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12 June, 2014

mission & ministry encouragers....(& limpers)

She's a mouse that walks with a limp!
She walks with a limp but it’s so much a part of her that we hardly even notice. Although some call her ‘old-limpy’ behind her back, no one is interested in why she limps … but you should know.
She walks with a limp because of a serious accident when she was a baby church-mouse. Her leg was badly broken and eventually healed but she was left with a limp. Her limp is a reminder of that event so long ago.
She walks with a limp but she isn’t inferior. She’s just as important and valuable in our community as any other. Some mice may be tempted to look down on her because of her limp but they soon get over it once they know her. Once you know her and her loving heart, her limp is insignificant.
She walks with a limp and she always will. As long as she lives and graces the mouse hole, she’ll limp. It’s hers for life but rather than see it as a life sentence she sees it as a lesson in life. She’s not only learnt to live with it but has learnt from it.
She walks with a limp and she’s learnt to see others differently. She sees their flaws but doesn’t get out her claws. She sees with the eyes of grace. She sees beauty beneath brokenness.
She walks with a limp that all can see but some walk with an invisible limp, a limp on the inside. Often not the result of a serious accident or a serious injury. They were seriously wounded when they were young and vulnerable. Often their cries for help were unheard and they were wounded again.
They walk with a limp that can’t be seen but usually shows itself in some way or other. So they’re often misunderstood, ill-treated, and their limp gets worse.
She who walks with a limp has great love for those with hidden limps. She reaches out to them in love. She sees the beauty in each of those broken, limping individuals. She knows they’re not inferior. She is like Jesus, who also walks with a limp!

Taken from "Mouse Muses" written anonomously and contributed regularly to a local Lutheran parish magazine.

May you be mission and ministry encouragers ( & limpers) where God has placed you.

Current snapshot of Lay Ministry

In 2013, 37 people left Lay Ministry roles (position ended, Intership finished, they retired or resigned)

Since the start of 2014, 70 positions have been filled or are advertised.  34 of these positions are new positions for Lay Workers, 8 were existing roles but have now identified as being Lay Workers, while 17 positions are yet to be filled. This very large turnover places increasing demands on the BLM to ensure these Lay Workers are cared for. Lay Ministry is diverse and dynamic in its nature as it responds to the needs of the church. These figures and the categories for lay ministry are expected to continue to change with the stronger mission focus of the LCA and its congregations.

Lay Ministry categories

We have been working on refining our Lay Worker categories to a more clear and workable 11 areas. These ares help people understand what Lay Workers are involved in. These will change over time as the ministry and mission focus changes in our church communities, but our thinking at this stage is:

1. Cultural Specific Ministry
Aboriginal, Sudanese, Chinese, Translators, Indonesian, Asian Ministry Planter
2. Mission & Outreach
Community Evangelist, Church Planters, Community Worker, Mission International Workers, Café, Community Action Manager, Flood response

3. Chaplaincy
Aged Care, Hospital, Prison, Community, Tertiary
4. School Ministry
Ministry Worker, Counsellor, Chaplain
5. Camping
Managers, Interns, Ministry staff, Programs
6. Administration
Directors/Managers, PA’s, Child Safe/HR, Professional Standards, Office Coordinator, Administration Officer, ALC/Grassroots, Communications, Community Development Officers, Ministry Development Coordinators, Program Officers
7. Child & Family
Grow ministry staff, Faith 5, Godly Play, Children’s ministry, Family ministry
8. Youth & Young Adult
9. Pastoral Care
Deacon, Small Groups, LWFO’s, Discipleship Ministry, Community Carer, Congregational Life, Adult Ed, Spiritual Development
10 Parish Nurse
11. Worship & Music

If you have any comments or suggestions, let me know. ...e.g. Aged Care could have it's own category.. although at the moment most fit into Chaplaincy or administration.

And remember, whatever category you fit into...we love your work!

Messy Church

What:                   Messy Church - a church for families involving fun!
Where:                 Immanuel, Novar Gardens
When:                  Twice a term, Sundays 3:30 - 5:30pm
Why:                    Pulling down barriers to “church”
Attendance:         In excess of 150
Coordinator:        Holly Fouyaxis (Lay Worker)

How I found myself to be in this role of Coordinator of Messy Church at Immanuel Lutheran Church some might describe as coincidental, some might even say good luck or a fluke, but we know better, don't we? God certainly had a hand in making events and people come together to lead me to this incredible position and I have felt his presence in every step of this journey so far. Jumping into this role has resulted in me meeting the most incredible people who work tirelessly behind the scenes in order to bring people to know Jesus. I am humbled to witness those who consider moving chairs, vacuuming, painting and doing dishes all ways of glorifying God and bringing people closer to him.
Messy Church at Immanuel has just celebrated its first birthday. In that short time we have reached over 400 families and we continue to strive to spread God's message of love, hope and forgiveness to people who have no other connection to a church family. Through my short time as a Lay Worker I am learning more about myself and my passion and gifts in ministry. I've found I have a heart for encouragement and personal relationships. While parts of my work are not always directly related to these particular gifts, they are interconnected as a part of the whole picture. The joy that comes from seeing families come to Messy Church and take part in activities that have a message, listen to people talk about Jesus and join us for a meal is immeasurable. I feel so blessed to have been given this opportunity to grow as a Christian and leader, to explore my passion for connecting with others and above all things - to glorify God in such an exciting, innovative and creative way!


Best Part:    Strengthening our community and establishing  genuine relationships with others
Hope:           To establish a sustainable base of volunteers in order to ensure growth and further possibilities for pastoral care in this new community.

Messy Church in action

Blessing: A sense of a church 'alive'....the presence of the Holy Spirit!

Grow Ministry installations...Bethany SA May 25th

A word from Vicki: ‘I feel so excited and blessed to have been given this opportunity to work for Grow Ministries with a focus on Youth and Family. I am looking forward to getting to know you all and finding ways to support you in this most vital ministry. I am very passionate about young people and mentoring is my favourite way of living my faith with them.
I love these words from Deuteronomy 6:7 'Repeat them again and again to your children. Talk about them when you are at home and when you are on the road, when you are going to bed and when you are getting up.'
Often the youth of today are put into a box. It's not that different to when I was young I guess, and that box does not always have a good name. But can I encourage you all that there are young people out there whose deepest desire is that God's church continues to grow and flourish....just sometimes it might look a little different to the one we know.
Something else I have learnt in this journey is that there is also a deep desire within our youth to have the 'older' generation walk alongside them; not to tell them what to do....but to be there with them to gently guide and encourage them.
My prayer is that as I continue to learn and grow in this role, I can encourage you to walk this journey with me, with the end goal that 'church' will be an intergenerational community that grows and flourishes together - all to the glory of God.’
A word from Shannon:
‘One of the many bible verses that speaks to my heart is: But Jesus said “Let the little children come to me and do not hinder them, for to such belongs the kingdom of heaven.” Matthew 19:14 ESV

Below: Shannon Schuster (left) and Vicki Rochow
 

2015 Nunyara, Belair Adelaide....18 - 21 May

 Calling all LCA Lay Workers, their Pastors and support teams across Australia!

If you are in:

Cultural Specific Ministry, Mission & Outreach, Chaplaincy, School Ministry, Camping, Administration, Child & Family, Youth & Young Adults, Pastoral Care, Parish Nurse, Worship & Music

                             ...this conference is for YOU!


It’s time to gather, celebrate, learn and give thanks!
The planning for next year’s conference has been going well.   The conference will be at Nunyara Conference Centre in Belair, Adelaide from the 18th – 21st May (Mon evening to Thurs afternoon...a day shorter than the last one) 2015.  Note this & start to plan now.

The theme is:                           OMG

   – KNOWING, HEARING & FOLLOWING GOD IN REAL LIFE & MINISTRY

But you are the ones chosen by God, chosen for the high calling of priestly work, chosen to be a holy people, God’s instruments to do his work and speak out for him, to tell others of the night-and-day difference he made for you—from nothing to something, from rejected to accepted.

1 Peter 2:9-10 (MSG) - 9-10

We would like to encourage you all to bring along your whole ministry team!  Which includes fellow lay workers, pastors and volunteers.  It is for all....or just yourself!

Approximate cost $390pp, all inclusive...food, linen, materials etc…all you will need to bring is a Bible and an open heart…so notify your treasurer now so that it can be budgeted for. 

This is not only pd (there will be real theological and skills input), but also a great time to network with other lay workers and ministry workers – in your field and in other areas of ministry.  There will be times for worship, time for personal ‘time out’ with God and time to relax and unwind with fellow workers!


If you only work a few hours each week, we really encourage you to attend.  Sometimes we feel that it is those working only a few hours who get as much out of our Lay Worker’s Conference as ‘full timers’!  You are most welcome to give us a call and talk about ways that can enable you to attend!!

Keep a look out for further information via The Encourager.    

Nevin on holidays

I'll be away from June 13th to July 14th. Please contact the office as usual for any assistance.

How can we help you?

We know Lay Ministry can be extremely rewarding and we also know it can be demanding and lonely at times.

Do you need help in your ministry with any of the following areas....?


• working as a team
• developing an effective ministry plan
• gaining a support team, pray team, mentor
• understanding study options
• clarifying working conditions
• connecting with others in similar ministries
• someone to be a listening ear

as well as finishing a position well and review options......

We can and do help....contact the Lay Ministry Office