PRESS STATEMENT BY MR. REUBEN METE, NATIONAL YOUTH DIRECTOR EVANGELICAL LUTHERAN CHURCH OF PAPUA NEW GUINEA

2015 National Youth Sunday

26^th April 2015

Theme: Development of the Youth Division of the Evangelical Lutheran Church of Papua New Guinea. 

Grace, Mercy, and Peace from God our Father, from Christ Jesus our Lord, and from the Holy Spirit our Comforter.

“Young people, enjoy your youth. Be happy while you are still young. Do what you want to do, and follow your heart’s desire. But remember that God is going to judge you for whatever you do. Don’t let anything worry you or cause you pain. You aren't going to be young very long.”  Ecclesiastes 11[9-10].

Today marks another anniversary of the National Youth Division of the Evangelical Lutheran Church of Papua New Guinea. It determines a picture of the Division and how it has been maneuvered over the past years. The young people of ELCPNG and the country as a whole have not been seriously considered with prefabricated procedures or process for their transition from adolescence into adulthood. This apply mainly on those who left school early in grade six back in the sixties and recently for those coming out in grade eight. There is nothing formidable to catch them and prepare them to meet the challenges posed by the outside world.

The current trend is being left to develop at its free will and not many have considered the seriousness and visualize the detrimental outcome it will have on the future. It is not surprising to hear of types of tactics and techniques manifested by youths in their daily activities. It is the end result of our leaders’ ignorance and carelessness.

The ELCPNG National Youth Division realizes that no one will benefit from our young people if we allow them to keep staying silent. It is here today that we’ll start tell a story so that the generation unborn will never forget. The story of our young people being leaders creating the future today were key issues affecting them such as unemployment, poor education, and social problems (criminality, drug and alcohol abuse and prostitution) are address.

Today marks another new day on how we have fabricated a net to capture and sustain the vast young human resource; firstly to harness the potential of their minds. Shaping and removing the dross of self-pity and revenge mechanism which is built into their minds through daily brushing with the environment they grew up in as well as sifting their mindset off warrior culture as we reflect on the development we have made within this great ministry of Jesus Christ.

1.0 The Youth Division

The Youth, from the very beginning have been an important part of the ministry of the church. As we saw in the early church history, it was the youth who were the first evangelists.

At the BilIbil Synod in 1964, five resolutions were passed concerning the church program for the youth:

64-40 Each district is to start a district youth program;

64-41 Each district is to appoint a district youth advisor as well as an overseas missionary to see the

            program started;

64-43 The books available are to be put in the hands of the youth and missionaries are to develop more

            materials;

64-44 The district are to put the youth programs on their budgets; and

64-45 The Mission is to find a director for the youth in all districts.

Reverend Jack Reents was appointed Youth Director following the 1964 Synod. His major emphasis was on writing studies for the youth that were introduced at courses for youth leaders. The Youth program is called ‘5-Star Program’; it was adapted from an African Program. This program emphasizes study, mission, worship, service and sport.

Mr. Peyandi Lepi becomes the first National Youth Coordinator in the mid 1970s. When Mr. Lepi left the national office, the office of National Youth Coordinator was left vacant for some years. The Youth Program of the church was left in the hands of the districts.

It became apparent to the church leaders that if the church wanted the program to be a united program, than there need to be a national Office.

Mr. Albert Tokave was appointed National Youth Director in 1984. The program changed to one that emphasized development and project for fund-raising. The Christian Life Office still encouraged the 5 Star Programs. The development program not become effective as it relied on financial support from overseas donors.

Mr. Sobu Saroa was elected youth director at the 1994 Youth Conference and the emphasis returned to the 5 – Star Program.

Mr. Faen Mileng was appointed for the National Director’s position in 1999. Mr. Mileng continues emphases on the Youth 5-Star Program however; the program seems to not having any impacts to the lives of the youths of ELCPNG. It is than that a reviewed is being carried to the effectiveness of the youth 5-Star Program, hence was confirm to be a failed programs on its part of coordination and implementation.   Mr Mileng also works on the National Youth Policy for the ELCPNG Youths which aims to be completed in 2013.

Mr. Reuben Mete was appointed to the position of National Youth Director in November 2013 National Church Council. Mete aims at implementing the recommendations of the review conducted and to address the four cross cutting issues identified during the review which include; (1) Improve and Implement 5 Star Program – Christian Faith Building, Evangelism, Stewardship, Capacity Building and Christian Social Activities; (2) Improve Finance Management System; (3) Establish Partnership and Networking and (4) Establish Youth Development Center.

The National Youth Division is a division within the Evangelism Department of the Evangelical Lutheran Church of Papua New Guinea (ELCPNG) and serves over 500 000 Christian Lutheran youths throughout seventeen (17) church districts of Papua New Guinea twenty two (22) provinces.

The head office is headed by the Director of the National Youth Desk who oversees the office and its operations throughout the districts of ELCPNG. He or She reports directly to the secretary of the Evangelism Department who in turn reports to the Church Council - which is the highest authority in ELCPNG. The Youth Division is also represented by a spokes person in the National Church Council.

The ELCPNG Youth comprise of seventeen districts, namely: 1) Jabem 2) Kotec 3) Ukata 4) Boana 5) Memeng 6) Kainantu 7) Goroka 8) East Chimbu 9) Chimbu 10) Hagen 11) Emmanuel 12) Papua 13) New Guinea Island 14) Madang 15) Karkar 16) Jiwaka 17) Siassi.

Each district of ELCPNG has a District Youth Coordinator who oversees the general operations of youths in their respective district. The District Youth Coordinator collaborates with the Director of the National Youth Desk from the main office to coordinate the youth program. District Youth Coordinators have their executives at the district levels and directly involve with Circuit Coordinators and its executives.

The Circuit Youth Coordinators work directly with the Parish Youth Coordinators/ Chairman who with its executives deliver to the congregation Youth Coordinator/ Chairman. The Congregation Youth Coordinator/Chairman is normally the person closes to the youths in the community and involves much with them than any other Youth Coordinators/ Chairmen. This sequence of hierarchy is different in respective districts and continues to change depending on the districts set up. The Youth Coordinators may sometimes be referred to as President and or Chairman depending on the district constitution.

The ELCPNG National Youth Division helps to develop youths through its program called the five star. The program has five domains and each is referred to as a star. The program is geared to developing a youth integrally with each star focusing on certain areas of life; it covers the spirit, soul or mental and the body.

2.0 The Five Star Strategies;

2.1 Christian Faith Building:

Help build and strengthen the Christian Faith that our forefathers have walked with the Lord and have seen wonders of His love. We still maintain the same faith but it is only some physical conducts and rituals in worship that are conflicting to the youths of ELC PNG. Activities include Bible Study, Youth Fellowship, Youth Prayer Hour, others.

2.2 Evangelism:

Evangelism aims at empowering youths to do other church work. Whilst helping out and they will learn duty such as Evangelize, preach, drama, conduct liturgy, lead song, congregation administration, church elder, women’s fellowship, etc

2.3 Stewardship:

The Stewardship aims at helping youths being self reliant. They must take ownership of their church and must be committed in their respective duties as a youth, brother, sister, daughter or son in the Christian Family. They must take ownership of all the creation of God that they will identify themselves as someone special in the creation of the Lord. 

2.4 Capacity Building 

The Capacity building aims at building up the capacity in terms of skilled profession, literacy, administration work.

2.5 Christian Social Activities

Social activities aim at helping the youths with Christian oriented social activities such as sports, music, tradition and cultural exhibition, dance and drama, coffee night, film show, others.

The National Youth Desk faces a lot of challenge working with cross sections of youths throughout Papua New Guinea. The cross section includes rural to urban, literacy to illiterate, males and females, as well as able and those with disabilities.

3.0 Our Calendar Programs

The Divisions activity programs include:

·         Biannual National Youth Conference;

·         Annual Christ in Culture Festival;

·         Annual National Youth Sunday;

·         Youth Resource Center Development;

·         Youth Projects;

·         Parish Youth Easter Bible Camp;

·         Outreaches; and

·         Diakonie Services.

4.0 Our Values

The ELCPNG National Youth Division is committed to ensuring that its operations and programs are based on the belief of God the Father, Son and the Holy Spirit; honest leadership in the directorship and district leadership; Co operations and collaboration amongst Divisions and Departments of ELCPNG and with other stakeholders. The Youth Division values knowledge and information as important assets to fair and effective management decisions; humility and obedience to the calling of God and obedience to His voice and managing the affairs of the division in a transparent and accountable manner. In the heart of it, the division treasures the importance of gender equality and working together with people living with disability and HIV AIDS, encourage youth participation and promote eco-justice for all.

5.0 Our Vision

Our Vision is to see that “ELCPNG youths are strengthen in their faith in God the Father, Son & Holy Spirit, and are effective in their own working and with others in raising young strong leaders for tomorrow”.

The vision has three folds. First fold recognizes the spiritual domain of a youth as essential and indispensable part of holistic growth. It focuses on the faith youths have in God. Second fold encourages effectively in work performances and good cooperation amongst actors dealing with youth, like community development, sports and other spectral areas. The third fold acknowledges the youths of today as leaders of tomorrow and supports the vision of leadership building for tomorrow. It encompasses the leadership spirit of mentorship, transparency and accountability where elders of such caliber set bench mark for the young to ensue.

6.0 Our Mission

Our Mission is; “To raise and build the youths of Evangelical Lutheran church to be mature in spirit, soul and body”.

The ELCPNG National Youth Division believes in integral human development and targets the youths in the Lutheran church. Until we have youths who are holistically developed we will be able to see great change in this nation. The Youth Division is taking on this challenge through family units upholding Christian values in Christian homes.

The mission takes on right from the household unit and scales right up to the national level. Base on the Church Vision 2020, Youth Division acknowledges the household or family as a threshold to shaping the future of Papua New Guinea.

The ELCPNG Youth Division aspires to contribute toward holistic human development of the country through its ‘FIVE STAR’ program. A program that approaches an individual youth from five different perspectives. The five perspectives includes; Christian Faith building, Evangelism, Stewardship, Capacity building and Christian Social activities all cover the three spheres of human development (spirit, soul/mental, body).

7.0 Our Goal

Our goal for this next three years; Youth Division is able to implement its program effectively and efficiently.

It is our immediate expectation to reach this goal by end of 2017. Five Star programs and its administration will have improved then. Districts will pick up the programs with clear understanding and be able to implement it. The administration and leadership have clear knowledge and understanding on the program and support its implementation to reach the youths at congregational level. 

8.0 Finance

Finance is a very sensitive area in the division and in these three years we want to maintain correct and efficient records of all finances, establish means of raising more funds to support the Division. The Five Star program is a very strong effective model to help built young people of this nation and has great potential to attract donors and stakeholders.

All of these programs are to this date self sustainable. Which means all money generated within the youth programs such as the National Youth Sunday Offer and some proceedings from the Bi-annual National Youth Conference supports the implementation of the programs?

The National Youth Division currently operates one bank account with the Bank of South Pacific - ELCPNG National Youth Office (1001173954).

Money is a tool from God to be used in the most respectable, honorable and appropriate way for the glorifying of God and as in the abundance of the resources that is available on earth as it was created in the beginning.

The objective of the Bank Account is to assist the youth volunteers and program advisors working within the youth in all levels of the church structure and to implement its Five Star Program. It also helps the Division to be transparent in all dealings and be accountable in all transactions made, for the moral growth to the maturing of the young person.

The Division collected all youth Sunday offering each year.  All districts deposit the offerings directly into the National Youth Office Cheque account # 1001173954. Given the name of congregation and district on the deposit slip, the National Youth Desk later collected bank statements and reimburse 70% of the District Contribution by the end of June every year back to the respective District Youth Office. In addition, the National Youth Desk also gets its share of K10.00 per delegates during the Bi annual National Youth Conference from the Conference fee of K30.00 charge per delegates. K20.00 is retaining by the host districts to cover the cost of hosting the National Youth Conference as well assisting in running its Administration.

9.0 Curriculum Development

The Five Star program is a unique program that ELCPNG National Youth Division has but are not been taught in church colleges and seminary. This Development Plan realizes the importance of the program and supports the idea of curriculum development on the program. The curriculum should be taught in seminaries, church colleges and girls’ school to equip students to go back into the community and run the programs with their people or youth members.

10.0 Measuring Performance

A comprehensive Monitoring and Evaluation Log Frame and a set of Annual Performance Targets drive are a new performance-oriented organizational culture within the Youth Division. Which means that all our activities and programs will now be measured and reported annually using our new approved reporting format.

11.0 Implementing Policy

The division draws its strength from several policies and the Youth Commission Act 1999: this act provides the legal framework and basis for recognition and implementation of the youth programs throughout Papua New Guinea.

The division implements the policy objectives set out in the ELCPNG National Youth Policy 2011, and contributes to the policy objectives of the Integrated Community Development Policy 2007 and the Papua New Guinea Development Strategic Plan 2010 - 2030.

The division interprets the goals and objectives of Vision 2020 of the ELCPNG and strives to materialize it. It provides a critical path way to realize the Vision 2020 of ELCPNG by ‘creating a healthy church by sharing the faith and building the church and re-visioning and revitalizing the church to be missional’ through the youth programs.

It also embrace the Government of Papua New Guinea Vision 2050 that ‘we will be Smart, Wise, Fair and Healthy and Happy Society by 2050’ and the implementation of the Colombo Declaration on Youth ‘Mainstreaming Youth in the Post-2015 Development Agenda’ on World Conference on Youth 2014.

12.0 Wide range on benefits

Successful program of the Evangelical Lutheran Church of Papua New Guinea Youth Division have wide range of benefits from the Governments, private Companies, Citizens and Civil Society and the nation’s Social Security.

13: Upcoming 2015 Events

The 2015 National Youth Events includes;

I.            13^th -17^th March 2015: 01^st District Youth Coordinators Meeting (Goroka);

II.            26^th April 2015: National Youth Sunday (Congregations);

III.            12^th July 2015: ELCPNG Day (Districts);

IV.            16^th September 2015: PNG 40^TH Independence Day Anniversary

V.            20^th -25^th September 2015: 17^th National Youth Conference (Kabwum, ELC Ukata District);

VI.            16^th – 20^th October 2015: 02^nd District Youth Coordinators Meeting (Salamoa);

VII.            31^st October 2015: Reformation Day (Parishes);

VIII.            10^th 0 13^th December 2015: Christ in Culture Festival

14.0 Conclusion

We thank our faithful members and partners who have continue to hold consultation with the National Youth Division to provide a way forward and showing us direction. We also thank our good Lord Jesus Christ for sustaining our lives and to bless us each day and for the Holy Spirit for being our Helper, Comforter and Councilor as we reflect on this day Sunday 26^th April 2015 as the ELCPNG National Youth Sunday.

 “We are the salt of the earth. But if the salt loses its saltiness, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled by men. You are the light of the world. A city on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and give light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before the men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven.” Mathew 5: [13-16]

With that, let me on behalf of my family wishing all Lutheran Faithful's a happy Youth Sunday celebration in every congregations and parishes nationwide.

May God bless you all, 

Reuben Mete (Mr.)

Director, National Youth Division

Evangelical Lutheran Church of Papua New Guinea

2015 Miti Bung, Teptep Circuit of ELC Ukata District

This program symbolizes special relationship between the Evangelical Lutheran Church of Bavaria, Germany and the Ukata District of Evangelical Lutheran Church of Papua New Guinea. It was to be an annual event aims at; 

1. Strengthen faith through biblical studies and other teachings;
2. Provide special information regarding church history and vision;
3. Accessing people to the ELCPNG National and Overseas Church Partners;
4. Strengthening women and youth partnership programs; and
5. Provide Health Services and outreaches.

An open invitation from Reverend Dr. Traugott Farnbacher, Secretary for Papua New Guinea, Pacific and East Asia of Mission Eine Welt, Centre for Partnership Development and Missions – Evangelical Lutheran Church of Bavaria was sent on 14th October 2014 for the officers of the Evangelical Lutheran Church of Papua New Guinea to participate in what is to be called ‘Miti Bung’ or Good news Conference.
Facts and Consideration

The Evangelism Department was represented by National Youth Director who then was tasked to present his speech aligning the Vision of the ELCPNG and its seventeen (17) districts together with the roles of the Districts, its programs and the Government of PNG Vision 2050.
The event was officially open on 23rd to 27th January 2014 at Keweng Parish, Teptep Circuit. Visiting delegates includes;
1. Reverend Dr. Traugott Farnbacher of ELCB;
2. Rev. Binora Yunarec, Amron ETC;
3. Mr. Thorsten Kraft, Lutheran Communication Center Advisor;
4. Mr. Reuben Mete, ELCPNG National Youth Director;
5. Dr. Kittel, Etep Rural Hospital
6. Dr. Wilma Bohage, Etep Rural Hospital;
7. Rev. Baiyuso, Ukata District President;
8. Epe Narengmente, Ukata District Wokmeri;

Various cultural exhibitions were showcased including a traditional singsing group from Tapa Congregation of Mumba Parish, Wantoat. The Indigenous Bufi Association Incorporated Integral Human Development Plan was also launched during the Conference to provide self sustainability and stewardship for the Teptep, Tapen and Nankina Circuit. It also registered seven (7) businesses with the Investment Promotion Authority in 2013.

Notable infrastructures such as airstrips, primary schools, aid post, Digicel Telecommunication Tower and a Conservation program – Yus Conservation Organization (Yus CBO); have well set up in the area and some programmed have received donor funding assistance. Keweng is in Ward 12 and 13 of Yus LLG in Kabwum District of Morobe Province but also shares boundaries with Raicoast of Madang Province.

North Cost Aviation flies weekly (every Monday) to Teptep Station; however the people speak mostly of the need of road construction. The main cash crop identified includes coffee, tobacco and fresh fruits and vegetables given the favorable high altitude tropical climate. In the next few years, the communities will be proud of producing some of the Human Resources to the country given the very high emphasize of Education in the area.

Commitments

The National Youth Division on behalf of the Evangelism Department commit itself to stage a Youth Workshop in April this year 2015 (term one school holiday) to help build youth capacities and also to provide youth administration to impose youth executives in Parish and Congregations. The planned workshop program should cover ELCPNG Youths Five-Star, Stewardship, Music, and Christ in Culture programs.

Conclusion

To the Glory of God and in grateful memory of all God’s people, both indigenous and expatriate, who have embrace Miti and shared it with others in Papua New Guinea.

Picture: Welcome reception - photo courtesy of LCC

Free Music Course Offered in Lae.

After many successful courses in the Districts: Staff and a volunteer from the ELCPNG Youth Desk are offering a free music course at Ampo Chapel every Thursday, 7pm.

Matthias Troeger and Valentin Seissler are leading through the music workshop at Ampo chapel last every Thursday evening. Over 100 course participants are learning the first basics about music theory and reading notes.

Neuendettelsau as a Center of World Mission

A. How it came about.

Neuendettelsau was a small village, unknown and unimportant, in the 19^th century. A change took place when Wilhelm Löhe became pastor in Neuendettelsau. He intensified the congregational life, put an emphasis on liturgy and discipline. In 1841, he heard about the German emigrants in North America. They had left the country because of poverty. In North America they did not all become millionaires but many of them lived a poor life. They were also spiritually poor. Therefore Löhe made an appeal for “messengers” to go to North America to serve the people spiritually. They often had no church services, no holy communion, no church burials, weddings, baptisms because of the shortage of pastors. Löhe found two young craftsmen and trained them.

On July 11^th, 1842 he sent them to North America. They started work, and founded what later become a part of the Lutheran Church Missouri Synod (LCMS) AND THE Evangelical Lutheran Church of America (ELCA). Later on Löhe had difficulties with his ‘spiritual children’ and reduced the intensive contacts to LCMS and concentrated on ELCA.

He founded a seminary for missionaries in 1847, first in Nuremberg town which later moved to Neuendettelsau. It continued to exist until 1985. More than a thousand young men were trained to be missionaries. They did not become fully ordained pastors but the seminary gave them a chance to become missionaries without having to complete high school and university training, which is usually required in Germany for an ordained minister. The Mission Society which was founded in 1859 sent missionaries to the following countries in its first decades; Australia (1875), Papua New Guinea (1886), Brazil (1897) and Eastern Europe, Palestine (1930). The Lutheran Churches in these countries were influenced by Bavarian pastors.

Löhe also founded the diaconic institutions in Neuendettelsau, starting from 1854, and Neuendettelsau become a place worldwide known. The village is dominated by church institutions with thousands of people working in them and the economy of the community depends on the church. But the village also has its normal life, as far as this is possible with ninety pastors, active and retired, inside its boundaries.

The mission work was carried on for more than a century by the Neuendettelsau Mission Society. The official church, which was a state church until 1918, did not care about mission work. Many of the congregations and individual friends contributed to the mission work by donations. The missionaries had small salaries and lived a poor and adventurous life overseas. Their terms were seven years and more, and during the first year they were not allowed to bring their spouses so they could not distort their attention in the initial period of work. Many served overseas for their whole lives.

In 1961 the International Mission Council merged with the World Council of Churches in the Conference of New Delhi. This led to the initiatives towards integrating Churches and Missions in Germany. The rationale was: not only individual Christians, private associations or friends should be witnesses to the Lord but the Church herself bears a responsibility to bring the Gospel to the nations. One of the results of this movement is our Mission One World formerly known as “Missionswerk” in English “Division for World Mission”, which was founded in 1972. It was designed to be a department of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Bavaria. Its budget is a part of the church budget, and missionaries and co-workers are employed by the Church. But it still depends on donations from congregations and individuals. It has now taken over the work of the Leipzig Mission in East Africa and began to send missionaries to Tanzania and subsequently to Kenya, Congo and Mozambique.

B. How do we understand Mission?

Mission means sending. God sends us into the world, as he sent his son Jesus Christ. “As my Father has sent me, even so send I you” (John 20:21). We are sent to spread the good news to the people who do not know Christ or have forgotten him, or abandoned his word. As Löhe said, “Mission is the one church in its movement.” Mission motivates people to move, to cross borders and preach the Gospel till the ends of the earth. In Germany for many people the word mission does not have a positive connotation; it may be connected with colonialism. People tend to consider missionaries to be agents of the colonial powers. It is said that missionaries destroyed cultures; they forced people to leave their traditional paradise and pressed them into a Western type religion.

Mission One World has been following the concept of the Lutheran World Federation (LWF) in its mission activities. LWF has published a document “Together in God’s Mission: A LWF Contribution to the Understanding of Mission”.  It starts with the following statement:

“Participation in the mission of God is the central purpose of the church. The mission of the church is derived from God’s own mission and is embedded in the self-revelation of God. The church participates in God’s mission by proclaiming in word and deeds both the presence and the coming of the kingdom and by conveying the message of salvation in Jesus Christ to the world. The3 mission of the church always takes place within specific, changing historical contexts and differing cultural situations and therefore bears their marks. Its continuity however is based on Gods own activity in the world as revealed uniquely in the person of Jesus Christ and in the sending of the Holy Spirit. 

The character of mission is therefore determined by two fundamental objectives; Mission is the ongoing saving work of God, Father, Son and Holy Spirit; and mission is God’s mandate to Gods people to participate in this continuing saving work.”

From these, there are several important aspects to the work of Mission:

1)  We do not perform our mission work, but we participate in the Mission of God. We are co-workers in God’s mission. The triune God is the head of all mission work. Only through his Holy Spirit he can convert people. Mission is the work of the triune God. But God wants to work through us. Therefore mission is our task to which we are called. Mission is more than missionising. Our witness is important not the number of those baptized or converted. We should do our best and leave the result to God.

2)      We understand mission work in a holistic sense. God wants to assist people not only spiritually, but also physically. We see this example in Mathew 9:35 “And Jesus went about all the cities and villages, teaching in their synagogues, and preaching the gospel of the kingdom, and healing every sickness and every disease among the people.” Jesus preached the Gospel and healed the sick, fed the hungry and taught the will of God.

From the beginning the missionaries did the same. They first learned the language, in order to preach the Gospel. They helped the people in their everyday life, giving medical help and care, teaching how to read and write. Mission and development belong together from the beginning. More than half of the eighty missionaries are non-theologians: doctors, nurses, agricultural engineers, administrative experts, accountants, financial personnel, etc.

3)      World mission is a central expression of the church. It does not start outside Europe, but starts in Europe, “at the front door”. Mission in each place is also the privilege and common responsibility of the worldwide church. Each church should do its own mission work. The term ‘missionary’ traditionally is used for white person. In the future we should replace it by a new term, example ‘ecumenical co-worker,’ or apply to it to every pastor or evangelist. World Mission assist churches on their request in their own mission Endeavour’s, including sharing of resources in personnel and finances. But this is done under the supervision of the local church. Missionaries are co-workers of the local churches which mainly provide their salaries. They usually serve for the term of four (4) years. They have to obey the rules of the partner churches. The world mission does not have property overseas and do not work outside a local church. It also does not send personnel into “empty spots”.

Mission is a two-way traffic with pastors from partner churches serving as ex-change pastors or in a teaching preaching mission in Bavaria as its needs to have witnesses to its congregations. Missions are currently taking place in six (6) continents thus European churches needs to corporate with other churches in order to meet together the missionary challenge of the universal Church.

4)      South-South exchange is being encouraged. It takes place, example in the Summer School, in regional scholarships, or Women’s and Youth leaders Consultations. This encourages partner churches not only to look North but to look South. Therefore, it supported the initiative of LWF in regionalization: Churches in a given region should intensify their corporation, and share their resources.

Cooperation in mission work is multilateral and international. Bilateral relationships among churches should be reduced in favor of multilateral ones. We have a preference to get involved with churches which have no German partners so far. ELCB have long term partnerships with Lutheran churches in Papua New Guinea, Brazil, Australia and Tanzania. Other partnerships to African, South American and Asian Churches developed during the past 30 years. Inside Germany, Mission One World take part in an effort to coordinate the operations of the main line Protestant mission departments in order to optimize the operations of the main line Protestant mission departments in order to optimize the work.

5)      Mission One World looks for missionaries, selecting them and trains them. It does not look for idealists. It is aware of the unsolved problem of the moratorium thus encourage the independence and self-reliance of partner churches. It requires people on its staff who are able to learn, to cooperation, to be patient and open-minded. Missionaries are sent only of there is a sincere request, and the right person for the job is available. Since many churches are short of pastors of specialists, missionaries are being sent. The main projects includes continuing education and theological training; religious instructions, schools, vocational trainings; administration and finances; development projects and diaconic activities.

6)      In order to bring mission work to the grass root level, a new partnership programs among districts in partner churches and in the ELCB. Bavaria has 80 church districts and are encouraging partnerships, exchange of visitors, prayers, thoughts, letters and after all, funding. Many Christians are active in these partnership relations. This provides a platform for ecumenical learning, encounter between people from different churches, cultures and even religions.

7)      Living in a multi-religious world, there are millions of Muslims, and people of other faiths. Many Germans tend to follow new religious ideas and movements. Therefore engaging in inter-religious dialogue in order to promote a spirit of mutual understanding and cooperation is promoted. To be engaged in dialogue with other religions does not mean to betray Christ. Christ himself did not only preach the Gospel, but also practiced dialogue with Pharisees, Samaritans, Romans and pagans. Christians have to engage in a dialogue with people of other faiths. This is a way of witnessing Christ. All religions are part of creation and stand under the lordship of Christ. Dialogue is not a substitute of mission, but accompanies our witness. There is a necessity in the world that people of different religions do not fight each other but live together in peace. Thus it deals with other religions in its Institute for Studies of World Mission. It is important to learn how to live together, although having different faith.

With this regard, the ELCB is cooperating with the Finnish Evangelical Lutheran Mission in a project of mission among Muslim Turks in the city of Nuremberg called “The Bridge”. There the mission and dialogue are practice in one.

8)      It also aims to bring the concerns of the people of South America, Africa and Asia to the people in Bavaria and Germany. By this, the Mission One World tries to be the voice of the voiceless and advocates of its partner churches, especially in regard to;

·         Justice and development, the growing gap between North and South, rich and poor. 80% of the world’s population have only access to 20% of the resources;

·         Ecology, integrity of creation, preservation of nature;

·         World peace, development work;

·         Globalization;

·         Information about other churches, religions and cultures; and

·         Sharing of spiritual experiences and theological insights of world Christianity.

These tasks are met through seminars, media and website with other regular publications. Edition of press statements are also conducted through the evangelical press service and radio stations as well as television films. Most media publications are sold or lend to congregations, schools, etc.

9)      The ELCB Mission One World also works closely together with other churches within the Lutheran World Federation and the World Council of Churches.

C. How do we work?

The Mission One World has a domestic staff of about seventy people, many of them part time. A lot of administrative work is done through committees, consultations and the like. It is a department of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Bavaria (ELCB) with its headquarters in Munich. The respective bodies of the ELCB make the ultimate decisions in basic affairs.

The executive board of the department is called “Kollegium”, consisting of the heads of the eight departments. The Kollegium meets once a week in order to make the important decisions, to hear reports from missionaries, to meet visitors and develop concepts. There is a Board of Directors (“Kuratorium”) overlooking the work of the whole Division.

1.       The Director’s Office (Rev. Peter Weigand) is responsible for policy questions, coordination of the whole office, personnel matters, women’s concerns, press work and publications, documentation and archives.

2.       The Department for Partnership and Parish Work (Rev. Reinhild Schneidere) is responsible for missionary input into the life of the parishes and districts of ELCB; this task is achieved by;

· A network of contact persons for every congregation and district who inform their constituencies about missionary activities. These contact persons meet regularly and receive information materials;

·    Organization for services, conferences and meetings under the aspect of world mission;

·   Regular contacts to mission friends and sponsors;

·    Initiating, organizing and deepening partnership schemes between Christians and congregations in Bavaria and overseas.

·         Ecumenical co-worker’s program.

3.  The Africa Department organizes the relationship with Lutheran Churches in Africa. Rev. Reinhard Hansen is the head of the department, Rev. Manfred Scheckenbach the Secretary for Tanzania.

4.       The Department for Papua New Guinea/ Pacific/ East Asia: Rev. Dr. Traugott Farnbacher and Rev. Thomas Paulsteiner organize the relationships with ELPNG and other Churches in South East Asia. Affiliated with this Department is the Pacific Information Office which itself is accompanied by a network of groups and sponsored partly by other mission departments.

5.   The Department for Development and Politics in Nuremburg (Mr. Dr. Juergen Bergmann) shows its competence through presentations. It offers media boxes, supports, and political activities and maintains a library specialized in developmental politics.

6.    The Department for Latin America, (Rev. Hans Zeller) organizes the relationship with Lutheran Churches in Middle and South America.

7.  The Department of Finance and Administration (Mr. Jochen Kronester) is responsible for management, budget preparation, budget execution and control, general administration, travel arrangements, guest house, conference centre, donations and bookkeeping.

8.   The Department for Mission and Intercultural Studies (Rev. Dr. Claudia Jahnel) recruits, trainsand orientates full-time employees. They offer seminars and meetings for awareness building concerning problems of the One World, of religions, cultures designed for full-time and part-time church workers as well as volunteers. The exhibition, the one-world-shop, and the library are part of the institute.  

Lutheran Church of Australia (LCA) and hermeneutics of Women’s Ordination.

The LCA is studying our current biblical understanding (hermeneutics) of women’s ordination. This will help us understand the theological arguments of the issue and what God’s will is. There is a group in action doing this, known as a dialogue group. This comprises of a balanced representation for all sides of the matter, with a goal of reaching a consensus within the group itself and across the Church.

There are two key texts that form the argument against ordaining women. They are 1 Cor 14:33-38 “For God is not a God of disorder but of peace – as in all the congregations of the Lord’s people. Women should remain silent in the churches. They are not allowed to speak, but must be in submission, as the law says. If they want to inquire about something, they should ask their own husbands at home; for it is disgraceful for a woman to speak in the church. Or did the word of God originate with you? Or are you the only people it has reached? If anyone thinks they are a prophet or otherwise gifted by the Spirit, let them acknowledge that what I am writing to you is the Lord’s command. But if anyone ignores this, they will themselves be ignored.”and 1 Tim2:11-15 “A woman should learn in quietness and full submission. I do not permit a women to teach or to assume authority over a man; she must be quiet. For Adam was formed first, then Eve. And Adam was not the one deceived; it was the woman who was deceived and became a sinner. But women will be saved through childbearing – if they continue in faith, love and holiness with propriety.”

These texts have been studies by the LCA’S Commission on Theology and Inter-Church Relations (CTICR), and there have been several reports written in regards to their validity. There were resolutions submitted to synod from both St Stephens Adelaide and St Peters Lutheran Church Indooroopilly (both in favor of women ordination). In both of their resolutions, they claim there was a report from CTICR saying that these texts do permit the ordination of women. However, from there was a report was a report published (also by the CTICR) after the one just mentioned which indicated that the CTICR report supporting the ordination of women was incorrect. So at the moment, those two texts are still maintained as a biblical argument against the ordination of women.

The common arguments that are used to support the ordination of women  use a part of the Augsburg Confession, ‘practicalities’ for the church and in the world, and that many women are hurt when they have been refused the office of the ministry. St Peter Indooroopilly argue that the Augsburg Confession states “it is enough for the unity church to agree concerning the teaching of the Gospel and the administration of the sacraments” (AC VII). The trouble with this argument is that it could be used for nearly anything in the church, for instance homosexual marriage/relationships. It could be argued that as long as the church properly teaches the Gospel and administers the sacraments, these kinds of marriages or relationships are fine. However, the bible explicitly states that God does not permit this (Leviticus 20:13, Leviticus 18:22, Romans 1:24-27 and there are more) and therefore it is not allowed within the LCA.

The ‘practicalities’ argument is about the number of pastors in the LCA. The idea is that if the LCA ordain women they would be able to cover more churches around Australia. So it’s more of a practical thing and not really considering if the act is correct or not. This is like saying, that homosexuality is good because it means more children are adapted. Children’s being adapted is great, but homosexuality is not.

The third argument is about many women being hurt emotionally and spiritually when they are refused their ordination. St Peter’s Indooroopilly stated that “women who are unable to follow…the path of ordination have experienced significant pain and in some cases a crisis of faith”. Some even told stories how they traveled overseas for their training and spend large expenses on their courses and general life. Then upon returning to Australia, were not allowed to be ordained, meaning they would either lose their money, or have to live away from their families in another country if they wanted to continue their work as a pastor. Unfortunately, these arguments fall into a category called emotional fallacies. In other words, it is emotional and fear of suffering that forms the bases for these arguments. The difficulty about such arguments is that our feelings cloud our ability to see the facts, particularly (biblical ones in this case) and as a result, it is easy to become supportive of something that ‘feels’ right but is actually a clouded judgment. In the life of a Christian, we could end up supporting something that we want instead of what God wants for us. Some verses that cover this well are Proverbs 14:12 and 16:2. An example could be suicide where the emotional pain and suffering is enough to convince a person that death is the only way to escape, and that there is no comfort in life. The sad thing is that many do not even know that God is with them even in the darkest of times (Psalms 139:7-12). In saying this, our emotions and feelings are a gift from God and are not completely ignored when debating issues. It’s just that we need to remember that we are sinful human beings, and therefore our emotion can block us from seeing God’s will for us. Remember that the Church is led by God, and that if what God says causes conflict within our hearts, we must pray that God gives us a clean and pure heart (Psalms 51:10).

The last two arguments were constantly used in the discussion at the synod and President Mike Semmler continually requested biblical arguments to support women ordination. I must say that it was overwhelming to see that many (but not all) of the delegates who spoke were unable to base their arguments on scripture (both for and against). I guess that identifies one of the reasons why the church is debating this topic and have difficulty settling on a discussion. It shows that if we are lead by our own human desires and not read God’s word on these matters, our arguments go round and round, and until there is a proper understanding of God’s word, we will not be able to properly reconcile the problem.

Evangelism Department – 128 years and still going on.

Evangelism Department is one of the core departments of the Evangelical Lutheran Church of Papua New Guinea (ELCPNG). The department is responsible for the work of mission at home and abroad; nurture of Christian faith, life and stewardship of God’s gift; and Special ministries among children, youths, women, and hospital/school/prison.

The programs udders Evangelism Department includes Youth Division, Women Division, Christian Life Service (Sunday school, Stewardship and Environment), Social Concern Division (Disability Program, Pastoral Counseling), Chaplaincy and Missions, Lutheran Life Care Program and Resource Centre.

The two main activities that the department conducts in the National Level are firstly designing and producing resources and the second is to train and build capacity for districts, circuits and parish to utilize the resources in the local congregations.

The Evangelism Department has many good programs that were produced but are not reaching the congregations. Many congregations especially in the remote areas do not have a pastor or trained people to administer the ministries; they improvise with whatever they have.  There’s need to review programs to suit the rapid social change at hand. But all these can be addressed effectively if Evangelism Department has a good funding base to work.

Unlike other ELCPNG department like Education, Health, Development Services who source funding from the national government or other NGO, Evangelism department struggles to seek funding for its work. Ninety Five percent (95%) of the funds that support Evangelism program of ELCPNG are overseas donation from Lutheran Overseas Partners. Almost every ELCPNG seventeen (17) Districts give very little, even from none to K600 as their offer to support Evangelism work of ELCPNG.  

Our forefathers have laid a strong foundation through the Great Evangelistic Period walking the length and breadth of PNG and spreading the Gospel. They have done their part and we have to carry on from there.

As believer in Jesus Christ, we have an obligation to continue proclaiming this message. We owe our great Evangelism to sustain what they have sowed for the glory of God. How do we continue to sustain the two thousand (2000) congregations in nurturing Christian values in the congregation?

We can continue on Praying, we can GO and reach out and we can GIVE to support the mission.

To GIVE, you can channel it through; 

·         Acc Name: ELC PNG National Youth Office

·         Acc Number: 1001173954

·         Bank: Bank South Pacific

ELCPNG Youth Sunday is one of the Sunday (Second Sunday of May) set aside by the Church and is expected that all offering of all 2000 congregations should come in to support the National Youth Division and the Evangelism Department. The next Youth Sunday falls on 10^th May 2015.

For more information:

Phone: 472 3636      Mobile Phone: 725 22667      Email: elcpngyouths@gmail.com