Why we are contributing to Greenfields land
Through the Sydney Synod, the Anglican churches of Sydney have resolved to work together to purchase land in ‘Greenfield’ areas.
If we don’t get in early, it will be too late to purchase land to build centres where Christ’s people can gather and be beacons of light in their new communities.
Dominic Steele at The Village Church Annandale has kindly shared this video he made for his own church. He speaks with Stuart Starr at Oran Park. It’s ideal to show in your church to help everyone get behind the vision.
Render unto Caesar or unto God? Government funding and the crisis of Conscience
“There is truth in the claim that Sunrise Children’s Services, along with thousands of similar organizations and institutions, will have to face a hard choice: serve Caesar or serve God. This becomes inevitable once an entity becomes dependent on financial support from the government …”
– Albert Mohler writes about a local (to him) example of the crisis coming to many Christian organisations.
New Westminister nominees list is out
The names of those nominated for the position of Bishop of New Westminster, in the Anglican Church of Canada, have now been released. Anglican Essentials Canada Blog have helpfully added links to the CVs and videos of the candidates. Lots of talk of diversity.
The Synod begins 30th November, to replace Michael Ingham, pictured, who retired in August. Bishop Ingham famously declared that J I Packer and David Short had abandoned Christian ministry.
How can Systematic Theology enrich and energise preaching?
Canon James Packer spoke recently for The Charles Simeon Trust in the US.
Classic Packer. Set aside an hour and be encouraged and strengthened in your preaching (or in encouraging others in their preaching).
On Vimeo. (h/t Justin Taylor.)
9Marks Journal on Evangelism — part 2
The latest 9Marks Journal is free to download. It’s packed with articles of interest to Sydney Anglicans as we plan for the ‘Jesus Brings’ outreach… articles include:
Evangelism in the Workplace
Reaching the “Converted”
Evangelism across Economic Boundaries
How can Churches Evangelise their Neighbourhoods?
Three Lessons for Cross-Cultural Evangelism
Evangelising the Nations at Home
The Gospel for a Gay Friend
Bathurst Synod this weekend
“The annual meeting of the Synod… of the Anglican Diocese of Bathurst will meet in Bathurst this weekend (November 8-10).
Originally scheduled for September, the meeting had to be postponed to allow preparation of up-to-date financial information following the sale of Orange Anglican Grammar School and Macquarie Anglican Grammar School. The sales were finalised at the end of September.
This will be Bishop Ian Palmer’s first Synod as Bishop of Bathurst, and will involve some difficult decisions as the diocese faces very daunting financial challenges. …”
– from The Diocese of Bathurst.
Our friends in Bathurst would be glad of your prayers. Please pray that the outcome of the decisions made will glorify Christ and that many more in the region will find saving faith in him.
Preachers hungry to be mentored
“[A] growing number of pastors are seeking to develop their skills through mentoring networks like that offered by the Centre for Biblical Preaching.
The Centre and its programmes are run by Mike Raiter, a passionate local and international preacher, former missionary and former Principal of Melbourne School of Theology and former Head of Missions at Moore College in Sydney…”
– Story from Eternity Newspaper.
High Court challenge to ACT same-sex marriage set for December 3 & 4
The Australian Christian Lobby’s Lyle Shelton sent this 90 second video update from outside the High Court in Canberra.
An unavoidable truth: the doctrine of sin today
“The heart and wellspring of all evangelical theology is the cross of the Christ. It is in the light of the cross that we truly understand God and truly understand ourselves.
It demonstrates God’s deep and determined love and it demonstrates God’s deep and determined love for sinners (Rom 5:8). I cannot avoid the reality and seriousness of my sin when I attend to the awful glory of what happened outside the walls of Jerusalem 2000 years ago. I cannot avoid the determined and loving purpose of God when I consider who it was who died there. …”
– Mark Thompson writes at The Briefing.
10 Tips for your next Hospital visit
“Pastors should be prepared to minister when they step foot in a hospital room. With someone under your care in frail condition, this is no time to wing it. Visiting someone is not just about what you do once you are in the room, it is about being prepared before you arrive…”
– Maybe this ought to be common sense, but it’s a good reminder (h/t Tim Challies).
Probably few use the Prayer Book’s The Order for the Visitation of the Sick these days, but if you haven’t read it lately, take the time to do so. Here’s the 1552 version. And the 1662 version.
Related: A visit means more than a text – Jean Williams.
J.C. Ryle on Sickness, and Some Thoughts on Affliction, by Neil Prott (both on the old part of our website).
Another Reflection on GAFCON 2
“GAFCON was likened to ‘a taste of heaven’, with believers from many nations, races, colours and languages worshipping the one Lord together. The daily pattern was praise and prayer, a morning Bible exposition from the book of Ephesians, followed by plenary lectures and seminars.…”
– Andrew Atherstone gives his perspective on GAFCON 2013.
The Sydney Family Album — 9, T. C. Hammond
“One of the most important of Howard Mowll’s many influential appointments was that of Thomas Chatterton (T. C.) Hammond as principal of Moore College.
Appointed at a time when the College seemed to be shifting its theological position, Hammond, who already had a worldwide reputation as an evangelical preacher, teacher and apologist, would be, it was hoped, precisely the kind of leader who would strengthen the College and set its course firmly in the mainstream of evangelical Anglican theology. He would meet all of these expectations and surpass them. …”
– Moore College Principal Dr. Mark Thompson makes a welcome addition to his series on those who, under God, shaped Sydney Diocese.
See the earlier posts in this series at Theological Theology.
MAF Pilot attempts 140 takeoffs to raise money for second East Timor plane
“An Australian pilot is today attempting to complete a record number of takeoffs in one day to raise enough money to buy aid agencies in East Timor their second plane.
Since the withdrawal of the United Nations last year, aid agencies in East Timor have only one plane left to do their work. The plane is used by 30 non-government organisations working in the developing country.
Which is why, at Parkes in the central west of New South Wales today, pilot Ron Watts will attempt to take off 140 times to set a new Australian record.”
– from ABC News. Watch the MAF video on Vimeo. Donation page.
Background: A little on the church in Timor Leste – via APWM.
Phillip Jensen & Kel Richards in The Chat Room — The Bible, Old & New Testaments
In the latest edition of The Chat Room, Phillip Jensen & Kel Richards talk about the Big Picture of the Bible, and the perils of reading it without seeing that bigger picture.
33 minutes. Well worth showing in small Bible Study groups, for example.
Related: At The Proclamation Trust, Adrian Reynolds has been blogging about “The New Testament Use of the Old” – Part 1, Part 2, Part 3, Part 4, Part 5.
Church Society report on GAFCON
“Last week I had the privilege to attend the Global Anglican Futures Conference in Nairobi, Kenya. My experience of this conference of over 1300 bishops, clergy, and laity from around the Anglican world was moving, positive, and optimistic. …”
– Church Society Director Lee Gatiss shares his experience of GAFCON 2013 in Nairobi. GAFCON Media photo of the Bishops’ photo by Andrew Gross, ACNA.
What we believe
The message at the heart of Christianity is really quite simple…