Would John Stott have continued on as an Anglican?

“One of the largest evangelical Anglican churches in the UK, St Helen’s Bishopsgate, recently announced that it will no longer accept episcopal oversight from the Church of England’s House of Bishops.

This comes as a result of the General Synod’s decision to bless couples who are in a same-sex marriage or civil partnership. …

The current context raises the question of whether the late John Stott, the famous Anglican evangelical stalwart, would have himself continued to remained.

In 1966 Stott and Martyn Lloyd-Jones had a confrontation which many regarded as a dispute over whether it was time for evangelicals to withdraw from the Anglican communion. For Lloyd-Jones the time was now, but for the Stott the response was not yet. …”

– Presbyterian Mark Powell asks the question. We suspect the answer to the hypothetical question in the title would be, “Yes. And aligned with GAFCON.”

Rev. Calvin Robinson: a crisis of faith for the Anglican Church?

“What follows is one of the most articulate and powerful speeches you are likely to view this year. It is by Rev. Calvin Robinson, who recently argued at the Oxford Union as to why Christianity should not allow gay marriage, or even the blessing of same-sex unions.

Robinson’s twelve-minute talk is a model of graciousness, fidelity to historic Christian doctrine, and personal courage. …”

– You may already have seen the speech by Calvin Robinson. If not, take a look – and also see Mark Powell’s summary in Spectator Australia.

Image: Oxford Union.

Revival at Asbury: A Cold Take

“The revival at Asbury College has already come to an end. What began as a brief and simple chapel service turned into a weeks-long worship event that drew tens of thousands of participants and elicited tens of millions of opinions. …

It seems to me that news of an outbreak of revival is best met with a guarded optimism. We don’t need to be naive but also don’t need to be incredulous. …

Speaking personally, I would like my first instinct to be ‘Praise God’ rather than ‘Fat chance!’…”

– You may have heard, the last couple of weeks, about the reported revival in a small private university in Kentucky. Tim Challies shares some thoughts on what has happened and how Christians might respond.

(Image: Tim Challies during a visit to Sydney in 2018.)

The Life of Faith – Peter Jensen Book Launch

From Moore College:

“Moore College invites you to attend the launch of Peter Jensen’s latest book, ‘The Life of Faith’.

Date: 14th March 2023
Time: 7:00pm – 8:30pm – supper will be provided afterwards
Location: Moore Theological College, Marcus Loane Hall

This event will be a wonderful opportunity to hear from Peter Jensen himself as he discusses the themes and ideas behind his book, as well as answer any questions you may have.

About the book:
An introductory-level systematic theology from one of the evangelical world’s most influential theologians, perfect for the keen layperson but with enough depth and stimulation to be relevant and interesting for full-time gospel workers. The Life of Faith sits within the tradition of books like In Understanding Be Men by TC Hammond and Concise Theology by JI Packer, written for today’s audience.”

– Book to attend via the College website.

Bishop of Bathurst’s newsletter – Lent edition 2023

Bishop of Bathurst Mark Calder has published his Lent newsletter – a great way to be informed and to remember to pray for the people and churches of that diocese.

Download here as a PDF file – or on the Bathurst Facebook page.

Anglican Aid’s Prayer Diary 2023

Anglican Aid’s Prayer Diary for 2023 is now available to download from their website.

Christ our Refuge, Brisbane — new church in Diocese of the Southern Cross

“On Wednesday, 22 February, Bishop Glenn Davies formally commissioned Rev Dave Miers as the Pastor of Christ our Refuge – the fifth church in the new Diocese of the Southern Cross

Christ our Refuge is a new church launching later this year in Brisbane’s Inner North.
Our dream is to be a city of refuge within the city of Brisbane, where many people have found refuge, security, and hope in Christ.

We see a mature, generous, and kingdom-minded community with a prayer to plant four new gospel-centred Anglican churches in Brisbane by 2032.

Find out more about our weekly gatherings, joining our team, prayer updates, and financial partnership here: christrefuge.co”

– News as well as photos of the Commissioning service can bee seen on their Facebook page.

See also the Diocese of the Southern Cross church directory.

Give thanks for all who are stepping out in faith to make Christ known – and especially Dave Miers and the members of this new church in Brisbane.

Chaplain who was sacked for identity politics sermon to appeal ruling

“An ordained Church of England (CofE) chaplain, who was sacked and secretly reported to the government’s terrorist watchdog for a moderate sermon in a school chapel on identity politics, will appeal an employment tribunal ruling handed down this week.

Supported by the Christian Legal Centre, Rev. Dr Bernard Randall had taken his employer, Trent College in Nottingham, to court for discrimination, harassment, victimisation and unfair dismissal.

He has described the ruling against him as a ‘blow for free speech and Christian freedoms.‘…”

– Christian Concern in the UK has this report on the sacking of the Rev. Dr Bernard Randall.

This story is quite an eye-opener to what is happening in the UK and in the Church of England.

You can hear his redelivery of the offending sermon below – do take the time to watch and listen.

Also read the transcript, courtesy of Christian Concern.

This case is also a reminder of why Australia needs robust freedom of religion legislation.

See also:

School chaplain loses unfair dismissal case over LGBT sermon – BBC News.

“Employment judge Victoria Butler, who heard evidence from Rev Randall and senior school staff during a three-week hearing, dismissed the clergyman’s claim he was ‘sacked’ by the school after he twice delivered a sermon called Competing Ideologies in chapel services. …”

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