‘Developing a LCANZ multi-cultural mindset’
By Marilyn Wall
How do we overcome discomfort on all sides and embrace being one people of God when not all of God’s children may be as like us as we are used to?
“Are our approaches to ministry and mission still fit for purpose?”
“How do we engage in ministry with each other in ways that are respectful and that take us beyond our own biases and privilege?”
“What barriers have we put in place through well-intentioned practices that result in different people and their voices being excluded?”
These are both the challenges and, I also point out, opportunities with which our Church has been grappling since colonisation. Raised in the editorial of the August 2021 special themed issue ‘Cross-Cultural Ministry’ in the Lutheran Theological Journal (LTJ), editor, Professor Wendy Mayer, BA BA(Hons) PhD, Associate Dean for Research (ALC) invites the reader to reflect on 24 opinion pieces addressing this topic. Gathered by the LTJ’s editorial Assistant, Dr Anna Nuernberger, and submitted by church workers across Australia and New Zealand, these reflections cover diverse ministry experiences with peoples, including from First Nations, refugees and immigrant communities.
Read the personal reflections from those with lived experiences and engagement in ministry with First Nations peoples. All point to the ongoing journey of reconciliation that we continue to share ….
- David Spanagel, Change the rule book!
- Robert Borgas, Lutheran efforts towards improving cross-cultural communication in rural Australia
- Robyn Kuchel, Walk with me
- Suanne Tikoft, Multicultural church—why try?
Read the remaining contributions – 2021 LTJ special themed issue: Cross-cultural ministry
