Rural ministry in Canberra & Goulburn
“…Director of St Mark’s National Theological Centre Professor Tom Frame has been appointed to a ‘tent-making’ unpaid position overseeing the new Mulwaree Mission District…”
– from the Diocese of Canberra & Goulburn.
The Rise of the Papacy
“There are one billion Roman Catholics worldwide, one billion people who are subject to the Pope’s authority. How, one might ask, did all of this happen? The answer, I believe, is far more complex and untidy than Catholics have argued…”
– David Wells takes a look at the origins of the papacy. (h/t Justin Taylor. Photo: Desiring God.)
Your guide to the Archbishop of Canterbury’s inauguration
“The Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby’s public ministry will commence on Thursday when he is enthroned – or ‘installed’ – in two special seats in Canterbury Cathedral. …
The date of the ceremony resonates in several ways: March 21st is the feast day of St. Benedict of Monte Cassino, a significant figure for both Canterbury Cathedral and Archbishop Justin himself, who is an oblate of the Order of Benedict. A thousand years ago, the cathedral was a Benedictine monastery.”
– Everything you wanted to know about this week’s enthronement – from the Anglican Communion News Service.
(March 21 is another anniversary which is perhaps more significant – the execution of Archbishop Thomas Cranmer in 1556.)
Overview of Mark’s Gospel — from St. Helen’s
The first of a three-part video overview of the Gospel According to Mark has been posted by St. Helen’s in London.
“St Helen’s Training aims to train and equip bible handlers by sharing our best training resources. We pray that many people might grow in confidence in their bible handling whether they are reading the bible with a friend, leading a small group or preaching.”
Part 1 runs for 9 minutes. This looks to be a very helpful series.
Recovering the Missional Passion of the Church
“The only thing that really matters is this: our God has a mission. That’s why he sent Jesus here on subversive terms. And that’s why he established the church– churches like yours and churches like mine– to join him on mission to reestablish his glory over all creation…”
– Ed Stetzer wants us to remember why we are here.
Diocese of Tasmania submission on “Voluntary Assisted Dying”
Bishop John Harrower has posted some details on his diocese’s submission concerning “Voluntary Assisted Dying” in Tasmania – and he has also written a Pastoral Letter on proposed Abortion legislation for that state.
Nathan Tasker’s new album
Nathan Tasker’s new album, The Bell Tower (inspired by the tower at St. Philip’s York Street), is now available. It’s a collection of ‘re-imagined hymns’.
Gare Ware (Mount Gambier Presbyterian) has the details.
Archbishop Welby and the E-Word
“Archbishop Justin Welby very seldom uses the E-word – ‘Evangelical’. He mentions it only when amongst friends.
Speaking at New Wine, for example, in 2006 he declared: ‘I’m an orthodox Bible-believing Evangelical … Scripture is my final authority for all matters of life and doctrine.’ But it’s not a label he usually chooses to define himself. …
… Although the ‘Evangelicalism’ label will not often be heard at Lambeth Palace, that other momentous E-Word – ‘Evangelism’ – falls much more frequently from Welby’s lips. His abiding passion is for people to come to faith in Christ and for churches to grow.”
– In an article to be published in the Spring 2013 issue of Cross†Way, Andrew Atherstone provides a very informative profile of the new Archbishop of Canterbury.
St Patrick — The Irish Evangelical
“St Patrick’s Day is a Saint’s day. There is nothing wrong with celebrating saint’s days, though there is nothing particularly right either. As our Apostle says: “One man esteems one day as better than another while another esteems all days alike. Each one should be fully convinced in his own mind” (Romans 14:5) …
However, the problems of saints and saint’s days should not stand in the way of remembering with gratitude, those whom God has used in the past to spread the gospel and contribute to the welfare of the world. We are to remember our leaders and in particular ‘the outcome of their way of life and imitate their faith’ (Hebrews 13:7).”
– The Dean of Sydney, Phillip Jensen, sets the record straight for St. Patrick’s Day – this Sunday.
The Marcus I Knew and Loved
Greg Blaxland, former SAMS missionary, and well-known to many of our readers, has just published “The Marcus I Knew and Loved”, subtitled An Autobiographical Appreciation of Sir Marcus Lawrence Loane.
In his Preface, he writes,
The pages that follow do not purport to be a complete life story… Rather, they are a simple, loving, autobiographical appreciation of a truly great man of God…
Many share such a high estimate of Sir Marcus Loane.
It’s available as an e-book (in ePub, Mobi, or PDF formats), and can be purchased for $US9.99 here.
Related:
- Sydney Synod gives thanks for Marcus Loane.
- Archbishop Marcus Loane photo gallery.
- Remembering with gratitude Sir Marcus Loane, on the Centenary of his birth.
- Guarding the Gospel.
Archbishop Peter Jensen’s statement on Pope Francis
The Archbishop of Sydney, Dr Peter Jensen today joined other Christian leaders in welcoming the election of the new Pope, saying “The papacy continues to have huge global significance in testing times for humanity. We join those who pray that Pope Francis will use the office to further the gospel of Jesus Christ for the sake of all humanity.”
Other statements – via The Bible Society.
Moore College Graduation 2013 — Report
“Last night 92 graduates received their awards from the college. City Recital Hall was packed with over 600 guests who were family, friends of the graduates and supporters of the college…”
– story from the Moore College website.
Also on the website: An Invitation to the Commissioning of Dr Mark Thompson as the 13th Principal of the College, on Thursday 6th June, 7:00pm at St. Andrew’s Cathedral.
Free Easter e-book from John Piper
From Desiring God:
“Today we launch a new devotional eBook, Love to the Uttermost: Devotional Readings for Holy Week. Beginning Palm Sunday (March 24) through Easter Sunday (March 31), we invite you to join us in focussing on the self-giving love of our Saviour.”
– Download from this page.
Chappo’s preaching
“From the day that Jesus saved John, there was no-one more impressive or wonderful for John than Jesus. Did he ever get tired of telling people about Jesus in the gospels, or of stringing together the things Jesus did so you could see his greatness?”
– Another reminder that remembering John Chapman means pointing to Jesus. Simon Manchester writes in The Briefing. (Photo: St Thomas’ North Sydney.)
St. Helen’s Thanksgiving service for Chappo
The video from the Thanksgiving service for John Chapman, held at St. Helen’s Bishopsgate in London a week ago (1st March 2013), is now available on Vimeo.
Participants include William Taylor, Dick Lucas, Richard Bewes and Hugh Palmer.
Dick Lucas remembered the first time he met Chappo – and Hugh Palmer preached from Romans 1.
The video runs for 51 minutes and is most edifying.
What we believe
The message at the heart of Christianity is really quite simple…