Seeing God at Ground Zero: an Aussie’s testimony from 9/11
“A meteorologist would tell you there were sprawling areas of high pressure, but to me it was simply a picture-perfect day for my last full day in New York, and an opportunity to explore the tourist hot spots.
First on the list was the viewing observatory inside the World Trade Center’s South Tower. It was Tuesday, September 11, 2001. …”
– At The Australian Church Record, Anthony Phillips reflects on his experience, and the lessons he learned from that day in New York.
Latest Northwest Network – fuel for prayer
The latest Northwest Network, from the Diocese of North West Australia, is now available for your encouragement to to fuel your prayers for the people of the north west. Dated August 2019.
Dean of Sydney and GAFCON Australia react to the Wangaratta same-sex blessing vote
At today’s The Pastor’s Heart, Dominic Steele speaks with the Dean of Sydney, Kanishka Raffel, about the decision of the Diocese of Wangaratta to reject the Biblical doctrine of marriage.
See also:
Statement from Gafcon Australia – 9 September 2019
The Board of Gafcon Australia expresses its dismay over the decision of Synod of the Diocese of Wangaratta to make provision for the blessing of same-sex marriages. We believe this has torn the fabric of our communion within the Anglican Church of Australia.
This decision is contrary to the teaching of Scripture about the nature of human sexuality and marriage. It is also contrary to the doctrinal position of the Anglican Church of Australia. General Synod has repeatedly affirmed that marriage is a lifelong exclusive union between a man and a woman. The Bible does not allow the blessing of any sexual relationship which is not marriage between a man and a woman.
Contrary to the views expressed by Bishop Parkes, the Anglican Church of Australia has always been a church that confesses its faith. Every deacon, priest and bishop has declared their faith and pledged their commitment to our doctrine at their ordination. This confession includes adherence to the Holy Scriptures, the Creeds, the Book of Common Prayer and the 39 Articles of Religion. Bishops are required to “correct and set aside teaching that is contrary to the mind of Christ”.
The resolution in Wangaratta is emblematic of a move in the Anglican Church of Australia away from our doctrine. Several Synods have now passed motions calling for services of blessings of same-sex marriage. Moreover, the Synod of the Diocese of Grafton showed its theological drift in June this year, by voting against affirming “the authorised standard of worship and doctrine of the Anglican Church of Australia as set out in the Fundamental Declarations and Ruling Principles of the Constitution.”
We therefore extend an invitation to any member of the Anglican Church of Australia, including those in the Dioceses of Wangaratta and Grafton, who are troubled by these developments, to contact Gafcon Australia atinfo@gafconaustralia.org or any of the Board members listed below.
Gafcon Australia is a growing movement of Anglicans across the breadth of the Australian Church, who uphold and promote orthodox, biblical teaching. Our aim is to provide mutual encouragement, fellowship and support for those who are committed to the same, both those who feel out of step with their Bishop and/or Synod, and those who are committed to working within the Anglican Church of Australia for biblical faithfulness. We are glad to affirm our commitment to the doctrine and order of the Anglican Church of Australia as it has been handed down to us. For more information see www.gafconaustralia.org
Gafcon Australia Board
The Rt Rev Dr Richard Condie (Chair), Tasmania; the Most Rev Dr Glenn Davies (Deputy Chair), Sydney; the Rev Stephen Carnaby, Tasmania; Mr Philip Gerber, Sydney; the Rev Paul Hunt, Adelaide; the Rev Joshua Kuswadi, NT; Mrs Fiona McLean, Melbourne; the Very Rev Kanishka Raffel, Sydney; the Rev Trevor Saggers, North Queensland; Dr Laurie Scandrett, Sydney; Dr Claire Smith, Sydney; the Rev Peter Smith, Perth.
– Source: GAFCON Australia.
Australian Church Record Journal for Spring 2019 now out
Download your copy of the latest Australian Church Record Journal for Spring 2019 here.
Contents:
Thank God for Ordinary Pastors
Mark Earngey
Wangaratta Defies National Church
Kanishka Raffel
The Opened Eyes of Wilberforce
David Ould
Evangelism in the Upper Mountains
Jon Guyer
Gospel Growth through ANeW
Sam Broadfoot
New Life in an Ancient Parish?
Ben Wilkinson
Contending side by side
Tom Habib
Some Observations for Ordinary Pastoral Ministry
Archie Poulos
The Christian and His Worship
D. Broughton Knox.
Archbishop urges Anglicans to join the Stand for Life Rally
“Archbishop Glenn Davies has warned of the dangers of the Bill which allows abortion up until birth, urging Christians show support for the life of the unborn before the Upper House considers the Bill. … Dr Davies urged promotion for the ‘Rally for Life’ on Sunday afternoon, 15 September in Hyde Park.”
Promotional flyer (PDF file).
See the Promotional video on Facebook or on Vimeo.
CMS Summer School 2020
CMS NSW & ACT has posted this video to encourage people to come to the 2020 Summer School.
New Commonwealth Religious Freedom Laws
“The Commonwealth Attorney-General has released Exposure Drafts of a package of Federal Bills designed to improve religious freedom protections under Australian law, along with associated explanatory information. The legislation responds to the recommendations of the Ruddock Panel into Religious Freedom, released late in 2018. Public comment has been invited by 2 October, 2019.
The main item is the Religious Discrimination Bill 2019 (“RDB”), which broadly replicates the existing pattern of anti-discrimination laws enacted by the Commonwealth, but picking up for the first time at the Federal level the “protected characteristics” of “religious belief or activity”. Two ancillary Bills propose consequential amendments to other legislation, add some specific matters to be taken into account in objects clauses for other discrimination laws, and slightly amend or clarify the laws on charities and marriage.
The RDB is a lengthy document (68 clauses over 52 pages), with some complexities that will need to be unpacked. But I would like to offer a brief overview and an initial response, which will be followed up later by more detailed comments about particular issues. I can say, however, that it looks like being a worthwhile and helpful change which in general will further the cause of religious freedom (for both believers and non-believers) in Australia.…”
– Neil Foster, Associate Professor in Law, offers an initial opinion at Law and Religion Australia.
‘Belief…’
“When the subject of religion comes up we often hear comments like: ‘Religion is for the weak-minded’, or ‘it is poisonous’. We also hear, ‘All religions are the same’. And if the conversation continues, we might get told, ‘Religious people are so self-righteous!’ There are also those who tell us, ‘Everyone’s right in their own kind of way.’ ‘In any case, when I die, if there is a God, I’m sure he’ll accept me: I’ve led a good life’.
So, in this indifferent and sometimes hostile world, how do people come to faith in Christ? In 2 Corinthians 4 Paul provides some helpful clues. Let me identify them briefly. …”
– At The Anglican Connection, John Mason continues a series of short reflections on sharing the gospel. Others here.
Costi Hinn shares his story of God, Greed and the Prosperity Gospel
“Collin Hansen interviews Benny Hinn’s nephew Costi about growing up believing the prosperity gospel and how he came to see it as incompatible with the Bible.
For Costi Hinn, the prosperity gospel is family business. He worked for his dad and also his famous uncle Benny…”
– A fascinating interview at The Gospel Coalition.
The seduction of worldly wisdom
“When it comes to living our lives as Christians, we need a wisdom that’s much bigger than what the world has on offer. Our society is happy and content with worldly wisdom, because worldly wisdom seems to work – at least for a while. …”
– Ainsley Poulos writes at The Australian Church Record.
Words with purpose (Ephesians 4:29–30)
“Words are fundamental to our lives. We use words to share, to create, to love, to define ourselves, and to build societies and worlds. We live through words. That’s why one of the most powerful things you can do for someone is to help them give a voice to their own words. …”
– Encouragement to think before we speak. Lionel Windsor writes at Forget the Channel.
Cathedral Conversation – NSW Abortion Legislation
St John’s Anglican Cathedral Parramatta is hosting a Cathedral Conversation on “Choices: The conversation about abortion we need to have”.
On Monday, 2nd September 2019 from 7:30pm. Read more
Why the Physical Earth matters to God
“The grandeur and intricacies of the physical earth are breathtaking. God did not hold back when he made the world with its beauty, interdependence, and complexity. It is not a temporary commodity; it is a masterpiece. It is not surprising, therefore, that God is concerned about what happens to the earth. He is not going to give up on it because of the introduction of sin. He will not allow Satan to have the final word. It is God’s earth, and the Bible tells us that he intends to renew it.
Sadly, many Christians do not share God’s commitment to the physical world. …”
– Moore College graduate, and Principal of Christ College Sydney, Ian Smith, writes at the Crossway blog.
Ian has recently written Not Home Yet: How the Renewal of the Earth Fits into God’s Plan for the World. (Available from Reformers Bookshop.)
See also this Interview posted by Reformers.
Am I serving others with how I post photos?
“I have slowly watched my Instagram feed change from arty experiences of life to mostly photos of my kids.
I remember one day prior to having kids thinking, ‘Don’t they’ – meaning people exactly like myself now, parents – ‘have anything better to post?!’
I now think the answer is yes and no. …”
– At GoThereFor.com, Pip Taylor shares some wisdom on what, why, and how to share.
‘NSW abortion bill has left us feeling betrayed’
“There are signs that maybe, just maybe, Premier Gladys Berejiklian is starting to listen and understand how much damage NSW’s extreme abortion bill has inflicted on her government.
Last week offered a ray of hope, as she softened her stance on amendments to fix some of the bill’s most brutal flaws, such as sex-selection abortions that would target girls, just for being girls. Her party is bitterly divided. …
And then, just three days ago, the Stand For Life rally in Martin Place and outside Parliament House in opposition to the bill drew a mammoth attendance of an estimated 10,000 people. … Perhaps the most breathtaking moment of the emotional evening was the live audio of a 23-week-old unborn baby’s heartbeat, amplified onstage by ultrasound.”
– Writing in The Catholic Weekly, Campion College student Bethany Marsh writes about the Stand For Life rally and what is really at stake.
After the Stand for Life rally, students from Campion College sang this haunting carol for for passers by. The carol is based on Matthew 2 and the Massacre of the Innocents.
Here’s another video of the singing at Freedom for Faith’s Facebook page.
What we believe
The message at the heart of Christianity is really quite simple…