Evangelical Lutheran Church of PNG's 'Vision 2020'

Captions: 1. ELCPNG general secretary Isaac Teo…mapping out plan for Vision 2020. 2. ELCPNG headquarters at Ampo in Lae.

The Evangelical Lutheran Church of Papua New Guinea (ELCPNG) is preparing policy framework and guidelines for programme formulation for its strategic planning called the ELCPNG Vision 2010-2020.

The policy framework and guidelines will direct planning in each department and district of the church to formulate their respective mission statements, value statements and programme details.

Vision 2010-2020 concept paper was presented at the 26th general synod of the ELCPNG in January of this year.

The late Bishop Reverend Dr Wesley Kigasung highlighted the vision statement - “Sharing the Faith, Building the Church” - and the concept for planning together with the guiding principles that will enable planning to achieve the objectives, mission and vision of the church.

 Rev. Dr Zirajukic Kemung of Martin Luther Seminary discussed the human development criteria and elaborated on the need for Vision 2010-2020 to focus on the “household”.

 The message was loud and clear that the planning process aims to achieve balanced human development addressing both physical and spiritual development needs of every human person.

Mr Isaac Teo, general church secretary of ELC-PNG discussed the state of the socio-economic development challenges that the country is facing today.

He highlighted issues with regards to education and health such as HIV/AIDS, sexually transmitted diseases, tuberculosis and malaria which have encouraged both the government and non-government sectors to develop programmes aimed at addressing these problems.

“ELCPNG as a Christian church empowered by the Word of God with a ministry to preach the Gospel of Jesus Christ, has been actively involved in promotion of health and education program over the past 122 years of establishment,” Mr Teo said.

“The Ogelbeng Synod endorsed the timeframe to Vision 2020 with separation and extension of planning and implementation periods to cover 2008–2010, 2011–2015 and 2016-2020.

“These will enable planning set realistic and achievable short-term and medium term goals with proper design of impact evaluation and assessment on term basis.

“ELCPNG departments will continue with their implementation of the current programmes, and carryout timely review so that the programs will be fine tuned in line with the new Vision, Mission and Objectives of the ELC-PNG Vision 2020.

“As a guiding principle of a strategic planning process,  this policy framework and programme formulation guidelines should help ELCPNG departments to re-focus planning on priority areas, starting with a department mission statement and value statement and of course re-formulation of program objectives and strategies for implementation through out the planning period.

“The Vision 2020 strategies of ‘integral mission’,   ‘leadership focus’,  ‘area focus’ and ‘household focus’ places much greater emphasis on the multi- level planning capacities within the existing church’s institutional and organisational hierarchy.”

  It also calls for reorganisation of the existing institutional arrangements that will cater for programs on leadership focus and training of evangelist for proclamation of the Gospel in new strategic mission areas.

“There is also greater need for ‘devolution’ of administrative function and responsibilities with readily-available resources and capacities at the ELCPNG districts to support holistic ministry program in the parishes, congregations and the household,” Mr Teo continued.

“Since the ‘overseas missionaries’ had left in the late 1980’s these functions have slowly come to a halt and are of non-existence at the present time.

“The overall objective of Vision 2010-2020 is to provide a clear and consistent policy framework for promotion and development of holistic ministry planning and programming of ELCPNG Vision 2010-2020.

“The ELCPNG institutional framework is ‘people empowerment’ structure that needs to be consolidated and made to function effectively.

 “The starting point is obviously the ‘reorientation’ of the existing seven programmes of ELCPNG inline with the Vision 2010-2020 concept of ‘household focus’.

“The idea is to emphasise the main programme groups - build life, empower life, support life - which will form the main pillars of the church ministry, a force that would drive the mission statement in realising the purpose of Vision 2010-2020.

“Reformulation of current programmes and projects should start with the definition of goals and by putting it into its right context and perspective for a holistic ministry program.”

 

Lutheran youth programme gaining momentum

Caption: Lutheran youth director Faen Mileng

The Evangelical Lutheran Church of PNG’s youth programme is rapidly gaining momentum, according to national youth director Faen Mileng.

This includes an agreement with the National Law and Justice Committee Secretariat whereby it provides funding for Lutheran youths to distribute law and order awareness material.

“The church has this youth programme called five-star programme,” Mr Mileng explained.

“The five stars are strongim bilip (strengthen the faith), kirapim gutpela sindaun (create wellbeing), mekim work sios (do the work of the church), skruim save (learn more) and gutpela hamamas (happiness).

“Under this programme, we try to work with the young people in things such as Bible study, which are very important.

“We also have leadership training.

“One of the things we are trying to encourage is the ‘Christ in culture show’, where we have traditional activities, but with the message of Jesus.

“We are working on carrying out the programme effectively in all the districts.

“Recently, we met an official from the National Law and Justice Committee Secretariat, Mr Joe Kanekane, and they will provide us with funding to distribute their law and order material.

“This is one of our major achievements.”

Mr Mileng said each church district had its own conference starting from congregation level to circuit, district and national.

He solely runs the youth office at ELCPNG headquarters at Ampo in Lae with the assistance of volunteers.

 

Reformation and its significance in world history

Captions: 1. Dr Martin Luther. 2. Martin Luther nailing the 95 theses

By PASTOR JACK URAME
Melanesian Institute, Goroka

Luther and the reformation

Dr. Martin Luther, the great church reformer, marked the era between the end of the Middle Ages and beginning of the modern age.
He was branded a radical who went against the church authorities but he stood on the Word of God to reform the church - not to divide the church.
Many people still hold Luther as a wonderfully gifted man to the church of his time who stood for the truth of the Gospel against all opposing threats and powers that almost cost him his life.
The story of this humble and simple son of a coalminer who became a professor of Theology and father of church reformation is an amazing story of the history of the Christian church.
After turning down his father’s will to earn him a good job of a middle class by studying law Luther made a sudden unexpected turned.
Despite all disappointments and anger of his parents, who were struggling for a decent education of their son, Luther was found knocking at the gate of the Erfurt cloister of the Order of Hermits of St. Augustine.
His vow to Saint Anna to become a monk in 1505 when he was caught in a thunder storm on his return trip from his parents’ home to Erfurt was his turning point.
His encounter with a lightening strike that almost cost his life created a world history.
Luther’s diligent study of the scripture led him to new discoveries of the Bible.
He discovered the immeasurable grace of God through Christ.
Many people would agree that if it was not for Luther we probably would have a different church now. Luther, a man full of knowledge and wisdom, had thrown the whole world into confusion in matters of faith, church and religion.
The legacy of Luther lives on and the Lutheran community throughout the world celebrate the reformation day each year on the 31st October.
It was on this day Luther nailed his famous ninety-five theses on the door of the castle church in Wittenberg, Germany, for a public debate at the close of October 1517.
Luther did not fear men but God and stood on these words, “I will announce your commands to kings and I will not be ashamed.” Psalm 119: 46.
He remained today an historical church reformer but what he did changed the world forever.
He was standing between the realms of heaven and earth, between Christ and the devil, between the voice of God and the voices of human rulers, between human teachings and the truth of the Word of God.
He was struggling with human powers as well as the devil.
He was a man of courage with no fear of men but of God.
The fearless Theologian with much courage and bravery stood before the princes and rulers and defended the Word of God at the Imperial Diet of Worms (the highest council of the Roman Empire) that otherwise could have cost him his life.
His concluding defence before the rulers and princes that time is well remembered and treasured by many as Luther’s statement of his stand against all odds and enemies. “My conscious is captive to the word of God. I cannot and will not recant anything, for to go against conscious is neither right nor safe. Here I stand. God, help me, I cannot do otherwise. Amen.”
His scholarly contemporary, Philipp Melanchthon, once described Luther as “a miracle among men and everything that he said and wrote went straight to the heart and made a wonderfully deep impression on it.”

What reformation means for us today

It is not about Luther but about the amazing story of how God kept his word, the church and the Christian faith alive against all heresies.
Reformation Day is a time to reflect back on the history of the church and the journey of mission and faith of how God in an amazing way planted the seed of the Gospel in the hearts of men and moved them to extend his mission on earth.
Reformation reminds us to be conscious of our task as Christians and Christian churches to carry on the mission of God, to extend the love of Christ and to continue proclaim the word of God in all its purity and truth.
Reformation also reminds us to be aware that we have a duty to defend the Word of God from all heresies and human deceits.
Reformation means to be conscious of our mission aims to reach out to people, touch their lives and help them encounter Christ so that they find a place in the Christian community.
As in the time of reformation the struggle between the earthly and the heavenly, between the children of God and the devil, between the light and darkness is not yet over.
Today, in the changing world this struggle continues.
This challenges us to keep true to our faith and keep shining our lights in the dark world where the devil and his agents still have a playroom in our world.
Like other Lutheran Christians around the world, the Lutherans in PNG still considered the reformation day as an important occasion in their church.
To understand Luther and the reformation is to understand the basic foundations he laid for us in Christian doctrine.
Luther’s teachings were not his but Christ’s.
Reformation was not for his good but for the good of the Christian church.
The members of the Lutheran community take pride in their history not because they are followers of Luther but of Christ.
The reformer himself asked, “What is Luther? After all, the teaching is not mine. Nor was I crucified for anyone. St. Paul would not permit Christians to call themselves Pauline or Petrine, but Christians. How then should I – poor, stinking sack of maggots that I am – be entitled to have people call the children of Christ by my wretched name?”
Lutherans are not Luther’s disciples but followers of Christ.
Reformation Day is not only an occasion to celebrate the religious revolution, which had its time in history and was over, but a time to take our faith and life in God seriously. What happened in history still inspires us today to keep moving forward with determination in order to receive the promise of Christ of eternal salvation.
As we celebrate with joy we also look forward with joy to meeting Christ.

Article on the occasion of Reformation Day 31st October 2008

By Rev Dr WOLFGANG THUMSER

ELC-PNG

Senior Flierl Seminary, Logaweng, Finschhafen

It is often said we Lutherans are conservative guys, and that's probably true.

The funny thing about this is that our historical origins lie in a renewal movement which happened nearly 500 years ago in Europe.

"Reformation" means: let's try and make it better, in accordance with our origins.

This is what Martin Luther did in Germany in the 16th century, and this is exactly what Melanesians should do today as well.

We Lutherans find our origins in the gospel of Jesus Christ, as it was newly discovered by Martin Luther and brought to this country by missionaries.

This Christian heritage, together with the richness of cultural tradition, is not a rope to tie us up, but the ground, on which we freely stand and walk our own way.

But it's always important to have good knowledge about the ground you are walking on.

This is why our seminary realised a research about our Lutheran pioneer missionary, Johann Flierl.

 In numerous interviews, the Finschhafen Lutherans from the Yabêm and Kâte tribe remembered the work of "their" missionary whom they call their church father or tumbuna.

 A lot of them said it would be good if someone like Flierl would come now and bring the good times back.

 It seems that many people believe that we are living in an era of decline, compared with the "time of origin".

Of course it is not possible to bring back the glorious days of the beginning.

But it certainly is time to stop and think about ourselves - who are we? Where do we come from? Where are we going to? Is it really Christ we are believing in? Or is it rather our own idea of gaining prosperity and power?

This was Luther's challenging question about the church of his time, and it also is our question today.

He taught us to listen carefully to the message of the gospel, and I am sure, if we do this, then we would be able to perform significant reforms in church and society today.

 And maybe it's time for a "Melanesian Reformation".

But not at all should a Melanesian Reformation try to get rid of the rich heritage of Melanesian cultures.

First of all: the most necessary reformation we are in need of today is a reform of our hearts, a "renewal of our mind", as Paul puts it in Roman 12:2.

After that we should be able to tackle the great problems of our time as is to get rid of leaders lacking any sense of responsibility, to help people who are in danger of being caught by false ideas of cult practice or to prevent so-called "missions" which only destroy the flourishing church life of other denominations.

 We even may be able to bring down the chief enemy, which is this widespread, general carelessness of men and women who only think about to get as much as they can for themselves and who are by no means ready to contribute their part to our common future.

Next year, our seminary will celebrate its 50th anniversary.

From September 17-20, 2009, we will invite others to come to Finschhafen, and together we will "stop and think" about the past, present and future of theological education in Papua New Guinea, and about our possibilities to contribute to a Melanesian Reformation.

Because this country is in desperate need of a change.

All of us should, from time to time, think about that - and start trying to make a difference.

 

 

Funeral programme for the late Ian Clive Boden (please click to enlarge)

Young people are confirmed

Captions: 1. Proud parents Erica and Golonso Buase with son Bingmalu after his confirmation last Sunday. 2. The young people with Pastor Qogi Zonggoreng after being confirmed at Good Sheperd Lutheran Church in Koki last Sunday.

A total of 27 young men and women were confirmed as members of the Lutheran Church at the Good Shepherd Lutheran Church at Koki in Port Moresby last Sunday.

Relatives and families gathered at Koki for the occasion, which was followed by feasts, to celebrate one of the most-important rites of the Lutheran faith.

The confirmation also coincided with Reformation Sunday, which is celebrated by Lutherans all over the world, to commemorate the reforms started by Martin Luther in 1517.

Confirmation marks the completion of the congregation’s programme of confirmation ministry, a period of instructions in the Christian faith as professed in the teachings of the Lutheran Church.

Those who have completed this programme were made members of the church in baptism.

Confirmation includes a public profession of the faith into which the candidates were baptized, thus underscoring God’s action in their baptism.

 

'ACE' Bulolo 2008 Ambrose won by Mapai Transport

The annual PNG Forest Products Bulolo Ambrose three-day golf event in Bulolo last weekend was highlighted by a Hole in One by Chrissie Brunskil of the Amalpack team from Lae.

The annual three-day event held in fine and sunny weather was won by Lae-based Mapai Transport No.1 team, with DJ Wheels from Goroka second and Unitech No.3 third.

The Bulwa Trophy, originally donated in perpetuity to Bulolo Club in 1964 to commemorate the former Bulwa Club, was presented to winners Mapai Transport by president Brian Boustridge, who acknowledged the historical nature of the Bulolo Golf Club.

In his address, Bulolo Club patron Toney Honey acknowledged the growing list of sponsors from within PNG and overseas, without whom the Ambrose would not be what it is.

He congratulated the club on the work put in by a dedicated team of volunteers and welcomed the large number of players who annually make the Bulolo Ambrose such a success.

He also welcomed the large number of new players taking part, which was also good for the future of the game in Bulolo.

The Bulolo Ambrose Weekend is such a popular and sociable event that teams from Port Moresby, Mt. Hagen, Goroka and Ramu and Lae are often joined by players from Australia, NZ, and Philippines.

Results: Gross Winners, DJ Wheels (Goroka) R/Up, Lahanis (Goroka)

Overall Nett Winners: Mapai Transport No.1 (Lae), 2^nd DJ Wheels (Goroka), 3^rd Unitech No2.

Fri/Sat Nett winners: Delixi (Bulolo), 2^nd Bushman (Bulolo), 3^rd Mainland Plumbing Lefties (NZ)

Sat/Sun Nett winners: Mapai Transport No.1 (Lae), 2^nd DJ Wheels (Goroka), 3^rd Unitech No.2 (Lae)