Administration Officer Wellington

Administration Officer

Lutheran Church of New Zealand National Office – Wellington

The National Office for the Lutheran Church of New Zealand is soon to be located in Wellington. A permanent position is available for an enthusiastic person interested in Christian ministry. The position is part-time supporting the President and national church operations with general secretarial, minute taking, banking and accounting duties. A working knowledge of Word, Excel, Publisher and MYOB and previous experience working with accounts are required.

The appointee must be able to work unsupervised. Hours of work 9.30am to 2.30pm Tuesday to Friday inclusive. In addition, attendance at meetings on a quarterly basis, which involves a Friday evening (7.00pm to 9.30pm) and two Saturdays (9.00am to 4.30pm), is required. Some of these meetings will be held at congregations of the Lutheran Church of NZ outside of Wellington and will therefore necessitate overnight stay in those locations.

Please send your CV and a covering letter to the:

Selection Committee

Lutheran Church of New Zealand

PO Box 4248, Palmerston North 4442 or

president@lutheran.org.nz

Applications close on 8 October 2010.

LCNZ Update (Earthquake info) 9 Sept 2010

Greetings in Christ Jesus,

Pastor David Lipsys’ Photos and Communication from Christchurch following the 4/9/2010 Earthquake

 

“We are so thankful to God, that no lives were lost (apart from possible heart-attack death) and that few people were seriously injured in our earthquake of Saturday morning, from a previously unknown fault-line.”

 

“Suburbs of Christchurch in close proximity to the Avon River, like ours (Windsor/Burwood/Avonside) have had a lot of ground movement, and so most homes have extensive cracking of house walls, footings, paths and driveways. Older homes have lost chimneys and parts of roofs. All of this, in combination with extensive deposits of liquefaction sands and the NZ Defence Force personnel helping out, make our suburbs look like TV-news war zones! The many ongoing and substantial after-quakes - that deny us sleep and rattle our nerves - are the hardest things to cope with right now. We personally, have finally got electricity back on reasonably continuously, but haven't had running water or flushing toilets since the original quake at 4:35am Saturday! Most of the other people from St.Paul’s Lutheran Church have been spared damage to homes, with only some breakages of crockery and ornaments. Our church centre remains in great shape, with services and activities continuing on as normal.” 

 

 -- Pastor David and Janine Lipsys

 

From President Rob

 

Martin Luther’s great hymn “A Mighty Fortress” is based on psalm 46. Both his hymn and the psalm itself testify to the permanence and stability of God amidst the shifting changes of this world. When land masses move and tectonic plates slip, our world is shaken. The people of Christchurch and Canterbury are experiencing both the aftermath of one of the worst earthquakes in New Zealand in the last  hundred years. Although injuries have been low, property damage has been high. The long-term psychological stress of living through the many aftershocks also impacts on people. We hear that so far members of our Christchurch congregation have had some minor damage to property. Pastor David and Janine Lipsys’ home, however, has cracked foundations and separations in the framework. Their home looks to have sustained the worst damage, and is still without water. Time will tell however, how much damage has been done to buildings.

 

Here is New Zealand, we have preparations for such events and can be proud of our government and emergency services in acting so quickly and efficiently in what could have evolved into absolute bedlam. Yet, even with the best of planning and recovery aid there will be those who will carry emotional and psychological wounds as a result of these days. In the Psalm we hear of God’s unshakable permanence and power. As Luther wrote in the hymn, “he is a bulwark never shaking”. Although during the Protestant Reformation the battle Luther describes is against Satan and human corruption, the Psalm itself addresses even more broadly a world that can so quickly change.

 

Psalm 46 (New International Version)

 

 ¹ God is our refuge and strength, 
       an ever-present help in trouble.

 ² Therefore we will not fear, though the earth give way 
       and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea,

 ³ though its waters roar and foam 
       and the mountains quake with their surging. 
       Selah

 ⁴ There is a river whose streams make glad the city of God, 
       the holy place where the Most High dwells.

 ⁵ God is within her, she will not fall; 
       God will help her at break of day.

 ⁶ Nations are in uproar, kingdoms fall; 
       he lifts his voice, the earth melts.

 ⁷ The LORD Almighty is with us; 
       the God of Jacob is our fortress. 
       Selah

 ⁸ Come and see the works of the LORD, 
       the desolations he has brought on the earth.

 ⁹ He makes wars cease to the ends of the earth; 
       he breaks the bow and shatters the spear, 
       he burns the shields ^[b] with fire.

 ¹⁰ "Be still, and know that I am God; 
       I will be exalted among the nations, 
       I will be exalted in the earth."

 ¹¹ The LORD Almighty is with us; 
       the God of Jacob is our fortress. 
       Selah

 

Twenty 20 Leadership Program

The Lutheran Church of Australia has commenced a pilot program to train 20 people in leadership for further equipping leaders in our Church. Adrian Stolk of Wanganui and Katharina Borszik of Hamilton have been selected from our LCNZ and will enter the program commencing this month. Funding for this will be from the Lutheran Church of Australia, the Lutheran Church of New Zealand and self-funding from participants. Congregations are encouraged to sponsor some of Adrian’s and Katharina’s expenses. During our Summit in July we identified “equipping lay people with leadership skills” as an initiative that was needed both throughout the LCA and in our Lutheran Church of new Zealand. So, this is one of the first decisions from our Summit that is being put into action.

 

 

The Council of Synod Notes: CoS met on August 20-21 in Christchurch.  Some of the Issues discussed in the two days include the following:

 

1).  Follow up to the Summit.

 

The report of Shannon Hood the facilitator for the LCNZ summit was discussed.  A key issue identified was the proposal to move towards a structure of regional parishes overseen by an ordained pastor, with lay people and Regional Lay Ministers taking up many local ministry roles.

 

 2). Christchurch Ministry

 

Council of Synod met with the Christchurch Ministry Team to discuss ministry in the parish.  A wide ranging discussion identified the need to encourage lay people to take up more active leadership roles.

 

3).  Move to Wellington

 

The countdown is on the way to shift the LCNZ national office from Palmerston North to Wellington, as approved by Synod delegates.

Key steps include:

 

·         Obtaining  office premises (initially a lease)

·         Locating a suitable Wellington manse

·         Hiring a Wellington based Administrator for the office

 

4).  Grants approved included:

 

·         $20,000 to the new Waikato- Bay of Plenty parish, with up to $10,000 for parish travel,   and  $10,000 from the Taumaranui sale proceeds.  (Gateway is also granting $5,000)

·         Up to $9,000 to Wellington from the Hintz fund to repair the manse roof.

 

 

 5).      Rest and Recreational Leave

 

Pastor David Lipsys had three months R&R leave approved, to start on 15 October.

 

 

Gateway Gift Trust Board

 

Key decisions approved included

 

·         Cashing out the Spicers investment portfolio, and reinvesting this in interest bearing deposits, mainly with LLL,

·         Allocating the foregone interest on a $50,000 deposit with LLL to offset part of the interest due on the LLL loan to Botany

·         A $5,000 grant to the new Hamilton-Bay of Plenty regional ministry.

 

 The board also note that the Gateway-funded upgrading of the Hamilton manse had been successfully completed, at a cost of a little under $100,000

 

-- D. Preston

 

Kogudus Retreat:

This weekend 42 people will be gathering for the Kogudus retreat at Foxton Beach Camp. For 17 of them it will be their first experience of Kogudus. Pastor Lee Kroehn will be taking his turn as the retreat pastor. The theme of the weekend is “The Truth That Will Set You Free”.

 

In your prayers please remember the residents of Christchurch and surrounding region, those affected by the Victorian floods, and so many other who have experienced disaster.

 

God Bless,

 

 

 

Christchurch Update

Communications were disrupted somewhat after the 7.1 earthquake in Christchurch at 4:30am the 4th of September. However, pastor David Lipsys has emailed us with this information. Please pray for those who have been affected by this event. 

<><

Rev. Robert Erickson

president@lutheran.org.nz

(David's email follows)

Greetings, Mark & colleagues

 

Thank you for your concern and prayers at this time.

 

We would appreciate you joining us in thanking our Lord – that Cantabrians and visitors were spared death and more serious injuries during the chaos of today's earthquake and aftershocks.

Most people are on edge, and many – younger and older, especially those living alone – are feeling afraid.

 

We are grateful that St.Paul's church building is essentially undamaged, apart from an interior door not closing properly – and about half of my study bookshelves emptied on the floor.

 

Some members homes have sustained damage, including ours; many are without power and running water, and most (all?) can't flush their toilets.

 

Many have extensive clean-up tasks ahead, because of flooding and/or partial-collapse of buildings/walls. Prayers for patience and good humour would, therefore, also be appreciated.

 

Tomorrow, for the 6^th year in a row, we will begin our celebration of the September-long Season of Creation; and in faith we will affirm this verse from tomorrow's Psalm (Ps.104:1 – 9, 24 – 26  for Ocean Sunday – Series C): verse 5 – "[LORD] You have set the earth firmly on its foundations, and it will never be moved." Amen! J

 

Serving Jesus with you,

DAVID LIPSYS

St.Paul's Lutheran Church – Christchurch  

  

 

Abortion?

This article was submitted to The Olive Tree from two members at St Paul's in Wellington. Unfortunately, the latest issue is full, so it is on our LCNZ blog with a link to it in the Aug 2010 Olive Tree. Our Lutheran Church of Australia & New Zealand does take a pro-life stand on the issue of abortion. This particular article (as all submitted articles) does however express the opinions of the authors. -- R. Erickson

Abortion?

By Petrus Simons and Leanne Whitfield


In 1977 the Contraception, Sterilisation and Abortion Act was passed. It came into effect on 1 April 1978. Under this Act abortion is still a crime, unless two certifying consultants agree that legal grounds apply. If they believe that the health of the pregnant woman is endangered by the pregnancy, an abortion is approved, provided it does not occur after 20 weeks. Recently, Ms Steve Chadwick, Labour List MP, has been preparing a private members bill permitting abortion-on-demand up to the 24th week of pregnancy.

Pro-life people believed that the provisions of the 1977 Act would prevent a normalisation of abortion. Sadly, they were wrong. In 1976, when reporting became obligatory, 4,682 abortions were reported, in 1980 5,945, rising to 11,068 in 1990 and 16,103 in 2000. From 2003 onward it has fluctuated between 18,000 and 19,000. Since the early 2000s around 25 percent of pregnancies have been ending in abortion.

Very often, approval is given on the basis of a threat to the psychic/mental health of the woman concerned. However, the very large number of abortions so approved, suggest that the ground is invoked to circumvent the strict meaning of the Act.

Professor David Fergusson of Otago University, has followed the lives of 1265 Kiwis born in 1977 (630 women) in Christchurch. 25 women had had at least one abortion by age 25. In 2005, the study found that women who had abortions subsequently had significantly higher mental health problems (incl. depression, anxiety, suicidal behaviour and substance abuse) than those who had not become pregnant and those who gave birth (Dominion Post, 7 Jan 2006, A15). The data confirm the results of surveys showing that about 70 percent of women, who have had an abortion, suffer from post-abortion trauma.

Abortions are never risk-free. A Canadian study (published September 2009) showed that the risk of premature birth was 36 percent higher for women who had previously had a first or second trimester abortion, and for women who had had more than one abortion, the risk was 93 percent higher, compared to women who had not had abortions (Dominion Post, 5 Nov. 2009, A10).

Pro-choice advocates have always seen the restrictions of the Act as an unnecessary hurdle. Sometimes they argue that in thinly populated areas it is much more difficult to get an abortion certified than in major centres and that this is inequitable.

However this may be, 18,000 plus abortions a year suggest that the hurdles must be very minor indeed. Our rate exceeds that of countries with high rates of abortion such as the USA, Sweden and Australia.

The key problem is that for many an abortion has become another medical procedure. It is seen as a technical solution to a problem. The widespread use of abortion puts pressure on those who believe that their being pregnant is a problem, to seek abortion as a solution.

Even when a pregnancy is joyfully accepted modern scanning technology may show up a potential problem such as Down's syndrome. Often, this leads to the heart-breaking decision to abort the baby. As a result there has been a decrease in the number of people born with such a condition. The irony is that a great deal more can be done for them than in the past, so that they are able to make a much greater contribution to society. We should ask whether our society is happier or poorer as a result? We ask this question, realising that parents of intellectually handicapped children bear a heavy burden. Nobody would wish such a burden on anyone.

The steep increase in abortions since the 1977 Act has coincided with an equally steep increase in the number of crimes against persons. Is this a coincidence? We doubt it in the belief that the two reflect a change in perception of what it means to be human.

If we get used to relying on modern technology to prevent and solve all problems, we may forget what love is all about: considering and treating those around us who are invalid, intellectually handicapped, or sick as if they were Christ himself. He is the only human since Adam and Eve left Paradise, without any flaws. Each one of us carries the marks of sin, including physical and mental flaws. More importantly, we may confess that Christ has taken all of our burdens on Himself when He went to the cross and rose again on the third day. He, who could not do violence to anybody, was violently murdered in our place.

Christian love we should try to use the best technology available to preserve life and to heal what can be healed even in utero, so as to promote the sanctity of life. We should be thankful for what has become possible in this respect. Life itself, however, will remain beyond our scientific/technological grasp. It is truly a gift from God.

So, what about Ms Steve Chadwick's private members bill? Chris Trotter was rightly upset by this attempt to make it even easier to get an abortion than it already is (Dominion Post, 9 July 2010, B6). He confessed that, personally, after much 'pushing and shoving' he had come to the conclusion, given the responsibility, that the decision to have an abortion should be made by the woman herself and not by others.

She who is pregnant is obviously the most directly involved. But, she is never the only one. Normally, a male person has something to do with it. The two are part of families, have friends, may belong to a faith community, have been educated, counselled by doctors, etc. She who makes the decision does so as a person embedded in a set of cultural practices. Her baby is not just her own, but a separate person with distinct DNA. Overarching all this, there is the Giver of life, whether acknowledged as such or not.

Our culture is thoroughly imbued with a technicistic/economistic spirit. We reduce human beings to machine-like bodies governed by brains that seek to maximise physical and mental outputs. Since we happen to be much more than machines, we get into many problems.

We hope that the church leaders of New Zealand will make a strong stand, defend the sanctity of life and call for a renewal of our culture inspired by the love of Christ. They should be able to do so in the knowledge that their flocks are right behind them in confession and practice.

Some Photos from the July 24 LCNZ Summit in Auckland

LCNZ Summit photos. Credit to www.photographybykat.net 

 

 

 

 

LCNZ Update

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

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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

 

<><
Rev. Robert A. Erickson
president@lutheran.org.nz