Jun2016
Our God ends the search
by Bishop John Henderson
‘What does it mean to have a god? … a god is whatever a person looks to for all good things and runs to for help in trouble … it’s only the trust and faith in your heart which make them both what they are – God and an idol’ (Martin Luther, Large Catechism, the… Read more
May2016
Ministry of the New Testament
by Bishop John Henderson
‘Apollos and I are merely servants who helped you to have faith. It was the Lord who made it all happen.’ (1 Co 3:5 CEV) ‘And the Gospel teaches that we have a gracious God…’ (Augsburg Confession Article 5 – The office of the ministry) The work of a modern pastor is the same work… Read more
Apr2016
The miracle of God’s love
by Bishop John Henderson
‘…this brother of yours was dead and has come to life; he was lost and has been found’ (Luke 15:32 NRSV). At a Sunday service I attended recently the pastor preached on the parable of the waiting father (Luke 15:1,2, 11-32). He challenged us to identify with the characters in the story: the Pharisees who… Read more
Mar2016
Europe Terror Attacks
by Bishop John Henderson
‘When sins are forgiven, there is no more need to offer sacrifices.’ (Hebrews 10:18 CEV) This year Holy Week has been marred by new terror attacks in Europe. At the most holy moment in the year, when we want to place our full attention on the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, our attention has… Read more
Mar2016
The way of love
by Bishop John Henderson
‘There is no fear in love, but perfect love casts out fear; for fear has to do with punishment, and whoever fears has not reached perfection in love. We love because he first loved us’ (1 John 4:18,19 NRSV). Love is more powerful than fear because, no matter how destructive it might seem, fear is… Read more
Feb2016
A Message from LCA Bishop John Henderson on the Persecution of Christians in the Middle East and Africa
by Rev John Henderson
Dear fellow members of Christ in the LCA Most of us are in no doubt that there is a push among some elements to remove Christianity from the Middle East and some African countries, despite the fact that Christianity is growing rapidly on that continent. There are also parallel, ruthless efforts to cleanse some Islamic… Read more
Feb2016
Jesus became one of us
by Bishop John Henderson
Jesus became one of us… (Hebrews 2:14) Every year in our worship we follow a cycle of seasons. Each tells part of the story of faith. Advent –the coming of Jesus is announced just as God has promised. Christmas and Epiphany – he is born. Lent – he prepares for his death. Easter – he… Read more
Nov2015
Launch of the Global Freedom Network in Australia
by Bishop John Henderson
From the very beginning human beings were created in the image of God. Reverence for human life as a sacred gift and trust fills each person with dignity and worth. We learn this also from the life of Jesus Christ, who treated each person with dignity and compassion. He did not come to be served,… Read more
Aug2015
Pastoral Letter on the Unity of Synod
by Bishop John Henderson
Dear fellow members of the LCA, Soon our church will gather in a General Convention of Synod. No matter who you are or where you worship, the decisions made at the convention will affect you. They’ll affect all of us—and our children and our grandchildren. Even if you won’t be attending as a delegate or… Read more
May2015
Statement on Marriage
by Bishop John Henderson
On 22 May 2015 voters in the Republic of Ireland were asked to determine whether ‘marriage may be contracted in accordance with law by two persons without distinction as to their sex’. Of nearly 2 million votes cast, 62% voted ‘yes’. The success of this referendum, supported by the Irish government, has sparked a worldwide… Read more
