Bishop Mark Calder’s Presidential Address to Bathurst Synod 2022

Posted on September 17, 2022 
Filed under Australian dioceses, Encouragement

Photo: Bishop of Armidale Rod Chiswell with Bishop of Bathurst Mark Calder at last night’s Synod service (16 September 2022).

The Second Session of the 50th Synod of the Diocese of Bathurst is meeting this weekend.

This morning Bishop Mark Calder gave his Presidential Address.

He begins:

If we, the people and churches of this diocese, become clear, passionate, and determined about that most privileged work of SHARING JESUS for LIFE, we will be transformed and revitalised.

That’s a huge claim.

Do I have that much confidence in our strategic plan and its implementation? Am I over-confident in my leadership as bishop? A firm “NO” to both of those.

My confidence is in the power of the gospel – because it is the power of God that brings salvation to everyone who believes.1

My confidence is in the convicting power of the Holy Spirit – who testifies about Jesus2 and will convict the world of sin, righteousness and judgement.3

My confidence is in Jesus – the one mediator between God and humankind, who gave himself as a ransom for all people.4

My confidence is in our great God who wants all people to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth.5

My confidence is in you – the clergy and people of this diocese, who are increasingly clear about our calling as a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s special possession, that we may declare the praises of him who called us out of darkness into his wonderful light.6

My confidence is in our churches who share the devotion of the Acts 2 church – to teaching, to one another, to hospitality, and to prayer. So may it be, that we too, enjoy the favour of all the people, and the Lord adds to our number those who are saved.7

When the gospel is clearly lived out and proclaimed; when the Holy Spirit does his convicting work; when people grasp the mediating work of Jesus; when God our Father draws people to himself; when we obey our calling and become devoted to all that the Acts 2 church was devoted to; then, we ourselves – our churches – and our diocese – will be transformed and revitalised. …

1 Romans 1:16, 2 John 15:28, 3 John 16:8, 4 2 Timothy 2:5-6, 5 2 Timothy 2:4, 6 1 Peter 2:9, 7 Acts 2:42-27.

Be encouraged to read it all here (PDF file). The text has many Bible references for your edification.

Please pray for the members of the Synod and individual church members across the Diocese of Bathurst.