Southern Cross February – March 2026
Posted on January 24, 2026
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Anglican Media Sydney has posted the February – March 2026 edition of Southern Cross magazine online. (Printed editions will also appear in parishes.)
Many encouraging stories, including this one about new studios for Global Recordings Network Australia –
You may be familiar with GRN as the producers of the wonderful 5fish resource with the Story of Jesus in 7,000 languages and dialects – 5fish website – app download.
Learn more about the new studios on the Global Recordings Network Australia website – via this video – and in this radio interview on Vision Radio.
A Missing Ingredient in our Sermons and Studies: Biblical Theology
Posted on January 23, 2026
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“Imagine a small group of believers gathered in a sweltering church hall after a long day’s work.
As the Bible opens there’s excitement. But there’s also some confusion. Each person brings a different takeaway from the study. One clings to ‘their verse.’ One wonders how the ancient story connects with today. Another debates a fine theological point.
These differences and confusion arise because something is missing: a sense of the grand story God is telling, a thread binding every biblical text and lesson together; in a phrase, we’re missing biblical theology. …”
– At The Gospel Coalition Africa, Fredrick Imbayi reminds of the need for Biblical Theology.
In Sydney, where we are blessed with so much good preaching, it’s easy to take this for granted.
Related:
When the Lights Came On: An Appreciation of Graeme Goldsworthy.
Please pray for 2026 Ordinands
Posted on January 23, 2026
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SydneyAnglicans.net has published a list of those to be ordained next month –
“Please pray for these candidates as they prepare for ordination on February 21, 2026 and for taking up positions at the following parishes …”
Inside Australia’s Hate Speech Backflip and what it means for Faith Communities
Posted on January 22, 2026
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A special edition of The Pastor’s Heart –
“A roller-coaster week for religious freedom in Australia.
In just days, sweeping Australian national legislation moved from deeply alarming to not great, but not terrible — after intense pressure from faith leaders across the country.
In this special bonus episode of The Pastor’s Heart, we speak with Michael Stead, Bishop of South Sydney and director of Freedom for Faith, who had a front-row seat as the law was debated, amended, and finally passed late at night in Parliament.
What was originally proposed? Why did faith leaders unite in an extraordinary last-minute letter to the Prime Minister? Which parts of the bill remain concerning — and which dangers were narrowly avoided?
We walk through how the law was actually made — and what it now means for preaching, Bible teaching, protest, and free speech in Australia.”
The message of the National Day of Mourning for Bondi
Posted on January 22, 2026
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“ ‘Today we remember, honour and mourn our fellow Australians who were robbed of their lives on December 14 last year,’ said the Archbishop of Sydney on the National Day of Mourning, ‘and we express our sympathy and solidarity with all who grieve their loss.’…”
– At SydneyAnglicans.net, Russell Powell reports on today’s National Day of Mourning for the victims of the terror attack at Bondi.
Here is a statement from Archbishop Kanishka Raffel.
Communique from the GSFA Primates, 21 January 2026
Posted on January 21, 2026
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“We, Primates of the Global South, met in Victoria, Mahe, the Seychelles, from 14-17 January 2026 for our first in person meeting since the inauguration of the GSFA’s Covenant Structure at our First Assembly (9th Trumpet) in Egypt in June 2024.
As we met to pray, worship and take counsel together, the Seychelles national motto ‘Finis coronat opus’ (the end crowns the work) reminded us of the biblical truth that we should be steadfast in those things which are of eternal worth and not be driven off course by passing cultural fashions, so that what we build may be sound and stand the test of time. …”
– Full statement at the Global South Fellowship of Anglican Churches website.
Men Meeting the Challenge Conference 2026
Posted on January 21, 2026
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The Men Meeting the Challenge conference for 2026 is coming up at The Kings School on Saturday 14 March.From the organisers:
“This year’s theme, ‘Burn Your Boats: Join the Mission, Change the World’ speaks directly into the lives of men who are juggling work, family, church and many other responsibilities. While life is busy and full, this conference provides an opportunity to pause, refocus, and be reminded of the greater mission God has called us to.
‘Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny himself, take up his cross, and follow me.’ (Matt 16:24)
Men Meeting the Challenge exists to encourage and equip men to follow Christ faithfully in the everyday realities of life. It is your conference, shaped by and for men who desire to live with purpose, integrity, and gospel conviction.”
– Details and booking here, including a promo video and other resources.
Gunmen abduct dozens of worshippers from multiple Nigerian churches using sophisticated weapons
Posted on January 20, 2026
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“Numerous worshippers from at least two churches in Nigeria were kidnapped during Sunday services by armed gangs, Reuters reported.
While Kaduna state police on Monday reportedly cited conservative figures, saying dozens were being held captive as the investigation remains in its early stages, a senior church leader noted that more than 160 worshippers were abducted by gunmen over the weekend.…”
A new era for Australian evangelical university ministry
Posted on January 20, 2026
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The Pastor’s Heart this week:
“As a new year begins, Australian evangelical student ministry is marking a significant leadership transition.
After 23 years of stable and influential leadership, Richard Chin has handed over the leadership of the Australian Fellowship of Evangelical Students to Pete Sorrenson. The handover was symbolically marked at the Big National Conference in Canberra last December, where Richard preached the first half of the conference and Pete the second.
We step back to reflect on what the Chin era has meant for Australian evangelicalism. How has campus ministry shaped churches, training colleges and mission agencies over the past four decades? What has changed on university campuses since the turn of the millennium? And what kind of AFES will be needed for the next generation of students?
Long-standing campus leaders Tim Thorburn and Andrew Sennett, offer perspectives from both metropolitan and regional university contexts.
The discussion moves beyond gratitude and legacy to ask harder, forward-looking questions. If many of the theological and ministry convictions once championed by AFES are now mainstream, what is AFES uniquely for today? Are inherited evangelism models still effective on contemporary campuses? How central should international student ministry be? And does Australia’s increasingly fragmented university landscape require more than one model of campus ministry?”
God is the Father of the Nations
Posted on January 20, 2026
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From Phillip Jensen:
“Fathers are so important in life, even in this anti-patriarchal age. For fatherhood is derived from God the Father. He is the provider and protector of us all, who knows our needs before we even ask. He is not far from us, and he is open to our prayers.
This is an important point in Paul’s logic as he attacks the inconsistency and incoherence of Athenian idolatry.”
– Peter and Phillip Jensen continue their discussion based around Paul’s speech at the Areopagus in Acts 17.
Courageously Staying in The Church of England
Posted on January 19, 2026
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From Church Society –
“Lee Gatiss, Chris Moore and Ros Clarke discuss what it takes to stay in the Church of England and faithfully contend for the gospel.”
– Listen here.
Pray for Iran
Posted on January 18, 2026
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A prayer update from Gafcon:
“As the nations groan under injustice and violence, we are called to pray with clarity and hope. Today, let us be especially mindful of Iran and its people, where reports continue of brutal repression, widespread arrests, and the silencing of those who cry out for freedom. Pray for an end to violence, for the protection of innocent civilians, and that the weak, the poor, and the oppressed would be defended and upheld.
Pray that God would intervene in the hearts of those who wield power and weapons: that security forces would restrain themselves, prisoners would be released, and corrupt rulers would be brought to account. Ask for wisdom for world leaders as they consider how to respond, and for justice and peace to prevail where fear and brutality now dominate.
As part of the Gafcon movement, pray with confidence that Christ’s gospel continues to advance even in the darkest places. Give thanks for the many who have turned to Christ in Iran in recent years. Pray for the protection, perseverance, and bold love of Iranian believers, and that through them many more would come to know Jesus, to the glory of God.”
– Source: Gafcon.
Have the bishops put the LLF Travelator into reverse?
Posted on January 18, 2026
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“Just over two years ago, an Anglican Futures blogger adopted the concept of the ‘Travelator’ as a way of explaining how the process of changing the Church of England’s practice and teaching about sexual relationships works.
The blog explained how David Porter, the then Archbishop of Canterbury’s Strategy Consultant, ensured that the process would itself become the outcome, by legitimising the questions being asked and preventing any ‘end point’, other than the introduction of blessings and/or same-sex marriage, with the expectation that those who disagree are required to ‘walk together’/ ‘agree to disagree’.
Just like a Travelator – once the first step is taken, there is no way off.
Today, however, some are suggesting that the House of Bishops’ latest statement represents a reversal of the Travelator. If this were true it would be a cause for great rejoicing amongst orthodox Anglicans throughout the Anglican Communion.…”
– Is the LLF Travelator really going into reverse?
Anglican Futures has six reasons why it isn’t.
World Watch List 2026
Posted on January 17, 2026
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Open Doors has released their World Watch List for 2026.
North Korea is still identified as “the most dangerous country to be a Christian”, but there are many other runners-up.
Much to pray about – including the people of Iran.
Faith Leaders “express serious concern regarding the Combatting Antisemitism Hate and Extremism Bill 2026”
Posted on January 16, 2026
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A wide range of Faith Leaders, including the leaders of Anglican, Catholic, Presbyterian, Baptist, Islamic, Buddhist, and Sikh communities, have written to the Prime Minister expressing “serious concern regarding the Combatting Antisemitism Hate and Extremism Bill 2026, both because of its (perhaps unintended) adverse implications for religious freedom and freedom of expression and the inadequate consultation and review”.
They conclude, “We offer these views in a constructive spirit and stand ready to engage further with all parties to develop appropriate amendments to ensure an appropriate legislative response to hatred and extremism.”
This is an important letter and deserves wide distribution.
It would also be good to share with your Federal Member of Parliament for their information.
What we believe
The message at the heart of Christianity is really quite simple…