Wednesday, March 25, 2009

Please allow me to introduce myself...

Hi. My name is Tom Peitsch. I am the new pastor for the Illawarra Parish and this is my first post under the banner of the Southern Cross Reformer...the blog spot for the Illawarra Parish of the Lutheran Church of Australia (LCA). My hope is that this site will become part of who and what we are as Illawarra Lutherans. The ideas are pretty unformed at the moment so I thought I would introduce myself.

I come to the Illawarra after 11.5 years serving at St Johns Southgate Lutheran Church in Melbourne. Born in the US, the last 34 years of my life have been spent here in Australia though if you meet me you will probably notice my accent. I am married...have numerous children most of whom are grown up and making their own way in life.

My faith journey...I was raised in a Lutheran/Christian family back in the US. My parents claim that I started talking about being a pastor around the age of 6. Probably because back then we had one of those pastors who thundered from the pulpit and I always liked that (note: I don't thunder when I preach though). Anyway I retained the desire to be a pastor all through high school and University before entering theological studies here in Australia. I have served as a pastor in the LCA for over 30 years now and have enjoyed most of it. There have been times when I have wondered what I was doing as a pastor, but fortunately those have been outweighed by a strong sense of call and satisfaction in my work as a pastor.

I believe that the church is a place where no question is out of place and no individual should feel unwelcome. We are, together, a gathering of people who are seeking to know our unique spiritual journeys. Though we worship the same God and Lord, believing in Jesus as our Saviour and Redeemer, I recognize that each of us comes to this faith and lives in this faith from a very personal perspective. I hope that over days, weeks, months and years ahead I have the opportunity to hear from you about your journey and to share with you what it is I see and experience as together we grow in the spirit of God's grace.

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