Ministry Update
July 2024
Dear Ministry Partners,
Grace and Peace! Here is what has been going on in Vienna.
Grace and Peace! Here is what has been going on in Vienna.
Summer Baptism
In my last update, I mentioned that we had another potential baptism candidate. I am happy to say that the Lord added another brother into our midst who was baptized in June. Fortunately, we were able to rent the same space to carry out his baptism as with our last one.
While I don't have permission to share his name, our brother came to faith during the pandemic and gradually started seeking Christian fellowship after that. Even the physical act of baptism was painful for him, but his commitment to being baptized was relentless, and it was our joy to encourage him.
The first picture in this update depicts the sermon I delivered from 2 Corinthians 5:1-5 at his baptism, and the image on the right shows Kai performing the baptism.
While I don't have permission to share his name, our brother came to faith during the pandemic and gradually started seeking Christian fellowship after that. Even the physical act of baptism was painful for him, but his commitment to being baptized was relentless, and it was our joy to encourage him.
The first picture in this update depicts the sermon I delivered from 2 Corinthians 5:1-5 at his baptism, and the image on the right shows Kai performing the baptism.
Apprenticeship Graduation
A picture of our graduates
In my last update, I mentioned that I was teaching Church History. I'm happy to report that the class went well. Additionally, in late May, we were able to celebrate the graduation of our students. As I mentioned before, there were just under 20 graduates. Most of the students came to our formal graduation festivities. Our Presbyterian brothers hosted this event in the Austrian countryside at a historic house.
Two of our trainees participated from our church, and then we voted as a church to begin a trial period with one of them to become our next elder. This is a huge answer to prayer from Kai and myself. In the meantime, Michi, our Elder-in-training will begin teaching in our Core Seminars and leading an English sermon review for some of our members who are still learning German. It is conceivable that we could have our first lay elder shortly before this time next year.
Two of our trainees participated from our church, and then we voted as a church to begin a trial period with one of them to become our next elder. This is a huge answer to prayer from Kai and myself. In the meantime, Michi, our Elder-in-training will begin teaching in our Core Seminars and leading an English sermon review for some of our members who are still learning German. It is conceivable that we could have our first lay elder shortly before this time next year.
Evangelium21 Austria
This is from our Elders Day in June.
As I was reporting to some supporters recently, some found it helpful that I gave an overview of our pastoral team's ministry to wider parachurch ministry. Now, this is certainly teamwork firstly between Kai and myself, but also with a few other brothers. Rick Harper, a PCA minister who serves in pastoral training in Austria as well as Alex Reindl are important to mention. Alex is the CEO of E21 and a publishing house called Verbum Medien.
Kai, Rick, and Alex serve as a kind of steering committee here in Austria for how Evangelium21 - originally a German parachurch ministry - can assist pastors and congregations here in Austria. E21 described itself as a network of bible-believing Christians with an appreciation for reformed theology. While I have no formal position in E21, my role is primarily to support Kai in this regard, but I've been happy to assist in Austria in a few ways. Here is how E21 has pursued a four-pronged approach here in Austria. For the sake of thoroughness, I'll list all of these, but my personal involvement in some is greater than others. These approaches can be delineated in increasing order of likemindedness and cooperation:
E21 Austria Conference
This was E21's first official foray into Austria. The conference will be returning this September with a focus on understanding God's strength amid our weak and fledgling ministries in Austria. My role here personally has been primarily to free up Kai to be involved in the leadership and direction of this event. He is also kind to listen to my feedback regarding the direction and objective of this event.
Continuing education for pastors
The next ring of engagement is represented by what we have called "Ältestentage" or "Elders Days". These are one-day meetings of pastors and elders across Austria. The central concern of these events is to equip pastors with continuing education for their role and to encourage them and their families with insights from brothers like Rick, Kai, and Alex. My key contribution here has really been invitations. This event is in some ways evangelistic for our view of pastoral ministry. That the few Bible-believing churches in Austria are more aware of each other is the first step to meaningful cooperation in a country where good gospel work is so few and far between.
Kai, Rick, and Alex serve as a kind of steering committee here in Austria for how Evangelium21 - originally a German parachurch ministry - can assist pastors and congregations here in Austria. E21 described itself as a network of bible-believing Christians with an appreciation for reformed theology. While I have no formal position in E21, my role is primarily to support Kai in this regard, but I've been happy to assist in Austria in a few ways. Here is how E21 has pursued a four-pronged approach here in Austria. For the sake of thoroughness, I'll list all of these, but my personal involvement in some is greater than others. These approaches can be delineated in increasing order of likemindedness and cooperation:
E21 Austria Conference
This was E21's first official foray into Austria. The conference will be returning this September with a focus on understanding God's strength amid our weak and fledgling ministries in Austria. My role here personally has been primarily to free up Kai to be involved in the leadership and direction of this event. He is also kind to listen to my feedback regarding the direction and objective of this event.
Continuing education for pastors
The next ring of engagement is represented by what we have called "Ältestentage" or "Elders Days". These are one-day meetings of pastors and elders across Austria. The central concern of these events is to equip pastors with continuing education for their role and to encourage them and their families with insights from brothers like Rick, Kai, and Alex. My key contribution here has really been invitations. This event is in some ways evangelistic for our view of pastoral ministry. That the few Bible-believing churches in Austria are more aware of each other is the first step to meaningful cooperation in a country where good gospel work is so few and far between.
This is a snapshot from our most recent Elders College where I was responsible to teach on Congregationalism.
Pastoral friendships
Starting some time ago, Kai and my predecessor Bobby Harnist, established an online Zoom call for 9Marks-influenced pastors in Austria. Since that time, E21 has taken over the helm of this initiative, and we meet online to discuss ministry and pastoral concerns with a few brothers across Austria. This has been good to make truly deep pastoral friendships with a handful of brothers who are doing revitalization and church plants in southern and western Austria. Recently, a few Viennese pastors have also joined, and I look forward to how this develops. My role in this group has primarily been in ecclesiological consulting. These are also the churches where Kai and I (or one of our Trainees) periodically assist with some pulpit supply.
Joint Elder development
At the innermost level of cooperation, we have had the opportunity to offer Elders College meetings for ourselves and a few other churches. This is Bible College level training on our core distinctives as CGW for some associated churches with their elders-in-training and ours. Just this past May, I had to opportunity to teach on church polity and elder-led congregationalism. A picture of one of these sessions can be seen above.
Starting some time ago, Kai and my predecessor Bobby Harnist, established an online Zoom call for 9Marks-influenced pastors in Austria. Since that time, E21 has taken over the helm of this initiative, and we meet online to discuss ministry and pastoral concerns with a few brothers across Austria. This has been good to make truly deep pastoral friendships with a handful of brothers who are doing revitalization and church plants in southern and western Austria. Recently, a few Viennese pastors have also joined, and I look forward to how this develops. My role in this group has primarily been in ecclesiological consulting. These are also the churches where Kai and I (or one of our Trainees) periodically assist with some pulpit supply.
Joint Elder development
At the innermost level of cooperation, we have had the opportunity to offer Elders College meetings for ourselves and a few other churches. This is Bible College level training on our core distinctives as CGW for some associated churches with their elders-in-training and ours. Just this past May, I had to opportunity to teach on church polity and elder-led congregationalism. A picture of one of these sessions can be seen above.
Thank you so much for reading until the end! Please email sometime if you want to know more or want to catch up. There is so much to say, but I hope this gives a helpful snapshot.
Your brother in Christ,
Matthew
Your brother in Christ,
Matthew
