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Welcome to the first edition of
Cross-Cultural Ministry eNews
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Hello everyone
Our main objective for this eNews is to engage with people who want to ‘love their neighbour', even when that neighbour looks different from us, and to offer some practical tips on how to build those relationships.
Jesus said, 'Lift up your eyes and look at the fields, for they are already ripe for harvest!' (John 4:35).
The time is right for us to reach out towards the newcomers to our country and to give them a taste of the gospel. These people will be attracted by love, not necessarily by good programs or organisations. We need a fresh flow of God’s love for strangers, so please join us in praying that 'the love of God will be poured out within our hearts’ (Rom 5:5).
Craig Heidenreich Cross-Cultural Ministry Facilitator
I am imagining that if you are reading this you have already noticed that Jesus is keen on spending eternity with people from every ethnic background, and that he doesn’t have particular favourites. Even his chosen people were chosen to be a blessing to the rest of the world. The nation of Israel was chosen, but so is the church of the new covenant. We are ‘blessed to be a blessing’ and we can please our Lord by getting into sync with what he wants.
Do you sometimes feel tentative about how to cross over into this new territory? Do you think: 'Maybe I will feel foolish, or I might offend someone'? If that’s you, you are not alone! We will seek to unpack the issues that block us from being effective, and share some simple ways to get going on the journey.
Like many of these challenges, after you get into it, there’s a real adventure waiting on the other side!
I'm here to help you on your cross-cultural adventure. Call me (08 8267 7300) or email me craig.heidenreich@lca.org.au
Two low doors
When we set out to connect with people of other cultures we have to begin by getting through a couple of doors – doors which require us to stoop down. This is hardly a surprise, when we follow a Lord who ‘emptied himself and took on the form of a servant’ (Phil 2:7).
First door – Embracing simplicity
Second door – Embracing weakness
Advance notice - Save the date!
A New Horizon conference in every state (&NZ) during 2021
If you are keen to connect better with people of other cultures this event is for you. Come and be inspired & equipped with some practical skills so we can be part of congregations that feel confident to include everyone!
Adelaide (Feb 13-14) Brisbane (Mar 13-14) Sydney (May), Melbourne (June) and NZ (August)
For more detail: www.lca.org.au/new-horizons
Why greet someone in their heart language?
It is interesting that when God launched the church on the day of Pentecost, he had them speaking in the languages of those listening. The impact of this to me is not that they could do it – it was that God wanted to do it! God wanted to connect to people’s hearts that day, and we do well to do a bit of this ourselves. We too can access a heart and bless other people using a word or two in their own heart language.
India
India is a nation of many different ethnicities and languages, so our focus this time is on a region, not a single ethnicity. In recent years over 700,000 people have come to Australia* from India (or been born here of Indian parents) and they are now the second largest non-European group after Chinese.
*170,000 Indians now live in New Zealand as well
‘A multi-cultural vision for the church’ is an action statement coming from the book Crossing Borders. It lays out in detail what church life could look like. It wasn’t generated by Lutherans, but it’s certainly thought-provoking. Can the LCA/NZ look like this in the near future? Read more
Committee vacancy
The Committee for Cross-Cultural Ministry is seeking nominations from "a person who has experience in, and a passion for cross-cultural ministry" (5.1.5 terms of reference). If you are ready to join us in assisting churches to minister across cultures and work with church leaders and pastors to build cross-cultural understanding, then complete the nomination form and return to nominations@lca.org.au Visit our webpage for more information about the work of the committee.
Before you go ...
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197 Archer Street North Adelaide SA 5006
P: +61 (0)8 8267 7300
E: crosscultural@lca.org.au
W: www.lca.org.au/cross-cultural