Nothing but the blood of Jesus
There are a number of bands seeking to make hymns known to a contemporary audience. Page CXVI, apparently in Boulder, Colorado, is one – check out their website and hear (or buy) their album – at pagecxvi.com
Death or life in Vancouver
The Ecumenical and Multifaith Unit (EMU) of the Anglican Diocese of New Westminster, Canada is co-hosting a workshop “Challenges for the church in a post-religious culture”. Bishop Michael Ingham will be one of the panelists.
From the EMU website: “Currently the [EMU] committee is advocating the use of Prayers for Peace from other faith traditions (see Multifaith Prayers for Peace), both in regular services and in personal meditations, as an affirmation of our common spiritual goal for peace on earth.”
By contrast, hear this sermon by Canon (of St. Andrew’s Cathedral Sydney) David Short at St. John’s Shaughnessy in Vancouver, preached back in June –
“The point of the resurrection is that God has made Jesus LORD over everything.”
– from the St. John’s website.
Please continue in prayer for all who labour in the teaching of God’s word, that they always may be faithful.
(Logo: Ecumenical and Multifaith Unit of the Diocese of New Westminster.)
“Inspiring People”: Connect09 initiative
Connect09 Executive Director Andrew Nixon writes:
I want to tell you about some important events planned for September and October, as part of the strategy to reach the Central Business districts of our cities. These events will be unlike any we have ever staged.
1. They are designed to attract outsiders, even those who don’t know a Christian – hence we will advertise extensively in the CBD.
2. They will feature high profile Christians in prominent positions, who will tell their life stories, including their testimony, during panel discussions.
3. These discussions will be integrated with an offer to explore the Christian faith through the “Life of Jesus” course using “The Essential Jesus”.
Events will be held over five weeks, either before, during or after work in the CBD, North Sydney and Parramatta, starting Tuesday 15 September.
The”Inspiring People” website is now live.
41 Questions to ask a potential Church
Colin Adams at Unashamed Workman has posted questions he asked of the elders at his new church prior to him being called.
There are a lot of sensible questions there.
Australian Christian Books of the Year 2009
SPCK Australia has announced its 2009 Australian Christian Literature Awards. Here’s the list – Read more
Freedom, Biblical Baptism and Christ Centred Communion
Barry Newman, well known to many in Sydney Diocese, and one of the ACL’s vice-presidents, has recently started his own blog. He begins by looking at the sacraments.
(h/t David Ould.)
UK Christian arts festival draws criticism
“Traditional Anglicans have criticised the UK’s major Christian arts festival for inviting a gay American Bishop to speak. Among those addressing the Greenbelt festival this year is the Bishop of New Hampshire, Gene Robinson…
Changing Attitude, a leading pro-gay Church movement, will be laying out their ideas at the festival. Its director, the Rev Colin Coward, says he is happy to have a debate on homosexuality, but that it is not appropriate to invite the ‘Ex-Gay’ movement.”
– Report from BBC News on a story which has been building for the last month or so. Another controversial speaker, Rob Bell, has been overlooked in much of the discussion. (Related.)
The Greenbelt Festival is held this weekend. (Photo: TEC.)
Do we have free will?
Andy Naselli writes:
“This summer my church… hosted a “Difficult Issues Series” on Wednesday nights, and on June 10 I addressed this topic: “Do We Have a Free Will?”
MP3 (1 hour and 45 minutes including Q&A)
Handout (7-page PDF), Condensed Essay (4-page PDF).”
– thoughtful resources from Andy Naselli’s theology blog. (Andy serves as research assistant to Don Carson at Trinity Evangelical Divinity School.) h/t Justin Taylor.