Winding Down in Melbourne

Well, it's hard to believe we're all done and will be flying home in a couple of days. Angela and I are staying in the Melbourne CBD (downtown) for a couple of days and will be exploring the area of bit. It will be a nice way to end out trip down under.
Last night, Ted, Angela and I, together with Pastor Chris, one of the new pastors to the District, had the pleasure having dinner with Rev. Greg Pietsch, the president of the Victoria and Tasmania District of the LCA and his lovely wife Judy. Greg and Judy invited the four of us to their house for dinner. Over a wonderful meal of lamb and roast vegetables, we had an opportunity to unwind and chat about a wide variety of topics. It was a wonderful way to wind up our teaching time here Down Under.
Ang and I will miss many things when we head home. Australia is a beautiful country, but I think what we'll miss the most is the people here. We have been so blessed by the many friends we have made and the people we have had a chance to meet and work with. Time and again, people have gone out of their way to show us around their cities, take us to dinner and open their homes to us. They have made our time here in Australia unforgettable.

Sola Deo Gloria
Francis

Error Correction

Just a quick note that in my blog on the Rockhampton, Queensland evening rodeo and dinner, I mistakenly referred to Pastor Matthew Thomas as Pastor Matthew James. This error has been corrected in the original blog. My apologies to Pastor Thomas, whose wild ride on a large bull remains one of the highlights of this trip!

This Journey is near its end...

Posted by Ted, 10:30 pm, Thursday, 11 June.

Tonight marks the last day of our tenth training event for this tour of Australia. In all, there have been 24 days of presentation, and thousands of kilometers traveled by air and ground. Our minds and bodies are weary from the whirlwind training tour, but filled with joy from the experience.

We arrived in Victoria on Monday, checked into our retreat center, and then were treated by Pastor Brett and Sylvia Kennett for an evening tour of the central business district of Melbourne, a lovely and spicy Asian/Australian meal, and a taste of Aussie beers. Sylvia is from Argentina, and I especially enjoyed visiting with her about my visit there last winter. Brett was also very engaging, and of course, we talked about reconciliation and the opportunities that arise in congregational ministry.

Over the last three days, we completed our final training for this tour. This event included about 11 or 12 lay workers together with the pastors of the Victoria/Tasmania District. So, we had a number of talented women grace our class. We had another fantastic experience as this group included a number of gifted church leaders. We have come to expect that we will meet talented and committed leaders where ever we go in this church body.

The worship times were especially meaningful, as the devotions were carefully prepared and delivered with grace. We have been truly blessed to hear songs of a more contemporary nature that are wonderfully Lutheran and yet fully rich in content. By now, we have learned some of them and several are now favorites of ours. These Aussie Lutherans have a rich storehouse of worship resources that are inviting in easy-to-use language, simple and yet profound in structure. I personally hope that we can introduce some of what we have used here in the US and Canada. 

Several of the participants of this training expressed their personal appreciation of my book CONFESSION & FORGIVENESS, more so than I have received anywhere else in my travels throughout the US and the world. A couple of the pastors here have done their own extensive research on the subject, and told me how much they appreciated my book's approach on a subject dear to them. It became obvious to us very quickly that many here in this district have developed personal practices of private confession and absolution. Yet, they thanked us over and again for showing them so new ways to apply this gift of the Gospel within the family and in coaching situations.

As I reflect on the entire experience in Australia, I do not remember working with any other church body from any continent that has been so overwhelmingly positive and appreciative of reconciliation ministry. It is clear to all of us as presenters (Bruce, Kathy, Francis, and Ted) that God's timing was right for this extensive teaching experience in Australia. The LCA College of Presidents have modeled their support and leadership by all participating fully in the training, from Synodical President Mike Semmler to all the District Presidents. In addition, all the ordained staff of the seminary also attended the training. What a blessing to have such a modeling!

Bruce and Kathy should be home by now. Francis and Angela have a couple of days to play in Melbourne, and will leave on Sunday. I have one more important task -- On Saturday I meet with the College of Presidents for a full day to debrief this training experience and discuss where the LCA goes next in biblical peacemaking. Then on Sunday, I join Francis and Angela in returning home to North America.

I cannot begin to imagine what fruit this reconciliation training will bear throughout Australia and New Zealand. Never before in my experience has any church body participated in such an extensive training that included nearly all the active pastors, a number of laity and lay workers, plus educators and other ministry leaders. Lifestyles of reconciliation are being cultivated before our very eyes, as we have already heard about reconciliations that have taken place. 

Because God promises that his Word will bear fruit (we may not see it or recognize it), I believe that hundreds -- actually thousands -- of relationships will be reconciled as the leaders of LCA teach and coach their people in biblical peacemaking. Marriages, families, church leaders, co-workers, school administrators and teachers and students and parents, aged care workers and residents, and more.  What an awesome God we have! 

"Oh, the depth of the riches of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable his judgments, and his paths beyond tracing out! "Who has known the mind of the Lord? Or who has been his counselor? Who has ever given to God that God should repay him?" For from him and through him and to him are all things. To him be the glory forever! Amen (Romans 11:33-36).

A Night at the Rodeo

June 6 & 7 2009
Saturday was a day of rest as the Queensland District Synodical Convention began. After a day devoted to business, we were the guests of the District to a evening rodeo (pronounced "roh-day-oh" in Queensland). It was an interesting evening, with dinner being served next to an indoor rodeo ring. During dinner we were had the opportunity to watch an number of bareback and bull riders attempt to stay on the back of the livestock they drew. The evening began with a number of very young cowboys trying to ride Shetland Ponies bareback. More traditional bareback and bull riding followed.

The highlight of the evening was Pastor Matthew Thomas [Note: this is a correction of an earlier error] who challenged the crowd to raise A$1000. He agreed that if they did so, he would ride a bull. Raise it we did and there was a great deal of excitement as Pastor Matt lowered himself onto the back of a very large and somewhat animated bull. After a brief false start, the chute opened and Pastor Thomas shot out on the back of his steed. While he didn't make the 8 second mark, he stayed on for a number of jumps before being bucked off.

Sunday began with Sunday service. President Mike Semmler preached on how our status as forgiven children of God gives us the power to forgive others. After morning tea, Ted spoke on the gift of forgiveness. Highlighting that it is a gift of tremendous cost - a gift we cannot earn and do not deserve - he noted that it is a gift that we are intended to share with others.


After lunch, Ted, Angela and I caught the bus to Rosslyn Bay. Rockhampton is just north of the Tropic of Capricorn, so we enjoyed a warm (28C) day bushwalking Double Head, a volcanic plug next to Rosslyn bay. Two beautiful outlooks provide a panoramic view of the Pacific Ocean. After a brief stroll down the beach and a quick dip in the water (about 18C), we returned home.

Tomorrow we transfer to Melbourne, which will take most of the day. Tuesday will begin our final round of training with the Victorian pastors of the LCA. We are looking forward to meeting this last group of pastors here in Australia.

Sola Deo Gloria.

G'night Yeppoon, G'day Rockhampton

June 5, 2009
Wow, the third day is over and we're in Rockhampton, about 40 minutes away from Yeppoon. It's amazing how quickly time seems to fly when the role plays are going. And I'm just observing and providing help where needed. I can't imagine how quickly time must pass for the participants. Actually, I can still remember being quite shocked when the time was over years ago when I did the role plays. The experience is just so intense, between the nature of the simluation and the fact you are applying new skills to a fact situation, that the time dilates pretty significantly.
We were again really impressed with the ability of these pastors to combine what we teach with their existing skill sets. Even those pastors who are less skilled in counselling are bold to apply these new skills in conjunction to their teaching and human care skills. While some struggle from time to time, they are willing to jump into this new perspective on ministry with a certain amount of abandon.
The next couple of days we'll be Rockhampton. Ted's is one of the speakers at the Queensland District Convention, so he will have an opportunity to share some of his experiences in peacemaking with the delegates. Monday, we transfer to Melbourne, Victoria, where we will lead another three day conflict coaching program with the Victorian pastors. We'll be staying in Templestowe at a Pauline monastary.
Well, it's 28C and sunny this morning, so I will take my leave. Today's picture is of Kinko Beach, just south of Yeppoon. Hopefully we'll have a chance to walk it at some point this weekend. God bless your weekend.
Sola Deo Gloria.

One Body, Many Parts

June 4, 2009
As I’m sitting here writing, I’m staring at a beautiful, red coloured moth. It struck me as a reminder how diverse our world is and how diverse its people are. We’ve just finished our second day of the conflict coaching practicum and I find it cool how each group has its own take on the material. The questions are really the most interesting as they often highlight the experiences that the participants have had and reflect, “as in a mirror darkly”, some of the challenges they have faced. I’m continually blown away by the depth of the desire these pastors have to serve their people as effective and compassionately as they can. I am also impressed by their willingness to disagree with us if they have a differing perspective and do so respectfully. I continue to grow through this process.
We are heading into the half day role plays today. This is the fun part. I do truly mean that and not in a bad way. It is so cool to watch these guys work to integrate the material in a simulation. While it doesn’t always go perfectly, it is so great to watch the variety of approaches and styles that these men bring to the process. It becomes so clear as you watch it how God has made us all unique and how He is able to work through this cacophony of personalities and styles to bring healing to relationships and lives. And the real irony is that it is that very cacophony – that diversity in style, experience and approach – that allows us to reach out effectively to the varied peoples of this world in their pain and problem. It brings Paul’s comments about the body in 1 Corinthians into sharp focus. I am continually reminded that while unity is part of God’s intention for us in the Church, uniformity clearly is not. (Which is clearly a good thing as a whole church of me would drive me crazy!)
So, once more into the breach dear friends!
Sola Deo Gloria.
Francis

Off to Queensland!

June 3, 2009
Bit late getting this on the web as internet has been a bit of a challenge. On Tuesday, Ang, Ted and I flew from Sydney to Rockhampton, Queensland, leaving Kathy and Bruce Zagel to enjoy Sydney for a few days. Upon landing, Pastor Horst of Calvery Lutheran Church in Rockhampton was kind enough to pick us up at the airport and drive us to Yeppoon.
Yeppoon is about 40 minutes outside of Rockhampton, about half way up the coast of Eastern Australia. Formerly renowned for its pineapples, it has been been rebuilding that industry after a disease wiped out most of the trees. The area remains a vibrant tourist destination, attracting individuals from more Southerly portions of Australian during the fall and winter seasons. Being more tropical, temperatures tend to be warmer during May through September. While we have been here, it has been in the mid to high 20s Celsius (above 70 F).

We are at the Cool Waters Resort Camp near Kinko beach, just south of Yeppoon. We are working with the Pastors of the Queensland District of the Lutheran Church of Australia. As always, it has been quite enjoyable wrestling with the issues surrounding Biblical peacemaking and Conflict Coaching with the participants. With a broad range of backgrounds present, like our prior groups, the Queensland pastors bring their own experiences and insights to the material. It is always a great learning experience for me to hear their thoughts on the materials and the challenges and opportunities it presents.
Tomorrow we will move into day 2. As noted previously, this is our skill building day, with participants being given the opportunity to practice some of the individual conflict coaching skills in isolation. This is done in anticipation of the 2 half day role plays on Friday which will provide an opportunity for the pastors to integrate these skills and apply them to a “real life” fact pattern. Please continue to keep the pastors and us in your prayers, as the schedule and the materials tend to be quite challenging.
Sola Deo Gloria
Francis.

5-Day Training Compete!

Posted by Ted, Tuesday morning, 2 June

Last evening, we completed our 5-Day Training (training event #7 of 10 total), and all but two participants and me were picked up on the bus and taken to the airport or hotels. Three of us remained here at the retreat center last night and leave first thing this morning by taxi to the airport.

24 participants attended this training. They worked hard, and their various and many gifts shined through. They poured themselves into the role plays, which provided some great learning experiences for all. It also exhausted them and us, but in the final debrief, they were effusive in their appreciation for the experience.

On Sunday evening, the group met to discuss what reconciliation ministries look like, and they had prepared rough plans for developing reconciliation ministries within their own ministry contexts. As instructors, we were gobsmacked at how ambitious and wide-reaching their plans are. These leaders have caught a vision for reconciliation in the Lutheran Church of Australia more than any group we have met with. Although Bruce, Kathy and I are worn out, we were inspired and energized by their labor of love and plans for the future.

In our parting comments, I told the group that I have great expectations from the LCA in Australia, New Zealand, and in their mission posts. But it is not because they are such gifted people (which they are). It's not because they are so hard working and fun (although that's true). It's because they believe and trust in a God that works miracles, and their faith in him is confident. The Holy Spirit is working through his people here in the Great Down-Under. "Peacemakers who sow in peace raise a harvest of righteousness" (James 3:18).

3rd Day of our 5 Day Training

Posted by Ted Kober, Saturday, 30 May

Our 24 students finished their 3rd of 5 intensive days of Church Reconciler Training. What a fantastic group of Christian leaders! They come from all 6 Districts of the Lutheran Church of Australia. Women and men, clergy and lay, seminary professors and more -- all learning how to make reconciliation a lifestyle among the people of their church. Bruce, Kathy and I are so privileged to meet such a warm and gifted group of people.

We're all tired -- participants and instructors -- and taking a few hours of rest this evening after a refreshing worship service led by LCA President Mike Semmler. 

There had been some wonderful rains the last few days. A little cool but the rain is very much needed and appreciated, so we are celebrating with our Aussie friends.

Need to rest, so this is short. Praise God for his continued blessings, especially for the gift of his son and restoring us to him while we were yet sinners.

Coaching Day 2

By Bruce Zagel, Friday 29 May

My, how time flies when you're having fun! Already two days into the Church Reconciler Training week. 24 participants from all over Australia have come to Collaroy, just north of Sydney, to prepare for establishing Reconciliation Ministries in local churches. Their enthusiasm, graciousness, enjoyment of one another, and especially their joy in the Gospel makes this time both exhilarating thoroughly enjoyable.

The participants include gifted pastors, teachers, laymen and laywomen. They have quickly embraced the training and Ted, Kathy, and Bruce are feeling blessed to be here.

The retreat center is about a five minute walk down the hill to the Pacific Ocean and we can see the ocean from the windows of the meeting room. The weather has been cool (low to mid-60's) and with no heat in the room both participants and leaders have occasionally had to don jackets to keep comfortable. No TV's in the sleeping rooms, which is great. The retreat center can host up to 500 at a time so meal schedules must be kept. This has been a bit of a challenge, but we haven't missed a meal yet (not that a couple of us wouldn't be hurt by missing a meal or two).

The first day and a half has been spent in personal peacemaking and conflict coaching. Tomorrow participants will experience two separate conflict coaching major role play events that give them a taste of what coaching people in conflict can be like. I'm anxious to see how they do. I'm confident they will do well, as this is a strong group.

Kathy and I have adapted to the time change fairly well. The night before last I wilted at about 8PM. Last night it was Kathy's turn. Tonight I think we're both feeling OK. I must confess I'm not looking forward to the readjustment when we return home.

After the training Kathy and I will be staying on for 9 days of site seeing around Sydney. We're getting some suggestions from the participants and expect to have a whole bag full of ideas before the week is out. Ted and Francis will continue on with coaching training and a meeting with the College of Presidents for the Lutheran Church of Australia to discuss "where do we go from here."

Our first day in Australia we got directions for using the City Rail system in Sydney and went down to the Sydney Opera House area for a few hours. The Opera House is bigger than it looks in photos and is quite impressive. The second day Qaidis Zids from the New South Wales District office took us up to Katoomba, about an hour west of Sydney, to see some of the Blue Mountain sites. The weather was like the Oregon coast in winter (lots of rain and low clouds) so we didn't see all we hoped to see that day. We hope to make it back up there during our holiday time on a better weather day.

No "Chuck" stories from Kathy and Bruce. Chuck hasn't made an appearance since Francis left us to be with Angela. Maybe Chuck just likes Francis better. Oh well, we soldier on.

Blessings to all keeping up with the blog. Stay tuned for further updates in the training in the days to come.

Chuck the Beaver Makes a Friend

Day 16 – May 26, 2009
Wow, what an eventful couple of days. We have another great group of pastors to work with here in Warrambui. The second day focuses on developing individual coaching skills in isolation. Needless to say it’s quite interactive and quite tiring. We had a great time discussing the various questions that arise as we work on shifting how we dealing with a common situation – dealing with individuals who come to us asking us to help them as they try to cope with a conflict they are in. It always amazes me at the insights that the people we work with have into the process. I always grow just as much as they do as we work through the material.
In all the excitement of teaching into the evening, getting settled in to our rooms and doing the blog, I missed an important event from yesterday – Chuck the Beaver made a new friend. During one of our breaks yesterday, a number of kangaroos came hopping up to the area just outside the conference centre. Excited by the opportunity for cross-cultural and interspecies interaction, Chuck immediately introduced himself. Unfortunately, either due to his forward approach to things or his accent, the kangaroo was not too interested in getting acquainted and tried to avoid Chuck at all costs. Disappointed, Chuck returned to the conference centre and the kangaroos returned.
One of the kangaroos had a joey (baby kangaroo) in her pouch and Ted caught a glimpse of its head poking out at one point. Unfortunately, the joey was somewhat shy and didn’t pose for a picture. This morning, we saw a mob of kangaroos down the hill from the conference centre. They are actually quite impressive animals, with strong legs and quite nasty looking front claws. An adult kangaroo can apparently tear a person open if confronted, though the generally flee if at all possible.
Its evening now and many of our pastors are doing their prep work for tomorrows role plays or sitting around visiting. As for me, it will be a quick nightcap and then to bed.
Soli Deo Gloria
Francis.

Warrambui Training

Day 15 – May 25, 2009
We drove from Sydney to Warrambui, a Lutheran camp about 40 km outside of Canberra, Australian Capital Territory. The drive was took us about 3 hours, giving Ted and I an opportunity to get an up close view of the landscape we had flown over on Friday. The terrain varied as we travelled, though it generally was quite hilly. The first part of the trip was through more heavily forested portions of the State, which were thick with gum trees (eucalyptus trees to those of us from North America). The trees themselves are majestic, forming a high canopy over the forest floor. With gum trees, the bark tends to strip off the trees, leaving a very smooth and often light coloured surface. As our host noted “In North America, your trees lose their leaves but keep their bark. In Australia, our trees lose their bark but keep their leaves.”
The latter part of our drive was through rolling hills, filled with sheep and cattle. We also saw what appeared to be alpacas. Having had some recent rain, much of the land was green and somewhat lush, though at times more thinly grassed.
We arrived at Warrumbui about 11:30 am and began setting up for our 3 day Conflict Coaching Practicum with the New South Wales and New Zealand District Pastors. The conference facility was quite modern, with good multimedia equipment. We quickly set up and were able to enjoy a delicious lunch prepared by the camp staff.
The first day of the practicum we teach the basic of biblical peacemaking. Each group is quite different in its spirit and nature. The NSW/NZ group seemed to very quickly connect to the theme of the gospel that underlies all of the work we do. Indeed, it is the distinctive that sets our work apart from secular mediation and gives it much of its power to restore relationships.
The class continued up to dinner, which was served in the dining hall of the conference hall. Being adjacent to the conference room, we were able to quickly reassemble after dinner for the last part of the day’s teaching. While Ted and my day ended with a devotion about 8:00pm, the pastors of the NSW District met afterwards to conduct some District business. The dedicated pastors of the District worked for over an hour while Ted and I had an opportunity to chat over a drink with the New Zealand pastors. After a bit over an hour, our NSW bretheran joined us for a nightcap and some Stohlen.
Tomorrow we will start the skill development portion of the training. Wednesday will focus on two extended role plays to allow the pastors to apply these skills in a more realistic context. The idea of the longer role plays is to provide them with an opportunity to take some risks in experimenting with the skills and materials we have taught in a safe environment. This will hopefully give them a greater familiarity when they are called to coach individuals in their ministries.
Soli Deo Gloria
Francis.

Rest Day in Sydney

Day 14 - May 24, 2009 - Today was a rest day for Ted and I. We had the opportunity to worship with our brothers and sisters at St. Mark's Lutheran Church - Epping. Pastor Mark Schultz and his congregation welcomed us and we had a wonderful opportunity to visit them after service. St. Mark's had done a renovation in the last few years which opened up the worship space and added multi-media capability. This was the same space we used yesterday for our one day Blessed are the Peacemakers workshop.

After coffee at St. Mark, NSW District President Neville Otto and his wife Sue hosted us in their home for a fabulous lunch. After enjoying some delicious lamb and a couple of very tasty wines from the Hunter Valley, Rev. Neville and Sue shared with us some of the highlights of Sydney. After a brief walk through the Rocks District, we climbed one of the pillars of the Harbour Bridge to get an overview of the Harbour area. The top of the pillar gives a spectacular view of the area, especially the Opera House, which is nearby.

After climbing back down, we sauntered over to the ferry docks and took a ferry to Manley Beach. In constrast to the relatively calm water in the inner Harbour, the surf on the Pacific Ocean was providing some good wave for body surfers. We wandered back across the Corso, which connects the Manly Ferry docks with the beach and caught a ferry back to Circular Quay. After a quiet dinner on Circular Quay, our hosts dropped to tired and contented visitors back at our hotel.

It was a beautiful day, with temperatures around 20C. Although the flags on the Harbour Bridge were flying almost straight out, the wind at the Harbour level was less brisk, providing a pleasant afternoon of fellowship and fun. Tommorrow we undertake the 3 1/4 hour drive to the conference centre we will be teaching at near Canberra. We start at 1 pm and will cover Conflict Coaching over the next 3 days. Then back to Sydney to teach our 5 day mediation training course.

Soli Deo Gloria.

Francis

Training Event #5 in Epping (Sydney)

Posted by Ted; Saturday evening, 23 May.

Today was our fifth day in a row of teaching without a break. We even managed to leave Handorf at 4:30 pm, drive to Adelaide, and fly to Sydney last night in time to teach a full-day seminar in the Sydney area.

Francis has done a great job of posting some of our experiences. It was difficult for us both to post since we were using the same Internet sign up (to save on costs -- more expensive here than in US or Canada). But I have a couple more items to mention about our last week's ventures before describing today.

On Monday 18 May, we visited Australian Lutheran College, the seminary for Lutheran Church of Australia. As we toured, we learned that the college boards a number of students that attend other universities in the area and met a few of those students -- each one of them a great representative of the Aussie spirit. We were privileged to attend chapel at the seminary, and then join the seminary professors for tea. Most of them attended one of the two 3-day training events at Handorf, and two or three will be attending our five day Church Reconciler Training in Sydney next week. The seminary professors expressed interest in incorporating this training into the seminary curricula for preparing pastors for the parish. It is very exciting to see such a large percentage of seminary leaders attending the training and express their desire to incorporate peacemaking into their work.

On Tuesday, 19 May, we taught 14 people from the education side of LCA. Teachers, Principals, Chaplins, Deans, and people from the district administrative staff all came together to learn about biblical peacemaking. The Lutheran School system in Australia is impressive. Those we met with could see how biblical peacemaking can be incorporated into several aspects of school ministry. Through the schools' ministries, they reach a huge number of non-believers because so many take advantage of their Christian education. Unlike the US, Australia provides a large percentage (60% or more?) of the financial support needed to run a Christian school. Thus, they are able to provide quality education as reasonable costs to families, and they attract many from outside the church. What better place to teach the Christian faith than how the schools deal with conflict? I suspect we'll hear more about biblical peacemaking in the schools in the future.

Since Australia features people from all over the world, our events have included people who originally came from a number of places: Aboriginal peoples, Europe, India, Sudan, Ethiopia, Canada, US, Malaysia, and more. I especially enjoyed visiting with some from India, since I have taught peacemaking among Lutherans in India over five different trips.

I was quite interested in talking to several people who are involved in Aboriginal ministries. The Lutheran Church of Australia has a significant number of Aboriginal people in its churches and schools, especially in the Alice Springs area. As Francis and I have talked to Aboriginal ministry leaders (including Aboriginal people and white people), they have expressed a great need and desire to use biblical peacemaking among the people they serve. They have shared how they envision adapting the material for their cultural context, but were thankful to be a part of this training and excited to use it. Pastor Simon (Aboriginal pastor) expressed his personal excitement and appreciation for the training. He works in the Alice Springs area. Also from that area is Pastor Basil who works with Pastor Simon to serve several tribes with different languages. Over the years, Pastor Basil has seen tremendous growth in attendance by native peoples as he has incorporated several languages into one worship service.

Today, in Epping (Sydney area), we had the privilege of teaching mostly lay people again. They express their appreciation in so many ways, both in person verbally, through their faces, and in written feedback. They overwhelmingly thanked us and the Lutheran Church of Australia for today's Bible study seminar. And, they are asking for more training and resources in peacemaking. It is clear that the laity are eager to learn about biblical peacemaking and saw immediate application in all their vocations.

Also at today's seminar was Kaye Simpendorfer, who has been one of our key contacts in Australia helping set up everything for the last several months. Kaye works in the New South Wales District office with District President Neville Otto (my main contact for this training), and she made many of the arrangements for travel for us, lodging, helping print and distribute training materials, and much more. She's been just fantastic to work with, and all of us at Ambassadors of Reconciliation praise God for her servant's heart and work.

Helen, who works in the South Australia District Office for District President Robert Voigt, was also great to work with. She was largely responsible for receiving over 800 books and tape sets and sending them out to individual pastors throughout Australia and New Zealand. Her office was piled high with boxes from the US (which Melissa in our office put together), and then she had to ship materials to about 400 different places. Just imagine what that takes, all in addition to normal duties.

Our Lutheran Aussie friends are simply amazing to work with. What a privilege to be with them and serve them in sharing God's peace. We see God at work in his people, and we know that God will bring forth a harvest of righteousness. As St. James declares, "Peacemakers who sow in peace raise a harvest of righteousness" (James 3:18).

The Adventure Continues

Day 11 - May 21, 2009 Quick entry today as I need to finish packing. We transfer to Sydney tonight and then teach the 1 day Blessed are the Peacemakers Course on Saturday. Monday we transit to the Canberra area to teach the Conflict Coaching 3 day Workshop to the New South Wales pastors of LCA. Then back to Sydney and the 5 day Mediation Practicum.

The picture is the altar space of St. Michael's Hahndorf. As with most pictures, it doesn't do the worship space justice. We will be winding up our Conflict Coaching Practicum today with the extended roles plays. Each participant will have 1 1/2 hours to practicing applying their new skills sets in a fact situation. This is actually the most fun of the whole course, even for us. It's so cool to see these people in action - their passion for their ministries and their desire to take risks to learn new skills that they can better serve their people is really inspiring.

A quick thank you to Pastor Stephen, Paul, Neville and all the members of St. Michael's who have served the rest of us to help make our time with them a success. God bless each of you in your lives and ministries. God often blesses us most through those with the quiet gifts.

Soli Deo Gloria

Francis

Second Round of Conflict Coaching Begins

Day 10 – May 20, 2009
So we started round two of our conflict coaching training with the West Australia, South Australia and North Territory at St. Michaels, Hahndorf. It is quite amazing how each group you teach has its own personality. Our group today is quite engaging and somewhat more vocal than our earlier groups. It has made keeping on schedule more challenging as they love to engage the materials and engage us during question and answer. But they are a great group and we are looking forward to wrestling with this material together with them!
The first day is largely lecture, covering the basic material that the students will be applying as conflict coaches. The concept of conflict coaching is quite straight forward and lines up quite well with pastoral ministry. The conflict coach assists the person they are working with in applying biblical principles and practical strategies to help them resolve a conflict they have with a third party. Day two deals with more discrete skills and involves lecture, demonstration and guided practice with each skill set. The final day involves two ½ day role plays which allows the participants to have an extended opportunity to apply the principles and skills sets in a less structured environment that better simulates real life.
The ladies of St. Michaels again provided a wonderful supper for participants. We were also blessed by Paul Schmidt, congregational member, who again helped us with sound and AV. Notwithstanding the fact that his farm will be receiving 100,000 chicks tomorrow (yes, that is not a typo!), he came out today to ensure everything was running property. He also trained someone to assist us tomorrow and Friday. Thanks Paul for all you’ve done for us – it is always a privilege to work with a great sound/AV guy!
“And so to bed”, as we start early tomorrow.

Back to Work

Day 9 – May 19, 2009
Had an opportunity to work with some of the Lutheran teachers, administrators and chaplain. It was a very interesting session as we only had a half day to present what we normally cover in a full day. Went quite well, actually. We highlighted a number of key concepts and dealt with them in some detail. Enjoyed interacting with them – brought back memories of my own public days. In the afternoon, we prowled a bit more around Adelaide.
One of the many small pleasures we’ve had in Adelaide has been the fruit and vegetables we’ve had access to. Down the street from where we are staying is a small fruit and vegetable shop. Featuring Australia fruit and produce, the shop is home of some very intriguing items. My personal favourite is black tomatoes. Yes, that’s right, black tomatoes. The shopkeeper told us that these are one of the types of heirloom tomatoes – the wide variety of tomatoes that existed before the powers that be decided that tomatoes “ought” to be bright red and proceeded to breed all the variety and life out of the fruit. Now to be fair, black tomatoes do look a bit odd to the modern eye. The flavour, however, is rich, sweet, with a strong tomatoes theme but a slight hint of individuality. Do I prefer them? That’s the wrong questions. Both types of tomatoes have their own flavour profiles and I like both a great deal. I will truly miss them when I come home and if I found them for a reasonable price in Canada, I would buy them in an instant. The shame is that I won’t.
Golden kiwis were the other item I will miss. I like regular kiwis but I love golden ones. Having again the same basic flavour profile as a regular kiwi, golden kiwis have a bit less edge to them and are sweeter. Kiwi light – great taste, just as filling. That’s not to denigrate them – as I say, I prefer them to the traditional kiwis we get in Canada. This is another one I will definitely look up when I get home.
Tomorrow we start another 3 day training session with the balance of the West Australia, South Australia and North Territory pastors. When we finish Friday afternoon, we hop a plane to Sydney. Saturday is a one day training in Sydney, then off to the Canberra area for a 3 day session before returning to Sydney to provide mediation training to some of the pastors and laypeople of Lutheran Church of Australia.
Soli Deo Gloria
Francis

Sunday in Fleurieu and McLaren

Day 7 – May 17, 2009

We began our day with a quick drive down the Fleurieu Peninsula with President Voigt of the South Australia and North Territory District of the LCA. It was somewhat misty, though we largely managed to avoid the rain for the entire day, often arriving at a location shortly after a rainfall or seeing the rain begin as we left. We took the long route round the peninsula Victor Harbour, stopping briefly at the south end to look out over the ocean. Despite the drought that South Australia had been suffering, the recent rain had left the area beautiful and lush, albeit not yet fully green.
We saw a number of groups of wild kangaroos on our way down the peninsula. It was quite amazing to see the kangaroos sitting in a field just like you see mountain goats and deer on the way to Lake Louise and Radium. Apparently there is a large kangaroo population, to the point that they have become something of a problem – negatively affecting the land holdings and their vegetation. This is parallel in the desert region by a large population of feral camels, not native to Australia, who move through the desert in herds, churning up the sand and negatively affecting the environment.
We had the privilege of worshiping with the members of Victor Harbor Lutheran Church in Victor Harbor, South Australia, one of President Voigt’s former congregations. Having outgrown their original worship space a number of years ago, the congregation purchased an old cheese factory, which they converted into a church. The result in an open and flexible space, with numerous offices and a number of larger flexible use spaces. The worship space itself is open and airy.
Most remarkable is the altar space. The altar itself, which is more in the tradition of a table rather than a formal altar, is made out of a enormous tree stump, turned on its side and set with a number of medium size pieces of glass forming a multi-level table. Behind the altar is a copper cross, created by an artist who is also a congregational member. Surrounding the cross at its base are a variety of rocks and plants. The back of the altar space has a facade of what looks like what we would call in Alberta “Rundle Rock” blocks about ½ way up the wall, with the balance of the wall being plaster. The overall design is simple, modern and sleek.

Victor Harbor (spelled, for some unknown reason, in the US fashion) is a former whaling station. We spent part of the afternoon exploring Granite Island. Connected to Victor Harbour by a causeway, you can take a horse-drawn tram over to the island. Chuck, Ted, Robert and I elected to walk across the causeway. Well, Chuck rode in the backpack. Chuck, as you may remember from an earlier entry, is the stuffed beaver who has been accompanying Ted and I on our journey. Part of a fundraiser at my law firm, Chuck (together with photographs of the various places he visits as he travels with a number of firm lawyers and employees) will be auctioned off to raise funds for the family we are adopting this Christmas through the Calgary Urban Project Society.
Granite Island stands out in the sea and during other times in the year is the home to some local penguins. The penguins come to the island at night to rest and have their babies. While there is not land between Granite Island and Antarctica, it is still thousands of miles away. Since the penguins breed on the island, I don’t believe they actually make it to Antarctica. The Island itself is littered with burrows where the penguins breed.
Chuck insisted we have a pub lunch, so after a pint of Coopers and some wonderful fish and chips, we wandered briefly through the town before heading off to Goolwa and the mouth of the Murray River. I was astonished by how low the river was. Perhaps the most visual, was the docks on the River. The boats were literally metres below the jetties. The tips of some of the sail boats were just sticking up beyond the dock. Many of the docks were hundreds of metres from river, with some boats that had formerly been floating on the river now being aground. The river itself was perhaps 30% of its former width, with most of the former riverbed now being dry land. It stuck home to me very deeply what poor stewards we often are of the gift of this world that God has granted us.
We returned to Adelaide via the McLaren Bale, one of the state’s many fine wine regions. Of course, Chuck insisted that we couldn’t go through McLaren without stopping at a couple of wineries, merely for educational purposes. Our first stop was at the Serafino winery. We tried their Shiraz, Cab Sauvignon, Merlot and their intriguing wild fermented Chardonnay.
Our next stop was at the Scarpantoni Winery. We tried their School Block Shiraz, Cab Sauv and Merlot blend, which was quite full bodied and flavourful. Their Block 3 Shiraz was a classic example of the wonderful Shirazes that come from the McLaren. The highlight of the afternoon, however, was their Shiraz based port. Wow! Full bodied and flavourful, it avoids that harsh edge that if often evident in the finish of many European ports. It is a remarkable value. Chuck, being a bit of a mooch, insisted we buy a bottle. I considered a case, but I didn’t think I could fit it into the small plastic bag they give you at airport security.
Snaking our way through some beautiful rural back roads, we made our way back to North Adelaide by suppertime. We enthusiastically thanked our host and called it a day. Monday is also a rest day, so after we hope to have an opportunity to explore a bit of Melbourne on foot.

Saturday at St Pauls

Day 6 – May 16, 2009
Getting ready to teach the one day “Blessed are the Peacemakers” seminar to some of the South Australian laity this morning, I was really quite excited. It was such a great experience working with all the Bobs and Bretts (inside joke) the last three days. While I have come to love the lush beauty of South Australia in the last 5 days, what really makes this place is the people. Down to earth, laid back and incredibly friendly, they have made being so far away from my family and friends easier.
Our time today at St. Paul’s (Enfield) just served to reinforce this impression. The parishioners from the South Australia District Churches who we met were, without exception, wonderful to work with. The interactions we had with them and their questions showed a passion for learning how to live their faith in often challenging circumstances.
St. Paul’s also includes a beautiful Lutheran School. First started in the early 1970s, the school current has more than 250 students. The classrooms are bright and inviting, reflecting a love for learning and a desire to help the students reach their maximum potential.
Pastor Eugene Minge and the members of his congregation welcomed us and the other participants with open arms, providing a remarkable morning and afternoon cuppa. We had an opportunity to spend some time with Pastor Eugene earlier in the week during our Conflict Coaching Training in Hahndorf. It was great to have the opportunity to get to know him and his fellow pastors during our first round of training.
We have a couple of days of starting tomorrow. President Robert Voigt of the South Australia & North Territory District has gracious offered to take us to service in the morning and show us around in the afternoon. Hopefully Ted, Chuck and I will have an opportunity to explore South Australia some more over the next few days.
On a personal note, Happy 21st Birthday to my daughter Nicole. I miss you tons, hon.

First Round of Training Concludes

Posted by Ted. 15 May 2009
These last three days have quickly flown by. It was great meeting some 70 pastors and other leaders from the South Australia / Northern Territories District.
For years in our training, we end our breaks with a hymn or spiritual song. Often I play piano or someone local does. This is the first training event where we had an entire worship team lead the singing. What a great privilege.
So, how did the training go? Here is a sample of the comments from the evaluations we received.
Under the question: What was most helpful for me...
- Particularly appreciated the focus on love, grace, and forgiveness without denying the consequences of sin.
- Amazing how real the role plays became.
- Practice in the use of pastoral, as opposed to ritual, use of the confession and absolution.
- Realizing how the forgiveness of God breaks down barriers and restores people to be Christ-like again.
- The power and wonder of the Gospel beautifully and freshly revealed – The very centre of the ministry we do.
- Clear teaching reinforcing what I’d read in the books.
- The [demonstration] role plays up front [by the instructors] helped me to feel comfortable in role playing.
What was least helpful for me...
- We crammed a lot into a short space of time. [A few people made similar comments.]
- [Some expressed discomfort with the role plays, but most also commented that they were essential for the learning experienced.]
Any comments for Ted or Francis...
- Job well done! Good story-telling. Clear presentation (even with the accent!) [TED: No worries!]
- God prosper your work & defend you.
- Thank God for your ministry and the sacrifices you made to share this ministry with us and equipping us.
Any comments for the District or LCA
- I was sceptical about this project until we got under way... I discovered that the AoR team has a wealth of experience, and not only the wisdom from that, but the wisdom to enable us to tap into our knowledge and experience.
- Thank you for allowing/inviting Ted & Francis to teach us.
- Please incorporate this training into our seminary course.
- Thank you for providing this for your pastors. Please don’t let this be a 3-Day course, but let it be a way of life in our church.
- Thank you for one of the best conferences I’ve been to.

Second Day of Training Concludes

Day 4 – May 14, 2009
Second day of training just wrapped up. It is the most fun day of the three from my perspective as I get to role play. Then the pastors we are working with get to try out their skills. Long day for us – even longer for the pastors as most of this is new to them. They were a great group, throwing themselves into the course and trying to learn as much as they can so they can take it back to the congregations.
Last night we stopped at Mount Lofty on the way home to take a look at Adelaide at night. What a beautiful city at night. You can see the outline of the city hemmed in between the Hills and the water. The lights sparkle in the distance, outlining the shore. The obelisk rises into the night, silently marking the summit.
Tomorrow is our final day with this group of pastors. As always, the end of training is a mix of sadness and relief. Sadness as we part way from a great group of men, who are here learning to better care for the congregations they have devoted this part of their lives to shepherding. Relief in that we have made it through the training successfully and there has been a good response to what we have done.
Please keep us and the pastors of LCA in your prayers as we wind things up and prepare for our one day teaching on Saturday.
Soli Deo Gloria.
Francis

First Day of Teaching Complete

Day 3 – Wednesday May 13, 2009
Spent today at St. Michael’s Lutheran Church in Hahndorf, South Australia, about 20 minute from Adelaide. It is a unique church. The original church is very traditional and German in style, with a raised pulpit and what appears to be a hand carved altar. Traditional styles pews in dark wood line the main part of the church and are overlooked by a choir loft, complete with pipe organ. It is very peaceful and very quiet.
A new worship space was opened in January 2009. Designed in part by a congregational member who is an architect, it is a very modern space. The front centre of the altar area contains a beautiful glass, steel and wood baptismal font, the focal point for the entire space. A sleek, modern altar sits directly behind the font, backed by glass windows. The entire worship space is wired for multimedia and worked incredibly well for the workshop.
The first day of the Conflict Coaching Training focused upon the basics of personal peacemaking. The Pastors walked through the concepts and processes that they will be applying in role play tomorrow and Friday. It was a wonderful opportunity to wrestle together with the challenges and issues that confront all of us as we walk through our lives and relationships.
One of the nicest surprises was the unexpected dinner put on by some of the women of Hahndorf. We were treated to a wonderful variety of dishes, accompanied by bottles of Wolf Blass Shiraz. (There was some white wine as well, but I missed getting a glass. Probably for the best, since I was teaching the last session of the evening.) This was a true act of kindness as it saved us from having to pop round the pub for dinner, which surely would have caused us to start much later than our planned 6:45 start for the final session.
Overall, it was a wonderful day and Ted and I were blessed with the opportunity to begin to get to know some of the Pastors who serve in the and Western Australia District and the South Australia and Northern Territory District. Oh, and in answer to prayers, Ted’s luggage also arrived shortly before we left!
Soli Deo Gloria.
Francis

The 1st Training Begins today...

Posted by Ted; 8:26 am on Wednesday, 13 May. 

At 1:00 pm today, we open with our first 3-day Training. I am excited to meet more of the Lutheran pastors here -- I have heard so many good things about them over the years.

Yesterday, Francis and I made some adjustments to our teaching plan, and made our last reviews of the material. Although the material is quite familiar, every new setting and each new group of people brings a fresh perspective that deserves preparation. And, as is true for most teaching opportunities, I expect to learn a great deal from our participants.

Although I don't have my luggage yet, I was able to talk to someone by phone yesterday afternoon and learned that my bags arrived in Adelaide, but they were having trouble reaching me. After reviewing the contact information, I and my friend on the phone realized that I had given them an incorrect area code. So, with that being corrected, I was told that the bags should arrive sometime today.

Last evening, after a full round of golf and walking around the city, and still not yet fully adjusted to our time differences, Francis and I were feeling very tired by 6:00 pm. We resisted going to be too early so that our bodies will adjust. And, today that's quite important since today's last teaching session is in the evening. May God give us the energy to be quite awake for our work!

With King David, we proclaim: "I will praise you, O LORD, with all my heart; I will tell of all your wonders. I will be glad and rejoice in you; I will sing praise to your name, O Most High" (Psalm 9:1-2). 

It Must Be Tuesday - I've never got the hang of Tuesday

Day 2 in Oz. Tuesday, May 12, 2009. Sorry about last night’s blog. Somewhat incoherent. I guess when you’ve only had 4 hours sleep over 2 days, you’re not at your sharpest. On the upside, between staying up until I was punch drunk and taking melatonin (thanks Talitha), I think I’m turned around. Woke up at 3 am, but got back to sleep until 5:00 am local, which is my usual time up.
Adelaide is a beautiful city. Wandering around yesterday, it reminded me a bit of Victoria, British Columbia. Old stone buildings are everywhere. Instead of fences, there are walls surrounding most of the houses we say. The most interesting walls appeared to be made out of slender willow twigs woven together to form a fence. They have a very rustic, Welsh feel and oddly enough don’t look inconsistent with some of these grand old houses. I'd post a picture, but we have limited uploading capacity at this site. I'll try to post some pictures in Sydney or Canberra.
The area has been suffering from drought the past little while, however we were lucky enough to arrive shortly after they received about 4 inches of rain (after a number of weeks with only traces of moisture). Everything has greened up quite beautifully. Since the rest of the week is supposed to be rainy, so it should stay quite green while we’re here. Hopefully, there will also be some sunshine on our days off.
Found a municipal golf course, so we’re going to try to get in 18 holes today. Then it’s prepping some more for me as we start teaching tomorrow. If things go well, and I can stay awake longer today, I’ll try to catch up with my girls on MSN or Skype.
Day 2 – PM
Another beautiful day. 20C and a light breeze. We played the municipal course today. Two locals John and Dennis were nice enough (naive enough) to invite us to join them for the round. Little did they know how badly I golf. They were very gracious and we had a great time. And I must say, on a per stroke basis, I really got my money’s worth.
It was interesting to see the variety of trees and birds that people take for granted here. The gum trees (eucalyptus trees to us) are interesting. They are huge and most of the ones on the Muni have been around for hundreds of years. The outer bark appears to strip off over time (from time to time?), which I found fascinating. It is really quite cool to walk down the street and see a pomegranate growing on a tree in someone’s yard.
Well, it’s off to bed and then up early to work out and then prep some more. God bless your week.
Soli Deo Gloria
Francis

The sun is rising in Adelaide...

Posted by Ted, Tuesday morning, 12 May, Adelaide.

The birds are singing, and it looks like it will be a beautiful day in Adelaide. Francis and I arrived yesterday, without incident. I still don't have my luggage, but I always carry on a few days of clothes for just such a possibility. 

Just finished talking to my wife Sonja by Skype. It's such a great blessing not only to hear her voice, but see her smiling face as she sees mine. One of the great blessings of our modern technology. 

Today, Francis and I will go golfing to relax and get some physical exercise (after sitting in planes and airports for 25-30 hours), trying to get our bodies adjusted to a 15 hour time difference. Tomorrow morning (Wednesday) we begin our first three-day training, and need to be fresh and ready to go.

Yesterday, when we stopped by the South Australia District Office, we got a tour and introduced around. Helen was very gracious as she talked about receiving boxes and boxes and boxes of books from Melissa in the US, and then shipping all those books out to nearly 400 pastors throughout Australia. She's quite happy that season is over. She really is a great trooper in the Australian army of God. We are being served so well by our Australian sisters and brothers. Someday we will all meet together without time differences.

So much for this morning's post. Time to get moving for the day. "Praise the Lord, O my soul, and forget not his benefits..." (Psalm 103:2).

We're Not In Kansas Anymore, Toto

Wow. We're finally here. Well, all of us but Ted's luggage. Apparently they couldn't get the door to the luggage compartment open on the airplane. It's been 12 hours but there is still no sign of the luggage.
Anyways, my plane landed early so I had to wait for Ted to arrive. While I was out with the rest of the people, I got a chance to observe the joyous reunions that take place. Children jumping into their parents arms, lovers kissing, families embracing. There was even one fellow who tackled he buddy as he was coming off the plane. Either they missed each other or it was a Aussie Rules Football game.
Spent the rest of the day meeting with the South Australia District President and his staff. Great bunch of people who have worked diligently to put these events together. Of course, Ted has some of the materials in his luggage, so we need to get his lugaage. Then wondered around and had dinner. Now I'm exhausted and having a tough time keeping my eyes open.
Enough for tonight. To my family and friends: I miss you tons.
Soli Deo Gloria.

10,000 Feet Somewhere Over the Pacific Ocean

Location: 34,000 feet somewhere over the Pacific Ocean
Time: Absolutely no idea other than I probably will regret not still being asleep. We’re about two-thirds of the way to Australia
Wow, I must have been exhausted. I don’t normally sleep on planes, but I crashed for about 4 hours after watching “Frost/Nixon”. Since then, I’ve been prepping for teaching Conflict Coaching.
Was thinking about Idols as I drifted off post “Frost/Nixon”. Specifically about how easy it is to takes something that is essentially good and by making it your god, make it a destructive force in your life and the lives of everyone around you. It’s so insidious – it gives you the ability to justify things to yourself that you would be horrified of if you did them because of a more obviously sinful motivation. When what you want if a good thing, it is easier to justify your actions as “achieving a greater good”, much like Nixon did. The ends come to justify the means. And that’s dangerous because idols demand sacrifice, as Ted likes to note. You begin by sacrificing those you don’t know and don’t care about. Over time, however, you begin to attack, to judge, to slowly (or not so slowly) destroy those you know and eventually, those you care about. Often, you will even sacrifice the very thing you love on the altar of your false idol. You see that sometimes where parents love their kids so much that their desire for their kids to have a good life leads them to destroy their children’s lives.
Okay, so how do you tie this thought into a nice little package? I don’t know that you can. It’s an observation. For Christians, the process involves coming to realize that you have gotten to the point where that good thing has become your god – the thing you fear, love and trust in beyond all else. You must recognize and acknowledge that this has happened. Then you must turn to God and seek his help in giving up this idol. Easy words to say, but impossible to do without God’s help.
I catch myself at this all the time. And it is so hard to overcome. Time and again, to paraphrase Paul, I find that the good I would do, I do not do. And the evil I would not do, I do. Oh what a wretched man I am. But Paul follows his meditation on his own sinful human nature by concluding “ Thanks be to God our Father through Jesus Christ our Lord”.Those sins, along with all of my other sins, are nailed to the Cross and I am forgiven. By his wounds, I am healed. So while I will sin again tomorrow – I will blow it. I will come to wants good things too much and make them my god. I will hurt the very people I want to benefit, I am forgiven and through that knowledge I have the strength to pick myself up, dust myself off and seek the forgiveness of any I have harmed. And then try once again. Thanks be indeed!
Soli Deo Gloria.

'Frisco Blog

Made it to San Francisco. Note to self – there is no place lonelier than an airport to spend a Saturday night by yourself. I’d like to say it’s no worse than my teenage years, but quite honestly my life was far more exciting back over than this.
Anyways, flying into ‘Frisco was interesting. From 10,000 feet, it was far flatter than I expected. (No Russ, I didn’t see Karl Mauldin) Of course, when you get lower, you get a better perspective of the topography. You see the hills and the streets, but even as you land, it’s difficult to see the hills that you’ve seen on TV and in movies.
It struck me that is a lot like helping others resolve their dispute. When you first get involved in walking along side them, you really have a superficial understanding of what is really going on. It is only by digging deeper – by using open ended questions and trying to get an understanding of where the individuals in conflict are at that you begin to see the topography of the conflict. But even that perspect remains limited. You are not walking in their shoes and you cannot possibly understand all the dynamics of their situation.
That is why the idea of helping them solve their own conflict is so powerful. Putting aside personal autonomy and the empowerment in their lives that you are creating by allowing them to solve their own problems, the reality is that you cannot truly understand their conflict better than they do. Certainly you may have a better perspective on it – you may be more detached and can see the topography with sufficient detachment to give them direction. But at the end of the day, they are the ones who are closest to what’s going on and your understanding as a mediator or conflict coach is going to be, at best, imperfect.
In a way, that’s the beauty of the dynamic. You provide the distance to be able to recognize the overall topography of the land while they see the ground up close. They’re driving the car but you are able to help them see some of the roadblocks they may face.

The journey begins...

Posted by Ted Kober 5-9-09

All the luggage is packed (I think), the materials sent (thanks to Melissa!), and what didn't get done at the office will be handled by my co-workers or simply wait with the other stuff that will pile up in the meantime. It's time to begin this journey.

But as I think on what may not be done, I have no worries. God promises that He will be with us and never leave us or forsake us. Life under the cross is always a journey, whether or not we are traveling across the globe.

I am sitting in the Denver International Airport, between my first and second flight, on my way to Australia. From here, I change planes at Los Angeles, then meet Francis in Sydney (God-willing), and then together we fly to Adelaide to being the adventure.

Bruce and Kathy will join us in a couple of weeks in Sydney, as well as Francis' wife Angela.

The pre-course materials and printed handouts from the Ambassadors of Reconciliation office have all been sent and received. That includes the newest AoR book, CULTIVATING LIFESTYLES OF RECONCILIATION. The finished book was delivered to our AoR office at the end of April as planned, and Melissa shipped 400 copies to various locations in Australia. We thank God for those who provided financial support to help make this goal a reality. Thanks to all of our supporters (financial, encouragement, and prayer!).

Two more handouts will be sent from our mates at the PeaceWise office near Brisbane, Australia to our various training sites. Kaye at the South Wales District Office (Sydney) has prepared the handouts that were to be printed in Australia and arranged for many of the on-site details. She has been absolutely awesome to work with!

On the Australia side, some 400 pastors and lay workers have been sent pre-course materials to study before they attend the training. The District Offices received all the shipments and sent them to their participants. 

In all, our team will present at 10 different events over the five-week period. About 375 will attend one of the 3-day training events. 28 will attend the 5-day training. There will be three half-day or full day seminars that additional laity and teachers will attend (perhaps 200 to 350). And then I will join the Queensland District for their synod convention and address the delegates there (around 250, I am guessing).

Pray that our instructors will be clear in their teaching and receptive to learn from our Australian sisters and brothers. Pray also that those attending will be prepared and see how to apply some new learning to the skills and opportunities that God has blessed them with. Pray also that travel will be safe for everyone, including those who travel long distances to attend the training. Join our team in praying for our family back home as they await our homecoming.

Certainly, keep the entire Lutheran Church of Australia in prayer that God will use this training to bless His church there and reach out with the healing Good News of Reconciliation to those around them.

Oh, and perhaps one more prayer request... For those of us doing the training, pray that God gives us good rest and health to keep up with the intense schedule.

And They're Off

So an interesting start to the trip. Having been hung up at US Customs at the Calgary Airport a number of times, I arrived 2 hours early. Figured if no one was around, I’d check in and spend some time with the girls before I went through security. News flash, once you check in your luggage, you aren’t allowed to leave the immediate area around the entrance to US Customs. Great – would have been good to know prior to doing the luggage check in thing. So here I am, 2 hours early and there is 5 other people in the entire wing of the airport. The United Chicago flight has 1 passenger. And I’m having the most attentive service at the bar (the only place with tables in the security area) that I’ve ever had. So I have single handedly added an extra hour to my layover time. Ah well.
It’s been kinda odd. Usually I’m pretty wound prior to going to do something like this. This time around, it all seems a bit unreal. Everyone around me is way more pumped that I am. Somehow it hasn’t gotten through to my brain that I am on my way to Australia for 6 weeks.
So from Calgary, I fly to ‘Frisco. Six hour layover there and then the 14 hours to Sydney. I meet up with Ted Kober there and then fly from Sydney to Adelaide. We have one day to turn around and then we start teaching Tuesday. Oh yeah, and I lose a day from my life as I cross the international date line. Thankfully, I get it back once I come home.
I have a new travelling companion on this trip - Chuck the Beaver. Chuck is part of my office's fundraising efforts. We are raising funds to help a family in Calgary have a memorable Christmas. The idea is that Chuck will accompany a number of us on our travels around the world and we will document those travels using photographs. At the end of his travels, Chuck will be auctioned off and the proceeds will helps us give this family the best Christmas possible. So far Chuck has been to Costa Rica with Ksena and Shawn Court. I haven't seen the pictures, but the stories I've heard make me a bit nervous to have him for a roommate for 6 weeks. Apparently, he's a bit of a wildman. Hopefully he's not as messy as Derek.
Well, we'll see how this goes. I'll try to sign in again in 'Frisco.

Getting Close

Was just thinking today that we are only 2 1/2 weeks away from leaving. That's a bit overwhelming in some ways. It's been an interesting few months. Of course, when you're getting ready to go, work always goes crazy. Thankfully I have been blessed by the best group of associates a lawyer could hope for. It's a really nice feeling to be able to go away for six weeks and not have any worries about your files or your clients. (Thanks Ksena, Derek & Kerry Lynn)
So now I just have to get ready, get prepped and get through all the things on my to do list before I go.

One thing that won't be a problem is examples for teaching. It seems over the past few months, I have had ample opportunity to repeatedly apply the principles we will be teaching in my own life. It's ironic and humbling how much more difficult it is to apply your advice to yourself. Of course, I've always realized that, but somehow realizing it intellectually and realizing it because you are going through the grinder of conflict are really two different levels of understanding.

What becomes clear is that I can't do this reconciliation thing myself. I need help - divine intervention really. Despite the years of training, my first reaction - my "natural" reaction - is to follow the old Adam - either try to avoid conflict or else go in with both barrels blazing. It's only when I start to rely more on God and less on me that this whole reconciliation thing seems to work. Being able to lovingly stand firm without lashing out is simply not something I can do on my own. When I fail to do this - which is most of the time - the problem just gets worse. If I've folded, then the problem isn't resolved and I'm ticked with myself for not standing up. The other person takes my acquiescence as approval of their behaviour and they keep on doing the thing that is causing me grief. If I've blasted the other person, the conflict heats up and suddenly things are a lot worse.

What brings this all to mind? I'm in another conflict. (No, I'm not telling you what it is!) Yeah I know, 2 1/2 weeks to Australia, I shouldn't be in a conflict. All the reviewing I've done should have some effect. But the reality is that we are at once both saint and sinner and daily we fall short. Once again, I've failed to make the grade. But, as my friend Ted loves to say, I have good news. Jesus Christ loves me very much and he died on the cross for that sin as well. Even though it's only 2 1/2 weeks to Australia. Even though I've done it before. Even though I know better. I am forgiven. Even if the other person won't forgive me this time for blasting them.

More importantly, even though I'm at a loss as to how to try to deal with this differently, I also know He is walking along side me to help me with that too. And while I'm at a loss, He isn't. So I guess I will just do my best to walk faithfully in his Word - to follow the process - and to leave the results to Him. He is able to change hearts - both the other person's and mine. Which is good because I'm not to clear on how my heart needs to change either. Thank God I don't have to be! Soli Deo Gloria!

Hm, funny, I was going to write about my newest travelling companion for this trip. Oh well, maybe next time. God bless your week.

NEW RECONCILIATION BOOK TO DEBUT IN AUSTRALIA

From Ted Kober, March 23, 2009:

As we continue to prepare for the training tour in Australia, Ambassadors of Reconciliation is in the final stages of publishing a new resource for churches, schools, and other organizations. Cultivating Lifestyles of Reconciliation is a short book that describes basic teachings from Scripture on peacemaking and how to establish a Reconciliation Ministry in a church, school, or other Christian organization. The new book will debut in Australia. Each participant in the 3-day and 5-day training events will utilize it during training.

Cultivating Lifestyles of Reconciliation summarizes how to encourage reconciliation as a way of life within families, among members, within a staff, and with students. Each short chapter begins with a true story of people teaching peacemaking, coaching others in conflict, mediating between two people, or arbitrating a dispute.

Discussion questions guide leadership groups (such as elders or council members) and provide directions for viewing video clips from the DVD Lifestyles of Reconciliation. Practical suggestions for establishing a ministry include an outline for action and job descriptions for various roles.

Although our friends in the Lutheran Church of Australia will be the first to see and use this new resource, others will be able to order it on our web site www.hisaor.org (available in May 2009).

Pray that God brings together everything needed for this new book in time for the training in Australia, including financial gifts to help support this project. (Supporters can make a tax-deductible gift on-line at www.hisaor.org.)

Logistics, logistics, logistics

This whole trip thing is a lot of work! Between booking flights and figuring out how to blog the trip, arranging for child care and trying to get my work life arranged to permit this trip to fly, I'm exhausted! I still don't have any idea about laundry, internet and luggage on transfers. And I have nothing on Ted and Melissa who also have to deal with getting materials there!
Pretty exciting, though. Makes you sit back and think - wow, we have the chance to work with an entire church body. What an opportunity for all of us to grow together in Christ! I feel blessed as I always seem to learn so much when I am teaching.
Please keep us in your prayers as we continue our preparation for the trip.

Background to our Trip

From Ted Kober, March 10, 2009: Cultivating lifestyles of reconciliation in the great down-under! Ambassadors of Reconciliation has an incredible opportunity to train some 600 people in biblical peacemaking in May and June 2009. Over the course of five weeks, leaders from nearly all the Lutheran churches in two countries will be equipped for biblical peacemaking!

Unlike the US and Canada with multiple Lutheran groups, there is only one Lutheran church body in Australia and New Zealand called the Lutheran Church of Australia (LCA). The LCA is well known for producing excellent worship and educational resources used by countries around the world.

The Lutheran Church of Australia (LCA) has invited Ambassadors of Reconciliation to provide training though nine different events in 5 cities. A team of four conciliators from two countries will provide the instruction: Ted Kober (USA) and Francis Taman (Canada) will lead 5 three-day training events and 2 one-day seminars. Rev. Bruce Zagel and his wife Kathy will join Ted in teaching a five-day course called Church Reconciler Training. Ted will also speak at the LCA Queensland District Convention.

The entire Ambassadors family is excited about this great opportunity, and we'll share more about the LCA and the training in future blogs. We hope you'll enjoy joining us on this exciting journey through this blog.

Prayer support

Francis, what an exciting time for you and the team.  The preparations are ongoing and the prayers are already being made for you and all on the team.  We also pray for those in Australia who will attend the teaching events.  May their hearts and minds be prepared for God to do amazing things in them, and through them.  

T Minus 2 Months and Counting

March 9 - 2 Months until our Australian adventure begins. Flights are booked, teaching schedule is firming up and all things seem to be coming together. I've gotten through my initial prep work for the two courses and now the real work of putting everything together begins.

I worry a bit about the cultural distance between my experiences here in Canada and those in Australia. Having said that, I recognize that God's word is universal and that as brothers and sisters in Christ, we have a great deal in common. As with most things, I will simply plunge ahead in faith and trust Him to clear the way. After all, I am the one who benefits from the privilege of serving others as God's ambassador.

Please keep Ted, Bruce, Kathy and me in your prayers as we prepare for this journey across the world to share with our brothers and sisters in Australia how we use the Gospel to walk alongside those in conflict.

Sola Deo Gloria.

It begins

I have been struggling with the idea of starting a blog for some time. Part of the issue is not being sure that I really will enjoy doing it. I always feel guilty starting something and then dropping it. So my teaching trip to Australia with Ambassadors of Reconciliation seemed a great opportunity to experiment with the concept with a limited commitment. The trip is 6 weeks long, a reasonable period of time to experiment with blogging.

Of course, Australia is not the place to figure out how all this works, so I thought I would begin a few weeks in advance. I'll be playing around with this blog for the next few weeks. The intention is to be blogging daily by the time we hit Australia. My teaching partner, Ted Kober, and I will hopefully trade off on the blogging duties. Our objective is to share with our brothers and sisters some of our experiences as we work with Lutheran Church Australia in developing a culture that supports a lifestyle of reconciliation with the Body of Christ in Australia.

In any event, that's the plan. We'll see where He takes us.

God bless your week.



Francis