The Way of the Lutherans
Der Weg der Lutheraner
A Pilgrimage
As one enters into this pilgrimage, it is important to understand the difference between a tourist and a pilgrim.
Usually, the primary purpose of a tourist is for leisure, recreation, or exploration, whereas the primary purpose of a pilgrim is for religious or spiritual contemplation. Generally, the main activities of a tourist are sightseeing, enjoying local cuisine, shopping, and participating in cultural or entertainment events, whereas the activities of a pilgrim are generally visiting sacred sites, participating in religious rituals, prayers, contemplation and seeking spiritual growth or fulfillment. Therefore, the mindset of a tourist is often focused on relaxation, adventure, and experiencing new places, whereas the mindset of a pilgrim is often focussed on devotion, reflection, and seeking a deeper connection with God and how that is lived out in faith.
While The Way of the Lutherans will involve many aspects of being a tourist, we strongly encourage participants to enter it as a pilgrim. It is about the journey, not the destination. It is about leaving room for the unexpected and sitting comfortably with the uncomfortable – the heat, the rain, the sore feet, the blisters, the annoying habits of others, etc. It is about taking the time to ask the big questions about how God moved in the lives of others and contemplating how God’s spirit might move in our own lives. It is about recognising that others on the pilgrimage are contemplating the same questions.
Throughout The Way of the Lutherans, pilgrims will have the opportunity to:
- Grow collegial networks with fellow leaders in Lutheran education
- Connect with the rich history of Australian Lutheranism
- Deepen your spiritual and theological understanding
- Develop physical and mental resilience
- Be inspired by the beauty of God’s creation
- Reflect on your personal growth and its impact on your community
All of this takes place through the lens of Free to Flourish: Adventurous, Compassionate, Purposeful, Relational.
The Way of the Lutherans invites you to step into a spiritual pilgrimage — and to allow God’s Spirit to be at work within you.
– Stuart Traeger