Making peace the Bible’s way

Our Redeemer congregation at Toowoomba, Queensland, had been through a challenging time of conflict.

Some members were leaving or worshipping elsewhere, we had dropping attendance numbers – and feelings about each other that didn’t glorify God.

‘People’s hearts change as they engage with God’s word.’

A chance meeting in 2015 between our recently installed pastor, Dr Michael Lockwood, and Pastor Paul Kerber, began a conversation about healing for our congregation. As the LCA’s Assistant to the Bishop for Reconciliation Ministry, Pastor Paul could lead us through biblical peacemaking over two years, together as a congregation, to embed reconciliation as our lifestyle.

The response was overwhelming, with many of our able-bodied members attending a retreat in November, a workshop in February and a six-week Bible study series.

Here are some early impressions from the participants:

‘I believe that doing this event has lifted spirits at Redeemer. Why?

1. Because we are focusing on Jesus and his word.

2. Because it has given us a purpose, a thing to take us forward, instead of just going to church every Sunday and doing same old, same old all the time. We may not see big external results but I can say people’s hearts change as they engage with God’s word.’

‘The results of the biblical peacemaking retreat are being felt through the whole congregation in a positive way.’

‘Fulfilling, spiritual, empowering to seek forgiveness and to forgive.’

‘Given us a lifestyle pleasing to God.’

‘Uplifting, pleased I attended and looking forward to continuing the journey.’

‘The peacemaker training has transformed our already wonderful 18 years of marriage to something even better and brought healing to other fractured relationships in my life.’

‘Practical application in my marriage. Once you read through the study material you just can’t help but forgive.’

At the completion of our continuing journey, as we learn to live the gospel through lives of confession and forgiveness, we hope to be able to share this with other congregations and serve them in their own journey.

Dawn Humphrey is the chair of Redeemer Lutheran Church, Toowoomba Queensland.

Contact Reconciliation Ministry at:

a: 197 Archer Street,

North Adelaide SA 5006

e: paul.kerber@lca.org.au

p: 08 8267 7300

or mobile: 0400 186 916

This feature story comes from The Lutheran May 2016. Visit the website to find out more about The Lutheran or to subscribe.