Moore College: Challenging Domestic Violence

“In light of recent reminders in the news about domestic violence among ministry families, Moore College wishes once again to affirm our strong commitment to tackling domestic violence and doing all in our power to ensure that all of our students and their spouses are both safe and equipped to deal with the issue.

For several years now we have been working to address the issue in multiple ways, including …”

– Moore College has outlined the ways the college has been challenging domestic violence.

‘Eternity – A tribute to Arthur Stace’

In 2000 and 2001, Sydney artist David Lever painted a series of paintings depicting the life of Arthur Stace.

“Mr. Eternity: The Story of Arthur Stace”, by Roy Williams and Elizabeth Meyers, launched in Sydney last month, reproduces a number of the paintings.

We thought you might enjoy seeing more of David Lever’s “Eternity” collection, now published on his website. (One of our favourites is ‘Preparing for the Eternity run 4.30am – 5.30am’.)

Photo: David and Lorna Lever with Roy Williams (centre) at the book launch.

Meet the Nativity episode 2

Meet the Nativity episode 2, and the accompanying ‘Behind the scenes’ video are now online.

(Episode 1 was released last week.)

Gospel Ministry and the Nowhere Generation conference — videos

The videos from the Gospel Ministry and The Nowhere Generation conference held on November 30th are now available. Most encouraging and challenging.

Watch them at PhillipJensen.com.

Part 1. – Introductory session.

Part 2. – Teaching session: Understanding Wealth and the Nowhere Generation.

When freedom has been taken away

“What can we do? This is a question I’ve been asked several times since we lost the plebiscite battle for the definition of marriage.

Last week’s rejection of freedom of speech by the Senate has sent shock waves through churches, mosques and Christian and Muslim schools.

The House of Representatives, which is this week debating Liberal Senator Dean Smith’s same-sex marriage bill, is unlikely to improve things. …”

– Lyle Shelton at the Australian Christian Lobby writes about the challenging days ahead.

See also: Religious freedom protections must not be delayed – Freedom for Faith, 27 November 2017.

 

William Taylor on Preaching at Christmas

“Praise God that, at Christmas time, many people who don’t know the Lord Jesus as their Saviour still willingly walk into churches.

With the incredible news of the incarnation to proclaim – God with us – how do we make the most of the opportunities to preach the gospel?

In this month’s Preaching Matters William Taylor talks with Sam Manchester about Christmas services and Christmas sermons, how he chooses passages, what key truths are important to include.”

Packed with encouragement and  helpful ideas for your Christmas services this year.

Sing a Song of Judgment

“When did you last sing a song about God’s judgment in church?

Recently I introduced a new song at my church. It was a new arrangement of John Newton’s ‘Day of Judgment! Day of Wonders!’. I was a little worried about how it might be received. Why? Because it’s about the horror of God’s wrath being poured out on sinners on the final day. …”

– Ben Pakula writes about an area of congregational singing you might not have considered. Read why you should – at The Australian Church Record.

Our freedoms are too precious to sacrifice for same-sex marriage bill

“Based on recent events in Canberra where Turnbull’s Labor-lite co-conspirators refused to entertain any amendments to the same-sex marriage Act, it’s clear the approach is winners take all.

Not only does ramming the legislation through parliament show disrespect for the approximately 40 per cent of Australians who voted no to same-sex marriage, it also shows appalling disregard for the need to protect the liberties and freedoms we once took for granted. …”

– Dr. Kevin Donnelly writes this opinion piece in The Herald Sun. (Link via SydneyAnglicans.net)

Time to shine – responding to the trifecta

“There’s never been a better time than now to be a Christian, and to offer to our world the way of hope. God encourages us to shine like stars in the universe as we hold out the word of life (Philippians 2). And it’s never more timely than now.

  1. It’s official: the trifecta is in.The unborn child has no protection – it’s legal to take his or her life up to 24 weeks gestation and beyond that if two doctors agree (in Victoria). Though fearfully and wonderfully created in the image of God (Psalm 139), the unborn child is not safe even in the womb.
  2. The national same-sex marriage poll will soon deliver a fundamentally different view of what a marriage can be. In rebellion against God’s creational design and purpose for man and woman, sinful desires and unnatural relationships between persons of the same sex (Romans 1) are now given dignity through the redefinition of marriage.
  3. With Victoria leading the way, it will become legal to allow and assist people facing the prospect of a painful end, to take their own life. No longer content to rest in providence that God gives life and God takes away (Job 1), the state has become God. …”

Writing for his own denomination, Presbyterian Moderator-General John Wilson argues that there has never been a better time to be a Christian.

Meet the Nativity

From Glen Scrivener and the team at Speak Life:

“We’re thrilled to announce the release of Meet the Nativity –– a Christmas comedy to share.

It’s been a collaboration between 50 artists, including ?Eastenders actress Vanessa Bailey, Oscar-shortlisted director, Chris Jones, and Speak Life’s director, Glen Scrivener, the creative force behind a sling of viral videos.

WATCH EPISODE 1 HERE.

In the first 24 hours, Episode 1 has been seen 50 000 times across YouTube and Facebook. It tells the story of Will, a hapless boyfriend who tries to charm his way with his girlfriend’s family at Christmas. While nothing works with that family, Will finds a warm welcome from the most unexpected source.

The episodes are being accompanied by “explainer” videos, drawing out the gospel from each mini-film and directing people to follow-up. This follow-up comes in the form of a book –– Glen Scrivener’s best-selling Four Kinds of Christmas –– and a course, Life Explored, a visually sumptuous introduction to the Christian faith.”

Advent: the quiet arrival of the Kingdom into the republic

“Christ is the King, as many of us remembered and celebrated this past Sunday. To quote the wonderful Psalm 2, God has installed his Son as sovereign in Zion; the nations are his inheritance, the ends of the earth his possession. That is the reality, and the powers on the earth are warned that the best way to abundant life is to “celebrate his rule” and “take refuge in Him”.

But of course they don’t: the first part of the Psalm gives a vivid picture of how arrogant human authorities “rise up… against the Lord and against his anointed”, wanting what they think is freedom from God’s “chains” and “shackles”. Christ is the King, but they – we – want independence: we want a republic.

The question asked at the beginning of the Psalm: why do human beings do this? Is not answered here, but the rest of the Bible explains. …”

– At Anglican Mainstream, the Rev. Andrew Symes writes about Psalm 2, and Christ Church on the Isle of  Harris.

Advent resources and the PrayerMate app

“Advent is traditionally a time when Christians prepare for the arrival of Jesus Christ?—?remembering his first coming at Christmas, but then also looking ahead to his return. It is a wonderful time of expectancy and hope.

This Advent, PrayerMate is delighted to announce our best ever range of devotional resources that you can subscribe to through the app and follow along daily from 1st December 2017. …”

– Andy Geers announces a range of devotional resources (most of them free). Read the details here.

Balancing Religious Freedom Rights is not ‘Discrimination’

“Australia is in the middle of a debate as to the extent to which religious freedom rights should be accommodated in legislation introducing “same sex marriage” (SSM). Those who object to this idea tell us that:

Christian conservatives – following the lead of their counterparts in the United States – seek to use freedom of religion to justify discrimination against members of the LGBTQI community. This agenda is now being pursued under the guise of the debate for a marriage equality bill. (“After the yes vote, let’s not remove one inequality and replace it with another” Anja Hilkemeijer, The Guardian online, 22 Nov 2017)

The word “discrimination” is a notoriously slippery one, and I would like to challenge the view that recognising religion freedom in changing marriage laws amounts to unjustified discrimination. …”

– Associate Professor in Law, Neil Foster, writes at Law and Religion Australia.

Mary Kassian on The International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women

“Brothers, we need you. We need you to be the men God created you to be. We need you to be the protectors and champions of women and children. We need you to be good fathers. Good leaders. Good shepherds. …”

– At Desiring God, Mary Kassian speaks plainly about what is needed.

Collect for use in the ‘present’ crises

“ALMIGHTY GOD, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, hear, we beseech thee, for his sake, who is our Great High Priest, the prayer of thy servants on behalf of our reformed Church…”

– Church Society has republished a Prayer for the Church. Whether you modernise the language or not, it’s so important to pray for Christ’s Church.

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