LCNZ Bishop Report
LCNZ Bishop’s Report
One of the most significant impacts that altered how I saw my life as a Christian was that as I read scripture, there was a constant theme from God: that he invites on an adventure with him. Whether it be the Israelites leaving Egypt in Exodus, to Jesus initially inviting the first disciples as revealed in Matthew 4:18-22, to God taking a big risk of inviting Paul (then known as Saul the church persecutor) to join his adventure, as shared with us in Acts 9, God is consistently inviting people on an adventure with him. And each one of us has been invited onto this journey. Now whilst the adventure is not predictable and will not look the same for everyone, the focus and key purpose of this adventure remains constantly on Jesus and His mission to bring His Good saving News to all people. This is what our focus in New Zealand is, to be on an adventure with Jesus, each other and other believers so that many others may know His saving Good News.
On an Adventure Serving LCNZ
In September 2023 when the idea of the LCA NSW and ACT District Bishop providing episcopal oversight to LCNZ was proposed, LCA NSW and ACT Bishop, Robert Bartholomaeus (now emeritus Bishop) shaped the role to be one of serving the congregations, pastors and members of the LCNZ in their mission. I believe this focus is serving us well, so I am aiming to continue this focus.
Some practical implications of serving LCNZ are outlined in the MOU between LCA NSW and ACT and LCNZ:
- Care of church workers (physical, mental, theological, and spiritual).
- Encouraging church workers and lay leadership in mission and ministry.
- Work to resolve and or avoid conflict between church workers and people.
- Finding pastors names to fill vacancies.
- Arranging pastoral care of vacant congregations.
- Sharing articles to encourage and promote the LCNZ.
- Reporting to Council of Synod (COS) and Finance Advisory Committee (FAC; participating if he so chooses.)
- The acting Bishop or the assistant Bishop will represent the LCNZ at COB meetings, the number of meetings the assistant Bishop will attend will be decided by the assistant Bishop and the Bishop.
- Administrative support is provided by LCNZ.
- Assistant Bishop will provide support for matters when the bishop is unable to attend.
Already on this adventure it has become evident to recognise that the journey today and into the future for us will look somewhat different to the past, as we continue to help others connect with Jesus and His grace. This means as the Bishop I am focused empowering the faith communities of LCNZ to live out God’s mission in existing and new ways.
It is also important to recognise that one of the reasons this arrangement is working well is that it does not rest with the Bishop alone, but the LCNZ has provided good Administration Support based in New Zealand. The work that Debbie Venz (our District Administrator) and Council for Synod members is valuable in supporting the local congregations in LCNZ.
Strategic Directions – on an adventure together
One of the exciting things recently is that there have been a team working together to develop a strategic direction for the Lutheran Church of New Zealand. This will be presented at Synod in detail. There are many ideas on what church should be and do, how it should utilise its resources and what it should focus on. The Strategic Directions purpose is to help us work better together. I encourage delegates to engage with what is proposed, respond to what is presented and endorse a Strategic Directions for LCNZ.
On an adventure with our Pastors, Church Workers and Licensed for Word and Sacrament leaders
We are blessed to serve with:
- Active Ordained Pastors – Mark Tung (Botany), Mark Whitfield (Christchurch), Warren Paltridge (Marton), Andy Marr (Upper Moutere), Joel Cramer (Wellington) and Phil Husband (Whanganui – retiring July 2025).
- Pastors who have accepted calls outside LCNZ – Nich Kitchen (Mountainside) in May 2025.
- SMP Intern Candidates – Felix Tong (Mountainside Chinese and assisting St Matthew Hamilton on a part time basis).
- Lay Worker – Wayne Proctor (Manawatu)
- Pastor on leave – John Davison (serving as a Hospital Chaplain Hawkes Bay)
- Retired Pastor – Trevor Jurgens (SMP) continues to assist Marton.
- Licensed for Word and/or Sacrament leaders – each congregation currently has at least one, some more, who are licensed for word and/or sacrament. This ensures a consistency of Gospel ministry of word and sacrament when an ordained pastor is not available.
- Congregations actively calling – Full time calls: Manawatu and Mountainside. Hamilton is open to a part time call.
- Without an ordained pastor and not calling – Hawkes Bay, Tauranga Fellowship Group, and Kawerau. Whanganui will become vacant in July 2025.
Pastors and Church workers meet two times a year in person for a Church Workers conference, and online monthly for a catch up.
On an Adventure with the wider Lutheran Church – LCANZ
As part of the Lutheran Church of Australia and New Zealand we don’t travel alone, we travel closely with the Lutheran Church of Australia and New Zealand.
It is therefore important that we continue to be involved in the discussions and decisions of the Lutheran Church of Australia and New Zealand. I am therefore very appreciative of our LCANZ lay and pastor delegates who attended the Synod in October 2024, people who attended the Way Forward discussion forums leading up to that Synod, Paul Argyle who serves on the General Church Board and others from New Zealand who are contributing to the discussions and decisions of the Lutheran Church of Australia and New Zealand. Your contributions help the church see a New Zealand perspective.
Decision to ordain men and women
One of the most significant decisions that is affecting us is that after 30 years of discussion, debate, bible study and reflection the LCANZ synodical convention decided to remove the prohibition to women serving as pastors. 70% of the delegates voted in favour of this. As I listen to our local congregations for many people this decision brings relief and joy, and they are incredibly supportive of the decision. It is also important for us to recognise that for some this decision has brought some concern, sadness, and fear. As part of the Way Forward approach there is a commitment for us to be a church for people who support this decision and who don’t support this decision. So, lets continue working together for this.
To assist congregations and members to understand this decision and its implications I shared a resource, an easy-to-understand guide for LCA – NSW and ACT and NZ District’s relating to the LCA’s 2024 synodical decision to ordain men and women. If you don’t have a copy, please contact me.
As I listen to the wider church it is clear that the LCANZ continues to be focussed on the mission of Jesus, committed to listening to the Word of God and the Lutheran Confessions and is seeking to be a church who invites all people to be part of God’s mission and ministry. Despite some reports it is not true that the LCANZ has discarded God’s Word or the Lutheran Confessions. If you have questions about this, feel free to contact me.
Alternative ways of being served and serving – Specific Ministry Pastors and Licensing for Word and Sacrament.
For a considerable number of years LCANZ has been well served by people who are licensed for word and sacrament, to support the work of the Office of Ministry when a pastor is not available. Currently the LCANZ College of Bishops are exploring a better way to recognise and order this ministry of the church.
Specific Ministry Pastors also continues to contribute to the life of the church. Currently we have Specific Ministry Pastors at Upper Moutere, Whanganui and Botany. At the LCANZ Special Synod there is a motion on the agenda to recognise Specific Ministry Pastors as having the same rites as General Ministry Pastors at the church wide synod (this already occurs at our District Synod).
For both of these issues I encourage our congregations, pastors, and church wide synod delegates to read the relevant material relating to both issues when they become available, to assess its suitability for our contexts in New Zealand and to respond to any changes being proposed.
Compliance issues – LCANZ
The LCANZ has a number of compliance requirements to help us be a safer church and to respond to government guidelines. It is important to remember that much of the compliance and regulations have arisen because people have been hurt.
It is likely that we will see an increase in compliance as the New Zealand government makes decisions in response to the Abuse in Care Royal Commission.
The main LCANZ compliance requirements which is important for our church workers, leaders and staff to adhere to include the Police Vetting Check and Safe Church training (level 1 and 2). The LCANZ has also introduced for Australian congregations the Child Safety Standards, which align to the Australian National Child Safety Standards. There is a high chance that a New Zealand version will be introduced once the New Zealand government confirms what the standards for New Zealand will be.
Sadly, at times some individuals question or resist adhering to compliance requirements, however overall, most members of LCNZ congregations willingly and actively participate in attending to what is required. So, thank you. Also thank you for those who suggest improvements in how we administer compliance, your input helps us better serve you and the wider church.
On an adventure with other Christians in New Zealand
Laidlaw College
Mark Whitfield, as your previous Bishop, had begun exploring how the LCNZ, Australian Lutheran College, the LCANZ and Laidlaw can work together to equip Lutherans in New Zealand for ministry. These discussions have continued. ALC is currently mapping the Laidlaw courses to their own, so we can assess what can be studied at Laidlaw and what will need to be studied through ALC for a person to become an ordained pastor.
One day of our Church Workers conference in June 2025 is being held at Laidlaw Auckland Campus to build better relationships between our existing church workers and Laidlaw.
Church Leaders of New Zealand
This is an important group for us to be part of. They have two meetings a year, one in Wellington and one in Auckland. Their focus at present is discussing secular issues affecting the church (e.g. Tax implications) and what can we learn from each other especially relating to church planting, leadership development, etc. My trip in March/April coincided with one of their meetings, so I was fortunate enough to attend and found the networking also important. Nich Kitchen has been our previous representative, so we need to find another representative.
New Zealand – Inter Church Bureau
The ICB is an inter-denominational body tasked with monitoring the impact of legislation on the wider Church’s affairs. Thank you to David Preston who continues to represent us and be our contact for the Inter Church Bureau.
Roman Catholic – Lutheran Dialogue
This dialogue group continues to meet. Their current focus is the Eucharist. Mark Whitfield and Petrus Simons are currently our representatives on this dialogue. It is also proposed that Georgina Preston be invited to represent us. I believe, as a Synod, we should endorse and encourage these three representatives.
The other dialogue we have been involved with the Anglican – Lutheran dialogue currently does not meet.
Concluding Reflections and Remarks
It is a pleasure to serve God and you in these changing times.
I am very thankful for the way in which I have been received by many people in New Zealand as I connect with a church and culture that has some differences from my Australian experiences. I pray that God uses me to bless you in ways that help you connect with Jesus, grow as communities of faith and be encouraged for the adventure He has called you to.
If you have questions, concerns, ideas or feedback that help me in serving you being a Jesus focussed and led church feel free to reach out to me, I would love to hear from you. I am sure I have probably missed something important to some in my report, if this is you, please let me know.
And I pray that as you live as part of the Lutheran Church of New Zealand you always remember and recognise that God has a love for you and everyone that never gives up.
Bishop Richard Schwedes
Lutheran Church of New Zealand
May 2025
