Hope and joy in Toowoomba
Pastor Paul Hannola (second left) on his installation as pastor of Calvary Lutheran Mission Church Toowoomba. Pastor Paul was installed by LM-A President Pastor Matt Anker, with the assistance of Pastor Roger Atze (left) and Pastor Martin Tscharnke (right).
On Sunday 10 May, Pastor Paul Hannola was installed as the first called pastor of Calvary Lutheran Mission Church Toowoomba with pastoral oversight of St David’s Lutheran Mission Gympie. The service took place in the historic Kingsthorpe Hall, where the congregation has been worshipping for the past year. Almost 100 people attended the service, many driving more than two hours to witness the joyous service.
The liturgy was led by Emeritus Pastor Roger Atze, who has served the congregation in a voluntary capacity since its inception more than a year ago. The sense of unity was palpable, as the congregation responded with joy, clearly confessing their faith and singing with enthusiasm.
LM-A President Pastor Matt Anker preached on ‘Suffering for Righteousness' Sake’, from 1 Peter 3, beginning at verse 8. Pastor Matt began by noting that this Easter season we celebrate the resurrection victory of our Lord Jesus Christ, who defeated sin, death and the devil, and opened heaven to all who believe.
It sounds like a fairy tale ending where everyone lives happily ever after doesn't it? But we know that's not quite how we experience life in this world. While it's true Jesus’ death in our place and resurrection to eternal life is the guarantee of our life with God forever, I don’t have to tell you that we don't all live happily ever after in this life. There's every form of sickness and suffering that we face. There are broken relationships and the shame that comes through our actions or the actions of others. There’s the terrible reality of war and famine and strife that crosses our TV screens every night. And then there's the ridicule and increasing hostility that comes to those who bear the name of Jesus and dare to believe His Word and promises. Not to mention the very specific suffering and accusations many of you have endured for standing firm on God’s Word and refusing to compromise.
President Matt noted that in the midst of such suffering,
… we might be tempted to expect more. This is indeed one of the biggest lies preached in so many churches around the world. The suggestion that because we are redeemed by Christ and covered in His blood, we can always expect only the best in life. We can always expect to win. To enjoy a victorious life here and now… But I don't know any of God's people who are exempt from suffering. And what's more the scriptures teach just the opposite. What does Jesus say? If you want to follow me, deny yourself, pick up your cross and follow. And Peter says today that if Christ suffered, how can we, his servants, hope to avoid anything less?
… And if we think we've got it hard, we can be thankful we were not counted among those to whom Peter first wrote the words of our text. He wrote to gentile believers who were persecuted for their faith in Christ. They were ostracized and considered outsiders at best. They had no rights as citizens and were treated as less than human. And so as Peter writes to encourage these young believers to stand firm in faith and endure suffering with confidence in Christ's victory, his words are incredibly encouraging for us today… encouraging because they point us to the hope we have in Jesus. A hope that is not diminished regardless of what this life throws at us. A hope that is as imperishable as God Himself. A hope that is based in the concrete actions of Jesus as He shed His blood for you. Christ suffered once for sins, the righteous for the unrighteous (that's you and me), that He might bring us to God.
St Peter teaches us that the best response to evil is to lead godly lives. We do not need to be afraid or troubled, as we have the assurance that Jesus has gone before us to prepared the way for us. Instead
we are called to suffer quietly, patiently and graciously, that others too might be saved. Not that our suffering earns anyone's redemption. But in suffering quietly with hope in Christ, others will be prompted to ask why, ‘Why don't you hit back at those who trouble you? Why don't you lash out when people speak badly of you? How can you face this heartbreaking illness with a sense of peace?’ And when they ask, St Peter says, be ready to tell them the reason for the hope that is in you. Be ready to tell them of Jesus and what He has done for you. Be ready to tell them that even in the face of the sufferings of this life, you know that more awaits you.
President Matt described this quiet suffering with peace, hope and humility as ‘God’s Mission Strategy’. He pointed particularly to the experiences of Bishop Pohjola and Dr Räsänen from the Confessional Lutheran Church in Finland, who were recently convicted of hate crimes for publishing a book on God’s design for marriage to be between one man and one woman.
But when you talk to Bishop Pohjola, he never complains. Yes, he and Dr Räsänen are tired of this and the strain on them has cost them dearly, but he would still not call it persecution or suffering. In fact he considers it a great privilege to stand up for God’s Word and that he has been given opportunity to testify to that Word in public because of these charges. I wonder how many people have wondered what it is that enables them to respond with grace and humility and refuse to speak ill of those who are pursuing them? Their faithfulness and joy even in suffering has borne witness to the gospel in ways no one could have predicted.
Turning to Pastor Paul’s installation, President Matt reminded those gathered that
[Pastor Paul’s] job is not to make your life easier, but to point you to Jesus so that in all your troubles you may still know the joy of faith. He will face the temptation to appeal to that natural desire in all of us that longs for a less troublesome life. The temptation to avoid conflict by overlooking sin and compromising his witness so that he doesn’t offend you. These are temptations that every pastor faces as he serves a congregation of sinners… remember that you have called Pastor Paul to explicitly proclaim God’s Word of Law and Gospel to you even when that Word of Law stings and kills the old Adam in you… Receive his ministry as from the Lord Himself and trust that even when his ministry is challenging and the Word he proclaims causes temporary strife, understand that this is God at work to free you from sin, to point you to Christ and save you for eternity.
Following the sermon, Pastor Matt led the installation rite, aided by Pastor Roger and Pastor Martin Scharnke, who has also served the congregation over recent months.
After they outlined what Scripture says about the Office of the Holy Ministry, Pastor Paul knelt to confess his faith and make his vows. President Matt then installed him as the pastor of Calvary Lutheran Mission Church and St David’s Lutheran Mission Gympie.
Greetings from brother pastors were presented, and the elders came forward to present tokens of his office to Pastor Paul. Pastor Paul turned to face the congregation, who in turn vowed to love, honour and obey their new pastor. Pastor Paul’s wife Karen joined him for a blessing, and the couple were prayed for, before turning to receive the joyful affirmation of the congregation.
Following a most appropriate closing hymn, ‘In Thee is gladness’, Calvary Chairman Denis Jantezki read many greetings from across Australia. Gifts were presented to Pastor Paul and Karen from ladies of the congregation. A special word of thanks was made to Pastor Roger and Julie Atze, who have worked tirelessly since the congregation began to establish and support the congregation.
A sumptuous lunch was enjoyed by all, with happy conversation for quite some time after the service!
God’s blessings to Pastor Paul and Karen as they begin their service in the Toowoomba and Gympie areas.
