Defence Sunday — 5 November 2023
Defence Anglicans has a video and some resources to help us pray for Defence Chaplains and those they serve.
This year, Defence Sunday can be observed on Sunday 5th or 12th of November.
Anglican Bishop to the Australian Defence Force, Grant Dibden, asks local churches to partner with the chaplains in prayer, and financially if possible.
A heart issue and skill deficit – addressing deep problems in Mission and Maturity – with Andrew Heard
From The Pastor’s Heart:
“A few weeks ago on The Pastor’s Heart we talked with Zac Veron and Raj Gupta about issues confronting Sydney Anglicans.
The National Church Life Survey shows a drop in newcomers from 9% in 2011 to 5.4% in 2021 – a more than ten year trend of fewer people joining church.
Plus there’s been a 7.5% drop in attendance between 2015 and 2019.
But it’s not just the Sydney Anglicans that need a wake up call. It’s most of us in Australian Evangelicalism.
And if you are a senior pastor watching from around the world – it’s highly likely that there will be a massive overlap between your problems and our problems.
Andrew Heard leads the large and influential EV church on the Central Coast of New South Wales. He’s also the key person behind the influential Reach Australia movement. And is a leader in the Fellowship of Independent Evangelical Churches.”
– A wake-up call. Watch here.
What is Reformation Day?
“A single event on a single day changed the world.
It was October 31, 1517. Brother Martin, a monk and a scholar, had struggled for years with his church, the church in Rome. He had been greatly disturbed by an unprecedented indulgence sale. The story has all the makings of a Hollywood blockbuster. Let’s meet the cast. …”
– At Ligonier Ministries, Stephen Nichols reminds us what it was about.
Howard and Dorothy Mowll – Global Anglican Pioneers
Published recently by Latimer Publications in the UK, “Howard and Dorothy Mowll – Global Anglican Pioneers” is sure to be of interest to many.
From the Latimer Trust website:
“God’s blessing upon the Diocese of Sydney in the election of Howard Mowll as its sixth Diocesan Bishop in 1933 is clearly evident in these pages.
Despite the inadvertent loss of his personal papers, the authors of this fine anthology provide an insightful and informative account of the ministry of Archbishop Mowll across four continents. These scholarly chapters provide a rich tapestry of the outstanding leadership of Mowll not only in the Diocese of Sydney but throughout Australia and beyond. His zeal for a robust theological education, energetic evangelism and a vision for youth ministry made a formidable impact on Evangelical Anglicanism in Sydney.
This book is long overdue in celebrating the legacy of Howard Mowll, arguably the most significant and effective Archbishop of Sydney of the twentieth century.
Glenn N Davies, Archbishop of Sydney 2013-2021.”
The book has its origin in the 2021 Moore College Library Day and is edited by Erin Mollenhauer, Senior Archivist and Special Collections Librarian at Moore College’s Donald Robinson Library.
It’s available direct from Latimer Trust – and also via these booksellers.
New College Lectures 2023 with Chris Watkin
The recent 2023 New College Lectures with Assoc. Professor Chris Watkin have now been made available on their YouTube channel.
The topic: A Christian Critical Theory?
See also:
Interrogating identity: From philosophical theories to Biblical wisdom – with Chris Watkin
The Wandering Bookseller is also having a sale this weekend
The Wandering Bookseller has 25% off all stock this weekend (28-29 October 2023).
(Again, this is not a sponsored post, but we thought you might be interested.)
Matthias Media warehouse spring clean
Matthias Media is having a “spring clean” sale for orders within Oz. Many books and tracts on special. Ends 31 October.
They’re not sponsoring this – we just thought you might like to know.
Freedom23 — Freedom for Faith National Conference
The 2023 Freedom for Faith National Conference is coming up at Village Church Annandale on Monday 6th November.
Details and booking from their website.
Are You Listening to Yourself?
“A verse that encourages me greatly, in preaching, is Jesus’ words in John 10:27:
My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me.
When we communicate God’s word, it gathers the sheep, the sheep come to listen, they recognise Jesus voice.
Its encouraging, because God’s truth attracts God’s people, so when I am discouraged by small numbers, this verse reminds me – God’s people listen to God’s voice, and want to hear Him speak to them through His word, and faithful preaching. …”
– At The Expository Preaching Trust, Jim Mobbs encourages preachers to listen to their own sermons.
Picture: Detail from “The Evangelist”, a painting of Arthur Stace preaching in the open air, by artist David Lever.
The promise of life — some thoughts on 2 Timothy
“What is the primary role of the Christian pastor?
The question might yield a variety of different responses today. For the definitive answer, however, we need look no further than 2 Timothy.
As Paul sends final instructions to his ‘child’, his own execution imminent, priorities are set forth with unequivocal lucidity.”
– St. Helen’s Bishopsgate has published the latest audio reflection on 2 Timothy by Dick Lucas. An encouragement for pastors as well as members of churches. 14 minutes.
(Dick turned 98 last month. Do give thanks for him and pray for him in his continuing ministry of gospel encouragement.)
Related – from ten years ago:
Judgement, Salvation & the Living and the Dead – Dick Lucas Sermon Jam
Halloween Interview – Ian Carmichael
“Ian Carmichael is a publishing consultant for Matthias Media and author of the publishing company’s first Halloween-themed tract.
The ACR caught up with Ian to hear about some of the opportunities we can take advantage of at this time of year. …”
– Read the interview at The Australian Church Record.
D. A. Carson’s Theological Method
“In 2011, the Scottish Bulletin of Evangelical Theology published my article ‘D. A. Carson’s Theological Method.’
In 2023, Crossway has published a book of essays by D. A. Carson in which I update my 2011 article, and Crossway has graciously granted me permission to upload a PDF of my updated essay on my website…”
– See Andy Naselli’s updated article at his website.
George Whitefield College newsletter October 2023
The October 2023 newsletter from George Whitefield College in Cape Town has been released.
For your encouragement and your prayers, download the PDF file here – or see select articles on their website.
Interrogating identity: From philosophical theories to Biblical wisdom – with Chris Watkin
From The Pastor’s Heart –
“We traverse the historical landscape of identity, starting from Descartes’ cogito ergo sum or ‘I think, therefore I am,’ to the current age where identity has become a commodity.
Chris Watkin, the award-winning author of Biblical Critical Theory, helps us understand possessive individualism, starting with John Locke, expressive individualism, and how both terms help us grapple with modern identity formation.
Plus, we probe into the delicate balance between dignity and humility in the context of human identity.”
Related:
Andrew Moody reviewers Biblical Critical Theory at The Gospel Coalition Australia.
The book is available from Christian booksellers, including The Wandering Bookseller.
My Greatest Recommendation for Kids – Best News Ever
“Recently, a friend was telling me about a poll they conducted among the parents at their church. One question asked about whether the parents read the Bible regularly with their kids at home. They were surprised to find that only about ten percent of families did. Anecdotally, I’d say that seems a pretty fair representation of churches more widely. …”
– At The Australian Church Record, Jocelyn Loane has some practical help.
(Available from The Wandering Bookseller.)
What we believe
The message at the heart of Christianity is really quite simple…