How Pornography works
“We are fast becoming the pornographic society. Over the course of the last decade, explicitly sexual images have crept into advertising, marketing, and virtually every niche of American life. This ambient pornography is now almost everywhere, from the local shopping mall to prime-time television.
By some estimations, the production and sale of explicit pornography now represents the seventh-largest industry in America. …”
– Albert Mohler looks at understanding how pornography works in the male brain – and how that knowledge can be used in the battle against sin.
Related: The Porn-free family – Tim Challies.
Australian Church Record — October 2013
The latest issue of The Australian Church Record is now out.
“Every now and again ancient institutions can be forgiven for indulging in a little public self-reflection.
On January 1st, 1914, the first issue of ‘The Church Record: A Church Paper for the Commonwealth, Catholic, Apostolic, Protestant, and Reformed’ appeared, sixteen months after a Sydney group first met to float a company to run a federal paper.
As the centenary of this issue draws nigh, it seems fitting to reflect a little on the Australian Church Record as it is poised on the edge of its next one hundred years.”
– as well, there are articles on the General Synod, GAFCON, Archbishop Welby, and there’s a tribute to Bishop Dudley Foord. Downloadable from their website.
And in a reprint of an article from 1972, Bishop Donald Robinson looks at the names behind The Record in the early days.
Christian B&B couple defend marriage policy
On ITV’s Daybreak programme yesterday, Peter and Hazelmary Bull were interviewed about their decision to appeal to the UK Supreme Court .
Via Anglican Mainstream. Related: Judge rules against Christians in B&B case, but allows appeal. Image: ITV.
Billy Graham prepares ‘perhaps my last message’
“I watch the news daily and my heart is burdened. When I hear despair in people’s voices, when I see the turmoil on their faces, it tells me that hopelessness abounds. …
This is exactly why I have written the book [The Reason for My Hope: Salvation] and why our ministry is launching ‘My Hope America’ television program this November. It could perhaps be my last message which is this — Christ is our hope for today and our promise for tomorrow — and it is fulfilled in the great work He did for mankind on the cross when He paid the penalty for our sin. He offers salvation to those who will ‘come’ to Him, believe in what He has done and what He has said, and obediently follow Him.”
– Billy Graham was interviewed for NewsMax. Photo courtesy Ramon Willams.
Financial woes leave Bathurst Diocese in a “very difficult place”
“I am unable to see clearly what the diocese may look like in the future,” [Bishop Palmer] said in a letter read out to parishes across the diocese. … [The debt] is large and we cannot repay the bank in full.”
– Report from The Western Advocate.
This is a good reminder to pray for Bishop Palmer and the people of the Diocese of Bathurst.
Effective Gospel Ministry
In the next instalment of Preaching Matters from St. Helen’s Bishopsgate, William Taylor looks at Acts chapter 20.
Take the time to watch it here. (12 minutes.)
GAFCON and the Archbishop of Canterbury
“The Archbishop of Canterbury will visit GAFCON primates just before the opening of GAFCON 2013 in Nairobi.
GAFCON Primates are holding a two day meeting, then 1200 leaders and lay people from the UK, Asia, Africa, the Pacific and South America will fly in to Nairobi for the Global Anglican Future Conference starting on Monday, October 21st.
GAFCON Chairman Eliud Wabukala invited Archbishop Justin Welby to send greetings to the conference and he indicated he was unable to do so in person because of commitments during the week. His office has since confirmed he will make a flying visit to speak with the Primates.
The general secretary of the Global Fellowship of Confessing Anglicans, Dr Peter Jensen, says “The Archbishop’s decision to come to the Primates meeting is a recognition of the importance of such a large and significant gathering of Anglicans from around the world and he will be made very welcome.”
Issued 7/10/13.”
– News from GAFCON.
Related: Unforced Anglican errors from The Telegraph – GetReligion.
‘Anglicans in Perth vote to recognise same sex relationships in synod decision’
“Anglicans in Perth have voted to have same sex relationships recognised. The church synod has voted by a two thirds majority to call for legal acknowledgment of civil unions between people of the same sex. …”
– Report from ABC News.
And another report, from WA Today –
“Father Chris said the aim of the policy was to counteract negative and hurtful comments about same-sex couples by other Christian groups, particularly the Australian Christians Lobby.
‘When they come out and say things like ‘it’s unnatural to be gay’ or ‘it’s against the bible’ or ‘all Christians reject homosexual behaviour’ … we want to say ‘that’s not the case’,’ he said.”
Garage Hymnal to release new album
“Garage Hymnal are back with a new album for 2013 titled Lowly. It is a collection of songs centred around Christ’s birth, the hope that comes through Jesus becoming human and the salvation that it brings. … The album will be officially launched on 1st Nov 2013 at St Stephens Church Hall, Newtown, NSW. Tickets are very limited, on sale now…”
Remembering Archbishop Gitari
“Archbishop David Gitari, the retired Primate of the Anglican Church of Kenya (ACK) died Monday … He was 76.
Gitari was one of those larger than life figures. He was absolutely courageous, brilliant, and committed to the implications of the Gospel in everyday life. He was marked for death by government hit squads and three times had to escape in the middle of the night when they came to kill him. One of the times, he escaped through the roof of his house and slipped into the jungle. …”
– Bishop Bill Atwood remembers and gives thanks.
The Method is the Message
“It was in the early 1970’s and I wore my clerical collar as I approached her front door. The next-door neighbour had asked me to visit. I did not know the widow but the neighbour told me “She is dying and wanting to talk about it, but is afraid to ask for help”.
When she opened the door she panicked. It was not the World War I panic of seeing the minister with the telegram. But it was still panic. Before I spoke she launched into an apology, talking over her shoulder as she scurried back into the house, leaving me on the doorstep. …”
– Phillip Jensen writes about the legacy of the Wells organization’s Every Member Canvass.
‘Pastor of Pastors’
“That phrase is well understood in Church denominations that have episcopal government, and has in the last several generations become a standard description of the nature and role of episcopacy among Anglicans.
But what may it mean in our more immediate context? Below is a sketch of what the concept ‘pastor of pastors’ signifies historically and in much of contemporary Anglicanism, and of what it could mean for us. …”
– Dr Robert Doyle explores the meaning of an oft-used term, at The Australian Church Record.
A future for Anglicans?
“In October 2013 GAFCON II will meet in Nairobi. GAFCON (Global Anglican Futures Conference) might be described as the illegitimate brainchild of Rowan Williams when he was archbishop of Canterbury and it may yet turn out to be his most enduring legacy…”
– In his editorial in the Autumn 2013 issue of Churchman, Gerald Bray gives his take (PDF file) on GAFCON II and the future of the Anglican Communion.
New BCA Regional Officer for NSW & ACT
BCA has appointed the Rev Peter Adkins as its next NSW / ACT Regional Officer, starting in the new year.
7:30 Report on SSM and the Anglican Church
The 7:30 Report on ABC TV tonight ran a 6 minute story on an Anglican minister in Perth, Chris Bedding, who is moving a motion on same-sex relationships at the Perth Synod this week.
The segment allowed very brief inputs from Bishop Robert Forsyth in Sydney and Lyle Shelton from the Australian Christian Lobby. Watch here.
What we believe
The message at the heart of Christianity is really quite simple…