Community & Business
15 April, 2025
Bishop’s special visit
The Lutheran Church of Australia - Queensland District (LCAQD) Bishop Rev. Mark Vainikka and Director, Commission for Mission Rev. David Schmidt, recently met with leaders of the Pittsworth Lutheran Parish as part of the District's Listening and Learning Tour.
Since March 21st, the pair have travelled across the Darling Downs and parts of south-west Queensland, visiting with Lutheran congregations in Toowoomba, Goombungee, Haden, Oakey, Norwin, Dalby, Macalister, Roma, Charleville, Moree, Glenarbon and Warwick.
St. Peter's Lutheran Church Pittsworth was the final stop last week after a visit earlier in the day to its sister congregation, Holy Trinity Nobby.
St. Peter's Council members and Elders met with Bishop Vainikka and Rev. Schmidt who were eager to learn about the church's highlights and challenges in the last 12-18 months, and offered assistance where possible.
The feedback received from Bishop Vainikka and Rev. Schmidt about St. Peter’s ministry was encouraging, and summed up as a place where the Word of God was alive, not only on Sundays but lived out every day as a community of grace.
Rev. Schmidt admitted he could see the cultural shift that has taken place over the last few years, in which St. Peter's had transformed from "running" the church to "being" the church, with a focus more fully on ministry and mission.
The Listening and Learning Tour began in October 2023, with a visit to Lutheran congregations in northern Queensland.
Bishop Vainikka and Rev. Schmidt have travelled nearly 3000 kilometres across the state in pursuit of learning more about each congregation and their local ministry.
