With thanksgiving for Brian Richardson
We are very sorry to hear the news that Archdeacon Brian Richardson has died in Sydney.
Brian was Archdeacon of North Sydney 1982-1993. Previously he served as Rector of Turramurra 1977-1984, Manly 1966-1977 and Carlingford 1960-1966.
Our readers will want to uphold Brian’s family in their prayers at this time. We are thankful that Brian is now with Christ, and that is “better by far”. (Philippians 1:23.)
His funeral will be held at St James’ Turramurra tomorrow, Thursday 23rd June 2022 at 11:00am. (Video link here.)
Speaking Appropriately
“Rev. Thomas Scott was a clueless Anglican minister located near to Olney, where John Newton pastored.
Scott was clearly not a Christian as this stage, and in 1775 had said that God would not condemn a sincere Socinian (one who only believed that Jesus was a great man). In reply, Newton pointed to Matthew 7:7-8 and John 7:16-17.
Scott was spoiling for a fight, but Newton replied with great patience and kindness to him, and by 1758 Scott was attending Newton’s mid-week meetings, and writing The Force of Truth, which is the story of his conversion. …”
– Peter Barnes, Moderator-General of the Presbyterian Church of Australia, has some wise words concerning our speech.
Don’t forget GAFCON Sunday
“Churches around the Anglican Communion are being urged to mark Sunday, June 26th as GAFCON Sunday, as the Global Anglican Future Conference enters its 14th year.”
– A reminder from SydneyAnglicans.net.
The problem with ‘You be You’ – with Brian Rosner
From The Pastor’s Heart –
“‘You be you.’ It’s the catch cry of a generation. But Brian Rosner says it’s also the new definition of sin. Many people today believe that there’s only one place to look to find yourself and that’s inward. Personal identity has become a ‘Do it yourself Project’. This strategy of identity formation is sometimes called Expressive Individualism. The view that you are who you feel yourself to be on the inside, and that acting in accordance with this identity is living authentically.
The Principal of Melbourne’s Ridley Theological College Brian Rosner has super helpful critique in his new book, ‘How to find yourself: Why looking inwards is not the answer.’ Dr Rosner joins us this week on The Pastor’s Heart.”
Peter Jensen asks for your support for Moore College
“Moore College stands for the Bible. And we stand for the truth of the gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ.”
Hear from former Principal Dr. Peter Jensen about the worldwide impact of Moore College, and why he believes it’s “certainly worth supporting”.
Religious Freedom Challenges for Theological Colleges in Australia
Associate Professor Neil Foster writes at Law and Religion Australia:
“I am presenting a paper to a seminar for senior leaders in Australian theological colleges, dealing with religious freedom challenges.
I comment briefly on some of the current protections provided, but also how those protections have been eroded recently, especially in Victoria (where amendments to the Equal Opportunity Act 2010 (Vic) which I previously commented on have now commenced.)
A copy of the paper can be downloaded here.”
(Image: Diocese of Sydney.)
African Primates chide the Archbishop of Canterbury and his Secretary General
“We note Your Grace’s statement that ‘Canterbury, or to be clear, the Church of England has not in any way changed its teaching on marriage or the place of sexual relations’. We doubt if this claim can be justified by trends and moves by the Church of England in regard to blessing of same-sex marriages. …
Right from the earliest Council in Acts 15, and other instances from the Epistles where there were reports of lifestyle in direct opposition to Scripture, there was no place where Christians were enjoined to continue to fellowship with the disobedient members of the Church. The admonition is to ‘Come out of them’ and ‘Do not be unequally yoked together’ (2 Corinthians 6:14-18).”
– In response to the letter from Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby and Secretary General of the Anglican Communion Dr Josiah Idowu-Fearon, to three African Primates about their non-attendance at the coming Lambeth Conference, the three Primates have replied in clear and straightforward language. Read their reply at Anglican Ink.
Photo: Justin Welby and Josiah Idowu-Fearon.
Dealing with Difficult People in the Church
In a recent sermon in Chapel at Southern Seminary, Dr Rob Plummer turns to the letter of 3 John for wisdom and encouragement in the face of difficult people in the church.
This sermon may resonate with many, but it also lifts our eyes to the Lord Jesus. Most encouraging.
(Dr. Plummer also runs Daily Dose of Greek.)
Being Who You Are: Considerations for Contemporary Dilemmas
Rob Smith concludes his series at The Australian Church Record:
“In my last article, I outlined the four biblical lenses necessary to answer the question “Who am I?”
Putting these four lenses together, I hope now to draw out four implications particularly relevant for our present time. …”
Telling the Story of Jesus
“Have you ever been in a situation where you would love to leave a gospel message with someone but had nothing with you to give? Or the person didn’t read English and that’s the only language you have available? Global Recordings Network has a unique solution to this dilemma: 5fish! …
The International Orality Network tells us that 4 out of 5 people in the world communicate primarily or exclusively through oral, not textual means. This means that only 1 out of 5 people are happy when you give them something to read – regardless of whether it is a book, magazine, or tract. Everyone else wants to listen or watch!
The Australian Bureau of Statistics conducted a survey in 2006 that informs us that approximately 7 million (46%) Australians aged 15 to 74 years did not reach the minimum standard required for individuals to meet the complex demands of everyday life and work in the emerging knowledge-based economy. Almost half of the Australian population would struggle to read and understand the Bible if you handed them one.”
– At AP (The Australian Presbyterian), Global Recordings Network’s Christine Platt makes a case for 5fish, now in its tenth year.
No Mere Mortals: Understanding Myself through Biblical Lenses
“In my first article in this series, I showed some different approaches taken in response to the contemporary question, Have I the right to be who I am?
The deep question, however, is the older question: Who am I? In this article I will outline the four biblical lenses necessary to make sense of who we are. …”
– Rob Smith continues his series at The Australian Church Record.
Pursuing Revival While Avoiding Revivalism — 9Marks Journal
The latest issue of 9Marks Journal is now available for download.
Eight ways to help build the church
“We should continue in prayer for the conversion of many. Expect God to bring many into his kingdom. Continue to ask God to do what he said he would do. We need Christian communities that are both different from the culture but confidently outward focussed. …”
– What can we do to help build Christ’s church? Bishop Peter Hayward has some encouragement for us at SydneyAnglicans.net. (Also in the May-June 2022 issue of Southern Cross.)
Photo: Bishop Peter Hayward at last year’s one-day Synod in Sydney.
Archbishop Welby denounces as un-biblical the decision of African Primates to skip the Lambeth Conference
“The Archbishop of Canterbury, Justin Welby, has written to the Primates of Nigeria, Rwanda and Uganda to tell them that his invitation to bishops from their provinces to attend the Lambeth Conference of Anglican bishops remains open.
In a joint letter with the Secretary General of the Anglican Communion, Archbishop Josiah Idowu-Fearon, Archbishop Justin said: ‘God calls us to unity and not to conflict so that the world may know he came from the Father. That is the very purpose of the church globally.‘…”
– Published last week by Anglican Ink.
See Archbishop Welby’s letter here (PDF file).
The Archbishop of Canterbury states that “the Church of England, has not in any way changed its teaching on marriage or the place of sexual relations”.
However, Archbishop Welby, who promised in his consecration vows to be “ready, with all faithful diligence, to banish and drive away all erroneous and strange doctrine contrary to God’s Word; and both privately and openly to call upon and encourage others to the same” has invited several bishops who are in same-sex marriages to the Lambeth Conference.
Honoured for fostering love
“North Shore couple Carolyn and David Stedman, who have fostered 74 children, are among several Sydney Anglicans honoured in this year’s Queen’s Birthday Honours…”
– SydneyAnglicans.net has the story.
Image: Seven’s Sunrise via Anglican Media Sydney.
What we believe
The message at the heart of Christianity is really quite simple…