In mid-July, KN-LWF together with the HKBP, GKPA, GPP, HKI and GKPI congregations, organised a number of Biblical seminars on the theme of reconciliation. Over several days, Rev Matt Anker taught more than 200 participants, including pastors and deacons, inviting them to deepen their understanding of law and gospel. The law is filled with rules, […]

In mid-July, KN-LWF together with the HKBP, GKPA, GPP, HKI and GKPI congregations, organised a number of Biblical seminars on the theme of reconciliation. Over several days, Rev Matt Anker taught more than 200 participants, including pastors and deacons, inviting them to deepen their understanding of law and gospel. The law is filled with rules, demands and coercion to do something, Rev Matt explained. The gospel contains news of joy, hope and freedom that releases people from their bondage to sin.

Rev Matt shared about the church being a hospital for sinners and the pastors in the role of diagnosing the sin before, through the power of the Holy Spirit, granting healing. Dark forces always seek to take our view away from Christ, so pastors are Christ’s servants who are tasked in leading the congregation to return their focus to their loving Heavenly Father. Rev Matt highlighted that Christ’s words on the cross, “it is finished” declared that his sacrifice was truly perfectly finished; no human work was needed to complete it.

Rev Matt presented resources and highlighted how the fundamental teaching of Luther’s Catechism reflects God’s ministry of reconciliation and how we should relate to God and with others. He  told stories of his experience as a pastor of the LCANZ including aspects of LCANZ worship. Participants asked many interesting questions, one of which was about the LCANZ practice of celebrating Holy Communion each week. Indonesian churches typically celebrate Holy Communion only two or three times per year, so the concept of practicing regular communion was an interesting phenomenon for them. At the end of the seminars, KN-LWF distributed the book “Go and Be Reconciled” to deepen the participants understanding of Biblical reconciliation for church ministry.

There are still many Indonesian congregations who do not have a proper understanding of the concept of salvation, so congregations need the teaching and preaching of the Word of God to be able to understand the difference between the law and the gospel. These seminars awakened in the pastors the need for providing teaching in their congregations that focus on this understanding.

Rev Matt worshipped at HKI Jumasaba Simpang Dua, preaching on theme of ‘God’s preservation for His chosen people’. He spoke about God not sowing like a worldly farmer, because a farmer here generally tries to produce the best yield at little cost. The Holy Spirit grows our faith to produce a bountiful harvest by sowing the Word of God without distinguishing between which soil is best and which is barren. The congregation were encouraged to sow the Word of God with their family, among their church and into every aspect of their life.

Rev Matt also visited the KN-LWF office located in Pematang Siantar, where he was warmly welcomed by KN-LWF Director Rev Dedi Pardosi. Here Rev Matt and Rev Dedi discussed partnership programs which will be undertaken in the future. We thank God for our partnership with churches in Indonesia, and for the opportunity to teach and learn from one another.

If you would like to consider the opportunity to serve as a volunteer in mission, serving in practical ways, teaching English, teaching in the seminaries and institutions of our partner churches, or in local churches, you are invited to phone LCA International Mission on (08) 8267 7317 or email lcaim@lca.org.au. For more information, go to https://www.lcamission.org.au/join-gods-mission/volunteer/

Read more stories about volunteering at https://www.lcamission.org.au/category/join-gods-mission/volunteers/