Blogs

I have notified the District Church Board chair Shiron Dixon, Bishop Paul Smith and also the principal of Redeemer Lutheran College, Tanya Crooks that God has led me to accept the call issued by Convention of Synod.

Luther was strong on the gospel. When he discovered that God was for him, no matter what, that what Jesus had done on the cross was enough – and that he was made right with God through what Jesus did, it turned his life around.

At the District Synod in Ipswich this year, the delegates learned about the connection between my Dad and the way in which I sometimes casually say the words, “Praise the Lord”.

“I’ve learnt that there are many areas of the LCAQD that are doing really great work in spreading the love of God. This has been very encouraging to hear.”

Young people face three key questions. Who am I? Where do I fit? What difference do I make? Healthy churches respond to these questions through journeying with, listening to, and making time for.

‘Synod’ is a not a common word in our culture, but as a word to describe our life as God’s people in the mission of God we call ‘the Church’, the word ‘synod’ has deep meaning and profound opportunity.

We are familiar with our Lord Jesus saying, “I am the Good Shepherd” and this is a well-loved and well-known image for God. But why is the ‘portico of Solomon’ mentioned in this passage?

Churches that grow young understand the importance of ‘giving keys away’ … not simply referring to keys to a car or building. They are keys to decision-making, to entrusting and to empowering.

When the Risen Lord Jesus met his disciples behind those closed doors, he brought them deep joy and then sent them to be his witnesses to this good news.

In their book, Growing Young, (Baker Books, 2016) Powell, Mulder and Griffin share “6 essential strategies to help young people discover and love your church”