06 August 2010
04 August 2010
LCNZ Update
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Greetings in Christ Jesus,
The LCNZ Summit held 24 July: It was a big Saturday at Mountainside in Auckland. The Summit was packed with work and visioning for our future. Fifty people, one Spirit. The facilitator, Mr. Shannon Hood, was gifted in keeping all fifty participants from around our church motivated and on task for a full day. At first it seemed that we had taken on too big a job for one day, but things began to fall into place. At the end of it all just about everyone there would have thought it was worth coming. Participants will be getting the notes from the groups and in the general sessions. These notes will come as a mailing. The next Olive Tree will have a comprehensive summary of the Summit. However, let me summarise a few of the main highlights right now.
The opening devotion was under the theme “Immeasurably More Than We Can Ask or Imagine” from Ephesians 3:20-21 “Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever! Amen.” The central thought was how God has & continues to do far more than we even expect. Three questions were posed for reflection: (1) What are your expectations for the day? (2) What are your expectations for our Lutheran Church of New Zealand? (3) What are your expectations of God and his promises?
The day was divided into four sessions:
(1) Talking about the current situation of the LCNZ
(2) Creating intentional opportunities
(3) Where we might see the future of the LCNZ
(4) Tangible practical things to be done and actions to be taken.
Some 20 tangible practical things (point 4) were identified by the fifty participants. They were then ranked in order of importance. Here are a few of the things that ranked high: Faith Inkubators; regional ministry of five regions in NZ; rationalise property and pastoral resources so all regions viable by 2015; grow in greeting and assimilating new New Zealanders; upgrade communications and media; identify train and finance lay leaders. (and more)
These results along with the present challenge of moving our national office to Wellington will be a massive amount of change for our LCNZ, but within those changes, and through Christ alone, we will find direction that will lead us forward.
I’d imagine that each person who attended the Summit took something special away with them on that day, and it would be good to hear back from you. If you email me at president@lutheran.org.nz it could be included as another LCNZ Update or possibly incorporated in the Olive Tree summary of the event. The thing that I and others are committed to is putting many of these practical actions into place during 2010 and beyond. One initiative which excites me is the Regional Ministry Model. According to the Lutheran Church of Australia’s Executive Officer, Trevor Ruthenberg, the New South Wales District has put the regional model into practice already. While attending the Summit Trevor encouraged me to find out in greater detail what they are doing in NSW and how some of that knowledge may inform us in our similar but unique situation.
Thanks again to the Mountainside congregation and others who made the day and the fellowship meal possible. It was a joy to stay on and worship at Mountainside that Sunday.
Tickets Sold Already: Dear President Robert,
As part of the Botany Lutheran Church [Auckland Chinese] on-going Community Ministry to encompass our annual motto " Transforming lives and connecting into community with love and power of GOD ", we are organising a special concert on the 14th August, 2010 at Botany. The concert is very well received by the community, and we have sold out all our tickets. All proceeds will go to the BLC building fund. A special hymns performance session will be included in the programme, and hopefully this will assist in connecting the audiences to our Lord and spread the gospel. We are profoundly grateful to have such a wonderful opportunity to serve our community and glorify our Lord. Please keep this event in your prayer. God Bless, Henry Chan
In The Lutheran: The most recent edition featured an article by Pastor Mark Whitfield about the 150th Anniversary of Australian German Lutherans coming to the Marton area, and another story highlighting the faith and witness of Pastor David and Annie Chiang. This, along with some first-rate articles on congregations coping with the clergy shortage, makes for important reading. I know several LCNZ members get The Lutheran sent from Australia and I would encourage you to bring your copy to church so others can read it too and maybe subscribe.
Some Calendar Dates:
August
7 Financial Advisory Committee and LLL Board meetings in Palmerston North (56 Queen St)
14 Lutheran Support ministry Committee in Palmerston North (56 Queen St)
20-21 Council of Synod and Gateway Gift Trust Board meetings (Christchurch)
22 President’s visit and preach at Christchurch
28 Administrators and Treasurer’s Seminar in Wellington
29-2 College of Presidents Retreat in Perth
Grace and peace to you in Christ Jesus,
Pastor Robert Erickson
president@lutheran.org.nz
20 July 2010
Greetings In Christ Jesus,
Please pray for the LCNZ Summit which will be this Saturday 24 July at Mountainside Lutheran in Auckland. There are 50 people registered many of whom are travelling from our congregations around New Zealand. Transport from the airport is being organised. We will be joined by two guests, Mr Trevor Ruthenberg, the Executive Officer of the Lutheran Church of Australia and Shannon hood from Australian Lutheran College and the training group called Delta Ministries. Shannon has been to New Zealand on two occasions to do in-service training for pastors and church workers. He also was one of the three facilitators at an LCA Leaders Summit in March of this year. I took a photo of him leading one of the sessions and ran it through a few filters on my iPhone to come up with the attached image. I asked Shannon what will be the agenda for the day and he has given us a basic outline:
1. Before morning tea – We will cover Change Management, where LCNZ is right now and LCNZ’s mission
2. Between morning tea and lunch – We will explore the information that has been gathered (Look to God, Look UP, Look around, Look in, Look back) to define values
3. After lunch and before afternoon tea – We’ll work toward a sense of future vision and further explore values.
4. After afternoon tea – we’ll steer toward tangible next steps so that this whole thing makes a difference an does not become just a talk fest.
Those in attendance are invited to the evening meal hosted by the congregation, and are invited to worship at Mountainside Sunday morning. Pray for safe travel for those you are coming and for God’s direction on this vision and planning event.
LCNZ Directory: Please note that the new Treasurer for St John’s Lutheran, Wanganui is Karen Bamber, St John’s Lutheran, P.O. Box 7135, Wanganui 4541 and her contact number is 021-1099-9166
Wellington: A relocation committee is being formed and terms of reference are yet to be approved by Council of Synod as we look toward the sale of the president’s manse and the purchase of a manse and offices in Wellington. Some interesting concepts are being put forward and CoS will keep you informed.
Administrators and Treasurers Seminar: In Wellington on Saturday August 28 at St Pauls Lutheran Church in King Street Wellington. It starts at 9 a.m. and ends at 3-30 p.m.
The Seminar covers a range of topics including Charities Registration, Congregation accounts, LLL, LCNZ Accounts and Funds , Pastoral Salaries, PAYE and tax issues and accounting Systems and Accounts for Congregations. This could cover the range from computer systems (e.g MYOB) that can be used by the computer skilled, down to the hand ledger systems still used in some places. Even for the latter a clear description of income and expenditure accounts, balance sheets, and the difference between cash and accrual systems would be useful. Also, a revised copy of our LCNZ Administrators and Treasurers Handbook will be distributed. This is important information for all in parish administration. The LLL has given a $4000 travel grant for this event and we thank them for subsidising the travel of our Treasurers and Administrators to this seminar. Treasurers and Administrators, if for some reason you did not get a registration form please contact Colleen at our office, lcnz@clear.net.nz, 06/357-3887
National Youth Camp: On 5-9 July 39 campers enjoyed Christian fellowship and fun at the Youth Camp. The theme was “Get Connected - all about relationships”. El Rancho Centre is in Waikanae on the Kapiti Coast. Pastor Lee Kroehn said, “the weather was good and so was the camp”.
Next The Olive Tree: The theme for the next The Olive Tree is from Ephesians 3:20-21 “Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be the glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen!” That text should generate idea for stories and articles. Submission date for the next issue of the Olive Tree is 13 August 2010.
God Bless,
Robert
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Rev. Robert A. Erickson
president@lutheran.org.nz
30 June 2010
LCNZ Update 30 June 2010
Greetings in Christ,
Registration for the LCNZ Summit 24 July at Mountainside Lutheran is still open. We need to finalise numbers for catering purposes and the group booking for those who will be staying at the Waipuna Hotel. If you have not yet sent in your registration form please do it now. Otherwise, phone our office Tuesday to Friday between 9am and 2pm to speak with Colleen who will take the registration by phone. This is a key opportunity for members of our LCNZ to participate in forming ways we can address the strategic initiatives of -- Increasing Leadership Capacity; Increasing Spiritual Depth; Improve Communication; Develop a Mission Culture; Leverage our Assets to Support Ministry and Mission.
Botany Lutheran Church has been getting several mailings to the wrong address and requests that you put the following postal address in your contact lists: Botany Lutheran Church, 150c Harris Road, East Tamaki, Manukau 2013 NZ. Correspondence to their leaders can also be directed through that address.
LCNZ Youth Camp registrations are now in and it appears that there will be about 35 attending this year. We pray God’s blessing upon those travelling and the leaders who have worked hard to make next week a success.
Church Workers Conference was held 22-24 June in Wellington. The numbers were a bit low this time because of parish vacancies. Still it was very worthwhile. This time we had Dr Greg Lockwood from ALC Seminary who led us through an excellent series of studies on 1st Corinthians. The following Friday he came to Palmerston North and joined the Anglican & Lutheran Consultation to speak on the history of the Anglican Lutheran Dialogue in Australia and worldwide. He then preached at St Paul’s Wellington prior to his return to balmy Adeliade.
LCNZ Offices. In an earlier Update our Council of Synod Chairperson, Judy Calder, announced the Synod postal ballot in favour of moving our national office to Wellington. A search group is being formed to locate office and manse property in Wellington. Additional people beyond Council of Synod are being recruited on the search team as we look at this important investment. The property next to St Paul’s Lutheran Wellington had been muted as a possibility for purchase and development, however it has been sold at auction and is no longer an option. So, the two favoured options are either a home/office arrangement, or manse and office in separate locations. Locating in the proximity to St Paul’s and the airport would also be advantageous.
On a personal note: I will be away to Brisbane for a few days to be with my wife Betsy who will be having surgery on July 8th. I return on Saturday 10th July, but will remain contactable via email.
Welcome Pastor Martin and Elizabeth Schirmer as they interim at Upper Moutere until 23 Sept.
Prayer: O God, renew our spirits by your Holy Spirit, and draw our hears to yourself, so that our work may not be a burden, but a delight. Let us not serve as slaves with the spirit of bondage, but with freedom and gladness as your children, rejoicing in your will and your work; for Jesus Christ’s sake. Amen. (From Everyday Prayer, Lutheran Church of Australia, 2006)
God bless,
Rev. Robert Erickson
President, Lutheran Church of New Zealand
20 June 2010
LCNZ Update (Synod Vote)
Lutheran Church
of New Zealand
18 June 2010
LCNZ NATIONAL OFFICE NEWS
A big thank you to all the Synods people who returned their votes to the National Office last week. It was pleasing to see such a good return rate and to know that the voting showed a clear indication of direction for the future.
The Council of Synod motion for voting on, read:
THAT the LCNZ National Office and residence of the President be
located in Wellington.
Results: For the motion 19
Against the motion 4
Votes cast 23
This result shows a clear majority of 82% for the motion and now provides Council of Synod with the responsibility of locating suitable LCNZ office accommodation and housing for the President.
To that end, enquiries and visits to possible sites are already under way in Wellington.
Council of Synod will next establish a Relocation Task Force consisting of experienced personnel who will be able to advise, cost and recommend.
We appreciate your support and welcome any further ideas that you are able to suggest.
Judy Calder
Chairperson
LCNZ Council of Synod
27 May 2010
LCNZ Update 27 May 2010
Council of Synod Highlights from the meeting of 21-22 May 2010
“CHURCH ON THE MOVE” our 2009 Convention Theme
Notices have gone out to NZ parishes to invite them to the Lutheran Church of New Zealand (LCNZ) Summit taking place on 24th July 2010 at Mountainside. There will be a community meal following the summit and all are welcome to worship Sunday at Mountainside.
It was reported that Gateway Grants written since 2005 total $1,312,172 with 37% going to mission support and Lay Worker support in the local parishes, 21% going to support the LCNZ president and the Lutheran Support Ministries (LSM), 11% going to overseas mission, and 31% going to infrastructure. What a blessing the Gateway ‘gift’ has had on our ministry!
An exciting milestone is being celebrated with a spiritual walk organised by Pastor Mark Whitfield. The ‘Pilgrimage of Faith’ to take place from Monday 4th – Sunday 10th October 2010 will commemorate the start of the Lutheran Church in New Zealand and to celebrate the 150 year anniversary of St Martin’s in Marton. The walk will end on Sunday at St Martin’s with a celebration worship service and lunch.
The new LSM team is settling in well and coming up with very good ideas and initiatives within their portfolio areas. Members are:
Pastor David Lipsys (Chair)
Pastor Robert Erickson (part-time Mission Director)
Marg Gust (Secretary)
Isaac Gutla
Sharolyn Mollet
Mel MacKenzie
Katherine Phyn
The bathroom renovation has been completed at the President’s manse. The importance of keeping up standards on manses and church property was emphasised, as falling behind is not good for pastors or the parishes’ investments.
The Bay Of Plenty congregations are seeking greater cooperation in ministry and mission with support of the interim pastor, Norm Bergen. This cooperation is wonderful and could have many long-term benefits for these congregations. Pastor Milton Fritsch (vice president) will be in contact with Tauranga, Whakatane, Kawerau and Hamilton congregations about the next steps and eventual call of a pastor.
The sale process of the manse in Whakatane has commenced and an agent will soon be appointed.
There is a Treasurer’s seminar being planned that will be held in Wellington in August. Information is going out to all parishes and treasurers. In preparation, a new Administrators and Treasurers’ Handbook was circulated in draft form.
There was a lengthy discussion of the LCNZ office location scenarios and a review of the responses of the LCNZ Synod Representatives. Strategy for the long-term, costs, and travel were considered. After prayerful consideration, a motion was recommended for circulation to the LCNZ Synod Representatives to consult with their congregations and then vote on. Voting will be completed in June. This constitutes a postal ballot of Synod.
Members of the Council of Synod are:
Judy Calder – Christchurch (Chair)
Pastor Milton Fritsch – Auckland, Mountainside
Pastor Robert Erickson – Palmserston North
Dennis Mollet – Palmerston North
Annie Ip – Auckland, Botany
Roxanne Bakke – Auckland, Mountainside
Marg Gust – Marton
David Preston – Wellington
Wayne Drogemuller – Wellington
Pastor Mark Whitfiled – Wellington
Changes in the LCNZ Directory
Marton: The Minute Secretary for Marton Parish is now Miss Glenice Gust, 20 Tennant Court, Marton 4710 Ph 06 327 7209. The Chairperson’s surname is spelt Lyon not Lyons.
A thought from the President:
Pentecost. The blessed gift of the Holy Spirit to Christ’s Church was given on Pentecost. The Holy Spirit is the promise of Christ and the Father’s presence and power for our Christian lives and vocations. I heard a good sermon last Sunday about the Holy Spirit and I was encouraged in my Christian Life. Thanks Pastor Lee. We need the encouragement of the Word and fellow Christians. I would ask everyone who receives this letter to be regular in worship and fellowship. From that, and through the power of the Holy Spirit, you will find refreshment for a third thing which is service.
The new edition of The Olive Tree is now out and also on our website. Here is a link http://tinyurl.com/kvas6w
God Bless,
Pastor/President Robert Erickson
president@lutheran.org.nz
13 May 2010
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