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).