Holy Spirit draws 80 to recent conference

Martin Luther writes that the Holy Spirit calls and gathers his people (Small Catechism). Therefore it was the Spirit who called 80 people from Bundaberg to Brisbane, Toowoomba to Twin Waters, to gather at Immanuel Buderim on the Sunshine Coast on Friday 28 February and Saturday 1 March for the Fire Wind Silence Holy Spirit Conference.

The weekend was bathed in worship and prayer, beginning with a shared meal, singing, and prayer on Friday night. After breakfast and opening worship on Saturday, participants were invited to ‘choose their own adventure’ — choosing between simultaneous sessions, including a variety of guest speakers and facilitators.

Michael Dutschke challenged us to not remain ‘uninformed’ concerning the spiritual gifts (1 Corinthians 12:1), but to ‘eagerly desire’ the gifts of the Spirit (1 Corinthians 14:1). Michael suggested that prophecy is speaking God’s Word in a timely manner, and mostly involves sharing a Bible verse with the right person at the right time. Participants realised they had prophesied many times before!

Both Dirk Willner and Rob Edwards reflected on the Holy Spirit in the Lutheran tradition, with Dirk wondering whether Lutherans tend to have a pre-Pentecost faith life, at times missing out on the boldness, joy, passion and longing for intimacy with God which the post-Pentecost Spirit freely offers.

Gayla Mathews invited a group into guided prayer, physically moulding clay and meditating on God’s promise that he is the potter and we the clay (Jeremiah 18:6). There was also time to share stories, study the Bible together and commune around meals, as well as catch up with old friends and meet new ones.

Participants appreciated the practical teaching about the person and work of the Holy Spirit, the spirit of openness, and having time for reflection and prayer. ‘Encouraging’, ‘enlightening’, ‘refreshing’, and ‘a breath of fresh air’ were just some of the ways the Conference was described. Bishop Mark Vainikka closed with Holy Communion, commenting that it is time for the Lutheran Church of Australia to reclaim the ‘r’ word: renewal. Renewal is baptismal language, and is the constant and ongoing work of the Spirit in the life of his Church. Bishop Mark shared that one of the primary strategic intents for the LCAQD going forward will be to invite spiritual renewal. We pray for the Spirit to continue blowing life, grace, truth, hope, joy, and peace into the LCAQD. ‘The wind blows wherever it pleases’ (John 3:8). May the Spirit pick us up and carry us to Christ. Come Holy Spirit, come!