God will meet all your needs — you can be sure of it
“What can we be sure of for 2017?
I can send you a New Year’s card with the most sincere expression of goodwill: wishing you the happiest year, seeking better outcomes for you and hoping for improved health. But can we, in any way, be sure of such things? Can we be sure that this year will be any better than last? Can we be sure of anything?
It’s the uncertainties of life that are certain. What remains true is that in terms of happiness, better outcomes and good health: 2017 is a complete unknown. BUT, what we can be sure of is that the Apostle Paul is right when he says: ‘God will meet all your needs according to his glorious riches in Christ Jesus.’
What remains absolutely true is Paul’s testimony in Philippians 4:19. …”
– Presbyterian Church of Australia Moderator-General John P Wilson has released this God-honouring New Year’s message.
Seventeen years closer to Eternity
Seventeen years ago, Sydney celebrated the beginning of 2000 by displaying on the Harbour Bridge the word Eternity in the iconic copperplate handwriting of Arthur Stace.
A lot of water has passed under the bridge (literally) since then, and in many ways the world has changed. But the basic need of men and women is the same – to hear the gospel and be saved.
In 2017, be encouraged to continue to trust Christ, and to live in the light of eternity. Read the story of Arthur Stace in our Resources section.
(Keep in mind the evangelistic opportunities which could come with the 50th anniversary of the death of Arthur Stace.)
GAFCON Review of 2016
GAFCON General Secretary, Dr Peter Jensen, writes,
“As 2016 draws to a close we thought you might like to join us in reflecting on some key moments in the Gafcon year. You can find a short review of 2016 here. [PDF file.]
Archbishop Nicholas Okoh says in his introduction ‘we give great thanks to God for his grace at work in us’.
Please, therefore, use the review to fuel your prayers of thanksgiving and praise.”
We need to talk about church scheduling
“Depending on the kind of church you’re involved in, next year’s calendar is already full—or soon will be. Typical decisions include: What will the Sunday teaching program be? When will small groups happen? What will happen in them? Will there be a weekend away? A youth camp? An ESL class?
We often fill in next year’s calendar much like we filled last year’s. But before we do, we need to stop and think. …”
– At GoThereFor.com, Rory Shiner has some very sensible questions to ask about your church’s programme.
Update on 2016 Law and Religion issues and preview for 2017
“It seems a good time of the year to take stock of the current status of some important Law and Religion issues discussed this year, and to flag some upcoming issues for the New Year.”
– At Law and Religion Australia, Neil Foster provides a concise summary of some of the key issues in 2016, plus a heads-up on another Parliamentary Inquiry, this one into “the status of the human right to freedom of religion or belief“.
ACR interview with Vaughan Roberts
The Australian Church Record has published a recent interview conducted by Mark Earngey with Vaughan Roberts of St. Ebbe’s in Oxford.
Mark began by asking Vaughan about the relationship between UK and Australian evangelicalism in his own ministry.
– Read the brief, but encouraging, interview at The Australian Church Record.
Preparing young people for the challenges of secular tertiary education
From a recent edition of The White Horse Inn Broadcast:
“Are today’s churches doing enough to prepare young people to face the challenges they will encounter on a secular college campus? What kinds of things should pastors and parents do as they prepare teens for college, and how should churches or campus ministries serve students in a university setting?”
Of particular importance is the anti-intellectual culture pervading the West – hence the issues described above are not isolated to North America.
Michael Horton and Justin Holcomb and guests discuss the challenges. 28 minutes.
GAFCON 2018 ‘To free our churches’
“GAFCON has confirmed the dates for its third international conference. Between 17-22 June 2018 it will return to Jerusalem, the venue of the first Global Anglican Future Conference in 2008 (from which the movement takes its name).
The GAFCON announcement explains that ‘The city stands as a constant reminder of the birth of the gospel and the movement’s determination to remain true to the teachings of our Lord and his Word’ and so, to appreciate the significance of the 2018 conference, it is worth recalling how it all began. …”
– Charles Raven writes at Evangelicals Now, via Anglican Mainstream.
God will give you something to say
“During the eight months when I jog outside in Minnesota, I regularly carry booklets and Gospels of John in my pocket. I pray for guidance for someone to talk to about Jesus, and for the help of the Holy Spirit in what to say.
It is usually quite early in the morning, and I am running in what most people would call ‘the inner city.’ If I find a guy standing alone, I may stop and say, ‘Good morning! My name’s John. I run through the neighborhood and pray for people. Is there something I can pray about for you?’ From this point on, it is unpredictable. …”
– John Piper shares some encouragement at Desiring God.
With thanks for Broughton Knox on the Centenary of his birth
David Broughton Knox was born on Boxing Day, 1916.
Today is a good day to give thanks to the Lord he loved. Here are two tributes, written at the time of his death in 1994, by two men who knew him well:
David Broughton Knox – What we owe to him – by Archbishop Donald Robinson.
Turn Your Eyes Upon Jesus – tribute to Broughton Knox – by Archbishop Sir Marcus Loane.
See also:
- Propositional Revelation, the Only Revelation – by Canon D.B. Knox
- Kept by the Power of God – by Canon D.B. Knox
Sydney Diocese — some summer reading
It’s a quieter time of year, with the possibility of catching up on reading. Recently published is Dr Bruce Ballantine-Jones’ Inside Sydney. (We understand there will be copies available at the bookshop during NSW CMS Summer School – as well as lots of other reading.)
See also this interview with Bruce Ballantine-Jones, “Gospel Ministry and Church Politics: What’s the Connection?”
Back in 2012, Dr Mark Thompson (now Principal of Moore College) wrote a series of articles on the theological convictions which undergird Sydney Diocese. We hope you will be encouraged by revisiting those posts below, and ask you to pray that, in 2017, we will cling to Christ more closely, finding our joy in Him –
- Sydney Anglicans I. Biblically confessional
- Sydney Anglicans II. The congregation as the centre
- Sydney Anglicans III. Complementarian ministry
- Sydney Anglicans IV: The Primacy of the Word
- Sydney Anglicans V: A commitment to mission
- Sydney Anglicans VI: An evangelical episcopate
- Sydney Anglicans VII: The value of theological education
Ministry moves — new Rector for St. Alban’s Epping
From the parish of St. Alban’s Epping:
“The Archbishop of Sydney, Glenn Davies, has appointed the Right Reverend Ross Nicholson to be the Rector of the parish. …
Ross and Jennifer Nicholson are returning to Sydney, where they both grew up, Jenny actually in Epping. … It is anticipated that Bishop Ross will begin in the parish at a date in March to be determined.”
Melbourne Anglicans grateful that terror plot was foiled
Here’s a media release from The Diocese of Melbourne:
“December 23, 2016
Anglicans grateful that terror plot was foiled
Melbourne Anglicans are grateful and relieved that a planned terrorist attack on St Paul’s Cathedral, Federation Square and Flinders Street Station on Christmas Day has been neutralised, the Dean of St Paul’s, Dr Andreas Loewe, said today. Read more
Putting the ‘Christmas’ back into ‘Merry Christmas’ – Archbishop Davies on 2GB
Anglican Archbishop of Sydney, Dr Glenn Davies, joins Chris Smith about the lack of the phrase “Merry Christmas” around this Christmas – interviewed this morning (23 December 2016) on Sydney radio 2GB.
Listen here. A great interview.
Related: Archbishop has blasted inner city grinches – Daily Telegraph (subscription)
New Bishop of Woolwich is ‘pastoral and joyful’ former Oak Hill student
“The college community is delighted to hear that Revd Prebendary Dr Woyin Karowei Dorgu is to be the new Bishop of Woolwich. Karwoei trained at Oak Hill from 1993-95…”
– News from Oak Hill College in London.
What we believe
The message at the heart of Christianity is really quite simple…