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Pastor Mark Schultz has accepted a call from the LCANZ to serve as the church’s Assistant to the Bishop – International Mission from next year. Despite serving for 18 years at Sydney’s LifeWay Lutheran Church, Pastor Mark wasn’t looking for a change. However, God had a new plan for the lead pastor at the multi-ethnic, multi-site church.
These two newly ordained graduates from Australian Lutheran College have explored very different study and work backgrounds before answering God’s call to become General Ministry Pastors. They are stepping out in faith to begin their first pastoral ministry parish assignments in 2024. Read on to get to know them a little and discover more about their ministry journeys.
Tom Kitson
AGE: 32
FAMILY: Wife Evie, daughter Norah
HOME CONGREGATION: Various!
VICARAGE: St Paul Lutheran Church Blair Athol South Australia, with Pastor Matt Bishop
ORDAINED: 17 December 2023 at St Paul Lutheran Church Blair Athol SA by Bishop Paul Smith
ASSIGNED TO: Bethania Lutheran Church Queensland
Who were the most influential people in your life as you were growing up? Mum and Dad, youth leaders at church, sporting heroes and favourite musicians
Who are the most influential people for you now? My parents and parents-in-law, mentors through previous work, other pastors
What did you do before you went to ALC? I studied journalism and teaching, then had jobs in youth work and disability support work.
Who or what encouraged you along the journey towards beginning pastoral studies?
For me it was a slow build-up, I started off saying I’d never do it and then it became more and more obvious to me God was calling me to ministry.
What is your most relied-upon Bible verse and why? There are many, but at the moment it would be John 20:21 – ‘As the Father has sent me, I am sending you’ – because it reminds me Jesus is with us and calling us for his purposes.
The most important thing people need to know about God is … that we have a God who loves us, cares for us, knows us by name and wants us to be part of his family.
Which privilege of being a pastor are you most looking forward to? Being a trusted spiritual leader and pastoral carer
What is your favourite leisure activity? Playing soccer, making music and spending time with family
What is your favourite movie? Gladiator
If you could chat with any famous person, living or dead, who would it be? Jesus, King David
Jacob Fabich
AGE: 30
FAMILY: Wife Tegan (married Dec 2023)
HOME CONGREGATION: Holy Trinity, Mildura and Immanuel, North Adelaide
VICARAGE: Goulburn-Murray Lutheran Parish Victoria, with Pastor Matthias Prenzler
ORDAINED: 3 December 2023 at Holy Trinity Lutheran Church Mildura Vic by LCANZ Bishop Paul Smith
ASSIGNED TO: Eudunda-Robertstown Lutheran Parish South Australia
Who were the most influential people in your life as you were growing up? Grandparents
Who are the most influential people for you now? I’ve got to know quite a few pastors, and they are quite influential.
What did you do before you went to ALC? I studied for a Bachelor of Health Science (Naturopathy) and also worked in the ALC Refectory.
Who or what encouraged you along the journey towards beginning pastoral studies? 2015 ALC graduates Colin Simpkin, Geoff Schefe, Andrew Neumann and Matt Bishop. Also, a trip down a waterfall in which I experienced God’s protection gave me a nudge, finalised by a redundancy.
What is your most relied-upon Bible verse and why? Tough call between Philippians 4:4 and Romans 5:1. Romans tells me I have peace with God, and Philippians tells me to be joyful about it!
The most important thing people need to know about God is … that he’s done it all!
Which privilege of being a pastor are you most looking forward to? Bringing God’s good news to people in word and sacrament.
What is your favourite leisure activity? Ballroom dancing (and playing music for dancing)
What is your favourite movie? Chicken Run
If you could chat with any famous person, living or dead, who would it be and why? Hyacinth Bucket (the character from the British sitcom Keeping Up Appearances) …why not! – but just the once would probably be enough! It might be helpful in learning interpersonal skills with difficult people.
These three newly ordained graduates from Australian Lutheran College come from a wide range of backgrounds but will all be stepping out in faith to begin their first pastoral ministry parish assignments in 2023. Read on to get to know them a little and discover more about their ministry journeys.
JEREMY SMITH
AGE: 30
FAMILY: Wife Katie Smith
HOME CONGREGATION: St Johns Corinda Qld
VICARAGE: Faith Warradale SA, with Pastor Tim Klein
ASSIGNED TO: Immanuel Kadina, part of Maitland Parish SA
Who were the most influential people in your life as you were growing up? My family has been an incredible gift from God, especially the example of the faith of my parents and grandparents and the continual support and dependability of my parents and siblings.
Who are the most influential people for you now? Apart from my family, Katie and other long-term friends continue to help me through challenges and to understand how God works in my life.
What did you do before you went to ALC? I studied computer games programming and spent several years in games development while also working part-time at a conference centre.
Who or what encouraged you along the journey towards beginning pastoral studies? My brother helped me understand my sense of call, but my entire family and my experiences leading Christian Life Week camps were great sources of encouragement.
What is your most relied-upon Bible verse and why? 1 Corinthians 2:2. It’s easy to get caught up in the complexity of theology, but this verse is a hope-filled reminder that draws me back to the heart of the gospel – Jesus Christ and him crucified for us.
The most important thing people need to know about God is … what he has done for them (deliverance from sin, death, and the power of the Devil), and what it cost (the suffering and death of Jesus, his Son).
Which privilege of being a pastor are you most looking forward to? Walking the baptismal journey with people, especially supporting parents in their role of handing on the faith to their children and in helping young people understand all that they have received through baptism.
What is your favourite leisure activity? Katie and I enjoy going for walks to look at birds, bugs, and other wonders of God’s creation, and playing video games.
What is your favourite movie? It’s hard to pick a favourite, but I do enjoy The Princess Bride.
If you could chat with any famous person, living or dead, who would it be and why? There would be a lot of great people I would love to talk to as a witness of the faith, such as Paul, Mary, or Luther (perhaps with both our ‘Katies’!), but I would also like to chat with my grandmother, Neva, again.
JOEL GRIEGER
AGE: 31
FAMILY: Wife Nicola and son Henry
HOME CONGREGATION: Pilgrims of Zion Sedan SA
VICARAGE: St Pauls Glenelg SA, under the supervision of Pastor Tim Ebbs
ASSIGNED TO: Bordertown Parish SA
Who were the most influential people in your life as you were growing up? My parents
Who are the most influential people for you now? There are a lot of people who guide and influence me.
What did you do before you went to ALC? I worked in retail, more specifically in the fresh produce department of a supermarket.
Who or what encouraged you along the journey towards beginning pastoral studies? My participation in the 2017 Grow Leadership program, along with Pastor Neville Otto, whom I met during the program.
What is your most relied-upon Bible verse and why? Psalm 119:105. It reminds me that all we know about God comes from his word and that his word tells us how we should strive to live a holy life.
The most important thing people need to know about God is … that he is a loving and compassionate God above anything else!
Which privilege of being a pastor are you most looking forward to? Encouraging people on their faith journey by walking alongside them; serving people through God’s means of grace – welcoming them into God’s family through baptism, and reminding them of that grace through the Lord’s supper.
What is your favourite leisure activity? I am a sports fanatic, so anything to do with playing or watching sport.
What is your favourite movie? I’m not really into movies, but Forrest Gump definitely stands the test of time.
If you could chat with any famous person, living or dead, who would it be, and why? Bruce McAvaney, as he seems to be a sports nut, which would resonate with me. There are also people in biblical times – such as Judas or Jonah – whom I would want to ask why [they did what they did].
EDWIN SHOESMITH
AGE: 33
FAMILY: Wife Fiona and children Paxton, 4, and Chester, 18 months
HOME CONGREGATION: Emmanuel Lutheran Fellowship Toowoomba Qld
VICARAGE: St Petri Lutheran Church Nuriootpa SA, with Pastor Adrian Kitson
ASSIGNED TO: St James Lutheran Church Hervey Bay Qld
Who were the most influential people in your life as you were growing up? My grandfather played a key role in mentoring me, he would always be willing to help me.
Who are the most influential people for you now? Close family and friends
What did you do before you went to ALC? I was a theatre nurse in Toowoomba, then moved into clinical support for an orthopaedic company working with surgeons in theatre.
Who or what encouraged you along the journey towards beginning pastoral studies? My father was a big player in my taking the first step to contact ALC, along with Bishop Paul Smith. During my time at ALC, Dr Stephen Pietsch and Dr Andrew Pfeiffer were both hugely involved in my discernment for pastoral ministry.
What is your most relied-upon Bible verse and why? Isaiah 40:1–11. Because of Christ, our warfare is ended, we can find comfort in him and share that comfort with others. The most important thing people need to know about God is … that you are forgiven.
Which privilege of being a pastor are you most looking forward to? Ministering to those in times of need
What is your favourite leisure activity? Hunting and fishing
What is your favourite movie? The Lord of the Rings amongst many others
If you could chat with any famous person, living or dead, who would it be and why? J.R.R Tolkien – I would get a nice scotch, sit down in a comfortable chair, and ask him to ‘tell me a story’.
LCANZ pastor and Australian Army Chaplain Darren Jaensch has been recognised in the Queen’s Birthday 2022 Honours, as a Member in the Military Division of the Order of Australia.
LCANZ pastor Darren Jaensch has been recognised in the Queen’s Birthday 2022 Honours List. The Director General Chaplaincy – Army since December 2017, Pastor Darren has been made a Member (AM) in the Military Division of the Order of Australia for ‘exceptional performance of duty in chaplaincy leadership and development’.
An Australian Army chaplain in various roles since beginning part-time with the Army Reserve in 1998, he accepted a full-time call with the Army two years later. Released by the LCA to represent the church in that mission context, Pastor Darren will be returning to parish ministry in 2023, having accepted a call to Holy Cross Lutheran Church at Belconnen in the Australian Capital Territory.
Pastor Darren described receiving the AM as ‘a very humbling but wonderful affirmation’. ‘The sad part is that our entire Army chaplaincy team provides amazing ministry that contributes to the recognised achievements, but there is only one recipient of the award’, he said.
‘Our Army chaplains are engaged in meaningful human interactions, meeting soldiers (and their families) in the raw realities of their lives and the sacred spaces of their spiritual walk and human existence, most recently in supporting the Australian community through COVID-19 and the floods. All the while, sharing their hardships and dangers. And it is my deep honour to lead them whilst flying the flag for our beloved LCANZ.
‘The affirmation is nice, particularly for my family who bear the cost and are long-suffering, but all glory belongs to God in whom “we live and move and have our being”.’
The citation of his honour reads: ‘Principal Chaplain Jaensch’s exceptional leadership as the Director General Chaplaincy – Army has optimized relevant and effective chaplaincy across Army. His wisdom, persistence and compassion have progressed the recruiting and integration of gender and culturally diverse, full and part-time and multi-faith chaplains … His leadership is in the finest traditions of the Australian Army and the Australian Defence Force’ (ADF).
The congratulations of the church are offered to Pastor Darren and any other members honoured with awards.
To learn more about what our Army and other Australian Defence Force chaplains do, see the following videos: https://youtu.be/RX4ZXLq3ymQ; https://youtu.be/2kFgiOIyGM8 and https://youtu.be/q0WQFdhzI38
Pictured above: Brigadier Darren Jaensch stands in the tower of the Australian National Memorial at Villers-Bretonneux in France. Photograph: LSIS Jake Badior. Copyright: Commonwealth of Australia Department of Defence
Almost six in 10 Lutheran pastors in Australia have dealt with domestic and family violence (DFV) situations and all LCA clergy have responded to victims of abuse, national survey findings suggest.
The recently published findings were collated from responses to the National Church Life Survey (NCLS) Leader Survey 2016. Domestic and family violence is a serious and widespread problem in Australia and the full survey findings support the belief that it occurs in all communities, including communities of faith.
Ninety-three per cent of Lutheran pastors who responded to the survey reported having dealt with victims of abuse, by counselling them (82 per cent), referring them to specialist services (68 per cent), and/or conducting a safety risk assessment with the victim (18 per cent). More than half of Lutheran respondents (54 per cent) either had counselled perpetrators, referred perpetrators to a service agency or did both (46 per cent counselled, 25 per cent referred).
Around half (54 per cent) provided marriage or couples counselling in relation to DFV situations. However, NCLS Research suggests couples counselling in such situations is problematic. Victims of domestic violence and support services maintain that couples counselling is ineffective and unsafe, as it fails to address the unequal power in an abusive relationship and can place the victim at increased risk.
Overall, two thirds (67 per cent) of senior local Australian church leaders from 14 denominations and movements who participated in the 2016 NCLS reported dealing with DFV situations.
The full domestic and family violence survey results have been published in a peer-reviewed paper in the academic journal ‘Religions’. The paper, ‘Domestic and Family Violence: Responses and Approaches across the Australian Churches’, reports on actions that church leaders have taken when responding to DFV situations and on views about the approachability of Australian churches for those experiencing DFV. The first Australia-wide, cross-denominational survey study to do so, it is available online at www.mdpi.com/2077-1444/13/3/270
In 2017, the LCA launched its Campaign for the Prevention of Domestic and Family Violence under the tagline Hidden Hurts Healing Hearts. Visit the campaign website at www.preventdfv.lca.org.au for more information and resources.
The National Council of Churches’ listing of domestic and family violence resources is at: https://www.ncca.org.au/safe-church-program/domestic-andfamily-violence
GET HELP
If you or someone you know is affected by domestic and family violence, visit www.anrows.org.au/get-support or call 1800 RESPECT (24-hour National Sexual
Assault Family Domestic Violence Counselling Service), or Lifeline Counselling (24 hours) 131 114. In an emergency, call 000.
Each of these three pastoral ministry graduates from Australian Lutheran College has grown up with ordained ministers in their families, with Ben Graham and Mitch Kitson being the sons of Lutheran pastors and David Cherry having an Anglican minister as his grandfather. But, apart from that, their ministry journeys differ greatly. Recently ordained, they will all be stepping out in faith to begin their first assignments as LCANZ pastors in 2022. Read on to discover more about our newest shepherds.
DAVID CHERRY
AGE: 30
FAMILY: Wife Kayla, daughters Esther and Eloise
HOME CONGREGATION: Wodonga Vic
ASSIGNED TO: Wagga Wagga and Milbrulong NSW
Who were the most influential people in your life as you were growing up? My grandfather, Bruce Ellis, a minister in the Anglican church. He would go to different parishes where priests had been removed and work with the congregation in their problems until a new priest could be called. Witnessing that ministry showed me the importance of forgiveness and how God’s word can speak into our problems.
Who are the most influential people for you now? My vicar father Pastor David Kuss. Going on vicarage with him showed me many things about ministry.
What did you do before you went to ALC? I started out in carpentry, then completed three years as an apprentice boilermaker. I volunteered with the NSW Rural Fire Service and the Vic and NSW State Emergency Services. I also completed a Certificate III in Civil Construction. I had a gut feeling where God was calling me and kept trying to avoid his call.
Who or what encouraged you along the journey towards beginning pastoral studies? I am still not sure, but while I was working in Albury/Wodonga I received a letter from ALC asking me if I was interested in studying in the pastoral stream. That was all the encouragement I needed. After that, everything fell into place, as if I were finally going where God was calling me.
What is your most relied upon Bible verse and why? Ephesians 2:8–10, because when I was in a really dark place and could see no way forward, that verse told me I was created in Christ Jesus to do things God had already prepared for me. That gave me hope and peace.
The most important thing people need to know about God is … Christ died for us, for our sins, which means when we struggle and are trying to find our own way out, we need to simply be still and know that he is God, that he loves us first.
Which privilege of being a pastor are you most looking forward to? Being able to bring peace, hope and love to people through the words Christ has given us.
What is your favourite leisure activity? Working with my hands, whether metalwork and welding, or carpentry, or repairing my car and things around the house. Also working on farms remains a favourite.
What is your favourite movie? I don’t really have a favourite movie, but I do have a favourite TV series – Dr Who.
If you could chat to any famous person, living or dead, who would it be and why? I would like to sit down and talk with three people: C.S. Lewis, Hermann Sasse and Martin Luther.
BEN GRAHAM
AGE: 36
FAMILY: Wife Brianna
HOME CONGREGATION: St John’s Bundaberg Qld
ASSIGNED TO: Lowood Parish Qld
Who were the most influential people in your life as you were growing up? [Writers] Raymond E Feist, Isaac Asimov, Douglas Adams and HG Wells
Who are the most influential people for you now? My wife, Brianna
What did you do before you went to ALC? I spent 10 years as an industrial chemist working for Bundaberg Sugar.
Who or what encouraged you along the journey towards beginning pastoral studies? Mostly Jesus, but also my dad [who is a pastor] and good friend Tony Bowes.
What is your most relied upon Bible verse and why? Philippians 4:13 for two reasons. I cannot so much as wake myself up from a nap if it were not for our Heavenly Father. We need his grace and mercy to accomplish anything. Also, the verses around this remind me what is really important … mercy, humility and forgiveness.
The most important thing people need to know about God is … written in the Bible. You should have a read for yourself and see if you can find it. What is most important for one person might not be most important for another.
Which privilege of being a pastor are you most looking forward to? Blessing God’s people. I really like the part of the liturgy where the pastor gets to say, ’The Lord be with you’.
What is your favourite leisure activity? Playing computer games, learning how they work and overcoming the challenges that they set before me.
What is your favourite movie? Possibly Redline (2009) or Gurren Lagann the Movie: Childhood’s End (2008). Both are pretty and have great characters. [Also] Avengers Assemble (2012). Of all the Marvel movies, this was the most fun to watch.
If you could chat to any famous person, living or dead, who would it be and why? Apparently, Albert Einstein was really good at telling jokes, so he might be a fun famous person to hang out with.
MITCHELL KITSON
AGE: 24
FAMILY: Wife Olivia
HOME CONGREGATION: St Petri Nuriootpa SA
ASSIGNED TO: St Martin’s Mount Gambier SA
Who were the most influential people in your life as you were growing up? I’ve had many different influences in different areas of life: family and friends, teachers, sports coaches, church members and others.
Who are the most influential people for you now? A range of people influence who I am today. I’d add lecturers and pastors to the list as well.
What did you do before you went to ALC? After high school I completed a Certificate IV through ALC and then tried starting a Bachelor of Arts at Adelaide University.
Who or what encouraged you along the journey towards beginning pastoral studies? I felt that my life had a purpose that my degree wasn’t directing me towards. A few people suggested that I inquire about studying at ALC and I soon found myself beginning pastoral studies.
What is your most relied upon Bible verse and why? It has to be Ephesians 2:8–9. We can all be very good at patting ourselves on the back or blaming ourselves for our shortcomings. This verse reminds me that I am saved purely by God’s grace.
The most important thing people need to know about God is … that he isn’t distant or impersonal, but the exact opposite, which is why he sent Jesus into the world.
Which privilege of being a pastor are you most looking forward to? Living and breathing God’s mission in the community he has placed me in and working alongside people in that great task.
What is your favourite leisure activity? Olivia and I love going camping together. I’m also a keen follower of a few different sports.
What is your favourite movie? I’ve always loved the whole Star Wars saga, but Return of the Jedi is my favourite.
If you could chat to any famous person, living or dead, who would it be and why? Melbourne Demons AFL ruckman Max Gawn. He seems like a genuine bloke with a brilliant sense of humour.
Pastors are being invited to share their insights into how religious beliefs and practices have been used in the perpetration of violence, as part of a research project initiated by the LCANZ.
The research, commissioned by the church’s Prevention of Domestic and Family Violence Campaign task force and supported by Bishop Paul Smith, involves interviewing and surveying pastors about their understanding of domestic violence and experiences as they ministered to men who have used violence. It also involves interviewing and surveying men who have used violence to understand their recovery journey and beliefs.
It is hoped that the research’s outcomes will support the development of more effective policies and practices to prevent domestic violence, both inside and outside of church settings.
Bishop Paul said, ‘Anyone who has been with a victim/survivor of domestic violence knows deeply that we cannot ignore this great wickedness at work in our society, in our congregations, and even in many of our own families.
‘Our Lord has called his people to be on guard against all kinds of evil and wrongdoing. He has taught us to pray, “Deliver us from evil”. Hence, as people of the LCANZ, as God’s people seeking to bring God’s love to life in our society, I commend to you this project.’
The research is being led by Professor Sarah Wendt, at Flinders University, in partnership with Professor Wendy Mayer at Australian Lutheran College.
The confidential online survey for pastors can be accessed at:
https://qualtrics.flinders.edu.au/jfe/form/SV_01CpsPDf4wveJ9Q
A separate online survey for men who have previously used violence against their partners is at: https://qualtrics.flinders.edu.au/jfe/form/SV_79QdDy5Bium80fk
For more information, contact Professor Sarah Wendt on 08 8201 3978 or at sarah.wendt@flinders.edu.au
Phone 1800RESPECT (1800 737 732) or MensLine (1300 789 978) for free, 24-hour domestic violence counselling.
Even though COVID-related travel restrictions make deploying a missionary overseas a far more drawn out and challenging prospect than it was just two years ago, Pastor Murray and Tracy Smith are now a step closer to their move to serve in Papua New Guinea (PNG).
Pastor Murray has been called to serve as a lecturer at the Evangelical Lutheran Church of PNG’s (ELC-PNG) Senior Flierl Seminary at Logaweng, near Finschhafen from next year. The Smiths, who plan to move to PNG later this year, were joined by family and friends at St Martin’s Lutheran Church at Mannum on the River Murray in South Australia on 17 October for Pastor Murray’s commissioning as an LCA missionary.
Having grown up in the nearby Bowhill congregation, the choice of Mannum for the service was significant for Pastor Murray, as those who nurtured him in the faith were able to come together to praise God and encourage the couple as they set out on this new adventure of faith and service. LCA Assistant to the Bishop – International Mission Pastor Matt Anker officiated at the service and acknowledged that the Smiths are following a long line of LCA missionaries who have served in PNG and, in particular, at the seminary in Logaweng.
Pastor Matt said that, while the Smiths go to serve, they can look forward to being richly blessed by the community there.
Rev Dr Jack Urame, head bishop of the ELC-PNG, greeted Pastor Murray saying, ‘We wish you and Tracy all the best in your preparations for this great task ahead of you and look forward with excitement to seeing you soon. The peace of the Lord be with you! Lukim yu long PNG’.
Pastor Murray’s call to PNG is being financially supported in partnership with Mission Eine Welt of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Bavaria.
As part of the LCANZ’s commitment to pastors and the communities they serve, the General Church Board (GCB) has approved a policy designed to strengthen the church’s support in the formation and equipping of pastoral ministry candidates.
To be overseen by the Church Worker Support (CWS) Manager on behalf of the Office of the Bishop, the initiative involves candidates for the office of the ministry taking part in a comprehensive psychological assessment. It has the backing of the Pastoral Studies Stream at Australian Lutheran College.
CWS Manager Dr Chris Materne said the move was designed to improve care for those wanting to serve in pastoral ministry and increase their understanding of their own mental health. Dr Materne added that the Psychological Assessment of Candidates for the Office of Ministry Policy would also ultimately benefit congregations, other calling bodies and the wider church.
‘I believe the outcome of this policy will be beneficial for the candidates for the office of ministry and to the church in the longer term, as we strive to improve our understanding of, and support for, psychological health and wellbeing across the church’, she said.
The objectives of the policy include understanding and supporting the psychological wellbeing of candidates for pastoral ministry, ordinands and pastors; improving the church’s capacity to identify suitable candidates for ordained ministry; providing better support to calling bodies; improving the church’s ability to support people with diverse mental health needs; and increasing awareness of mental health and wellbeing needs more broadly.
You can read the full policy at www.lca.org.au/policies/
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