the locum ministry provided by Dr John Koch and his wife Karen to the members (runners in the race) of St Pauls Wellington and St Francis Mauriceville West. We thank them for their ministry of love and wish them safe return to their home in Adelaide. At the same time we’re thankful to God that Pastor Rex Mickan continues to cheer on the folk at Mountainside. Pastor Colin Hartwich will be the next locum pastor at Wellington / Wairarapa.

• Thank you Lord God for providing pastors for your church and especially for those who come and fill in during vacancies – Pastor Rex Mickan and Robyn, and Dr John Koch and Karen. Thank you for their ministry of encouragement among us. Amen.

Cheering the Chinese
Next weekend will be a very exciting weekend for the Lutheran Church of New Zealand as we gather to cheer on Vicar Tat Tsui and the members of Botany Lutheran Church. We need as many spectators as we can gather to offer encouragement and love to Tat and our Chinese sisters and brothers in this congregation as Tat is ordained as a Special Ministry Pastor (SMP). And if you’re in Auckland the evening before, make sure you come along to the concert that the members of Botany have organised to celebrate this wonderful occasion –

Saturday 28th July 7.00pm
Nightingale Concert – Celebrate the Word of God through music
All Saints Anglican Church
Corner of Cook Street and Selwyn Road, Howick

Sunday 29th July 11.00am
Divine Service including the Ordination of Tat Ming Tsui as an SMP
Botany Lutheran Church
150C Harris Rd, East Tamaki

• Thank you Lord God for watching over Tat and Irene, and the members of Botany Lutheran Church during this time of preparation and affirmation of call on Tat to become a pastor for this congregation. Give us joy as we cheer you for your provision of a pastor, and as meet to celebrate next weekend and encourage our sisters and brothers in life and ministry. Amen.

A Race Run and Finished
On Monday morning Betty Ennis – mother of Janine Lipsys (wife of Pastor David, Christchurch), completed her earthly race and was welcomed into the arms of Jesus in eternity. Please keep Janine and David and all their families in your hearts and in your prayers. I am informed by Pastor David that Betty’s funeral is being planned for 11.00am on Friday 27th July at St Lukes Lutheran Church, Palmerston North.

• God of peace and joy, we thank you for your grace to Betty and to all your people who have finished the course of their lives in faith and now rest from all their work. Comfort Betty’s family in their time of mourning, for you are the only source of true comfort, and in your love you long to comfort us. Care for us and remind us that you are always near. Bring us, and all who have fallen asleep in faith, to perfect joy and fulfilment in your eternal glory, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Media Prayer Day – Sunday 5th August … Praying Across NZ and the World
Christian Broadcasting Association (CBA) writes –

We’ve been in touch with more than 1,700 churches across NZ … and now will have people praying around the world. Phil Guyayn (CBA Managing Trustee) has just returned from the United States, where he visited Karen Covell who heads up the Hollywood Prayer Network. Karen mobilises tens of thousands of Christians around the world to pray for the ‘world’s most influential mission field’ … Hollywood, the epicentre of the western world’s media and entertainment industry. Karen is asking her vast network of intercessors to join us in prayer on Sunday 5th August. It’s exciting and encouraging to know that when we pray on Media Prayer Day, we’ll be joined by brothers and sisters in the faith around the planet.

What else can you do?

• Please remind/encourage everyone in your circle of influence to pray on the day. Invite them to engage by visiting www.mediaprayerday.com
• Please encourage others to view and share the 3-minute YouTube video.
• Please encourage participation on our FaceBook page

Mā te Atua koe e tiaki
God be with you.

+MARK
President – Lutheran Church of New Zealand / Te Hāhi Rūtana o Aotearoa

LCNZ Update 22 June 2012

Kia tau ki a koutou te atawhai me te rangimarie o te Atua
願 父 神 所 賜 的 恩 惠 和 平 安 與 你 們 同 在
Grace and peace to you from God

Up the River … (Without a Paddle?) … Peace; Be Still
During this past week the Pastors and Church Workers gathered at Harrison Street Community Church (St John’s Lutheran) in Whanganui for the second of our annual Church Worker Conferences. Despite being small in number, the conference provided a wonderful opportunity for sharing, mutual support and encouragement, worship, prayer, study, and just generally some time away from the coalface of our ministry situations in order to be refreshed and recharged.

On Wednesday afternoon, we left the hustle and bustle of city life behind and drove up the picturesque Whanganui River Valley road through the communities of Atene (Athens), Koroniti (Corinth), and Ranana (London) to the quietness, remoteness and solitude of Hiruhurama (Jerusalem).

Hiruhurama was once an important kainga (fishing village) on the Whanganui River in New Zealand where a Roman Catholic mission was established in 1854. Hiruharama was the site where, in 1892, Suzanne Aubert (better known as Mother Mary Joseph) established the congregation of the Sisters of Compassion. They became a highly respected charitable nursing and religious order. A convent remains on the mission property as well as a beautiful weatherboard church. Well-known New Zealand poet James K. Baxter and many of his followers formed a community at Hiruhurama in 1970 and Baxter is buried there.

Before we left this beautiful place, Pastor Lee Kroehn (Manawatu) led our closing devotion and prayers for the day in the church – Hato Hohepa (St Joseph’s) – and read the following from the gospel for this coming Sunday –

On that day, when evening had come, he said to them, “Let us go across to the other side.” And leaving the crowd behind, they took him with them in the boat, just as he was. Other boats were with him. A great windstorm arose, and the waves beat into the boat, so that the boat was already being swamped. But he was in the stern, asleep on the cushion; and they woke him up and said to him, “Teacher, do you not care that we are perishing?” He woke up and rebuked the wind, and said to the sea, “Peace! Be still!” Then the wind ceased, and there was a dead calm. He said to them, “Why are you afraid? Have you still no faith?” And they were filled with great awe and said to one another, “Who then is this, that even the wind and the sea obey him?” (Mark 4:35-41)

In this gorgeous location … up the river … with some of feeling at times as if we’re up the river without a paddle or two due to the pressures and demands of ministry … together with our Lord speaking to us, we were able to be still and to experience the peace of Jesus. It was, as some of us agreed, a most spiritual experience (to use a very clichéd phrase).

• Lord Jesus, please speak peace into our lives and say “be still” to the storms when they gather around us. Remind us that you are in the boat of our lives (paddling up the river) with us. Amen.

Memorial Service: Pastor Allan Heppner
Pastor John Davison (Hamilton / Bay of Plenty) reports that about 41 people gathered at St Matthew Hamilton recently to give thanks to God for the life and ministry of Pastor Allan Heppner. One couple travelled from Te Kuiti. Debra and Rochelle Heppner, together with Allan’s parents-in-law Buster and Joan Kells were also present. John said that it was a blessing for everyone concerned.
· Gracious God, we thank you for the memories you give us of those who were special to us and a blessing to our church. We continue to thank you for Allan and ask you to be close with your peace and stillness to those who grieve for him. Amen.

Graduate Debrief
On Tuesday 12th and Wednesday 13th, together with the other Presidents of the Church, I participated in the Graduate Pastor debrief in Adelaide. Included in the class that graduated at the end of 2010 were our own Pastor Chris (Ernst) Janetzki and his wife Haidee from Upper Moutere / Hope. These two days gave the graduates a wonderful opportunity to share their “highs and lows” with their colleagues and to receive love, counsel and support from the Presidents of the Church. I was very impressed with the calibre of this group of young pastors, and was taken especially by the ways in which each was intentionally engaging in the ministry opportunities and locations in which they’d been placed.

Chris and Haidee are no exception; they are a wonderful blessing to our church here in Aotearoa-NZ, and especially in the communities of Hope and Upper Moutere. They need our love and support as they continue to grow in ministry and serve the Lord of the Church.

• Thanks Lord for the young and energetic Graduate Pastors in our church, and thanks especially for Chris and Haidee who you’ve given to us here in NZ. Watch over them and bless them in their ministry and life, and bring Chris and Haidee back to us refreshed after their time in Australia. Amen.

Naumai; Haere Mai
Welcome to Dr John Koch and his wife Karen. John has begun a 6 week locum ministry at St Pauls Wellington and St Francis Mauriceville West. It was great to welcome John and Karen to our Church Workers conference during the week too.

• Thank you Lord God for providing pastors for your church and especially for those who come and fill in during vacancies – Pastor Rex Mickan and Robyn (Mountainside) and Dr John Koch and Karen (Wellington/Wairarapa). Bless their presence and their work among us, and watch over the families and friends they leave behind in Australia to be here. Amen.

Childsafe
Just a wee reminder … ChildSafe training takes place at Harrison Street Community Church (St John’s Lutheran Church), 98 Harrison Street, Whanganui … tomorrow (Saturday 23rd June) from 9.00am to 5.00pm.

Annual Leave
I am taking 3 weeks annual leave from today until Friday 13th July. During this time if you need to contact someone from the National Office, please do the following:

• Email lcnz@clear.net.nz or phone (04) 3852540, or
• In an urgent / emergency situation contact the Vice President of the church, Pastor John Davison on 027 5078897

Mā te Atua koe e tiaki
God be with you.

+MARK
President – Lutheran Church of New Zealand / Te Hāhi Rūtana o Aotearoa