Minutes of 42nd LCNZ Convention of Synod 2023
Minutes of the 42nd Convention of the Lutheran Church of New Zealand
10 and 11 June 2023
St Martin’s Lutheran Church, Marton
Theme: Jesus-shaped Church
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Saturday, 10 June 2023
Opening Worship See Worship and Devotional Booklet pp 3-14, beginning at 9.30am.
Worship leader: Bishop Mark Whitfield
Reader: Bishop Mark Whitfield
Address: Micah 6:6-8, 2 Corinthians 5:17, Philippians 2:7, Galatians 3:27, John 13:4-5, John 1:14
Preacher: Bishop Mark Whitfield – To be a Jesus-shaped Church
Bishop Mark declared the 42nd Convention of Synod open, welcoming delegates and greeting local visitors.
At the close of the service greetings were brought by Mayor Andy Watson, Rangitikei District Council; Ian McKelvie MP, member for Rangitikei; and Phillip Johnson representing St Andrew’s Presbyterian Church and on behalf of other local churches.
Morning tea followed at 10.30am.
Session One: 11.09am-12.45pm Chaired by Paul Argyle
Bishop Mark formally welcomed guests arriving from Australia and formally called the convention to order.
Housekeeping and health and safety procedures were outlined by Pastor Warren Paltridge.
In attendance:
Council of Synod: Bishop Mark Whitfield, Assistant Bishop Nich Kitchen, Paul Argyle, Lesley Johnson, Pastor Andy Marr, Andrew Mattiske (Saturday only)
Pastor delegates: Phil Husband, Geoff Schefe, Warren Paltridge
SMP candidates: Felix Tong, Mark Tung
Convention delegates:
Mountainside: Irene Ho, Bernard Naish, Sandra Naish
Botany: David Pang
Hamilton: Cheryl Hull
Hawkes Bay: Bill Groves
Marton: Trevor Jurgens
Whanganui: Linda Scott
Manawatū: Richard Hobden, Kerri Satherley, (alternate) Atlas Wood
Wellington: Robert Nippert, Georgina Preston
Upper Moutere: (alternate) Janine Marr
LCNZ staff: District Administrator Rosie Schefe, Finance Administrator Karolina Przybytek-Chrobak
LCANZ guests: Paul Smith, Bishop of Australia and New Zealand; Dr Nigel Long, Secretary of the Church; Brett Hausler, Executive Officer of the Church.
Visitors: John Coffey, Robert Scott, Vicki Wood, Mike Noffke, Carol Argyle, Pastor John Davison, Dawn Nippert, David Preston, Leanne Whitfield, Chelsea Whitfield, Brittany Whitfield, Charlotte Whitfield, Buster Kells, Lynne Henderson, Sharolyn Mollet, Dennis Mollet, Anne Somerville, David Sathananthan, Jeannette Jurgens, Dianne Drews, Ruth Paltridge (not all visitors were present at every session).
Apologies: Sabine Edmonsen-Slade (Kawerau), Butch Jurgens (Manawatū), Tessa Werner (Upper Moutere), Michelle Busch (Christchurch).
Ratification of the minutes of the 41st Convention of Synod
Be it resolved that the minutes of the 41st Convention of Synod of the Lutheran Church of New Zealand in 2021 be adopted.
Ratification of the minutes of the online Special Meeting of Synod
Be it resolved that the minutes of the Special Convention of Synod held online on 19 November, 2022, be adopted.
Nominations:
Electoral officer Pastor John Davison explained the process for late nominations and then gave the first reading of nominations.
OFFICERS OF THE LCNZ
The officers of the LCNZ will be the Bishop, the Assistant Bishop and the LCNZ Treasurer (Constitution VIII.1).
COUNCIL OF SYNOD
Council of Synod members are elected for a two-year term and members may serve for a maximum of four terms of two years. The chair of the Council of Synod is the Bishop or his nominee.
| POSITION | NOMINATION | NOMINATOR |
| Bishop of the LCNZ | – | – |
| Assistant Bishop of the LCNZ | – | – |
| Convenor of Finance Advisory Committee | – | – |
| Congregational Life Facilitator | Pastor Phillip Husband | Harrison Street Community Church |
| Treasurer | – | – |
| Lay representative | Andrew Mattiske | Council of Synod |
| Lay representative | Lesley Johnson | Council of Synod |
| Pastor representative | Pastor Andy Marr (elected) | Church Workers Conference |
The written reports and addendum were taken as read, to be moved for adoption at the final session of business.
Bishop’s report Book of Reports pp 13-20 Presented by Bishop Mark Whitfield
Bishop Mark encouraged the delegates to give their comments on the Book of Reports and began his presentation with a quiz (most questions were correctly answered).
He pleaded with delegates to become involved as much as possible in church activities and in governance, especially as the LCNZ faces up to difficult times.
He pointed towards the Hamuera and Lydia Te Punga Memorial Fund and its broad focus as a new way of encouraging growth and development in congregations, also encouraging people to look more widely than just to the pastorate for pastoral care.
Bishop Mark highlighted the work of the Lutheran-Roman Catholic dialogue group and its joint statement on baptism, now being practically tested in the environment of Catholic schools.
He encouraged people to embrace using Te Reo Maori in local congregations and liturgy going forward, and celebrated the return of Messages of Hope to New Zealand secular radio in recent years.
He also mentioned the LCNZ website, noting that it was almost 95 per cent complete and almost ready to go live, giving thanks for the work that has been done.
Question: one delegate asked whether in the current shortage of pastors across the LCANZ it could become possible for Lutheran congregations to call other Christian pastors into their public ministry?
Bishop Paul Smith answered the question, citing the long-standing tradition of ‘Lutheran pastors for Lutheran pulpits’ and outlining the requirement for any pastor called to serve in the LCANZ to go through the process of colloquy. He said that this process allowed the College of Bishops to ensure that the essential teaching of the church on grace, that “God does this for us” is preached and maintained in our churches. Bishop Paul acknowledged that this question was a concern for many going forward and that work is being done in formation for public ministry.
Report of the Council of Synod Book of Reports pp 21-23 Presented by Paul Argyle
Paul highlighted the lack of nominations for some Council of Synod positions yet and encouraged people who could to take up the challenges, reminding delegates that “Your LCNZ Needs You”. He stressed that the key role of the Council is to support local congregational ministries.
He made special mention of the work done by Denise Muschamp toward implementing Safe Church training and practices in the LCNZ and acknowledged individuals including Pastor Jim Pietsch and Robert Nippert for their work in the task of transferring the LCNZ Archive to Australia.
Report of the LCNZ Trust Board Book of Reports p23 Presented by Paul Argyle
Paul moved to acknowledge the work of Peter Smith, who retired at the end of 2022 as solicitor for the Trust Board.
Be it resolved that the synod of the LCNZ acknowledge the pro bono service of Peter Smith over many years as Solicitor for the LCNZ Trust Board.
Report of the Gateway Gift Trust Board Book of Reports pp 28-29 Presented by Andrew Mattiske
Andrew encouraged more congregations to apply for both major and minor grants from The Gateway Gift. The purpose of the Gift is to fund mission projects and the trustees are keen to hear both how congregations intend to use the funds they apply for and to hear the results of this work, Andrew said. He also made mention that the bulk of the funds are invested for the long term, so that short term market volatility does not diminish the Trust’s ability to provide grants into the future.
Report of the Treasurer and Finance Advisory Committee Book of Reports pp 24-27 Presented by Paul Argyle (Acting Treasurer)
Paul pointed to a misprint (missing line) on page 26, indicating the cost of transferring the LCNZ Archive to Australia. This one-off figure was estimated at $32,000 in the 2023 budget. He also indicated a potential liability from the Furlough Fund of $24,152, representing the total amount that would be needed if all eligible pastors were to claim against the fund in this financial year. He indicated that while an amount of $10,000 had been set aside for pastoral supervision costs in 2022, only a small portion had been spent and therefore the amount shown in the 2023 budget better reflected actual spending.
Paul also emphasised the large amount of donations transferred from LCNZ accounts to the Gateway Gift Trust in 2022. This included the former LLL Special Funds (invested with Rutherford Rede) and the Hamuera and Lydia Te Punga Memorial Fund (invested with Westpac).
Paul’s report highlighted the importance of appointing new members to the Gateway Gift Trust Board before the end of September (when Bishop Mark’s transition period ends) so that the Board will be able to consider applications for major grants. Constitutionally the bishop, assistant bishop, treasurer and finance advisory committee convenor are the only people able to appoint trustees to the Gateway board and at the end of convention there would be only one of those positions filled (bishop).
Although the audit was yet to be completed at convention, Paul was confident that all would be in order, as Council of Synod had implemented a bank transaction review policy (as recommended at the 2022 audit) and there were minimal supplementary questions asked. The consolidated report for LCNZ and the Gateway Gift Trust were available in the addendum (p34 and following).
Question: Were pastoral supervision costs still being paid centrally?
Yes, the costs could be claimed centrally.
Question: Could the contribution from Gateway Gift Trust to the LCNZ office be expected to be reduced into the future?
Yes, that contribution would be able to be reduced, especially after the Wellington office was closed.
Bishop Mark closed the first session at 12.45pm, with sung grace All Creatures of our God and King.
Session Two: 1.50pm-3.30pm Chaired by Pastor Andy Marr
LCNZ Archive transfer Presented by Bishop Mark Whitfield
Bishop Mark described the process leading up to the transfer of the LCNZ Archive from Alexander Turnbull Library to Lutheran Archives in Adelaide. A short video from the poroporoaki (farewell) in Wellington was shown and Bishop Mark outlined the preparations so far for a similar event to be held at Lutheran Archives in July.
He described how the archive had been well managed over a long period and again thanked those who had been involved in the process including Pastor Jim Pietsch, archivist Rachel Kuchel and project manager Robert Nippert. Bishop Mark encouraged the synod to develop a process of regularly relocating archival material to Adelaide.
Launch of LCNZ Special Funds Addendum pp 3-27 Presented by Andrew Mattiske
The funds formerly administered by LLL are available for congregations to access again, following an extensive process of rewriting rules and application forms. Administered by the Gateway Gift Trust Board (as directed by the previous synod) the funds are invested and regular disbursements may be made for purposes appropriate to the guidelines of the individual funds.
Andrew told delegates that the board were keen to see congregations apply for and use the funds to enhance their mission initiatives. Congregations could apply either on paper or online, with the application forms to be made available on the new LCNZ website. Congregations may request forms from the District Administrator.
Question: Can a congregation without a pastor make an application to the special funds?
Yes they can: the application may come through a pastor but congregational leaders can apply on behalf of their congregation and/or its ministries.
Launch of Hamuera and Lydia Te Punga Memorial Fund Addendum pp 28-33 Presented by Bishop Mark Whitfield
Bishop Mark outlined the history of the fund, created from a 2021 bequest received from Ngaere Geddes to establish a permanent fund in remembrance of her parents, Hamuera and Lydia Te Punga. A small committee was established by Council of Synod to determine its purpose and create rules for the fund. They determined that earnings from the fund would be used to further the theological education of members and pastors of the LCNZ, both in New Zealand and overseas, including through programs supporting the use of te ao Māori in congregational contexts.
Applications to the fund must meet at least one of the three objects of the fund.
Bishop Mark invited Anne Somerville to share memories of her grandparents’ involvement in church activities and their contribution to the development of ministries in the Wellington region and in Halcombe. Anne is also a niece of Ngaere Geddes (Nanie Te Punga).
Looking forward in the LCNZ Discussion chaired by Pastor Andy Marr
Pastor Andy invited Assistant Bishop Nich Kitchen to report on the process followed by the Nominations Committee in seeking candidates to become bishop of the LCNZ. He reported that a total of 14 pastors had rejected nomination, with most citing the continuation of their current calls as the major reason. The committee felt that there was little benefit to the LCNZ in seeking more and more names without more intentional work and discernment, so they approached Council of Synod to seek an alternative way forward. Council of Synod – in consultation with Bishop Paul Smith – presented the following remit to the synod.
Be it resolved that the Lutheran Church of New Zealand, through the Council of Synod, approach the LCANZ College of Bishops with a request to provide a person from within the leadership of one of the districts of Australia to take up episcopal oversight of the LCNZ.
The intention of this request:
- will be to provide a person to act in the role of Bishop of the LCNZ in line with the constitution of the LCNZ.
- will see a person called to this part-time role for a period of two years, beginning on or before 30 September 2023.
- will be to provide time for the LCNZ to discern a model which could provide ongoing episcopal oversight to the LCNZ into the future.
It is envisaged that this role will:
- be based out of an Australian district of the LCANZ.
- will be resourced financially by the LCNZ.
- be resourced with the required level of administrative support for the bishop’s role in the LCNZ to operate effectively.
Reasons for the proposal
The absence of any nomination to the role of Bishop of the LCNZ has created an urgency to both identify a short-term solution for the lack of an LCNZ Bishop and to discern a plan into the future. Council of Synod, in consultation with the Churchwide Bishop, believe an arrangement as set out in the proposed motion could meet both the requirements of the LCNZ at this time.
Submitted by Council of Synod.
(The entire text forms this remit, not just the first paragraph.)
Discussion:
Questions around the ‘person’: The intent of the remit is to give the College of Bishops some flexibility in whom should exercise this ‘episcopal oversight’: not necessarily a bishop or assistant bishop, but an ordained (General Ministry) Pastor already in a leadership role within their own district.
Questions around ‘presence’: Who would be able to facilitate call meetings, for example. The pastors have already been in discussions to facilitate working in a more regional way, to fulfil these kinds of tasks. Under this model the ‘bishop’ (episcopal overseer) will not be resident in New Zealand but would be expected to travel to New Zealand regularly. Delegates expressed a sense of nervousness at being ‘left alone’ in vacancy and other circumstances.
Questions around St Matthew, Hamilton: This proposal does leave Hamilton searching for a pastor. The potential to call a part-time pastor is unclear, as circumstances have changed significantly in the LCNZ pastorate since the 50/50 bishop-pastor model was proposed. Pastors have undertaken to look after St Matthew together with other congregations. Congregations with serving pastors need to prepare to release them to serve other places that are in vacancy or too small for a regular pastor, seeing it as an opportunity to serve the LCNZ more widely. This could become an opportunity for renewal.
Questions around the bishop’s manse: should it be sold (most likely for land value) or renovated and rented out? Council of Synod was initially expecting to rent or buy in Hamilton, so this question is only just beginning to be explored.
Questions around the wording of the proposal: There is a level of ambiguity intentionally built into the proposal. The College of Bishops will need to have a variety of conversations with people, not limiting candidates to a certain group, so that they can find someone who fits the position.
Bishop Paul Smith noted that 1) even if the remit passes, the College of Bishops may decide not to accept the responsibility and; 2) in South Australia/Northern Territory district there was one nominee for bishop, in Western Australia district there was one nominee for part-time (0.3) bishop and that position would be reviewed in two years’ time. Finding solutions is a problem across the church.
Questions around the position of assistant bishop and reluctance to fill this role: The role of assistant bishop was considered important too in this proposal as a primary contact for the episcopal overseer in New Zealand. Candidates for this role are limited by the current state of the pastorate. Pastor Nich Kitchen made it clear to synod that he would not stand as assistant bishop while the constitution indicated that he would then become bishop by default after a three-month vacancy. The assistant bishop must be a General Ministry Pastor (because he may need to attend meetings of the College of Bishops) holding a call in New Zealand. The assistant bishop is traditionally nominated by the Church Workers Conference (this is not specified in the LCNZ constitution, although the assistant bishop is an Officer of the LCNZ).
Questions around a lay assistant as contact point: Comment was made that in Western Australia a lay assistant had been intentionally raised up to support the part-time bishop. Could this be part of the solution for a contact person in New Zealand? But the over-arching point remains: at 30 September (the end of Bishop Mark’s transition period) there may be no elected Officers of the LCNZ. This needs to be resolved urgently.
Second reading of nominations:
Electoral officer Pastor John Davison read nominations for a second time, including the nomination of Peter Conaglen, Charity Integrity Audit, as auditor.
Dennis Mollet was put forward as a late nomination to the position of Finance Advisory Committee Convenor.
Session Three 3.50pm-5.40pm Chaired by Pastor Andy Marr
Report of the Bishop of the LCANZ Book of Reports pp33-40 Presented by Bishop Paul Smith
Bishop Paul focussed on three main aspects of his written report, firstly highlighting the work of Australian Lutheran College and the changes there, distributing copies of its annual appeal publication Saints Alive to delegates. He highlighted the roles of New Zealand expatriates Dr Stephen Haar (Vice Principal and lecturer in Biblical Theology) and Rev Richard Haar (lecturer in Systematic Theology) as central to the life of the college. Specific Ministry Pastoral candidate Mark Tung (Botany, Auckland) also featured in the magazine. Bishop Paul reminded delegates that the college provided a range of learning opportunities and qualifications that may be accessed online.
Bishop Paul reported on the Ministry Futures Project, currently being undertaken by Bishop Emeritus Greg Pietsch. The project focusses on ways to meet the growing need for pastors within LCANZ as older pastors retire and fewer candidates step forward to study for ordination. Regionalisation of congregations, resource sharing (including of ordained pastors) and cooperation are seen as some of the potential solutions. Other issues to be considered include the eligibility of Specific Ministry Pastors to be included on the call list, and for them to have equal standing with General Ministry Pastors in other aspects of church life (such as General Pastors Conference). Many of the issues raised in discussion of the remit before this synod are aspects that may be identified for change under the Ministry Futures Project.
Finally Bishop Paul addressed the Looking Forward 2024 project, outlining the purpose of its eight working groups, seeking to find a way for the church to embrace two practices of ordination (for women and men, and for men only). He encouraged New Zealanders to take part in the different tasks that the working groups would undertake – but above all to pray for the whole church in this process.
Executive Officer of the Church
Brett Hausler was introduced to his first LCNZ convention, noting that previous Executive Officer Peter Schirmer had visited New Zealand numerous times. In a shortened presentation he outlined some of the challenges of being one church across two nations, but said that the churchwide office, despite some challenges existed to serve the church in all its locations. But needs could not be addressed if they were unknown. Brett pointed to the publication Congregation and Parish services for 2023 as a guide to ways in which the churchwide office could support congregations and individuals. Brett also mentioned the importance of maintaining good cyber security, in the face of ongoing attacks on church websites and databases. While email and other digital technologies made communication easier between Churchwide Office and congregations, it had the potential to make people more vulnerable to attack.
Secretary of the Church
Dr Nigel Long was also introduced to his first LCNZ convention: his first trip to Aotearoa. In his short presentation he focussed on the importance of online learning and the variety of resources available, primarily through the ALC Learning Hub. These are not just for pastors but also for congregational leaders and volunteers.
Question: Who oversees recording of ongoing professional development for pastors and leaders?
Professional development is an ongoing requirement for pastors of the church, they need to recognise a shared learning partnership. Pastors have a form that they are required to fill in annually to record their efforts in this area. One particularly important activity is ongoing reading in theology.
Short video presentations were provided by the Departments of Local Mission, International Mission and Australian Lutheran World Service. Because of time limits and the need to continue discussion on the remit relating to episcopal oversight, these could not be shown.
Looking Forward in the LCNZ (continued):
Discussion of this question spanned two sessions. For clarity all the discussion has been included in the minutes of Session Two.
Motion: The motion was put (as recorded p7 above) to the synod.
Election of office bearers
Electoral officer Pastor John Davison announced the following people have been elected to serve as Council of Synod:
Dennis Mollet – Finance Advisory Committee Convenor
Pastor Phillip Husband – Congregational Life Facilitator
Andrew Mattiske, Lesley Johnson – Lay representatives
Pastor representative – Andy Marr
Auditor – Peter Conaglen, Charity Integrity Audit
Prayers were offered in thanks for those who have service in the past and over those who have been elected to serve in this next term. A special prayer was expressed for God to raise up a treasurer.
Adoption of the 2023 budget
Be It resolved That the 2023 budget of the LCNZ be accepted as tabled and approved.
Adoption of the 2022 Consolidated Performance Report
Be It resolved That the Consolidated Performance Report for 2022 be accepted as tabled and approved.
There being no further business, the session was declared closed at 5.45pm.
In Memoriam 5.50pm-6.10pm
Bishop Mark Whitfield led delegates and visitors in a memorial rite, remembering the 32 members of LCNZ congregations called home since the last convention.
The Convention dinner was held at the Club Hotel, Marton, beginning at 6.30pm. Prior to service Bishop Mark made a small presentation to retiring chair and lay representative Paul Argyle, in thanks for his eight years of service on Council of Synod. Paul led dinner guests in table grace.
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Sunday 11 June, 2023
Worship with Holy Communion began at approximately 9.30am.
In attendance: Bishop Paul Smith, Dr Nigel Long, Brett Hausler, Bishop Mark Whitfield, pastors, delegates, visitors, regular congregation members: 120 people.
Bible readings were Hosea 5:15-6:6 (Gillian Futcher) and Matthew 9:9-13, 18-26 (Bishop Mark Whitfield).
Bishop Paul Smith preached on Matthew 9:25: ‘Jesus went in and took her by the hand’.
Office bearers were installed as part of the service and a rite of farewell for Bishop Mark Whitfield conducted by Bishop Paul Smith included a familial blessing, laying down of the Episcopal cross and presentation of an Emeriti cross. Paul Argyle also made a presentation to Bishop Mark and Leanne Whitfield on behalf of the synod and members of the Lutheran Church of New Zealand. Bishop Mark and the Whitfield family greeted attendees at the door.
Morning tea followed at approximately 11.45am.
Cross-cultural ministry at Mountainside noon-12.45pm Presented by Pastor Nicholas Kitchen and Specific Ministry Candidate Felix Tong
The previous LCNZ synod granted the Mountainside congregation a three-year funding package from The Gateway Gift. This session was intended to inform synod about how this funding is being used to spread the gospel.
Felix Tong began the presentation speaking about the Chinese (primarily Cantonese-speaking) group which he leads – one of 24 language groups represented at Mountainside. Their primary focus is toward recent immigrants from Hong Kong and other parts of China in Auckland, utilising a four-step ministry model for intentional evangelism. Most of the people they work with are non-believers hearing the gospel for the first time.
Social media contact is important in Step 1, which invites people together for large dinner gatherings (this was interrupted to significant extent by COVID). The gatherings are a prime vehicle for making connections and beginning to establish relationships.
Relationship-building is essential to Step 2 when people are invited to join excursions, picnics and other activities. Conversational English language classes are also part of this, as well as a youth group where Chinese teenagers can gather to practice their English skills and have fun together. People are invited to come along to the Saturday afternoon Cantonese language worship services.
Cell groups are an integral part of Step 3: here people are encouraged to come along to study how to read and understand the Bible. Preparation for baptism and Holy Communion also occurs in small groups. When one older Chinese woman was admitted to a nursing home Felix and others were permitted to visit and conduct a bible study group which now has a regular attendance of about seven or eight people.
In Step 4 people are baptised as new Christians and encouraged to reach out to others. Felix paid tribute to the work of Leo Liu (delegate to the 41st synod) whose witness to the gospel and public testimony about his life as a Christian had a strong impact on many others. Leo died recently, but was able to be present for the baptisms of two people whom he had touched with his love and wisdom.
Pastor Nich spoke about the intricacies of not dealing with just one or two, but 24 different language groups. With Auckland’s population 53% European and the Mountainside congregation having 44% European makeup, there is a strong need for partnerships across the congregation. When parts of the worship service are conducted in different languages, everyone is encouraged to take part, promoting acceptance of other cultures: “they are singing in MY language!” Pastor Nich said that with the vast majority of the congregation comprised of first-generation migrants, new Christians and non-believers, an intentional, evangelistic and partnership-focussed approach was essential.
Mountainside is a significant contributor to the Department of Local Mission’s Cross-Cultural ministry network and partners with Lifeway Lutheran Church in Epping which has a similar focus on bringing people of different cultures together rather than creating separate ethnic congregations. As well as supervising Felix’s SMP studies and development, Pastor Nich works to ensure that the Chinese language congregation is not separated from the main Mountainside congregation. Pastor Nich and Felix work together to hold combined services once per month, integrate youth groups and musicians and generally model ‘partnership’ right across the congregation.
Question: what might Mountainside be seeking from the LCNZ when the current funding arrangement ends (at the end of 2024)?
The congregation does not envisage looking for the same level of support again, but does anticipate making regular applications for grants from The Gateway Gift in support of particular initiatives as they arise.
Question: what congregational governance structure is in place?
Of the present ministry council of nine, only three are New Zealand-born. But those three tend to make most decisions. Pastor Nich is working to change that so that there is a mix of voices and decision-making across cultural divisions.
Question: What is the Mountainside vision for the future?
Auckland is a city of 1.5 million people, with only one cross-cultural Lutheran congregation. The vision would be to plant congregations across the suburbs, using the same partnership model, rather than congregations based around ethnic groups.
The Mountainside presentation was acclaimed and encouraged with applause.
The session ended at 12.45pm with sung grace before lunch.
Congregational Sharing and workshop 1.30pm-2.40pm Mark Tung (Botany, Auckland) and Pastor Phil Husband (Harrison Street Community Church Whanganui)
Botany: Mark began his presentation with greetings from the Botany congregation and thanking Mountainside for outlining the ethnic diversity of Auckland. He brought a brief history of Botany, which was formed in 2006, grew to 100 members by 2010 and then dwindled back to as few as seven members. Now the congregation is growing again and worshipping in rented premises. Mark is currently studying to become a Specific Ministry Pastor – a role he had no intention of taking up when he left Botany in 2017, but which he felt called to on his return to Auckland in 2021. A first-generation Christian himself, Mark credits a Chinese missionary pastor and church planter from Taiwan who works throughout Asia as his mentor in this new role.
Mark said that there were two parts to the Botany focus: one on mission to (primarily) Chinese immigrants and the other on discipleship – growing Christians from non-believers.
The mission focus includes witnessing to recent immigrants, who, having come out of repressive communist culture, are thirsty to hear the gospel. Witnessing to who we are, how Christ has changed us is essential to building relationships with them, Mark said. People are invited to gather at church on Sunday, where two services are held: one primarily in Mandarin (preferred by older people), the other in English (preferred by younger people). Building relationships is key to mission, so the aim is to eventually combine these two services into one bi-lingual worship experience.
The discipleship focus is about introducing people to God’s word – the Bible – and how to read it. Small groups focus on reading the Bible and coming to understand that this is how God speaks into their lives. Sunday school and intentional groups for older teenagers also focus heavily on introducing young people to Christian life: “you plant the seed but you never know where it will grow,” Mark said.
Harrison Street Community Church: Pastor Phil’s presentation (originally scheduled as both sharing and workshop but shortened because of time over-runs earlier in the day) began with a reminder of the thief on the cross – that Jesus invites everyone. Harrison Street aims to do the same with its whānau (family), to make everyone feel welcome and valued. A new mission statement has been adopted: ‘connecting all people with our awesome God’, in the belief that all who walk through the doors have been called there by the Holy Spirit.
Things are done differently to the ‘normal’ way of doing Lutheran church: one takes the form of a community meal where all are welcome, both to serve others by taking part in the cooking and to be served through food and friendship. Between six and ten families are also currently supported with food aid on a regular basis. Another takes the form of a games afternoon, where board games and other intentionally communication-focused activities are used to build relationships. People are trained to use intentional conversations to build relationships and speak to where those coming in are at – and also held accountable for doing so. The church is understood as whānau, with rules that govern behaviour of all, for the wellbeing of all who are there. Sometimes this requires (or allows for) the exercise of repentance, forgiveness and restoration. Sometimes it can be challenging to achieve.
During COVID and vaccination mandates, Harrison Street did not close its doors, instead choosing that for their community it was more realistic to provide two community meal sittings – one for those who were vaccinated and one for those who were not. In this way they were able to maintain the sense of caring for the whole whānau – almost the only church in Whanganui who did not go into lockdown mode.
Pastor Phil challenged other congregations to think differently about how they approached evangelism and mission. He argued that ‘church as we know it’ is for those who are there, who feel comfortable with it. But that model of worship does not meet the needs of the wider community – needs for relationship, for a safe place, for connection, for food and help to find shelter. “Currently we (churches) offer what we want, not what they (community members) need,” he said. “Our church needs people, and people need love”.
The vote of thanks was moved by Georgina Preston, delegate for St Paul’s Wellington:
It is my pleasure to stand here and move a vote of thanks.
There are always a lot of people to thank at an event like this, a very smooth-running and enjoyable synod.
The wonderful people in the kitchen and those others who prepared behind the scenes;
The minute secretaries (David Sathananthan, Dawn Nippert, Rosie Schefe, Anne Somerville, Gerhard Hoppe, Vicki Wood);
Those who chaired the sessions;
Those running PowerPoint;
The musicians, including Bishop Mark for the Synod song;
Those who organised the Book of Reports;
Presenters;
Our visitors from Australia;
Congregational representatives and visitors;
And especially Pastor Warren and the congregation of St Martin’s Marton, for hosting us.
I move a vote of thanks to everyone involved and especially the congregation of St Martin’s.
An invitation to meet at Mountainside Lutheran Church, Auckland in 2025 was extended to delegates in Cantonese, Spanish and English. A formal invitation will be extended to the Council of Synod.
Closing
The 42nd Convention of the Lutheran Church of New Zealand was closed with prayer and a final benediction at 3.00pm.
Mā Kōrero Manawatū
These minutes were adopted as a true and accurate record of the at the Council of Synod meeting in Wellington on 25 August 2023.
Mark Whitfield
Bishop Emeritus
