Bronwyn Chin memorial service
AFES has posted online video of the Memorial Service for Bronwyn Chin, who went to be with the Lord on Easter Sunday.
“May God use the testimony of her life to spur you on to live for Jesus as the pulsating centre of your life into eternity.” – at the AFES website.
Keeping the gospel in your sights in pastoral ministry
“Late last year, our ministry team looked at 1 Timothy 3 and 4. We noticed how, smack bang in the middle of these chapters on Christian leadership, is “the mystery of godliness”: that is, Christ our Saviour (1 Tim 3:16 cf 4:10). In other words, to be faithful in pastoral ministry, you have to keep your eyes on Jesus. You have to fight to keep your eyes on Jesus…”
– Great advice from Jean Williams, at The Briefing.
The Church’s One Foundation — the story and a free download
“[In 1866] The Rev. Samuel John Stone was well aware of the effectiveness of singing when he wrote and published Lyra Fidelium … which consisted of twelve hymns, one for each article of the Apostles’ Creed. With each hymn he included a short ‘summary of truths confessed’ in that article, along with a list of the Scripture passages supporting it.
‘The Church’s One Foundation’ was the hymn he wrote for article 9 of the Creed, which affirms belief in ‘the holy catholic church’ and ‘the communion of saints’.”
– Tim Challies posts a story on the origin of the hymn which (though he doesn’t mention it) was sung at the first Lambeth Conference the year after it was written. And there’s a free download too.
(Drs Ligon Dincan, Derek Thomas and Bill Wymond also discuss the hymn, with a bit more background on Bishop Colenso, who is referred to in the original wording of the hymn.)
The Man I thought was Dead
“I once saw a man who I thought was dead. It was a little unnerving to see him walk over to a microphone and start singing…
It was so strange that I spent the first few moments trying to remember where I had read the announcement of his death. Then I tried to work out how old he was – because he was an old man when I first heard him sing in the 50’s and this was the 90’s. …”
– Phillip Jensen remembers with gratitude … well, you’ll see.
Why I am still a Christian
“It was a long time ago. I had become dissatisfied with my life’s direction and that of the friends in my social circle. In my early twenties I began to attend a church and thankfully found the minister’s message and the congregation’s welcome deeply encouraging. I began for the first time to read the Bible.
One day I attended a lunch hour service in St Andrew’s Cathedral where the speaker, Dr Howard Guinness spoke on John 6.37. …”
– Bishop Paul Barnett shares some encouraging words of personal testimony.
Anglican Mainstream responds to French vote
Anglican Mainstream in the UK has published a brief statement on this morning’s vote to approve ‘same-sex’ marriage in France.
Good news for Vanuatu
“The opening of this container was the fulfillment of close to a 4 year project. … we pray that God’s Word would not only go out but we would see a revival in relationship with God through His Word in Vanuatu.”
– Rejoicing with those who rejoice – the New Testament in Bislama is again available.
Thoughts on Sexuality and Gender
John Richardson in the UK has been thinking theologically about sexuality and gender in the context of the current push for ‘same-sex marriage’.
It’s worth taking some time to read his latest posts at The Ugley Vicar.
Kel Richards’ tribute to George Beverly Shea on 2CH Sunday night
We hear that Kel Richards will be presenting a tribute to the late George Beverly Shea on his program, “Nightsong with Kel Richards” on Sydney’s Radio 2CH, between 8.00 and 9.00pm tonight, Sunday, 21st April, 2013.
(h/t Ramon Williams.)
Holy Trinity Dulwich Hill building lost in fire
“A 100-year-old church in Sydney’s inner-west is still smouldering after it burnt down early this morning. Firefighters were called to the Holy Trinity Anglican Church in Dulwich Hill just before 4.00am…”
– Report and image from ABC News.
New Executive Secretary for Anglican Mainstream
“The Trustees of Anglican Mainstream are delighted to announce that the Revd Andrew Symes has accepted appointment as Executive Secretary of Anglican Mainstream in succession to Dr Chris Sugden…”
– from Anglican Mainstream.
NSW Premier wrong to support gay marriage, says Council of Churches
Here’s a media release (19 April 2013) from the NSW Council of Churches –
“The NSW Council of Churches today expressed strong disappointment at a decision by Premier Barry O’Farrell to support same sex marriage in NSW amid concerns over the constitutionality of such law reform. Read more
‘O’Farrell comes out for same-sex marriage’
“Barry O’Farrell has declared his strong support for legalising same-sex marriage in Australia…”
– Sydney Morning Herald report. Photo: NSW Government.
Packer’s testimony to the reality of weakness
Dr J I Packer speaks about his experience of weakness in this short video to introduce his forthcoming book on 2 Corinthians, Weakness Is the Way: Life with Christ Our Strength.
h/t Justin Taylor.
George Beverly Shea
“George Beverly Shea, 104, of Montreat, North Carolina, soloist of the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association (BGEA), died this evening following a brief illness.
Since George Beverly Shea first sang for Graham in 1943 on the Chicago radio hymn program, “Songs in the Night,” Shea has faithfully carried the Gospel in song to every continent and every state in the Union. Graham’s senior by ten years, Shea devotedly preceded the evangelist in song in nearly every Crusade over the span of more than one-half century. …”
– News from The Billy Graham Evangelistic Association.
Related: Bruce Ballantine-Jones’ testimony.
What we believe
The message at the heart of Christianity is really quite simple…