Growing Vital Churches

National Church Life Survey

NCLS Research is a world leader in research focused on connecting churches and their communities. Their website offers a variety of tools and resources suitable for church use.

Pivot Conversations

Pivot conversations' are opportunities to reflect on the impact of disruptions, what we are each learning, and what God might be doing among us and within us during challenging times.

• At the LCAQD Pastors conference 2020, participants took time to reflect on what they are noticing and learning. Here is a summary: 2020 A year to forget or an opportunity to connect discussion paper.
• The following tool is designed so you can work through it independently, but if you prefer we can facilitate it within your congregation: A planning tool to help your congregation prepare for 2021 (and beyond)

• Bethlehem Coopers Plains member Emily Williams has produced a Workshop Guide to help Congregations. It uses scripture references to help them discern their God-given vision. Please contact mission@qld.lca.org.au if you would like the accompanying worksheets.

• Reflecting on videos by Rev Dr Bob Newton, Pastor David Schmidt invites us to consider how we understand ourselves as church, and the impact of this in the current century: Why 'It' No Longer Works

How does a Parish Board or Church Council ensure focus continues to be the 'main thing' especially with so many distractions around compliance and finances and programmes? This document poses rolling questions:

• Rolling Questions for Boards and Councils

How is your church looking? Here are some vital signs of healthy, sick and dying churches:

• Autopsy of Deceased Church Summary by LCAQD

For more information contact:

Pastor David Schmidt
David.schmidt@qld.lca.org.au
07 3511 4018

from the Commission for Mission.

• You can find an excellent overview by David Schmidt, of some recommended reading resources for Leaders, here. 
• Mentoring teenagers and young adults to become leaders? The Fuller Youth Institute has published an excellent article entitled, "Creating a Culture of Keychain Leadership in Your Church".
• You can find some interesting statistics and information from the NCLS about young people, vision and innovation, here.
• See the "Growing Young" resources listed in the Engaging Young People subsection.

• Bring Jesus 2019: Making sense of mission, by Dr Steen Olsen
• Marks of a Healthy Church Reflection Booklet by LCAQD Commission for Mission.

Alpha Australia answers some of the most searched faith questions in Australia: https://tinyurl.com/AlphaAust

Reviewing the current culture of evangelism and our role in reaching out to this generation:

• Reviving Evangelism

For Church Planting:

• LCANZ New and Renewing Churches

Sharing faith through our actions: The Lutheran Services Diaconal Witness Statement is here.

Here is a selection of resources you may find helpful for planning worship in your community, or for personal study, reflection and prayer.

You can read and download a copy of the Young Adult Ministry Report for 2022 here.

• There is an excellent online workshop that explores the themes identified in the Young Adult Ministry Report, during July/Aug 2022.  Find out more information by downloading this flyer, or to download a promotional pack to share with your church audience including bulletin articles & PowerPoints, go to https://bit.ly/3NrQvoV

Growing Church Young Booklet by LCAQD Commission for Mission, is based on concepts from Kara Powell, Jake Mulder, & Brad Giffin, "Growing Young" ver. 1. For more information you can visit the Growing Young Website here.

Two Christian researchers have been listening to the faith and life stories of young Australians. This 17 minute video gives an overview of what they are hearing: https://youtu.be/4mnfkru5x48

Voluntary Assisted Dying (VAD) became legal in Queensland as of 1st January 2023. Rev Dr Russell Briese, Director, Chaplaincy and Ministry Development for Lutheran Services has prepared a paper for the LCAQD titled ‘Offering Pastoral Care to those seeking Voluntary Assisted Dying’.

Read the paper here.

Please contact Russell Briese with any questions: russell.briese@lutheranservices.org.au

Advice for managing Covid-19 Risks in Places of Worship

Queensland's COVID protocols are set at Green (baseline) Light.  This means that there are low risks of community transmission.

According to the Queensland Government website, when the traffic light is green it is recommended that people

• stay home if you're sick
• keep up to date with your vaccinations
• maintain good hygiene
• take a rapid antigen test (RAT) if you get COVID-19 symptoms
• wear a mask if required by a healthcare provider, venue, or household.

Mask Wearing

There are no Public Health Directions in effect that require the wearing of facemasks. However, according to the Queensland Government website, business can still require masks to be worn in certain circumstances. For example

• your GP may ask you to wear a mask when in their waiting and consulting rooms
• a hospital may require you to wear a mask when visiting patients or in certain areas
• a carer may be asked to wear a mask when providing care to a vulnerable person.

Many higher risk (vulnerable) people attend our churches.

Holy Communion

Each congregation/parish should determine their own risk mitigation strategies when serving Holy Communion. 

Be sensitive to those who feel vulnerable.

It is suggested but not mandated that

• those serving Holy Communion use sanitiser before distribution (gloves are not necessary)
• individual cups be available
• physical distancing continues to be practiced, where possible, for those participating in Holy Communion
• those serving Holy Communion may choose to wear a good quality mask to reduce the risk of infection (especially if they speak in close proximity to the person receiving the bread or wine), but this is not mandated.   REMEMBER: this decision should be made in the context of the congregation's own risk mitigation strategy.

Cleaning 

Routine cleaning includes

• Frequently touched surfaces, eg door handles, tea/coffee stations/ bathrooms should be cleaned with a minimum of detergent and water
• Consideration should be given to cleaning of hard-surface chairs and floors - if they have been frequently touched.

Further information, it is recommended to use the COVID-19 cleaning guidelines provided be Workplace Health and Safety Queensland 

If Positive

If you get COVID-19:

• register your RAT result
• stay home until you’re well again
• use the healthdirect Australia COVID-19 Symptom and Antiviral Eligibility Checker
• wear a mask for 7 days after you test positive
• avoid visiting hospitals, aged care, or disability care for 7 days after you test unless you are receiving care
• ask household members to closely monitor symptoms.

Links

Queensland Health Advice

COVID-19 restrictions in Queensland

Traffic Light Advice