We are Repaganizing
“Christians have always been unusually vehement in their disapproval of the killing of infants, whether born or unborn, and their legal regime prevailed until the mid-twentieth century when we experienced a religious shift that will probably be understood by future historians as a Second Reformation. …”
– Several Christian bloggers have linked to this thoughtful article at First Things by Louise Perry.
Tim Charlie’s writes, “This article is not written by a Christian but still shares an interesting perspective on what society will lose as it turns from its Christian roots back to paganism.”
Caring for missionaries when they are not doing so well
From The Pastor’s Heart:
“We send out missionaries. But sometimes it doesn’t work out. There’s a forced return home. Dashed hopes. And all sorts of understanding and support – from the mission agency, supporter churches, pastor friends and others.”
If your church supports missionaries, this will be very helpful in caring for them, under whatever circumstances they may return.
ACR Journal for Synod 2023
A special issue of ACR Journal – from The Australian Church Record – is out in time for Sydney Synod.
Download your copy from the Church Record’s website.
2023 ACL Synod Dinner Address — Archdeacon Simon Flinders on The Importance of the Local Church
Archdeacon Simon Flinders gave the address at tonight’s ACL Synod Dinner in Sydney.
His topic? The Importance of the Local Church.
Take the time to listen to his most encouraging address:
or download the audio by right-clicking here.
The transcript is available as a PDF file.
This would be great to share with members of your church.
Related:
The Robinson-Knox view of Church — Interview with Chase Kuhn.
Scams… and how to avoid the worst sort
“Have you ever received an SMS telling you to urgently pay a toll?
An email informing you of an incredible investment opportunity?
An unsolicited telephone call apparently from a reputable organisation asking for your personal details?
Or a Facebook friend request from someone whose name you don’t know and whose somewhat provocative profile photo you suspect is probably not a photo of them at all?
If so, you have almost definitely been the target of a scam. …”
– At The Gospel Coalition of Australia, Stephen Liggins wants Christians to avoid the most dangerous scams of all.
Resources for Sydney Synod members 2023
Sydney Synod meets this month. Here are three resources from the Anglican Church League for Synod members. The updated Synod Survival Guide will be especially helpful for new Synod members.
- The Synod Survival Guide by Dr Robert Tong, updated – free download.
- The ACL Synod Dinner – Hear Simon Flinders’ encouraging address.
- The ACL Synod Briefing Podcast – now online!
Latest posts below.
Preaching the Doctrine of the Church
“In April 1979 I attended the Pastors’ Conference held at St Andrew’s Cathedral Sydney, which coincided with the Billy Graham Crusade being held at Randwick racecourse at that time.
One of the speakers was John Stott, and I remember him saying that if he were going into ministry at that time he would spend the first year preaching on the doctrine of the church.
Much has changed since, but the vital relevance of that doctrine has become more apparent. Post Covid, our people have become more used to staying away from the Sunday gathering and following church online, either our services or someone else’s…”
– At The Expository Preaching Trust, David Cook argues that understanding the nature of the Church is vital – and, very helpfully, he suggests a series you could use or adapt.
Photo: David Cook preaching to a live congregation at St. Helen’s Bishopsgate in London, August 2022.
Pride will destroy you, your ministry, and people around you
“You may be familiar with this famous saying, ‘Pride goes before destruction, a haughty spirit before a fall’. It comes from the Bible, Proverbs 16:18.
We have mixed feelings about pride in Australia. On the one hand, we like to run over any tall poppy with the lawnmower. And yet pride is splashed across Instagram and Facebook pages all the time: pride in achievement and success, pride in people, pride about identity. Pride has become an idea or slogan to embrace and celebrate. …”
– The Australian Church Record has republished a sobering article by Murray Campbell.
Can we redeem Halloween?
From The Pastor’s Heart:
“How should Christians respond to customs, traditions, and stories that have associations with false religions, demonic powers, and evil?
Could a church building be covered in cobwebs and used as an invitation to come inside?
Would you run a Halloween event for the kids of your church so they don’t feel like they are missing out? Or would you run something as an outreach to connect to the neighborhood?
Is it about the occult and to be avoided at all costs and denounced – or is it kids in funny outfits and junk food?
To talk Halloween, kids and churches our guests are:
Craig Roberts, CEO of Sydney’s Anglican Youthworks and former minister of Neutral Bay Anglican Church.
Kristen Young, Director of student and community care at Sydney Missionary and Bible College.”
Songs for Today – Doubt
“One of the things I love about the Bible is its earthy realism. It understands the world we live in – the good and the bad, the grief and the joys. It also understands how we feel about life’s injustices especially when we see people who mock the notion of God, enjoying success. Nothing ever seems to go wrong for them.
And as well as the unfairness we often feel, there are the realities of droughts and famines, floods and fires, earthquakes and ruthless autocratic rulers. Why doesn’t God step in? It seems so out of character, if he is all-powerful and truly good. …”
– In his latest Word on Wednesday reflection at the Anglican Connection, John Mason looks at Doubt.
The ACL’s Synod Podcast now online
Hear the ACL’s 2023 Synod Briefing Podcast.
Our 2023 Pre-Synod Briefing Podcast aims to serve members of the Sydney Synod by highlighting the likely substantive issues and main debate points.
It’s also relevant for anyone who wants to stay informed and pray for the Lord Jesus to be honoured and churches strengthened through the decisions of the Synod.
Listen here:
or right-click on this link to download your copy.
Timestamps:
0:00 – Introduction to the Podcast
2:36 – Introduction to Synod and Order of Business
5:25 – Discussion of Elections
7:30 – M4 (Purpose and Priorities)
10:40 – M6, B5 & B6 (Money Bills)
23:00 – B8 (Ministry Standards Ordinance)
24:45 – B1-B3 (General Synod Ordinances)
27:50 – M12 (Review of Governance Policy)
32:35 – B4, M16, M17 (Pastoral Supervision)
36:38 – 13.4, 13.5, and M20 (Discussion on The Voice)
And here are some relevant links:
Sydney Synod 2023 – with reports and business papers.
The Synod Survival Guide, by Dr. Robert Tong.
About the Anglican Church League.
How to join the Anglican Church League.
A Review of Rosaria Butterfield’s Five Lies of Our Anti-Christian Age
“Here is one way to summarize Butterfield’s thesis: Don’t believe our culture’s lies about God’s design for men and women.
She presents five lies and explains, ‘What all these lies have in common is they don’t think that God had a plan and purpose when he created men and women’ (p. 290). At the root of the lies is what she calls ‘our nation’s reigning idol, a formidable monolith represented by the letters LGBTQ and the symbol +’…”
– At American Reformer, Andy Naselli reviews Rosaria Butterfield’s latest book. It will be available in Australia later this year. (Reformers bookshop, for example, has it on pre-order.)
Moore Matters Spring 2023 now online
The Spring 2023 edition of Moore Matters from Moore College is now available in parishes – and also online. The theme for this issue is Trusting the Bible.
Head of Church History, Dr Mark Earngey, contributes an article, “The Bible in the English Reformation” –
“Lord, open the King of England’s eyes!”
These were the dying words of William Tyndale who earnestly desired that the ploughboy would grasp as much of the Scriptures as would the priest.
There years later his prayer was answered in abundance when King Henry VIlI authorised the Great Bible in 1539. Every parish in the realm was ordered to purchase it and have it physically chained to a convenient place, such as the lectern. It was great, not only because of its size, but also because of its authority. In its Preface, Archbishop Thomas Cranmer said, “this book … is the Word of God, the most precious jewel, the most holy relic that remains on earth.”
Cranmer knew that the Bible needed to be central to his Reformation agenda. He believed that the Holy Scriptures were God-breathed (2 Tim. 3:16; 2 Pet. I:21) and that they judge the thoughts and attitudes of our hearts (Heb. 4:12). Thus, the sharpness of the written Word of God could cut out those errors of the church which had crept in through the Middle Ages. The penetrating clarity of the written Word of God could assist men, women, and children to understand the will of God for their own lives. …
Humility at the Heart of Mission
From Moore College’s Centre for Global Mission:
“What does it mean to ‘clothe yourself with humility’ in cross-cultural ministry and mission work
For most of the last 200 years of evangelical mission history, the gospel has been taken from wealthy and powerful countries to the majority world. Sometimes this missionary expansion has been marked by decidedly more pride than humility. This has disfigured the gospel and distorted expectations about what God promises his people. Humility must be at the heart of mission.
In this public event Dr Simon Gillham will be unpacking what the Bible says about the humility of the Lord Jesus and any who would serve in his name. We will also explore the particular relevance of humility as a virtue in cross-cultural engagement and Christian mission.”
– Watch here.
What do Anglican clergy think about ‘Christian’ Britain, sexuality, and clergy morale?
“At the end of July, Kaya Burgess, the Religious Affairs correspondent of The Times, sent out an email to 5,000 Church of England clergy, inviting them to complete a questionnaire giving their views on a whole range of issues, including whether Britain is a ‘Christian’ country any more, the Church’s teaching on sexuality, their own morale, and the leadership of the Church. …”
– At Psephizo, Dr Ian Paul provides some much-needed context and balance to the survey of Church of England clergy.
“This really is the worst way to conduct an opinion poll or survey. …
I completed the survey in August, but with just about every section I wanted to say ‘But that is a false dichotomy!’ or ‘Yes, but not for the reason you think’.”
What we believe
The message at the heart of Christianity is really quite simple…