Oct2016
Re-thinking how we form faith
We know culture and society is constantly changing, raising many new questions, issues and pressures. When we re-think faith formation, it’s not about a new program or theory. Instead it’s about incorporating ministry into our everyday lives through relationships. That’s why the Grow Ministries team has been excited to have Rev Dr David and Gloria… Read more
Oct2016
Serving youth for 30 years
Thirty years – three decades – is a fair chunk of a lifetime. Not many people stay that long in a job anymore. And yet that’s the time Peter Eckermann has dedicated to serving the young people of the LCA. Peter began in youth ministry part-time with the Lutheran Youth of Victoria in 1986. The… Read more
Oct2016
Vital aid for those who care
It is often said that Australians are a spiritual people but are not interested in institutionalised religion. Christian nurses and healthcare workers therefore have a role to be where people are, especially in the critical times of their lives, to help answer the question, ‘Where is God in this encounter?’. Working in healthcare is bitter… Read more
Oct2016
Lessons from a sending church
LCA Church Planting Mentor and Mission Facilitator Dean Eaton has been mentoring our congregation at Woden Valley in the ACT for the past 18 months. During this time we have had five adult baptisms and learnt a number of new attitudes towards mission. The first lesson is that God is already at work in the… Read more
Oct2016
‘Mum, Dad, I’m gay’
Having a son or daughter ‘come out’ as homosexual is not something many parents expect or are prepared for – especially within the church. How would you respond if this happened to you? One family shares the story of their journey since that day 20 years ago. What do you say when your child tells… Read more
Oct2016
Certain path to growth
Students at Australian Lutheran College (ALC) enrol in the Certificate IV in Christian Ministry and Theology (10433NAT)* course for a range of reasons, including personal growth, professional development or a stepping stone to employment within the church or community services. The Certificate IV is a practical course, where students are able to apply the information… Read more
Oct2016
Lutheran carpenter named top apprentice
Lutheran Ryan Grieger has been named Australia’s top apprentice. A member of the Zion congregation at Swan Reach on the Murray River in South Australia, Ryan last month took out a gold medal in the carpentry category at the WorldSkills Australia National Competition in Melbourne. He also earned the Tjerk Dusseldorp Award for Best in… Read more
Oct2016
ALWS plea: ‘Help us support Mosul refugees’
Australian Lutheran World Service (ALWS) has made a plea for urgent support to help it care for refugees from Mosul, as the battle rages for control of the Northern Iraqi city. Recent news reports from the region said Iraqi and Kurdish forces were closing in on the former Islamic State (ISIS) stronghold. When Mosul was… Read more
Oct2016
Scotty’s great mission support
‘The dog is the most faithful of animals and would be much esteemed were it not so common. Our Lord God has made His greatest gifts the commonest.’ This quote is often attributed to Martin Luther. When a dog named Scotty forgets his manners inside the house, his behaviour is graciously forgiven as his faithfulness… Read more
Oct2016
Walk a mile in our shoes
Being discriminated against because of traits we were born with – race, gender, disabilities – can be a deeply painful, even soul-destroying, experience. For people who are homosexual, the prejudice and the hurt is the same. And sadly this type of suffering goes on in our churches and schools, as well as in the wider… Read more
