Reconciliation in the Word

Reconciliation is the Gospel. When people sin and their relationships are broken the only source of true healing is the forgiveness that comes through the Gospel. When Nathan confronted David with a story designed to help David see his own sin in 2 Samual 12, David was angry with how the rich man in Nathan's story acted. Responding to David's anger, Nathan simply said, 'You are the man'. David recognised his own sin and confessed, to which Nathan simply responded, 'The Lord has taken away your sin' (2 Samuel 12:13b). When someone recognises they have sinned, immediately proclaim God's forgiveness for the sake of Christ. Nathan's words provide a very simple, yet powerful, model for us to follow. It is the simple, yet direct proclamation of the Gospel that empowers the sinner and gives hope.

New Event Scheduled

2 new training events have been added to the reconciliation training schedule.

Personal Peacemaking - Living Water, Rockingham, WA - 21 June

Personal Peacemaking and Conflict Coaching - Ringwood, VIC - 21-23 August

For registration information contact Chelsea Hampel chelsea.hampel@lca.org.au.

Reconciliation in Action

Tarrington, Victoria isn't always on the top of the list of tourist destinations, although the Catalpa Restaurant puts out a very good cup of coffee. But Tarrington is a place where the lifestyle of reconciliation is taking root and people in the parish and surrounds are noticing the change. Over 40 members of the Tarrington parish have taken Personal Peacemaking and Conflict Coaching training over the last 2 years. The school staff is growing in its understanding of how to live forgiven, reconciled lives in the classroom and to help students see their sin, confess, and forgive and receive forgiveness for the sake of Christ. Pastor Paul and Karen Kerber are seeing the difference as people are truly excited about the Gospel, seeing how forgiveness make a crucial difference in the way they deal with everyday challenges. Give Pastor Paul and/or Karen a call (03 5572 3840) or email them paul.kerber@lca.org.au or kerberclan@bigpond.com) to see what difference reconciliation makes on a day-to-day basis.

Reconciliation in New Zealand

The five Personal Peacemaking events conducted across New Zealand in February are having an impact. A Personal Peacemaking and Conflict Coaching event will be held at Botany Chinese Lutheran Congregation 2-4 October. Co-instructing at that event with Rev Bruce Zagel will be Rosemarie Brown, who provides training and biblical peacemaking services through Peace Promise in Auckland, and Pauline SimonsEn, who has been active in the LCNZ for a number of years.

Please pray for the LCNZ, that God would continue to grow the passion for proclaiming the Gospel through these faithful servants.

Interim Pastor - Reconciliation

The LCA recently began a new position called Interim Pastor - Reconciliation. Rev Mike Fulwood accepted the call to this position and has begun his work at Bethlehem, Wagga Wagga, NSW. The position is intended to assist congregations to embed the lifestyle of reconciliation into the daily life of the congregation. Rev Mike joins Rev Robert Erickson as the two specific intentional interim pastors in the LCA.