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:

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

or

Kathy Matuschka
Kathy.matuschka@qld.lca.org.au
07 3512 7286

from the Ministry & Mission team.

• 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 Dept of Ministry and Mission

Alpha Australia answers some of the most searched faith questions in Australia.
https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLZ_iZPUnYrLWxOTYyD9ehK3UzWpwzRp0p

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.

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 Department of Ministry and 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

Does your congregation have a brilliant mission idea, but lacks the funds to get it off the ground?

Perhaps a grant can help you!

An  Australia Mission Resources Grant of up to $5,000 will assist your church with resourcing its mission. You can apply for one of these at any time.

• LCAQD Mission Resources Grant Information
• 2023 Mission Resource Grant Application form

An Australia Mission Outreach Grant of up to $25,000 to kickstart your local mission project. Applications are submitted annually, with the successful congregation announced at our annual LCAQD Synod.

• LCAQD Mission Outreach Grant Information
• 2023 Mission Outreach Grant Application form

You can view the LLL promotional video here.

For more information about these grants, follow the links above, then get in touch with Pastor David Schmidt: David.schmidt@qld.lca.org.au
07 3511 4018

or Kathy Matuschka Kathy.matuschka@qld.lca.org.au
07 3512 7286 from the LCAQD Ministry & Mission team.

Working together

The LCAQD Ministry & Mission department partners with congregations and agencies to assist people in need due to drought, bushfire or flood.

How can I help?

• Pray for families under stress, for an end to the drought and protection from further flooding
• Let us know if you hear of someone who could use a hand
• Partner with a rural congregation to visit, listen and encourage
• Offer free holiday accommodation for those affected by drought or other disasters
• If you have the appropriate skills, offer to farm sit
• Educate yourself and others

Drought Response 

Read more about our LCAQD Drought response. Make a tax deductible donation to assist those who have been affected by the Queensland drought. Donate

For more information email droughtqld@gmail.com

Disaster Response

Read more about our LCAQD response to 2022 Rain and flooding disasters. Make a tax deductible donation to assist those who have been affected by natural Queensland disasters. Donate

Get in touch

For more information or suggestions, please contact:

Kathy in the Department of Ministry and Mission

Phone (07) 3512 7286

LCAQD’s Queensland Lutheran Giving (QLG) has a heart for making a difference… reach out and connect with us.

QLG provides a mechanism to connect people who want to make tax deductible donations to support ministry and mission in Queensland with people who could do with a hand.

QLG operates five funds:

• Necessitous Circumstances Fund
• Scholarship Fund
• Australian Disaster Relief Fund
• Religious Instruction in Government Schools
• LCAQD Public Library

By setting up a project within one of these funds, LCAQD congregations and other agencies can offer their supporters the incentive of tax-deductibility as they support projects that make a difference in local communities.

To donate by Electronic Funds Transfer:

Credit card payment is our preferred donation method. We are also able to receive donations by EFT, but we need to ensure that we collect the necessary details from our donors. To donate by EFT, please contact Mia and she will guide you through our EFT payment process: district@qld.lca.org.au Phone: 07 3511 4000

Or donate by credit card using this link:

Donate Online