2022 LCA WA M&M Session Guide
Worship Life and Theme Development
The Mission and Ministry Conference is a wonderful time to worship together with the WA District faith community. We will draw on the resources of our District to celebrate faith together in the days of conference and explore the theme verse chosen for this gathering.
The theme – “Lacking Nothing, Giving All” is drawn from reflection on 1 Corinthians 1:4,7 where we read, ‘I always thank my God for you because of his grace given you in Christ Jesus. . .[for] you do not lack any spiritual gift as you eagerly wait for our Lord Jesus Christ to be revealed.’
How often do we operate out of a feeling of scarcity and poverty when this verse speaks of a different reality? Are we challenged to take a different viewpoint of what we have as we serve the Lord?
The What and How of Sharing the Gospel
Matt Schubert
The word “Gospel” is used for so much in around church – attached to this and that. So when someone starts talking about ‘sharing the Gospel’, it can feel like this big cloudy mass in our mind, and we wonder… which part do I share? The goal of this workshop is clarity. In this session, we’ll discuss the Gospel simply as a Person and how we can bring this person (Jesus) into our conversations in a natural way through the use of good questions and careful listening. This session is not a comprehensive-all-you-need-to-know-about-evangelism course, but you will leave with just a few simple ways you can begin directing your conversations in a Jesus-direction. At the conclusion of this introductory session, you’ll be pointed towards some further resources to continue your growth in everyday evangelism.
What do Lutherans believe when it comes to Predestination?
Pastor Glenn Crouch
Predestination is a tricky topic that we often avoid. Luther and many of his contemporaries avoided preaching on the topic, though they did address it in their pastoral care and in their teaching of Scripture. Whilst it is not really covered in our Catechisms nor in the Augsburg Confession, there is a whole article on it in the Formula of Concord – which is a part of our confessions: the Book of Concord. This session is designed to give you the historical background for this Article, the basics of what we as Lutherans confess to believe, and the practical application for our congregations today. Also find out why our approach to predestination is called “broken”, and why we are happy with that!
The Birth of Scheduled Death
Pastor Jason Pokela
In a world where people have shaped and conformed their surroundings to suit their own cause of perceived needs, how do we handle the challenges surrounding end-of-life issues. What are the scriptural, pastoral and practical challenges and answers for ourselves as we wrestle with this and interact with others who do – all in a world that seems to have given itself permission to book an appointment with death?
Finding Time with God through His Creation
Kim Kreis
Are you aware of God throughout your day as you marvel in His glorious creation? Let us open our eyes and hearts to Him as we see Him all around us; and then spend a spontaneous conversation rejoicing in our experience.
Is it a sunset, a dead sculptural tree against a blue sky, perhaps a coastal experience, the soft eyes of a family pet, the detail and surprise of the colourful pattern on an insect, the complexity of a floral bloom, maybe a soaring mountain or deep valley, a stream running on rocks in dappled light? Did I mention humanity?
There are so many verses in the Bible encouraging us to interact with God’s creation. This session will utilise and hands on art project to make a lasting memory of this experience.
AIM:
• Create change, so that, for example, on the next drive to Perth we allow a glimpse of the world around us to create a moment with God, that breaks into our normal thoughts about running late, locking the front door, paying the bills, dinner tonight etc.
• More regular and spontaneous time with God creating a closer relationship
Pastoral Care 101
Pastor Glenn Crouch
Pastoral Care is not just for pastors, rather as followers of Jesus, we are instructed to love one another. As we develop friendships and other relationships, both within and outside the church, we will often find ourselves in situations where someone turns to us for help. How do we care for one another? What does the Bible have to say about such things? What resources are there? Whilst in no way being exhaustive, this session aims to help you in caring for others.
Parents in Pain
Pastor Steve Liersch
The Parents in Pain Bible studies have been designed to help parents / grandparents cope with the heartache of having loved ones turn from their Christian faith. Parents in Pain is designed to be completed over four sessions and Pastor Steve will give some background trends in our Australian society followed by an overview of each study. These sessions will introduce you to a series of four topics that allow for mutual sharing that ensures parents receive support and encouragement from others who are on a similar journey. They are not designed to be a therapy or counselling session.
Pastor’s Steve’s prayer is that you begin the journey by whetting your appetite for some special time with our Gracious God of Healing.
