Reactions to the Church of England General Synod’s vote on Palestine

Here are two reactions to the vote in the Church of England’s General Synod –

Why the Church of England has got Israel wrong – James Patrick at Premier Christianity.

“Dear Archbishop Sarah,

In light of the controversial motion passed at General Synod yesterday, your five-day pilgrimage in the Holy Land just three weeks ago could appear to be a well-timed advertisement in its support. Even so, your concluding pastoral letter wisely steered clear of the worst excesses of the Kairos Palestine II document commended in the motion. KPII accuses Israel 30 times of ‘genocide’, and claims that the State of Israel is ‘racist’ and colonialist from its origins (1.3; 2.1; 3.3; 4.2), a listed example of antisemitism in the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance’s definition adopted by the Church of England in 2018. It is no wonder that British Jewish and Christian leaders alike have expressed their deep concerns about this motion, which promotes incendiary accusations rejected by our own government. …”

A Shameful Day for the Church of England – Julian Mann at The Daily Sceptic.

“The atmosphere at the Church of England’s General Synod after it passed its shameful anti-Israel motionwas frighteningly complacent. From where I was sitting in the press gallery on July 13th the members in the chamber seemed to be very pleased with themselves.

But unless these largely middle-class Anglicans had returned home to an enclosed-order monastery after their meeting in the York University central hall, how could they fail to register the impact of the nuclear bomb they had just let off?  …”

Image: Church of England General Synod, 13 July 2026.

See also Ian Paul’s speech during the debate –

A Contested Space

David Cook writes at The Expository Preaching Trust –

“Dr Brendan Murphy was the Chief Medical Officer of the Commonwealth during most of the Covid crisis.

Dr Murphy’s presence at the many press conferences was quietly reassuring.

It was a surprise, then, that at a Senate Estimates hearing, when he was asked, ‘Dr Murphy, what is a woman?’ he could not reply, saying that that was a highly contested area!

In my lifetime different areas of Christian truth have aptly matched the needs of the time; in the ’60s it was the authority of Scripture; in the ’70s it was the person and work of the Holy Spirit; in the ’80s and ’90s, I remember hearing John Stott say that if he were to begin parish ministry at that time, he would spend the first year preaching on the doctrine of the Church.

These are days of gender fluidity and identity issues wherein ‘what is a woman’ is a contested area. …”

– Read it all here.

And note that – if you are quick – you might be able to secure the last spot available at the Expository Preaching Trust’s annual Preaching Workshop at Drummoyne, 4th-6th August.

Church attenders do better — The Pastor’s Heart

From The Pastor’s Heart this week –

“New global research associated with Harvard University suggests that people who regularly attend church tend to do better in life than people who do not.

The Global Flourishing Study is following more than 200,000 people across 22 countries and tracking not only happiness, but meaning and purpose, relationships, character, mental and physical health, life satisfaction and material stability.

But if churches are helping people flourish, what is happening to the pastors who lead them? Senior pastors carry grief, crises, expectations and organisational responsibility that most people never see. A church may appear to be growing and successful while its pastor is quietly being depleted.

And how do we know whether a church itself is healthy?

Valerie Ling joins us from the Center for Effective Serving to explore richer ways of recognising flourishing in pastors, churches and the communities they serve.”

– Watch here.

Fellowship in the Gospel — Eating for the other’s salvation

From Phillip Jensen –

“We come at last to what appears to be the end of the discussion, which started in chapter 8 of 1 Corinthians on food offered to idols.

Here, with the background of thinking about the existence of idols in chapter 8, the priority of other people’s salvation in chapter 9, and then the prophetic warning against all idolatry in the first half of chapter 10, we finally reach the concluding discussion on food offered to idols.

Whether in the idol temple at the time of offering, buying meat already so offered, or eating the meat in somebody’s home, the question of our participation is critical.

I hope you profit from this discussion on Christian freedom and responsibility.”

– An important episode with Phillip and Peter Jensen. At Two Ways News.

Why (and how) I teach my kids to say sorry

From The Australian Church Record –

“If you’ve spent any time on the internet over the last few years, you might have come across the current parenting advice never to make your child say sorry. This approach is broadly consistent with the values of authenticity, consent and innate morality that underpin modern child-rearing. It comes from a place of wanting to help children understand why their actions matter, rather than simply requiring outward compliance.

There is much in this instinct that Christians can appreciate. Most parents want their children to grow into people who are genuinely compassionate, who take responsibility for their actions, and who seek reconciliation because they mean it—not merely because they have been told to do so. …”

– Leah shares these helpful ideas.

Tasmania: Ten Problems with the Greens’ Anti-Conversion Bill

At AP, the national online Presbyterian journal, Mark Powell shares his concerns about legislation which is being proposed for Tasmania –

“Can I ask that you would stop what you’re doing and please pray for Tasmania? As with what we have seen occur in many other states in Australia, the Greens are seeking to introduce an ‘anti-conversion’ bill and it should be of serious concern to everyone and especially to people of Christian faith. …”

– Read it all here.

The Sydney Family Album 2 — Samuel Marsden

In 2011, Mark Thompson, now Principal of Moore College, penned a series of posts entitled The Sydney Family Album, for his website, Theological Theology.

We felt they merit wider distribution, so, with Mark’s kind permission, we are re-posting them on the ACL website, at the rate of one a week.

Here’s the second, a guest post by David Pettett on Samuel Marsden.

Related:

Sunday sermons shed light on pioneer – SydneyAnglicans.net, December 2016.

In the Library: Books and Reading with Peter Adam

The Gospel Coalition Australia has republished this 2016 interview with Peter Adam on reading and Christian books –

“I remember my first day at Sunday School at the age of 11. The teacher told us that God did not like new clean Bibles: he much preferred Bibles which looked well-used. So when I got home I got out my new Bible, scribbled in the margins, and loosened some pages. Surely God would approve! …”

– Read it here.

The Preacher as an Artist?

“Recently, my wife and I, along with four hundred residents of Anglicare, Castle Hill were entertained with a delightful rendition of classical music from Brahms, Schubert, Chopin and Prokofiev by two artists of the highest quality – Richard Tognetti (violin) and Constantin Shamray (piano). It was a joyous occasion and in response the audience gave full rein to their appreciation.

Nevertheless, I find that while listening to pleasure-giving music my mind wanders. …”

– David Palmer writes to encourage preachers in their communicating of God’s word. At AP, the Australian Presbyterian journal.

This is the Christ — new from Emu Music

“This is the Christ” is the latest release from Emu Music. It’s the second single from their forthcoming EP ‘Just As He Said’.

“We wanted something anthemic that the whole church could sing together, capturing Paul’s heart in Colossians 1. ‘He, Christ, is the one we proclaim’. That line became the anchor for the whole song. Whether we’re leading church, writing songs, or just talking with a friend, our message never changes. It’s all about Jesus.

Our hope is that this song helps people see and delight in his beauty and power. May we never grow tired of proclaiming him.’ – Liv Chapman & James McDonald.

– Watch here.

Audio file and sheet music is available at this link.

The Scriptures unto our salvation – Exhibition at Moore College

A fascinating exhibition opens at Moore College’s Donald Robinson Library next week – The Scriptures unto our salvation  –

“This exhibition commemorates the 500th anniversary of William Tyndale’s groundbreaking 1526 New Testament, a pivotal moment in the transmission of scripture, shaping the development of the English language and advancing new possibilities for vernacular access to the Scriptures.

All of the major early modern English translations are also featured, alongside Martin Luther’s German translation and key editions of the Bible in Latin, demonstrating the academic use of Latin by the Protestant Reformers in their study of the Word.

Alongside early printed editions the exhibition also highlights Indigenous Australian, Polynesian, and Papuan language Bibles, highlighting the complex linguistic, cultural, and historical contexts through which scripture has been rendered into diverse languages.

Together, these works invite reflection on translation not only as a textual practice, but also as a process deeply intertwined with the history of Christian missions in Australia and Oceania.

On display [from 13 July 2026] until 27 November during library hours (8:30am-4:30pm Monday-Friday).”

– from the College website.

Five things to love about the Mark Drama

“This year I’ve been involved with the national committee for the Mark Drama – or as we call it in France, Marc L’Expérience (MLE). It’s been a year of transition and learning as I take over coordinating the committee and all projects for MLE in France, as well as finishing my training to be a director.  

MLE is a theatrical presentation of Mark’s Gospel. It’s performed all over the world, including in Australia. In France, MLE is coordinated through the GBU student groups, though we also help local churches put on performances. …”

– Karina Brabham, who serves with CMS in Poitiers, France, shares the blessings of the Mark Drama. At the CMS Australia website.

Photo: The first performance by the Strasbourg students. CMS photo.

How AI makes us Sovereign Slaves

“Artificial intelligence may or may not be coming for our jobs, but it’s certainly coming for our anthropology.

AI promises us the status of a monarch, with swarms of agents bowing before us and saying, ‘Your prompt is my command.’ And we’re all too familiar with the allure of chatbots, which affirm our every whim and indulge our every appetite.

AI will write your email, plan your lesson, draft your sermon, design your logo, summarize your book, tickle your pride, indulge your vices, and stroke your ego. We’re all monarchs now. What’s not to like?

But the more closely we look, the stranger the story becomes. The tool that promises to make us sovereigns is also quietly making us slaves. …”

– Chris Watkin writes at The Gospel Coalition.

An important topic deserving of wide consideration. (You can also hear him read the article – at the same link.)

Photo: Chris Watkins delivering the New College Lectures in 2023.

Two Paths Forward: What ACC-19 reveals about the nature of the Anglican Communion

At The American Anglican Council, Canon Mark Eldredge considers the just-completed meeting of the Anglican Consultative Council (of the old Anglican Communion) –

“The recent meeting of the Anglican Consultative Council (ACC-19) once again brought into focus a question Anglicans have wrestled with for years: What truly holds the Anglican Communion together?

News coverage of the meeting understandably focused on discussions surrounding the Nairobi-Cairo Proposals and the differing perspectives expressed by delegates from across the Communion, but beneath the procedural debates lies a much deeper issue. The real question isn’t simply whether the Communion should adjust its governing structures but whether genuine communion can exist apart from a shared commitment to the apostolic faith. …

We are told that there’s been ‘little evidence of widespread support for GAFCON’s plan to leave the Anglican Communion,’ even while the article [by the Episcopal News Service] acknowledges that Nigeria, Uganda, Rwanda, and other provinces have continued to absent themselves from Canterbury-led gatherings. Both realities are stated in the same sentence! I can’t help but wonder if the Episcopal News Service reporter was being willfully ignorant or not. The ‘little evidence’ of GAFCON support includes the absentee provinces that make up most of the world’s Anglicans! Whether one agrees with every aspect of GAFCON’s vision or not, the continued absence of these GAFCON provinces signals that the present tensions aren’t ‘little’ or temporary. They reflect convictions that developed over many years concerning doctrine, authority, and the future of Anglican witness, and they can’t be ignored. …”

– Read it all.

See also:

Should the ACC Endorse the Nairobi-Cairo Proposals? – Bishop Glenn Davies writes at The Living Church (this was published before ACC-19) –

“In December 2024, the Inter-Anglican Standing Commission on Unity, Faith, and Order (IASCUFO) released The Nairobi-Cairo Proposals: Renewing the Instruments of the Anglican Communion, with a Supplementary Report released in March 2026. It was two years in the writing, having been commissioned by the 18th meeting of the Anglican Consultative Council (ACC), in response to the 2022 Lambeth Conference Call on Anglican Identity. The reports will be considered by the Anglican Consultative Council at its meeting in Belfast in June 2026. …”

As part of his conclusion, Bishop Davies argues,

“Unfortunately, neither proposal meets the challenge of the hour. The changes to the 1930 Resolution, as outlined above, actually weaken the definition of the nature of the Communion as a fellowship of Churches bound by Holy Scripture, as successive Lambeth Conferences have affirmed.”

– Read it all.

Graphic – The ACC-19 logo, via the Anglican Communion website.

Pastoral heartbreak: young adults leaving evangelicalism for Orthodoxy and Catholicism

From The Pastor’s Heart – Pastoral heartbreak: young adults leaving evangelicalism for Orthodoxy and Catholicism and what to do about it, with John Diacos.

“On the surface, some are drawn by beauty, history, liturgy, mystery, masculinity, discipline and Orthodoxy’s claim to be the original church.

But John Diacos says beneath many of the surface attractions lies something much more spiritually dangerous.

John was converted from Orthodoxy to a clear faith in Jesus Christ 50 years ago, has served Jesus for decades in Melbourne and is the author of Certainty for Life: An Invitation for Those in Eastern Orthodoxy.

We ask: Why are evangelicals leaving for Orthodoxy? What is Orthodoxy offering that some evangelical churches seem not to offer? Where is Orthodoxy right in its critique of us? Where is it wrong? And what should pastors do when someone in our church starts drifting?”

– Watch it here.

Related:

Targeted and Engaged Evangelism to the Eastern Orthodox – The Gospel Coalition Australia.

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