Finding my way downunder

A pilgrimage through history, Adelaide and Acts, where so much can be learned for our journey today.

My family and I were in the holy lands recently. We basked in the beauty of the mountains of the Grampians, as well as ventured into the Barossa Valley and Hahndorf. Our understanding of the heritage of the Lutheran Church of Australia (LCA) has been slowly growing during our pilgrimage here.

In the Grampians we experienced Christian Life Week (CLW). This was an excellent witness to how ministry can be nurtured and passed on. A week-long camp put on by uni students for high school students was a living testimony of how vital this ministry is for the church, as well as how engaging ministry is when it is shared and passed on.

While in Adelaide, we quickly came to understand why it is called the City of Churches. Lutheran Boulevard (my name for the street of Lutheran offices and nearby seminary) proved to be not only convenient for all Lutheran business, but also an example of a proud history, as seen in the architecture and charm of its buildings. This history and connection has been apparent from our very first introductions to Australia. South Australia seems to be a common denominator for all connected with St Paul's Box Hill, as well as the LCA in general.

Food for thought

While visiting these areas of the country for the first time, I was simultaneously devouring a book Pastors Andrew and Greg gave staff members to read, From Members To Disciples – Leadership Lessons From the Book of Acts by Michael W Foss. I could not help but compare the spreading of the gospel from Jerusalem with the spread of Lutheranism throughout Australia. I was especially struck by these words:

The proclamation of the gospel in Acts creates change. That change can be positive, as in Acts 2, or it can be resisted and erupt in conflict. But the assumption of the book of Acts is that Christian preaching does something in and through the hearers. (page 24)

"God is always up to something!" is not an original quote but one that resonates within my soul. "I want to be on board with Him!" is the next phrase that the Spirit pushes through my stubborn heart. What this has meant for me, as I look back on my own life, is change and growth.

The LCA's recent adoption and promotion of the Faith Inkubator's system of Christian education is another example of how I sense the Spirit moving through the church. It is interesting that we are actually going back to the roots of our denomination by reminding each other why Luther wrote the Small Catechism in the first place: for parents (bishops and priests of a home) to teach and live the gospel. Church is firstly the home! The congregation is a supporter and encourager for homes in doing ministry!

Like the early church, conflict seems to be unavoidable. I am saddened that this will probably be true for some churches who, in my opinion, seem to embrace tradition over proclaiming the gospel.

History, ritual, proper order and leadership are all important elements in building a healthy, strong and vibrant community — both within a church as well as a home. More important, however, is the evidence of love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, gentleness and self control — the fruits of the Spirit.

I suspect that God is wanting our congregation to not necessarily be a holy land, but at least be a place of holy ground! A place where Christ's love and joy is experienced through worship, hospitality, service and education, and in each other's homes. As it says in Acts 2

…they were all together in one place… each one heard them speaking in his own language…they devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching and to the fellowship… to the breaking of the bread and to prayer…everyone was filled with awe…and many wonders and miraculous signs were done…all the believers were together and had everything in common… the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved…for God raised him [Jesus] from the dead, freeing him from the agony of death, because it was impossible for death to keep its hold on him.

Wonderfully scary, isn't it? May the pilgrimage continue!

Matt Olson