Peter Jensen: The Challenges of Global Anglicanism — The Mission of the Church
From Church Society:
“In this first of our 2022 Lent series on the challenges of Global Anglicanism, Rt Revd Peter Jensen former Archbishop of Sydney and General Secretary of GAFCON, speaks about the challenge of taking the good news of the Lord Jesus Christ to the world.
He identifies three challenges: identity, truth and relationships.”
Good to watch and share.
The Real Cost of Social Media
“Like it or not, we live in a world dominated by social media. While many older forms of media continue to exist and to exert their influence, all have in some way had to bow before the ascendancy of new media. It is pervasive, it is ubiquitous, it is addictive, and it is changing everything.
Yet because social media rose with lightning speed and so quickly became nearly omnipresent, we may already have lost sight of the influence it has over us. …”
– Tim Challies commends “Terms of Service: The Real Cost of Social Media” by Chris Martin.
Southern Cross magazine, March 2022
Anglican Media Sydney has just released Southern Cross magazine for March 2022.
Printed copies will be available in parishes from this weekend, but you can download a PDF version now at magazine.sydneyanglicans.net.
‘Two faces …?’ — an Ash Wednesday reflection
“Human relationships on the personal and international level must rate as the greatest challenge for the world’s future. The cold-blooded invasion of Ukraine reveals an oft unspoken issue that confronts us: flawed human nature.
The Russian author, Aleksandr Solzhenitsyn once commented, If only there were evil people somewhere insidiously committing evil deeds, and it were necessary only to separate them from the rest of us and destroy them. But the line dividing good and evil cuts through the heart of every human being. And who is willing to destroy a piece of his own heart?
Robert Murray McCheyne, who was a great influence on CS Lewis, observed, The seeds of all sins are in my heart, and perhaps all the more dangerously that I do not see them.
Let me make a suggestion. Today is Ash Wednesday, the first day of the season of Lent that continues through to the day before Easter Day. …”
– Read (or listen to) John Mason’s Word on Wednesday reflection for Ash Wednesday from the Anglican Connection.
Australian Anglicans and Sexuality — with David Bennett
From The Pastor’s Heart –
“Australian Anglican Evangelicals are praying that the Australian national Bishops meeting (in March) and the General Synod (8-16 May) will affirm the Bible’s teaching on marriage, sexuality and chastity.
The General Synod will consider three motions and two propositions affirming the Bible’s teaching on marriage and chastity. …
David Bennett is a former Sydney gay activist, now a Christian, and a member of Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby’s College of Evangelists.”
Albert Mohler on the Ukraine crisis
In his The Briefing for Monday 28th February 2022, Albert Mohler tackles what’s happening in Ukraine.
He provides an interesting and disturbing analysis, emphasising the importance of a Christian worldview.
Growing Gospel Workers
“Dear fellow-workers in ministry,
We face a pressing concern. In twenty years’ time, who will be the ministers of our churches or leading youth and children’s ministries? Who will be serving overseas as missionaries? Who will be our chaplains in schools, hospitals, prisons, universities, defence force, aged care, and sporting bodies? Who will be our church planters, here or abroad? …”
– At The Gospel Coalition Australia, Peter Adam addresses a pressing concern.
When Bec and Anton Visited Church (a Parable)
“‘This is it,’ she said. ‘Quick, turn left!’”
Bec had spotted the parking sign for Hope Church and was pointing at it as her husband turned on the indicator and started to turn.
As they drove slowly into the carpark she started to feel her stomach churn. She hadn’t been to church since she was a child more than 20 years earlier. …”
– Published last year – but with Easter fast approaching – here’s encouragement from Steven Kryger at Communicate Jesus.
Sunday morning Encouragement
After September 11 2001, Colin Buchanan wrote a song he has sung over and over again: The Lord is King. Always relevant.
And read Psalm 2.
“Now therefore, O kings, be wise; be warned, O rulers of the earth.” – Psalm 2:10
Colleague Critiquing
“In 2019, Dr. William S Dobbie, Professor of Public Policy of the Harvard Kennedy School in Cambridge, MA, USA, visited Australia to speak to the Independent School’s Association.
Dr. Dobbie spoke about the factors which encourage academic progress in students in middle teenage High Schools in the US.
A prominent factor was the availability of experienced colleagues to observe and give feedback to younger, newer teachers. Colleague feedback according to Dobbie was the best use of extra funding for education and did more to accelerate academic progress in students than many other more expensive options. …”
– At The Expository Preaching Trust, David Cook has further opportunities for growth and encouragement.
2022 — Year of 5fish
We’ve previously mentioned the Australian-produced 5fish app and website for sharing the news of Jesus in thousands of languages.
To mark the tenth anniversary of the app, GRN (Global Recordings Network) is calling 2022 “the year of 5fish” to help get the word out about these wonderful tools.
They are also looking for help in increasing the user interface translations from 19 to over 40. (The page linked above has a list of the user interface translations needed. Can you help?)
The 5fish app is a terrific resource to have on your device.
Archbishop of Perth Set to Proceed with Ordination that will “Split the Diocese”
“The Archbishop of Perth, Kay Goldsworthy, is set to proceed with an ordination later this week that, according to sources in the diocese, is set to ‘split the diocese’.
On the evening of Thursday 24 February 2022 Archbishop Goldsworthy will preside over the ordination at St George’s Cathedral where four candidates will be made deacon. …”
Photo: Archbishop Kay Goldsworthy, courtesy Diocese of Perth.
When you lose your salvation based on a technicality
“When coming across stories like these, it is very tempting to use them to bash Roman Catholicism or to win an argument. It is imperative to resist these sinful temptations…”
– At The Cripplegate, Jordan Standridge looks at a recent news story which illustrates the divide between the Church of Rome and biblical Christianity.
Is the future for the Church of England’s General Synod… Dan Andrews?
“The readiness of the English middle classes to sacrifice democracy on the altar of political correctness was evident at last week’s meeting of the Church of England’s General Synod.
It was during a debate on the dry subject of the CofE’s governance structures that the growing anti-democratic spirit on this largely democratically elected body asserted itself. …”
– At Anglican Ink, Julian Mann looks at some disturbing moves in the Church of England’s General Synod.
Archbishop Janani Luwum — martyr for Christ — remembered
Forty-five years ago today, Archbishop Janani Luwum, Anglican Archbishop of Uganda, Rwanda, Burundi and Boga-Zaire, was assassinated, apparently on the orders of Ugandan President Idi Amin.
The event was a turning point – both for Uganda and for the Church.
Read about Archbishop Luwum at the Church of Uganda website and give thanks for his courage in the face of death as well as for the resulting preaching of the gospel.
Photo of Archbishop Luwum with President Idi Amin (right) via this article at Taarifa Rwanda –
“The Archbishop was separated from his bishops. As he was taken away Archbishop Luwum turned to his brother bishops and said: ‘Do not be afraid. I see God’s hand in this.’
The next morning it was announced that Archbishop Luwum had been killed in a car crash.
His body was placed in a sealed coffin and sent to his native village for burial there.
However, the villagers opened the coffin and discovered the bullet holes.”
What we believe
The message at the heart of Christianity is really quite simple…