What do Anglican clergy think about ‘Christian’ Britain, sexuality, and clergy morale?
“At the end of July, Kaya Burgess, the Religious Affairs correspondent of The Times, sent out an email to 5,000 Church of England clergy, inviting them to complete a questionnaire giving their views on a whole range of issues, including whether Britain is a ‘Christian’ country any more, the Church’s teaching on sexuality, their own morale, and the leadership of the Church. …”
– At Psephizo, Dr Ian Paul provides some much-needed context and balance to the survey of Church of England clergy.
“This really is the worst way to conduct an opinion poll or survey. …
I completed the survey in August, but with just about every section I wanted to say ‘But that is a false dichotomy!’ or ‘Yes, but not for the reason you think’.”
Richard Dawkins asks an important question and here is my answer
“I can imagine Richard Dawkins sitting in the back row at the Areopagus, stern-faced and shaking head, and leading a small chorus of sceptics.
Richard Dawkins is continuing his mission to evangelise people out of Christianity (and religion altogether) and to secure his message of a world without hope.
Today in a video message, he asks, ‘Do you want to be comforted by a falsehood?’
It’s a good question and an important one. Does anyone want to find consolation in a fabrication? Does anyone want to pour all their hopes into a dead end? For Professor Dawkins death is of course the dead end, with nothing beyond and no light to give hope to either the dead or those who are left behind. …”
– Murray Campbell shares his answer to Richard Dawkins.
“Most Church of England priests back gay marriage, survey finds”
“Most Church of England priests want the C of E to allow same-sex weddings and to drop its opposition to premarital and gay sex, according to a survey. …”
– Story from The Guardian.
Modern India, Hindus, Christians and the Bible
From The Pastor’s Heart –
“Leading Indian Christian Intellectual Vishal Mangalwadi on understanding Modern India, the Hindu and how we might see our Hindu friends saved.
Vishal and Ruth Mangalwadi are arguing that modern India has been created by the Bible, the Protestant Missionary Movement, and that missionary William Carey is the father of Modern India. …”
Lessons from Lay Members of Sydney Synod
“With Sydney synod fast approaching, it is worthwhile remembering that two-thirds of the synod are lay members. Quite apart from the numerical majority, lay folk play an important role in the business of the synod, and in its ministry outcomes.
The ACR took some time to interview various lay representatives (old and new!) in order to gain a ‘view from the pew’. We hope this will be encouraging for lay and clergy alike. …”
– The Australian Church Record begins its pre-Synod “Lessons from Lay Members” by speaking with the Chancellor of the Diocese, The Honourable Justice Michael Meek.
Related:
The Synod Survival Guide by Dr Robert Tong. An invaluable free resource for Synod members.
The ACL Synod Dinner 2023 coming up on Monday 11th September.
Photo with thanks to Russell Powell.
The Mark Drama — 2023
From Moore College:
“A fast-paced re-enactment of Mark’s Gospel.
JESUS?
Jesus has to be one of the most hotly debated people of all time. During his lifetime many questioned his origin and authority, while others feared he was a dangerous revolutionary. A production of the Moore College community, the Mark Drama turns Mark’s biographical account of Jesus into a 90-minute, theatre-in-the-round stage production. Fully immersed in the action, here you can decide for yourself – is Jesus just another guy with imaginative ideas about God, or is he truly the King of the universe? …”
– A great idea. Details from the College.
Turning Biblical Convictions into Practical Expectations
“At the end of 2021, Suellen Milham was feeling unsettled. As the Women’s Ministry Worker at Orange Evangelical Church (OEC), there was a lot of change happening in her ministry space. The Covid years had meant she felt some disconnection with the women; there had been virtually no opportunities over the previous couple of years for large gatherings in the women’s ministry context; the church was just about to transition into their new building; and there were 3 new ministers on the staff team.
One of the tools that Suellen devised to tackle this unease was to hold a number of Women’s Focus Groups – just to see where the women were at, spiritually, and to pull women together after this period of disconnection. …”
– At Equal But Different, Lesley Ramsay shares a story of one church’s journey towards clarity.
Psalm-Like Songs in “Real Self, Real God”
“The Aussie Christian music scene boasts very few who’ve stayed the course.
Nicky Chiswell is one such gem who continues to gift the Church her heart-on-sleeve music. Thirty years since releasing her first solo album, 2023 saw Nicky release her fifth studio album, Real Self, Real God. …”
– The Gospel Coalition Australia’s Kingsley Davidson writes of Nicky Chiswell’s latest album.
Will there be a ban on sports betting ads?
“Long-time campaigner for poker machine reform, the Dean of Sydney, Sandy Grant, has welcomed the Federal parliamentary report that recommends a ban on online gambling advertising within three years. …”
– Russell Powell reports at SydneyAnglicans.net.
The Death of Church and Pub
“My annual trip to my home village in England is typically a week when I enter the land that time forgot. Nothing much changes. The shop still sells newspapers and houses the local post office. The view across the valley from my mother’s cottage still reveals nothing—not even a street light or a power cable—that would indicate it has a point of origin in the last century and a half. And the Baptist chapel bell still strikes the hour ten minutes late.
But even in this land where nothing seems to change, some things do bear the unmistakable marks of late modernity. …”
– At First Things, Carl Trueman sees the disintegration of community, and a tremendous opportunity for the church (maybe your church!).
Image: Crossway.
Does NSW really need to ban gay conversion therapy?
“The Australian state of New South Wales is about to launch into a debate over ‘conversion therapy’. …
Loose talk about ‘conversion practices’ conjures up electric shocks, nausea-inducing drugs, exorcisms, ice baths, aversion therapy and so on. There is no evidence of such practices having occurred in Australia for decades. A bill banning them is like a bill banning cruelty to unicorns. …”
– Michael Cook, Editor of Mercator, writes this opinion piece. (Link thanks to Anglican Mainstream.)
Importantly, see also:
Contact your MP – an initiative of Freedom for Faith:
“NSW government just released proposals to ban so-called conversion practices …
Leading up to the election, the Labor Party promised that they only intend to ban damaging practices, without banning prayer, preaching, and spiritual guidance rooted in deeply-held beliefs about gender and sexuality.
“We’re not just going to transpose the Victorian legislation and implement it into New South Wales…. Taking offence at the teachings of a religious leader will not be banned. Expressing a religious belief through sermon will not be banned. And an individual, at their own consent, seeking guidance through prayer will not be banned either.”
– Chris Minns (NSW Premier)
But the proposal, which was developed by the Department of Communities and Justice, is effectively borrowed from Victoria which bans –
• Prayer
• Preaching
ª Counselling
… and any activity that is vaguely deemed as changing or suppressing someone’s sexual orientation or gender identity.
Parents, pastors, teachers, counsellors, chaplains, youth leaders could face criminal charges under the proposed law.
The government plans to introduce the legislation by this November. If we do not take action now, we risk allowing our fundamental rights to slip through our fingers.
Imagine a world where parents are afraid to have open conversations with their children, where pastors and teachers fear criminal charges for expressing their deeply-held beliefs, and where our religious communities are silenced by vague and overreaching laws.
The time to speak up is NOW.”
From my study to yours’ — Dick Lucas on Luke 14:16-24 — The great supper
At his kitchen table, Dick Lucas has been continuing to record reflections on Bible passages, and all are worth hearing and pondering.
“Dick Lucas was Rector of St Helen’s Church from 1961–1998. He was instrumental in the establishment and growth of St Helen’s Bible teaching ministry. Dick continues to speak at various conferences and church gatherings. He has also been at work recording new material. His ‘From my study to yours’ audio recordings are aimed at helping people study and teach the Bible.”
Recently he turned to Luke 14:16-24.
“This parable is both sobering and unsettling. It strikes a tragic note. A personal invitation to attend a great banquet is sent out to many, but all decline. Their places are taken by ‘unworthy’ substitutes. Here, Dick reflects on the work of the evangelist in the light of this tale.”
– Listen here at St. Helen’s Bishopsgate. 11 minutes.
Do not be afraid! — Encouragement from Archbishop Kanishka Raffel
Archbishop of Sydney Kanishka Raffel has recorded this message of encouragement for church members.
Watch here on Vimeo – or on YouTube.
North West Network September 2023
The September 2023 edition of North West Network has been published by the Diocese of Northwest Australia.
Improving our church’s public Bible reading – with Simon Camilleri
At The Pastor’s Heart, Dominic Steel speaks with Simon Camilleri:
“We put lots of emphasis and training into becoming better teachers. But how can we improve the clarity, comprehension, conviction and confidence in public reading?
Bad public Bible reading is too soft, too fast, with mispronunciations, lack of preparation, bad pausing, emotionless, lacking understanding of the text, monotone and mono speed.
Good public Bible reading is faithful to text, without errors, understands context, has good eye contact, articulation, conviction, flow.”
Very helpful – and ideal to share with Bible readers and others involved in public ministry.
Also see Simon’s website – publicbiblereading.com
What we believe
The message at the heart of Christianity is really quite simple…