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).