Sydney Anglicans Pray for Paris
A special public service of sorrow and prayer for Paris, in the wake of the Black Friday attacks, will be held in St Andrew’s Cathedral, Sydney on Sunday 15th November at 3pm.
“It is difficult to comprehend the barbarity of such attacks” said the Archbishop of Sydney Dr Glenn Davies “but we mourn with those who mourn and weep with those who weep.”
“We pray that God in his unfailing love will comfort the people of Paris, especially those who have been injured and the families and friends who have lost loved ones.”
Premier Mike Baird will attend the service and representatives of the French Government will also be in attendance.
A French flag is already flying at half-mast at the Cathedral.
– Source: SydneyAnglicans.net.
Update: Bible Society Australia has published prayers by Dominic Steele and by Steve Cree.
Pastor, learn to say no!
Good advice from Richard Underwood at the Fellowship of Independent Evangelical Churches – via Unashamed Workman.
First they came for the Catholics…
“The proposed action for sexual orientation vilification against a Roman Catholic bishop for teaching what the Roman Catholic church believes about marriage, which I noted at an early stage in a previous post, is now becoming broader…”
– Associate Professor Neil Foster expands on his previous posts about the anti-discrimination case brought against the Roman Catholic Bishop of Hobart.
Related: Bishops face discrimination case – The Australian.
“All Australia’s Catholic bishops have been drawn into a national test case for freedom of religion and speech after Tasmania’s Anti-Discrimination Commission found they have a case to answer over humiliating gay, lesbian and transgender Australians by distributing a booklet supporting traditional marriage.”
Don’t forget Charles Simeon
“I first became aware of the extraordinary influence of Charles Simeon on the Church of England when I was an undergraduate at King’s College Cambridge where he was once vice-provost. Sadly, at the end of the 20th century he had largely been forgotten in that college. It would be an even greater sadness, however, if he were to be forgotten by the Church of England as a whole, especially evangelicals…”
– Tom Watts, at Church Society’s blog, reckons we must not forget Charles Simeon.
(Charles Simeon was a key figure behind the decision to send a Chaplain on the First Fleet – and also in the founding of the Church Missionary Society and in evangelical witness at universities in the UK and abroad.)
10 Serious Problems with ‘Jesus Calling’
“Sarah Young’s Jesus Calling is a phenomenon that shows no signs of slowing down. According to publisher Thomas Nelson, it “continues to grow in units sold each year since it was released [and] has surpassed 15 million copies sold.” Nelson is involved in an expansive new marketing campaign that involves a new web site and daily radio devotionals.
ECPA reports that ‘Thomas Nelson began its partnership with the Salem Media group to provide 60-second daily messages on Eric Metaxas’ show, which is carried on more than 100 stations nationwide and worldwide on SiriusXM Radio. The Jesus Calling radio devotional reaches more than 500,000 people each day through these segments.’ With 15 million copies sold, it has marched its way into rare company.
Yet it is a deeply troubling book. I am going to point out 10 serious problems with Jesus Calling in the hope that you will consider and heed these warnings…”
– Read the serious issues Tim Challies identifies. Is Jesus Calling big in Australia? This Australian bookshop lists it among their ‘Best-Selling Books’.
Article 32 and the CofE Same Sex Marriage case
“The case of a gay clergyman whose Permission to Officiate was revoked and who was refused a licence to minister after marrying his same-sex partner, has hit the headlines again. Peter Sanlon reflects on Jeremy Pemberton’s defensive use of Article 32.”
At the Church Society blog, Peter Sanlon, Vicar of St. Mark’s Tunbridge Wells, looks at the use and misuse of The Articles in the case of a gay clergyman who married his same-sex partner.
Limited prayer limits evangelism
“Many people own Nelson Mandela’s book Long Walk to Freedom but have not actually read it. Many Christians love the idea of prayer, but struggle to actually implement it.…”
– At GoThereFor, Stephen Liggins encourages you to pray – for evangelism!
Happy 97th Birthday, Billy Graham
“This is the best documentary I have seen on Billy Graham, the most famous and significant evangelist since George Whitefield…”
– Justin Taylor provides links to a 120 minute documentary on Billy Graham.
Resources for Remembrance Day
While many churches (such as St. Andrew’s Cathedral) observed Remembrance Day yesterday, Sunday November 8th, if you are looking for material for this week, Defence Anglicans has some resources which may be of help.
Feed the Woman Meat
“When I became a Christian at the ripe age of 16, I was immediately introduced to the extraordinary treasure trove of riches to be found amongst the pages of some of the greatest Christian writers, theologians, apologists, philosophers and thinkers of our time. …
But as I moved on into adulthood and the circles of influence shifted, so did the books offered before me to read.”
– At Effective Ministry, Sarie King has some great advice for Christian women (and men, for that matter), when deciding what to read.
Tears and Hope 2015
The annual ‘Tears And Hope’ service of healing for survivors of abuse is to be held at St John’s Darlinghurst, on Monday, November 23rd at 7:00pm.
Download a PDF flier to share with others, and pray that the service may help to bring comfort and healing.
Abortion ‘buffer zones’, free speech and religious freedom
“Governments around Australia are showing a sudden enthusiasm for introducing restricted ‘zones’ around clinics offering abortions, in order to prevent protestors from operating in those areas. Tasmania has introduced such legislation…”
– Neil Foster looks at some of the ethical and legal implications of ‘buffer zone’ legislation. Where does freedom of religion fit in?
Where is your journey taking you?
Moore College is encouraging you ask where your life fits into the Lord’s Plan. How can you be equipped to serve Christ?
Watch their latest video.
Why every seminary student should read J. C. Ryle
“I began my study of J. C. Ryle (1816-1900) more than six years ago, and my interest in him was primarily historical. However, as I prepare to defend my dissertation and end this leg of my journey with him, I am absolutely convinced that he has a lot to offer you as a minister-in-training…”
– At the Southern Seminary blog, Ben Rogers explains why it’s advantageous to follow J. C. Ryle down old paths.
(In this Crossway video, J. I. Packer recommends Ryle’s Holiness.)
Churches, know your young people by name
“It is a wonderful thing to be known by name. Most of us will know that experience of surprise and gratitude that comes when our name is recalled…”
– Good advice from Youthworks College Principal, Dr. Bill Salier.
What we believe
The message at the heart of Christianity is really quite simple…