When Trauma Comes to Church — What Pastors Get Wrong and How to Care Well
Posted on November 11, 2026
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From The Pastor’s Heart this week –
“When trauma comes to church, how should pastors respond? And what happens when our well-intentioned pastoral care actually makes things worse?
How should pastors care for people whose lives are overwhelmed by suffering?
What do we say when someone asks, ‘Where was God when this happened?’ When is it right to speak of hope, and when might even that be too much?
What happens when someone’s trauma leads them to hurt other people? How do we take their suffering seriously without excusing behaviour?
We talk about lament, shame, the temptation to rush in with answers and what it means to rebuild.
Darby Strickland is a biblical counsellor with the Christian Counseling & Educational Foundation and author of When It’s Trauma.”
Related:
Christian Counseling & Educational Foundation (USA)
Remembrance Day 11 November — Last minute resources
Posted on November 10, 2026
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Seeking to do something appropriate for Remembrance Day?
Defence Anglicans has some resources which may be helpful.
For your prayers: Anglican Church of Mozambique and Angola
Posted on November 10, 2026
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From Moore College:
“The Anglican Church of Mozambique and Angola (Igreja Anglicana Moçambique é Angola) is an Anglican Province formed in 2021. Despite not being connected by land, both Mozambique and Angola are Portuguese speaking – this makes sense as to why two countries on opposite coasts of Africa would join together as a Province. …”
– Read more at the College website.
Always Let Your Conscience Be Your Guide?
Posted on November 10, 2026
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From Phillip Jensen:
“Some topics are such a universal way of thinking that it is surprising to see how rarely they are mentioned in the Bible. Conscience is such a topic that is critical to our behaviour and mustn’t be undermined, yet the Bible’s teaching on conscience is more connected to its education than its slavish following. This is a tricky subject to explore.”
– Hear Phillip and Peter Jensen discuss, at Two Ways News.
Positive biblical theology
Posted on November 9, 2026
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Moore College’s Dr Jack Day shares the importance of biblical theology –
“As I have started out as a member of the Moore College faculty this year, one of my great joys has been taking responsibility for teaching our first-year biblical theology course.
Many readers will no doubt be aware that, over the past seven decades or so, the discipline of biblical theology has had a prominent place in the life of Moore College, the Diocese of Sydney, and in Australian evangelical Christianity more broadly.
The term ‘biblical theology’ can be used in a variety of ways, but for the purposes of this article I am referring to a way of reading the Bible that is concerned with how it all fits together as a united whole. …”
– At SydneyAnglicans.net.
A New Season for Bishop Donison
Posted on November 8, 2026
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From Archbishop Dr Laurent Mbanda:
Dear brothers and sisters in Christ,
With gratitude to God for His faithfulness and appreciation for his dedicated service, I wish to communicate that the Rt Revd Paul Donison has concluded his service as General Secretary of the Global Anglican Communion, following his election as Bishop of the Diocese of Western Gulf Coast in the Anglican Church in North America (ACNA).
Following prayerful consideration and consultation, Bishop Paul discerned a call to this new ministry, and we rejoice with him in his election.
This new responsibility will also involve bringing the Diocese of Western Gulf Coast together with the Great Plains Missionary District, an important undertaking that will require his focused leadership, energy and commitment, particularly in advancing the work of church planting and gospel formation.
On behalf of the Global Anglican family, I wish to express our deep appreciation for Bishop Paul’s faithful and committed service over the past three years.
His contribution to strengthening our global fellowship, advancing the vision of the Jerusalem Declaration, and championing biblical Anglicanism across the continents has been significant and greatly valued.
Having worked closely with Bishop Paul over these past three years, I also wish to express my personal appreciation for his friendship, partnership and dedicated service. I will personally miss his presence and close collaboration in the office of General Secretary.
We have shared important moments, challenges and opportunities in serving our global Anglican family, and I am deeply grateful for the commitment and wisdom he has brought to this work.
Bishop Paul has affirmed his continuing commitment to GAFCON and the wider Global Anglican family.
His transition from the office of General Secretary should therefore not be understood as a departure from the vision, convictions or fellowship we share, but rather as a new opportunity to serve the same gospel mission in a different sphere of ministry.
As we mark this transition, let us give thanks for his service, celebrate what God has accomplished through him, and pray for His continued grace and blessing upon Bishop Paul, his wife and family, and the people he is now called to serve in this new responsibility.
Our intention is to leave the position of General Secretary vacant until the next regular cycle of GAFCON leadership appointments at GAFCON V in April 2028. This will provide continuity and stability as we prepare for the Assembly, allowing us to maintain our present direction and priorities and build on the momentum already established.
During this period, the responsibilities of the General Secretary will be carried forward collectively by our existing leadership and Secretariat.
This shared approach will ensure that the work of the Communion continues with strength, unity and purpose as we move towards GAFCON V.
May the Lord continue to strengthen us in our common calling, keep us united in the truth of His Word, and advance His mission through our shared commitment to the Gospel of Jesus Christ.
Yours in Christ,
The Most Revd Dr Laurent Mbanda
Chairman, Global Anglican Council
8 November 2026
– Source.
I regret to inform you that Heaven Tourism is back
Posted on November 8, 2026
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Tim Challies again sounds a warning on “heaven tourism” –
“I regret to inform you, dear reader, that heaven tourism is back. The genre possibly never went away entirely, but it did at least disappear from the bestseller lists for several years. Sadly, it has returned in Gabe Poirot’s 18 Days in Heaven, which was one of the bestselling Christian books last month and even made its way to the New York Times list of bestsellers—a feat most authors can only dream of. Out of sheer magnanimity (and perhaps a morbid sense of curiosity), I read it so you don’t have to.
Before I tell you what it’s all about, here’s a brief history of heaven tourism. Don Piper kicked off the genre in 2004 with 90 Minutes in Heaven, and it proved a surprise hit that quickly dominated the sales charts, eventually tallying upwards of 8 million copies sold. Todd Burpo’s Heaven Is for Real followed in 2010 with over 10 million copies sold. That same year brought Kevin and Alex Malarkey’s The Boy Who Came Back from Heaven, which sold more than a million copies before Alex recanted his story and the publisher pulled it. …”
– You may never feel tempted to read any of these books, but you can expect that at least some people in your church will, so be prepared.
Sydney Synod hears of conversion growth
Posted on November 7, 2026
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From Russell Powell at SydneyAnglicans.net –
“Brimming with enthusiasm, the Rev Canon Craig Roberts presented the first annual report to Synod from the committee formed last year to track conversion growth in parishes across the Diocese and note any observable patterns from which all churches could learn.
He reminded those present that the Five-Year Focus Monitoring Committee was formed in response to ‘an observed decline in church attendance since 2013’, adding ‘This report has come directly out of the Archbishop’s presidential call and our Synod’s resolve to have a five-year special focus on seeking to grow our churches by five per cent a year through conversion growth.’
The first year’s data shows…”
– Read it all here. (Photo: Darwin Cathedral.)
Archbishop of York completes visit to Australia
Posted on November 7, 2026
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From the Archbishop of York’s website –
“The Archbishop of York, Stephen Cottrell, recently visited Australia and Hong Kong, where he encouraged Anglican churches, schools and communities in their shared mission of proclaiming the gospel.
His visit began in Western Australia at the invitation of Archbishop Kay Goldsworthy AO. At the opening Eucharist of the Diocese of Perth’s 52nd Synod at St George’s Cathedral, Archbishop Stephen preached and joined clergy and lay representatives gathered from across the diocese. The service included a Welcome to Country from Barry Winmar and a Gospel procession led by the Boodjar Bidi Performance Group. During the Synod, the Archbishop was formally invited to address members, sharing greetings from the Church of England and affirming Archbishop Kay’s vision and leadership. …
Archbishop Stephen also spent time in Brisbane, where he joined Archbishop Jeremy Greaves in preaching and engaging with clergy from across the Anglican Church of Southern Queensland …”
Image credit: Allan Brady.
Bishop Mark Calder to be BCA President from 2027
Posted on November 7, 2026
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Some news from The Bush Church Aid Society –
“As we head rapidly towards the end of the year, there are some changes to the BCA community to let you know about for 2027. …”
– Changes to the BCA Community for 2027 – Greg Harris, BCA National Director, shared these updates last month.
Christian leaders write to the PM about the “Digital Duty of Care” Bill
Posted on November 7, 2026
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From Freedom for Faith:
“Australian Christian leaders have written to Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and Communications Minister Anika Wells expressing serious concerns about the Government’s Online Safety Amendment (Digital Duty of Care) Bill 2026.
The letter supports appropriate action to protect Australians, particularly children, from seriously harmful online material. However, the Bill as presently drafted is much broader than necessary to achieve the goal of protection from genuine serious harm. It will have significant adverse consequences for freedom of religion and freedom of expression.
The letter urges the Government to withdraw this Bill and return with a more sharply focussed Bill …”
– The full letter is also available at this link.
A Spiritual Call from Antioch to Australia
Posted on November 6, 2026
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The new Presbyterian Church of Australia Moderator-General, Stuart Bonnington, addressed their General Assembly in late September.
A shortened version of his encouraging address has been published by AP. It does, however, include a sobering reminder of the events of ninety years ago.
“In Acts, timeless Christian teaching is given within the unrepeatable unfolding of covenant history. However, powerful reverberations of that original grace, all focussed on the Lord Jesus Christ and the truth about Him, will be given to us according to our distinctive place in biblical-redemptive history as we labour in anticipation of His return.
If the Lord wills, the fiftieth anniversary of the most significant event in Australian Presbyterian history will be reached in June 2027. We could have been marking the death of the PCA back in 1977, but in God’s mysterious will and kindness we will look back on it as the time of our spiritual rebirth. …”
Photo with thanks to the Evangelical History Association.
Related:
Why Bible translation is easier, harder and more needed than you think
Posted on November 6, 2026
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From Moore College:
“On Wednesday 21 October, Moore College welcomed Rev Dr Sam Freney, from the Bible Society Australia, for a lively exploration of Bible translation as part of the State Library’s Rare Book Week program. …”
Photo: Erin Mollenhauer with Rev Dr Sam Freney.
Nexus27: The end of Complementarianism?
Posted on November 5, 2026
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Nexus27 – the Nexus Conference in Sydney – is planned for Monday 15th March 2027.
Registration is now open, and all the details can be found at their website.
The good news in Eagle Vale: Interview with Steve Thurgar
Posted on November 5, 2026
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An encouraging interview from The Australian Church Record –
“Eagle Vale Anglican Church is a small but gradually growing church in the Campbelltown area of Southwest Sydney. It’s a lot like many areas in the Southwest. There is a mix of working-class people and those with professional qualifications. There is also a significant number of people with various social and economic challenges. It’s also an area that is ethnically diverse with an increasing population of South Asians and Muslims.
The ministry opportunities are huge! The Lord Jesus said that the harvest is plentiful (Matt 9:37), and this is certainly true in Eagle Vale. Sadly, the second half of Matthew 9:37 is also true: the workers are few. …”
What we believe
The message at the heart of Christianity is really quite simple…