With thanks for Silas Horton
Posted on September 2, 2010
Filed under News
The ACL Council gives thanks to God for the life of the Rev Silas Horton, servant of the Lord Jesus Christ, past President and then Emeritus Vice President of the League, who was called home on 31 August.
Silas was ordained by Archbishop Mowll in 1955 and served his curacy at St. Clement’s Mosman before becoming chaplain to Norfolk Island in 1956. He later served as Curate in Charge and Rector of a number of Sydney parishes, including Regent’s Park and Birrong, Beverly Hills and Roseville.
For many years he served on the Standing Committee of the diocese and also its Presentation Board. After his time at Roseville he led Anglicare’s Parish Support and Development division.
Silas was known for his tireless determination to preserve the Evangelical Anglican heritage of the diocese, to preach Christ and to serve him wholeheartedly. We extend our sympathy to Silas’ wife Corylanne and to his family.
His funeral is to be held in St. Andrew’s Cathedral on Tuesday 7 September.
(Photo: Horton family via Ramon Williams.)
‘Same-sex adoption bill clears hurdle’
Posted on September 2, 2010
Filed under News
“A bill allowing same-sex couples to adopt in New South Wales has been passed in state parliament’s Lower House. …”
– report from ABC News.
(Image: Google Streetview.)
Scottish Reformation Conference
Posted on September 2, 2010
Filed under News
The Presbyterian Theological Centre, Sydney is holding the Crowning Christ King Conference (September 10-11, 2010) to mark the 450th anniversary of the Scottish Reformation –
“The Scottish Reformation of 1560 was driven by Christians who were passionate that Christ should be Lord in his church. They wanted the truth of the gospel to be clear, God to be worshipped and his people to live for him. Those events laid the foundation of Presbyterian Churches around the world. 450 years later the truth and passion of the Scottish Reformation is part of our heritage. We need the same passion that Christ should be Lord.”
– Details at the PTC website (scroll down a bit).
Hell: Remembering the Awful Reality
Posted on September 2, 2010
Filed under Theology
“To speak of hell is to speak of things so overwhelming that it cannot be done with ease.
Yet hell exists; this is the testimony of the Scriptures, of the apostles, and of the Lord Jesus himself. The emotionally intolerable is also the truth — and therein lies its awfulness.
It is incumbent on the Christian pastor to be familiar with it, to feel the weight of it, to preach it, and to counsel his flock in connection with its meaning and personal implications.”
– Sinclair Ferguson is one of the contributors to the latest 9Marks eJournal, just released.
Read online – or download as a PDF file – from 9Marks.
Why the Adoption act should not be changed
Posted on September 1, 2010
Filed under Opinion
“A private members bill introduced by the Hon Clover Moore to allow same-sex couples to adopt children will go before the Lower House of the NSW Parliament this week.
The NSW Premier, Kristina Keneally has allowed a conscience vote by Government MPs and the Opposition Leader, Barry O’Farrell has allowed the same for Opposition MPs.
The bill has been amended to exempt faith-based organisations from having to facilitate adoptions for same-sex couples.
Although Anglicare Sydney welcomes this exemption, it still opposes the bill in principle and urges all MPs to vote against the bill because it diminishes children’s rights.
The Adoption Act makes it clear no adult presently has the right to adopt a child. The Act is based on what is in the best interest of the child. Introducing a right to adopt is contrary to the whole adoption regime.
And allowing same-sex couples to adopt children is not a test of civil rights – upholding the rights of children to have a father and mother when they have no say in the matter is.
Anglicare’s 12 reasons for opposing the Bill were sent to all State MPs. You can view them here.
With this issue now upon us, I strongly urge you to write to or email your local MP and request them to vote against Ms Moore’s Bill, with reference to ANGLICARE’s reasons.
Children’s rights are precious – they should never be a political football for others.”
– Peter Kell, CEO of Anglicare Sydney writes at SydneyAnglicans.net.
ABC PM on the gay adoption issue
Posted on August 31, 2010
Filed under News
“Around 200 people squeezed into a small theatre in the New South Wales Parliament today to protest against a bill to allow same-sex couples to adopt. The New South Wales Council of Churches organised the protest meeting…”
– ABC Radio’s PM reported on Clover Moore’s proposed bill on adoption tonight.
Vacation Reading 2010
Posted on August 31, 2010
Filed under Resources
“Every summer on vacation, I try to read a variety of things. Here is a thumbnail on each of the books from this past week in South Carolina…
Peter O’Brien’s Consumed by Passion (1993) where he carefully and convincingly argues from 1 Cor 10:33-11:1 and elsewhere against David Bosch and others who maintain that Paul did NOT expect other Christians to evangelize. Paul did, O’Brien argues. Good book on the gospel and evangelism. Careful treatment of key passages. Anything by O’Brien is worth reading.”
– Mark Dever shares thoughts on just some of the books he’s been reading during the northern Summer vacation.
New Colin Buchanan DVD
Posted on August 31, 2010
Filed under News
No, this isn’t a commercial, but we thought you might be interested to know that Colin Buchanan has yet another DVD available. :-) See his website.