Wonderful help for reading the Bible in public
Posted on July 15, 2025
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Many of us can give thanks for excellent public Bible reading in churches.
But how can we help church members read the Scriptures clearly and in an engaging manner?
Clifford Warne (1930 – 2003) was a much-loved Christian communicator and broadcaster.
Perhaps his greatest passion was to ensure that the Bible is communicated well.
In 1979, he and Paul White published, through the Anglican Information Office in Sydney, a small book entitled “For Reading Out Loud”.
In the introduction they state –
“Some people who think the Bible has nothing to say to them, do so not because they’ve read it, but because they’ve only heard it read.
An unprepared or careless reading of God’s Book meant to them blurring of meaning and boredom.
These are days of trained news readers on television and radio. Why should we not have skilful Bible readers in church?
For the reader, learning, using and mastering the few rules set out in this book will make the Scriptures live in a new way.
For those who listen, it can mean a new understanding of the Bible and a desire to read it for themselves.
THE HEART OF THE MATTER IN READING ALOUD IS
TO UNDERSTAND WHAT YOU READ
TO SOUND NATURAL and
TO MAKE THE MEANING CLEAR.When words are spoken, the meaning is not in the words alone, but in
THE EMPHASIS
THE PHRASING and
THE EXPRESSION given to those words.”
In addition to writing on the subject, Clifford Warne gave many talks and lectures. Three, in particular, were often distributed on cassette tape.
Thanks to Russell Powell at Anglican Media Sydney, three key recordings are once again available and are wonderful resources for individuals and churches.
They are –
The art of reading the Bible aloud.
A storyteller’s secrets.
How to hold an audience.
They are all accessible from this page at SydneyAnglicans.net.
We can be thankful for excellent Bible reading in churches – Let’s help all who read do it well!
Spiritual Conflict
Posted on July 14, 2025
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“In his Screwtape Letters CS Lewis observes that there are two equal and opposite errors that people fall into regarding the dark powers. One mistake is to disbelieve in their existence; the other is to believe in them to excess.
In Ephesians chapter 6, verses 10 through 12, Paul the Apostle writes:
Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his power… For our struggle is not against enemies of blood and flesh, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers of this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places…
Paul takes the reality of conflict in the world to another level…”
– John Mason urges us to see what we need in the struggle against the cosmic powers of this present darkness.
Be radical and read the Bible
Posted on July 13, 2025
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From Murray Campbell in Melbourne:
“A challenge if you live in Melbourne. A challenge no matter your age, and especially if you’re part of Generation Z
Be radical and read the Bible!
Check out the latest on ‘Tomorrow’s Melbourne’ and how an upsurge of Bible reading in the UK could help us take the Bible more seriously here in Melbourne.”
– That’s the theme of his latest ‘Tomorrow’s Melbourne’ video.
Anglican Communion (Nigeria) restricts political activities in Churches
Posted on July 12, 2025
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“The Church of Nigeria, Anglican Communion, has banned politicians from using its lectern for campaign matters.
At the just concluded episcopal consultation at Nike Diocese in Enugu, the Anglicans set guidelines for the reception of politicians and government officials in Church services/programmes across all its Churches. …”
– Report from The Source Magazine Nigeria.
Has Living in Love and Faith come to an end? An open letter to the Archbishop of York
Posted on July 11, 2025
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At Psephizo, Ian Paul writes to the Archbishop of York:
“Dear Stephen
I read with interest your address to York Diocesan Synod on 5th July, and one word leapt out for me: ‘final’. Near the end of your address, you comment:
The Living in Love and Faith process is not yet complete. Some final proposals will be brought to the February 2026 meeting of the General Synod.
If that is the case, I am and countless others (on all sides of this debate) will be delighted. This has been a disastrous and divisive process since 2017; I wonder whether you realise how damaging it has been, and whether you will ever publicly acknowledge that. It sprang out of Justin’s spontaneous and ill-conceived phrase ‘radical new Christian inclusion rooted in scripture and Christian theology’ which was both incoherent (how can this be new if it’s rooted in existing theology?) and immediately open to misinterpretation …”
– Read it here.
Image: Ian Paul speaks at last year’s Church of England General Synod.
Living and Leading in the Way of the Cross — Don Carson
Posted on July 11, 2025
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From The Gospel Coalition’s Carson Center Podcast –
“In this lecture [from 1 Corinthians chapter 4], Don Carson emphasises the role of Christian leaders as servants of Christ and the importance of faithfulness, humility, and integrity in their leadership.
Carson urges Christian leaders to avoid pride, remain accountable to God, and uphold the way of the cross in their lives.
Carson stresses the importance of discipline and the need for leaders to serve as models of Christlikeness within the church and community.
He teaches the following:
- The need for Christian leaders to be seen as servants of Christ
- The importance of proving faithful to the trust given by Christ
- The need for Christian leaders to avoid pride and boasting
- How Christian leadership involves being entrusted with the mysteries of God and serving Christ, not just the church
- The differences between Christian leadership and worldly leadership
- The importance of accountability structures in the church
- The qualifications and responsibilities of Christian leaders
- Why Christian leaders must prove faithful to the One who has entrusted them with their fundamental tasks.”
– Listen here.
Photo: Don Carson at the Next Level Conference in 2016.
Church Society Podcast: George Whitefield
Posted on July 10, 2025
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The latest Church Society podcast:
“Ros Clarke and Lee Gatiss talk about the controversial and brilliant George Whitefield.”
– Listen here.
Certainty4Eternity Podcast Episode 1 – Mark’s Testimony & Rayne’s Experience
Posted on July 9, 2025
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Here’s a new podcast from Certainty4Eternity:
“Welcome to the first episode of Certainty4Eternity: The Podcast for Youth– a new series where Rayne Orange and Mark Gilbert dive into real, respectful conversations about Catholicism, Protestantism, and everything in between.
In this episode, we explore:
• Mark’s journey from Catholic schoolboy to Protestant minister.
• What it was like growing up Catholic in Australia
• Rayne’s experience in Catholic schools in rural Canada
• How Protestants and Catholics can have better, gospel-focused conversations
• Why understanding worldview is key to meaningful dialogue.
Whether you’re Catholic, Protestant, or just curious — this show offers a space for thoughtful, gracious discussion rooted in faith and Scripture.”
– Watch here.
Knowledge, Nakedness & Shame: Sex and Gender in and out of the garden — with Rob Smith
Posted on July 9, 2025
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From The Pastor’s Heart:
“We’re digging deep into the Bible’s teaching on sex and gender – inside and outside the Garden of Eden.
We’re asking foundational questions: Was humanity created androgynous? Does Genesis allow for more than two sexes? Is sexual difference a core part of the imago Dei? What does it mean that the man and woman were naked and felt no shame?
Dr Rob Smith lectures at Sydney Missionary and Bible College and serves with Living Faith, a pastoral ministry of the Sydney Anglican Church caring for those navigating same-sex attraction or gender incongruence.
Rob is the author of a new book The Body God Gives.”
Parents and Children — A care greater than any legislation could mandate.
Posted on July 8, 2025
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From Phillip Jensen:
“In Australia, the birth rate has dropped to below 1.5 children per woman. This is the lowest birth rate we have ever had and is clearly below the 2.1 children per mother necessary to maintain the population. How important is it to have children? Does marriage necessitate children? Is marriage itself necessary? In the special creation of woman in Chapter 2 of Genesis, the subject of parenthood is immediately raised.
Peter and I are canvassing some of the issues of parenthood in this episode of Two Ways News.”
– Listen here.
Reformation Research Forum
Posted on July 7, 2025
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A very timely events coming up at Moore College on Thursday, 14 August 2025 –
“Moore Theological College has a rich tradition of engagement with Reformation studies, and we are delighted to invite you to our Reformation Research Forum.
This event is designed to showcase cutting-edge Reformation scholarship and foster fellowship among those with a passion for Reformation research. The program will feature major presentations by:
- Ashley Null (Bishop of North Africa, Wittenberg Center for Reformation Studies)
- Jake Griesel (George Whitefield College)
- Stephen Tong (Sydney Grammar School)
- Mark Earngey (Moore Theological College)
- Edward Stocks (St Matthew’s, West Pymble)
In addition, Reformation scholars such as Mark Thompson (MTC) will be interviewed, and a number of doctoral students will give short presentations on their current research:
- Thom Bull (Trinity Theological College, Perth)
- Lucas Sharley (Moore Theological College)
- David Clancey (Bishopdale Theological College, NZ)
- Candice Bergamin (Moore Theological College)
- Peter Blair (London Theological Seminary)
Topics will span a wide range of figures and themes, including Thomas Cranmer, Heinrich Bullinger, Jerome Zanchi, John Jewel, James Ussher, John Pearson, and Jonathan Edwards. …”
Mass, indulgences and relics at Canterbury Cathedral
Posted on July 7, 2025
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“Nearly 500 years after the English Reformation, Canterbury Cathedral, the mother church of the Protestant Church of England, will be given over to a Roman Catholic Mass, celebrated by the pope’s own representative in the country in honor of the martyr Thomas Becket, who died in the cathedral in 1170.
…the Mass will award those in attendance a plenary indulgence … celebrated by Archbishop Miguel Maury Buendia, apostolic nuncio to the United Kingdom …
And while the only relics left at the cathedral are some bloodstains of Becket’s, the Roman Catholic parish of St. Thomas, also in Canterbury, has acquired a relic — a bone of Becket’s, which will be taken to the cathedral for the Mass.”
– At Religion News Service, Catherine Pepinster previews the Roman Mass to be held in Canterbury Cathedral tonight, Australian time.
Can’t Catholics and Protestants just Agree?
Posted on July 7, 2025
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“Mark Gilbert and Leonardo De Chirico have edited an incisive series of essays in The Nicene Creed: The Nature of Christian Unity and the Meaning of Gospel Words.
These essays respectfully seek to illuminate the fundamental difference between Protestantism and Roman Catholicism with the Nicene Creed as the backdrop for analysis. …
The book demonstrates that even if we nominally can agree with the Nicene Creed, the disagreements between Catholics and Protestants are significant enough for us to recognise that we are worshiping different Gods, in different ways, with fundamentally different views on what it means to relate to that God.”
– The Gospel Coalition Australia, Kamal Weerakoon reviews the new book edited by Mark Gilbert and Leonardo De Chirico.
“The book is not only polemical. It sets out the proper, Biblical, and Protestant view of the creed: Trinitarian monotheism, one God in three persons as the universal creator and redeemer; the full and eternal deity of Christ; Jesus’ true union with humanity; the completeness of his penal substitutionary atonement; his authority to judge; justification by faith alone; assurance of salvation; etc.”
Moore in the Word podcast
Posted on July 6, 2025
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Here’a another great resource from Moore College.
If you’ve missed it, so far there are 334 (!) episodes online for your encouragement and edification.
See what’s available –
Christian Songwriting: A Conversation with Greg Cooper
Posted on July 5, 2025
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At The Gospel Coalition Australia, Mikey Lynch interviews Greg Cooper in Melbourne.
Many will remember Greg as a member of Garage Hymnal and his beautiful songs such as ‘Hear our Prayer’.
“This extended interview is in two parts. First, Mikey discusses general principles with Greg about congregational songwriting, personal songwriting and the place of art and beauty in the Christian life. Second, Greg breaks down the composition and recording of one song—’The Same God’—in detail, drawing out general songwriting principles along the way.’”
– Listen here.
What we believe
The message at the heart of Christianity is really quite simple…