The Gunnedah-Tamworth-Armidale Lutheran parish in northern New South Wales is taking a novel approach to growing their congregations in the face of impending closure: they are advertising for new members.
The small parish has been served by PWAT (pastor with alternative training) Ren Tschirpig for the past twelve years. 'However, at nearly 70, Ren feels that it is time to enjoy his well-deserved retirement', said parish committee member Trudi Skene. 'We would dearly love to be able to call another full-time pastor to the region, but that would be very difficult in our current financial situation. If we could grow our parish, we would be more able to call a full-time pastor.'
The parish committee is banking on the fact that people are more mobile than ever before and are often willing to relocate for lifestyle or employment reasons. 'My own family is a good example', Trudi said. 'When an employment opportunity arose in Tamworth for my husband, the very first thing I did was look up the LCA website to find out if there was a Lutheran congregation there. When I discovered that there was, I said "Okay, we can go!"'
Although small in number, congregation members are actively involved in the life of the parish, which is well represented across all age groups. There is a vibrant Sunday school in Tamworth, as well as youth and young adult activities. In Gunnedah work will commence this year on eight new retirement units and a new chapel to replace the existing church.
'Tamworth, Armidale and Gunnedah are located on the busy roads between Queensland and the southern states', Trudi explained. 'Yet we miss out on many visitors to our Sunday services because people don't realise we exist. We have decided to tackle this problem head-on and raise our profile in the Lutheran community.'
While parish members are doing all they can to make themselves better known, they are 'under no illusions' that they will be inundated with newcomers. 'Perhaps the Lord has something else entirely in store for us', Trudi said. 'But one thing is certain: we do not need church plant to be a church. Christ wasn't too interested in material matters. The harvest is souls.
'So the congregations of Tamworth, Armidale and Gunnedah warmly extend the hand of fellowship to anyone who would join us — as visitor, member or shepherd — and we look forward to what the Lord has in store for us. The path may be rocky and challenging, but he is with us every step of the way. If we don't try this approach, we will never know what could have been.'
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