New resources from Dick Lucas

St. Helen’s Bishopsgate in London has made available a swathe of talks on preaching by Dick Lucas – recorded in the last decade.

They are featured in the most recent talks on their website, as well as in the special Teaching from Dick Lucas section.

The “New Normal” and the Same Old Story: Evangelism in a Virtual World

“I just want to see my friends!” This was the frustrated – and completely understandable – cry from one of our teenagers as we entered another week of isolation with no clear end in sight.

Although these friends had been chatting (and gaming) online, they knew it was a far cry from seeing each other. Yet this is the “new normal” under COVID-19.

By necessity rather than choice, online interactions are rapidly taking the place of physical contact. And this is all happening in the midst of other serious challenges: uncertainty about finances, job loss, unfulfilled dreams, loneliness, increased anxiety, depression, bereavement, and the ever-present fear of sickness and death itself. …

– Lionel Windsor calls us back to the main game.

COVID-19, the restart & strategic change – The Pastor’s Heart

On this week’s edition of The Pastor’s Heart, Dominic Steele speaks with Bishop Gary Koo, chairman of the Sydney Anglican COVID-19 Taskforce and Adam Lowe, Senior Pastor of St. Barts Toowoomba, a psychologist by background.

Their topic? “COVID-19, the restart & strategic change”.

Too soon to open doors again — Archbishop Glenn Davies

“While it is legally possible to have a service for a maximum of ten persons, our strong advice is that Step One is not the time to re-introduce Sunday public worship, especially for senior members of our community who are among the most vulnerable…”

– Archbishop Glenn Davies – at SydneyAnglicans.net.

The article also includes a link to a framework for church re-opening.

EMA 2020

This year’s Evangelical Ministry Assembly will be streamed live from London – Tuesday 23rd – Thursday 25th June 2020.

“We really hope that you will be able to join us for EMA online, no matter where you are in the UK or around the globe.”

Ideal evening viewing in Australia.

Paul, Philosophy & Knowledge — Edwin Judge

God on the Ground podcast speaks with Emeritus Professor Edwin Judge AM.

Fascinating.

Partnership is a special gift of God

“Our world is in great need. That is more obvious every day. People are lost without Christ and they do not even realise it. A culture that is moving at breakneck speed away from its gospel heritage is unravelling and doing immense but unrecognised harm.

We need more men and women who are deeply immersed in the Scriptures, whose lives and teaching consistently re ect God’s truth and his gracious, loving character, and who are gifted and thoroughly prepared for the joys and challenges of this moment and the moments to come.

We cannot afford to take shortcuts in preparing people for a lifetime of word ministry in the world and among God’s people. There is too much at stake, and Christian leadership in this form is under constant assault from the evil one. …”

– Moore College Principal, Dr. Mark Thompson, writes about the great value of gospel partnership in the latest (Autumn 2020) Moore Matters.

Read online or download the PDF file.

(Photo courtesy The Pastor’s Heart.)

How are you going with COVID-19? — Bishop Rick Lewers

“I keep being asked how we are going with the COVID-19 lockdown.

Like most people, I am watching the news, I have, with some discomfort, downloaded the app and sought to be a good citizen of the nation following Government requests. Although I’m a bit of a rebel, this has not been a time for rebellion but a time to make whatever contribution we can. …”

– Bishop of Armidale Rick Lewers shares some experiences from lockdown.

Diocese of Bathurst 150th anniversary statement from Bishop Mark Calder

Bishop Mark Calder has released this video statement on the occasion of the 150th anniversary of the Diocese of Bathurst.

It’s also available in written form as this 240kb PDF file.

The Pastor’s Heart: A three step plan to reopen Australia – with Peter Mayrick

“We are reacting quickly to the announcement today from Australia’s Prime Minister Morrison of a three step program to re-open Australia by July.

Peter Mayrick, from the Moore College Centre for Ministry Development joins us to unpack this.

Peter has recently completed a survey of churches and ministers on how we are negotiating COVID-19 (PDF file). Peter is clear that this is an opportunity for Churches to reflect on every aspect of ministry.”

– Watch here.

And do download the survey results.

COVID-19 has been devastating for our community – and our church

“In Berala, a mid-west suburb of Sydney, the toll of coronavirus measures is high and widespread: job losses, evictions, sleeping in cars and no money to make ends meet.

‘COVID may be the greatest challenge our church has ever faced – certainly it’s the greatest challenge our church has faced in the five years that I’ve been here,’ says Mike Doyle, pastor of the local Anglican church in Berala. …”

– Plenty for your prayers – for Berala and other parishes.

Gospel hope for mental health

“Twice in my life I’ve had life-threatening anorexia – once as a teenager and again as an adult. Both times I’d have said I was a Christian. Both times I sought help from medical professionals and the Christian community. Yet still, I nearly died.

Christians helped me more than anyone else. Yet Christians also did most damage with some of the things they said …

If church is for shiny, happy people who are better than everyone else, then I don’t belong.”

– Emma Scrivener in the UK shares gospel hope at Church Society’s website.

Photo: emmascrivener.net

Fireside Songs — Colin Buchanan Online Concert for Adults Thursday 7th May

The Gospel Coalition Australia is partnering with Colin Buchanan to host an online concert for adults this Thursday, 7th May, at 7:30pm AEST.

Sounds like a great idea.

Why Evangelicals must engage Roman Catholicism

“Whether you live in a majority Roman Catholic region or in an area where Catholics are few, the presence of the Roman Catholic Church is pervasive. Unless you crouch in your little corner, not wanting to engage the world around you (wherever you are), you must deal with Roman Catholicism.”