Hear the ACL Synod Briefing Podcast

Posted on September 4, 2025 
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ACL Synod Dinner –bookings close soon

Posted on August 20, 2025 
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On September 11, Two Australians reflect on a sickening murder in the USA

Posted on September 11, 2025 
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Stephen McAlpine and Murray Campbell each reflect in their own way on the murder of well-known conservative activist and debater and professing Christian Charlie Kirk –

“Reading the commentary today feels as though a black veil has descended upon  America. Here in Australia, young people especially know the name Charlie Kirk. He was followed by millions, including many Gen X and millennials across Australia. …”

–  Charlie Kirk murdered. R U OK? – Murray Campbell.

“I am sitting here on September 11 in Sydney, on a pouring wet spring morning, trying to take it in.

Yes, September 11.

I remember sitting in our lounge in Perth late that night in 2001 while Jill was feeding our baby daughter watching in horror as the Twin Towers came down.

Back then, in the aftermath of those events, the West sincerely believed that the existential problem it had was coming from the outside. We had to ensure that we were better organised and that our borders were more secure.

Now waking up to the terrible news that Charlie Kirk has been shot and killed at a university reveals the ugly truth: the existential problem of the West has come from the inside. Our borders can be as secure as we like, the people that truly hate us come from within us. We have rotted from within. …”

– Charlie Kirk is dead. And I am Sad (Sad and Angry) – Stephen McAlpine.

See also:

A Day That Will Shape a Generation: The Murder of Charlie Kirk – Albert Mohler.

Dick Lucas at 100: ‘Transforming preaching’

Posted on September 10, 2025 
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In the Lord’s providence, Dick Lucas turns 100 today.

At Evangelicals Now, Robin Sydserff shares the gratitude many feel for Dick and how the Lord has used him.

“This September will see Dick Lucas’ 100th birthday. As Director of The Proclamation Trust (PT), a ministry started by Dick in 1986, it is my privilege to write something to mark this milestone, though on behalf of countless others in the UK and around the world.

Dick eschews praise. He is a humble, godly man who has assiduously pointed away from himself to Jesus. A suggestion to call the new PT building at Elephant and Castle ‘Lucas House’ was quickly voted down. Instead ‘Proclamation House’ was chosen, reflecting the ministry, not the man. …

Dick’s open-handedness and collaborative spirit, extended beyond bringing Anglicans and Independents together in the UK to reach across the world. [including Australia!]”

– Read it here.

From Adrian Reynolds, FIEC Associate National Director –

How Dick Lucas Helped Me to be a Better Preacher.

And from St. Helen’s Bishopsgate –

“Wishing Dick Lucas a very happy 100 birthday today!

We are so grateful to the Lord for Dick’s many years of faithful gospel service both at St Helen’s and far beyond.

Dick’s talks are available on St Helen’s resource library or catch up on Dick’s recent Bible Matters interview with Leo and Tiff.”

Top photo from a 2014 St. Helen’s video.

The missing 70%

Posted on September 10, 2025 
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From The Pastor’s Heart this week –

“Reaching the 70% of the population who are significantly underrepresented in our churches.

We’re talking about everyday Australians — people who’ve gone straight into the workforce rather than university. That includes hairdressers, plumbers, builders, business owners, factory workers, truck drivers, IT staff, and media creatives — as well as many in marginalised communities.

Within this group, there’s huge diversity:

Yet while this group represents the majority of Australians, they make up only a small minority in our churches. Why is that? And how can we do better?

We discuss why this group is missing from many of our congregations, the cultural and learning barriers they face, and how we can shape ministry, training, and preaching to better reach them with the good news of Jesus.”

– Watch or listen here. Challenging and important to consider.

The New Testament Creator

Posted on September 9, 2025 
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From Phillip Jensen:

“Peter and I have had a great time pondering the early chapters of Genesis. But the best commentary and authentic understanding of Genesis is found in the New Testament. So for the next few weeks, we are turning there to see what the New Testament makes of the early chapters of Genesis.”

– Listen here.

Thousands stand for the unborn at March for Life in London

Posted on September 9, 2025 
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“Thousands of people from across the UK came together to be a powerful voice for the unborn at the March for Life in London on Saturday.

Organisers estimate that at least 10,000 people turned out for March for Life UK 2025 on Saturday. …

This year’s March for Life was supported by a number of Christian leaders including Anglican and Catholic bishops, evangelist Glen Scrivener, Christian Concern CEO Andrea Williams …”

– Report from Christian Today. (Updated link.)

Image: March for Life UK.

Australian Church Record Journal — 2025 Synod edition

Posted on September 8, 2025 
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In time for this year’s gathering of the Sydney Synod, The Australian Church Record has released their Synod edition of the ACR Journal.

The theme of this issue: Be Careful How You Build.

“As leaders in Sydney gather for Synod and consider the future shape of our churches, we must ask: are we building with gospel wisdom?

Inside this issue:

– from The Australian Church Record. (Direct link to PDF file.)

Praying big prayers with little people

Posted on September 8, 2025 
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“The bane of my existence as a parent is badly rhymed kids’ books (closely followed by badly illustrated books). For some reason, they’re the ones my children are drawn to and insist I read night after night. Don’t tell my three-year-old, but I have hidden our copy of The Three Little Pigs for this very reason.

However, when a children’s book comes along that has decent pace, clever word combinations and beautiful illustrations, I can’t wait to share it with my daughters. …”

– At SydneyAnglicans.net, Tara Sing introduces her “latest go-to gift” for the little people in her life.

Above: Watch the video of Simon Camilleri reading Wow God! Thank you, Sorry, Please.

Learn more about the book here. It’s available locally from Reformers Bookshop.

John Barnett (1837-1905) an unremarkable but important life

Posted on September 8, 2025 
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“John Barnett (1837-1905) was born in Stepney, Middlesex, England, on 21 February 1837, the son of John Barnett (Senior) (1810-1858), Grocer and Sugar Refiner and Ann Eliza Winkworth (1807-1842).

In December 1859, John married Janet Gowanlock Smith (1840-1927) at Waverley, Sydney, and they were to have eight children, four of whom lived to adulthood.

John’s parents, together with his 6-year-old sister Elizabeth and his 3-year-old self, had emigrated from England to Sydney in New South Wales (NSW), arriving on the Ann Gales on 12 July 1840. …”

– At Philanthropists and Philanthropy in Australian Colonial History, Paul F. Cooper, Presbyterian minister and Research Fellow at Christ College in Sydney, shares insights into the life of John Barnett, who played a role in the founding of St. Barnabas’ Broadway.

Read it here.

Evangelism – A Priority in Your Parish? — Neil Prott

Posted on September 7, 2025 
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From our archives:

“There is nothing more wonderful we can do for anyone than introduce them to Jesus Christ.

However, this is not reflected in the programme of many parishes today.

No doubt there are numerous reasons for the current state of affairs. Our analysis should take in the Scriptural factors as well as the obvious ones. …”

– The late Neil Prott wrote this article for ACL News back in 1989.

(We gave thanks for Neil when he was called home in April 2022.)

Evangelism and the Local Church

Posted on September 6, 2025 
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From AP, the Australian Presbyterian journal, Mark Powell speaks with Dave Jensen –

“Dave Jensen talks about his amazing conversion to faith in Jesus as well as why he is passionate about seeing others come to faith in Jesus.

Dave’s ministry now is helping local churches be equipped to share the Gospel with others.”

– Watch here.

Matthew Gospel hits the stage

Posted on September 5, 2025 
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“An engaging stage dramatisation of the gospel produced kingdom fruit in Geraldton.

Geraldton Anglican Cathedral member Eugenie Harris produced The Matthew Drama, a 90-minute retelling of the Gospel of Matthew with a cast of 15 local Christians.

‘More than 200 people attended the two performances which happen as theatre-in-the-round so the audience is central to the action,’ she said. …”

– Encouraging news from the Diocese of North West Australia.

Moore College Open Events September 2025

Posted on September 5, 2025 
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Moore Theological College is holding Open Events later this month.

They’re a great opportunity to find out what it would be like to study at the College.

Freedom for Faith conference 2025

Posted on September 4, 2025 
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A reminder from Associate Professor Neil Foster with a reminder of the upcoming conference –

“Freedom for Faith is holding its annual conference on religious freedom and the law on September 27th, and is offering a student ticket discount. There is a great line-up of speakers- do come along!

The conference will be held on Saturday September 27th, 10am-3:30pm, at Village Church Annandale (Sydney) and the Student price: is $45.

Speakers include Prof Patrick Parkinson and Ass Prof Alex Deagon – both of whom will be launching books – as well as Monica Doumit, the head of public affairs for the Catholic Archdiocese of Sydney.

There will also be a conversation between Julian Leeser MP, the Federal Liberal Member for Berowra and Shadow Attorney General, and Dr Hugh McDermott, the NSW Labor Member for Prospect and Parliamentary Secretary (Assistant Minister) to the NSW Attorney General. …”

– Details here.

Are You Willing to Walk for the Unborn?

Posted on September 4, 2025 
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“I often talk to people who question why it took the Christian church so long to abolish slavery. They then quickly add that if they had been alive back then, then they would have definitely stood up and said something.

But I often wonder whether they really would …”

– Mark Powell shares details of the next Love Sydney Walk for Life – at AP, the online Presbyterian journal.

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