Ministry

One of the things that all of us have experienced, or are experiencing, is broken relationships. 

In families, with friends, with colleagues. 

It happens to all of us. 

At the same time, we want these relationships to be better. We want things to change. 

We want whole and healed relationships. 

One of the unique things about Endeavour is the Endeavour Way, where we utilise Restorative Practices and live out our values of Love, Courage, Forgiveness, and Hope. 

And our greatest example of restoration and living out these values is Jesus. 

Jesus teaches about restoring relationships often. Amongst what He said were these words: 

3 “And why worry about a speck in your friend’s eye when you have a log in your own? 4 How can you think of saying to your friend, ‘Let me help you get rid of that speck in your eye,’ when you can’t see past the log in your own eye? 5 Hypocrite! First get rid of the log in your own eye; then you will see well enough to deal with the speck in your friend’s eye. 

While Jesus teaches that we can help others with what they have done wrong, he instructs us to first look at our own problems, and what gets in the way of helping others. Get the log – the big plank of wood – out of the way before you try and help someone else. "

Jesus himself chose to get close enough to help us with our problems by becoming one of us, becoming human and living amongst us, so that we can trust him to help us with what harms us and stops us from seeing clearly. 

May you live a life where you also have the courage to examine yourself and to clear away all that is in between you and others. 

And may you live a life of love where others welcome your help in their lives. 

God bless you.

Chris Mann

College Pastor

Mothers Day Prayer

A happy Mothers Day to all significant women in our children's lives.

This prayer, written by Dr Tania Nelson from the Lutheran Church of Australia, is for you and the valuable role you play. 

We thank you.

Heavenly Father, as we acknowledge our earthly mothers on Mother’s Day, we ask you to bless those mothers entrusted with the care of your most precious little ones. We thank you for creating each mum with a unique set of skills. We thank you for the sacrifices mums make for their children. Bless those who are in the midst of nappy changing, teething, and sleep-broken nights, and give them the assurance of your love.

We thank you for the time mums give to their growing children. Thank you for working mums and for stay-at-home mums. Ease the guilt of mums who desire more time in the home and for mums who desire more time in a paid workplace. Give peace to the chauffeur mums and the mums who keep tabs on teens that claim greater independence.

We pray for single mums. Surround children who may never know their earthly father with your arms of love. Give rest to tired mums. May you be the source of spiritual and physical strength.

Give your peace to foster mums and mums of adopted children. Bless the love they provide and the security of their homes.

We also pray for the women who wish to be mothers and those who mourn the loss of their dream of motherhood. Provide opportunities for nurturing meaningful relationships and assure them of your steadfast love.

And finally, we thank you for the mums who have been called to their heavenly homes. May we know that you have a place of honour for these mothers.

Most of all Lord, on Mother’s Day and always, may our hearts overflow with gratitude to you, who formed and knitted each of us in a mother’s womb.

Amen.

Tania Nelson

Executive Officer - Local Mission from the Lutheran Church of Australia

A copy of the prayer can be found here.