Community & Business
4 October, 2023
New Lutheran Pastor ordained
Former farmer and pastoral carer Ken ‘Charlie’ Uebergang was ordained as a specific ministry pastor in the Lutheran Church of Australia in a special service at St Peter’s Lutheran Church on Sunday, 1 October.
Charlie originates from Yandilla and has been a member of congregations in the Pittsworth and Millmerran districts for many years.
He’ll replace long time minister, Lionel Rohrlach, who has accepted a call to take up the ministry in the Gympie parish.
Lutheran Church of Australia and New Zealand (LCANZ) Bishop Paul Smith was in attendance and preached upon Matthew 21 and the question asked by the Pharisees to Jesus Christ “By what authority?”
Bishop Paul, who had travelled from Adelaide, gave the newly-ordained three pieces of advice Martin Luther had given to new ministers.
“He said three things
1. Take your place
2. Open your mouth to say something
3. Know when to stop.
“Charlie, you take your place to preach Christ and him crucified.”
Around 200 people, most of whom knew Charlie personally, were in attendance, having visited from places from across the Downs and beyond.
Queensland District Bishop Mark Vainikka was also in attendance for the service, along with pastors from the surrounding areas.
After taking his vows and being presented with the traditional pastoral stole, the newly ordained Pastor Charlie led the rest of the service, ending by saying that “he had “taken my place, opened my mouth and am now closing it.”
The Lutheran Church was established in Australia by German migrants in the 19th Century following the unification of Protestant churches by then Prussian King, Frederick William IV.
The Darling Downs contains many families of German descent who emigrated for a better life.
Lutheran services switched to English in the early 20th Century, and the church today is much less mono-cultural.
