A world without Jobs — the gospel of a secular age
We posted this link back in January 2011. This might be a good time to revisit it:
“As remarkable as Steve Jobs is in countless ways—as a designer, an innovator, a (ruthless and demanding) leader—his most singular quality has been his ability to articulate a perfectly secular form of hope.
Nothing exemplifies that ability more than Apple’s early logo, which slapped a rainbow on the very archetype of human fallenness and failure—the bitten fruit—and made it a sign of promise and progress.…”
– Plenty of fuel for a gospel conversation in this article by Andy Crouch.
(Photo: Apple. Thanks to Justin Taylor for the reminder.)
Some thoughts on ministering to the sick
“I am no expert in ministering to people in suffering. It is a privilege to be with the sick and dying, but it can also be scary, hard work. I have great respect for chaplains, calling pastors, solo pastors, and other believers who spend a lot of their time comforting the sick and suffering with the gospel. …”
– Kevin DeYoung shares some practical advice.
The Elephant in the Room
Does theology matter? Of course it does – and even more so when someone is a teacher and preacher who claims to speak the words of eternal life.
Over the last few days, quite a storm has developed over the invitation extended to a ‘Word of Faith’ preacher to speak at a high profile event in the US. You can read a summary by Tim Challies about the controversy. Carl Trueman also offers some thoughts.
Related: Word of Faith preachers. (Photo: Tim Challies.)
On hearing and responding to Christ’s word
At the Better Gatherings website (run by the Archbishop of Sydney’s Liturgical Panel), there’s a helpful short article by Dr David Peterson – on considering what we do when we meet around Christ in church. You can read it here (be sure to check the other resources on the site!).
The value of a theological education
John Richardson wonders about the future of theological education for ordination candidates in the UK. It seems some are suggesting that ‘on the job’ learning instead is the way to go.
“For a lot of what passes for ministry is not a ‘theological’ ministry at all. ‘Pastoral’ ministry in the Church of England is ‘helping people with their problems’, not bringing people to the knowledge of God in Christ.”
In reflecting on this, he draws attention to a booklet he wrote in 1993, after a year at Moore College:
“What I found at Moore was a Christian community committed to the pursuit of intellectual excellence by every student, where it was assumed that the ordinary parish clergyman both should and could be conversant with the most ‘academic’ of theological thinking. I soon realized that in this country we have been setting our sights far too low.”
Read his post here, and then the booklet, A Little Knowledge (PDF).
Paul, Chronology and the Unity of 2 Corinthians
“It is generally agreed that Paul’s engagement with the church in Corinth was extensive and intensive, more so than with any Pauline congregation. This short paper addresses the question of the chronology of Paul’s relationship with the church in Corinth and the related issue of the unity of Second Corinthians. …”
– Bishop Paul Barnett has posted a very interesting and helpful paper he presented at the Society for the Study of Early Christianity at Macquarie University in August.
(Related: Society for the Study of Early Christianity website.)
We have all your stuff now, but we think you owe us more!
“I’d like to share with you a letter from the Bishop and Diocesan Council of The Episcopal Church’s (TEC) Diocese of the Rio Grande. But first, a little background so that you can appreciate the letter in all its fullness.
This time two years ago, approximately 80% of the parishioners of St. Mark’s on-the-Mesa (TEC) left the parish and formed Christ the King Anglican, Albuquerque, NM (Anglican Church in North America). When those parishioners left the parish, the Diocese of the Rio Grande, and the Episcopal Church, they left everything… they walked away and began a new life together as Anglican followers of Jesus Christ at Christ the King Anglican Church. …
Fast forward two years to August 31, 2011 (about three weeks ago). The congregation’s rector, the Rev. Roger Weber, former priest at St. Mark’s, received this letter from TEC Bishop Michael Vono of the Diocese of the Rio Grande…”
– Canon Phil Ashey of the American Anglican Council shares the tale of this extraordinary request made to a congregation which had left the TEC.
Introduction-to-Synod videos
Here are three brief videos from the ACL aimed at helping understand how local churches relate to the Diocese and the Synod of the Diocese as they serve and worship the Lord Jesus.
1.) Phil Colgan – What is the Standing Committee?
2.) Karin Sowada – How to prepare for Synod.
3.) Rick Smith – The Church and the Diocese.
4.) Archie Poulos – Connecting, Evangelising, Enfolding – Diocesan Mission Priorities.
(Our thanks to Mark Earngey for preparing these.)
Books Christians should read
Michael Horton of The White Horse Inn was asked for the names of five books (other than the Bible) all Christians should read. In 60 seconds, here’s his answer. You likely haven’t read some of these. (h/t Tim Challies.)
John Richardson reviews ‘Sydney Anglicans and the Threat to World Anglicanism’
John Richardson has posted on his blog an article he wrote for New Directions. It’s another review of Muriel Porter’s book ‘Sydney Anglicans and the Threat to World Anglicanism’.
2011 ACL Pre-Synod meetings
The Synod of the Diocese of Sydney is a large gathering and its many procedures and functions can seem bewildering.
As a service to the Synod, the Anglican Church League is pleased to invite Synod members to these pre-Synod meetings to –
• understand how Synod works
• discover how to make a contribution
• and hear about some of the key issues coming up at Synod this year.
Choose one of these locations:
Monday 26th September, 7:30pm
Naremburn Anglican Church (Merrenburn Avenue)Tuesday 27th September, 7:30pm
St John’s Parramatta (195 Church Street)Wednesday 28th September, 7:30pm
St Michael’s Wollongong (Church Street)
Join us for an evening which will help us to be more informed and purposeful as we together serve Jesus through the Synod.
Deciding… Yet Undecided
“The strategy behind Williams’ address was not to promote his views on homosexuality directly, but to reflect on the process by which moral decisions in general should be made – not so much to play the game, so to speak, as the more ambitious task of actually trying to define what the playing field should look like.
And this is the enduring significance of his address thirteen years later as he continues to promote ‘indaba’ and ‘listening process’ strategies which focus on the process of decision making…”
– Charles Raven, author of Shadow Gospel, reviews a book on Archbishop Rowan Williams’ theology of moral decision-making – at SPREAD.
Use of Social Media during meetings
“I enjoy social media. I have recently commenced using Twitter (@tasbishopjohn). I have had this blog for some time. I am also on facebook, and I am a major user of the diocesan website.
I guess I am a fairly outgoing, social being and my experiences with social media have been enriching. I intend to continue in conversation through using them.
I believe that the essential principle in the use of social media is that we are to be Christlike…”
– Bishop of Tasmania, John Harrower, has some helpful thoughts on using social media. (And worth keeping in mind at our upcoming Synod!)
Hope for council estates
Oak Hill has posted a brief and encouraging video of what drives one of their independent students working in a council estate in South West London. May the Lord raise up more like him.
Reflection on 9/11 Ten Years On
“I was there on September 11.
Judy and I were living three short blocks from the twin towers. We had awakened that morning to clear blue skies and the sparkling waters of New York Harbor. But it was not to last.
We felt the shock when the first tower was hit. We heard the scream of the second jet flying low overhead and the sonic boom that followed when the south tower was hit. We experienced the shaking and the midnight darkness when the first tower collapsed. We saw the dust and ash and the paper on the streets and felt the eerie silence later when we were allowed to leave the area. …”
– John Mason writes at SydneyAnglicans.net. He is the Senior Minister of Christ Church New York City, and was previously the Rector of St. Clement’s Mosman.
What we believe
The message at the heart of Christianity is really quite simple…