The Increasing Value of Christian Testimonies

“Traditionally, apologetics has been concerned with defending and commending the truth claims of the Christian faith. In the 1990s Christian apologist Alister McGrath, in response to changing social attitudes, suggested that apologetics should not just be interested in establishing the truth of the Christian faith, but also its relevance. People wanted to know whether the Christian message had any impact on their lives.

Today, the world has moved on again and we find ourselves needing to address a new situation: the view that Christianity is harmful. We now need to commend the Christian faith in terms of its truth, relevance and its goodness. …”

– At The Gospel Coalition Australia, Stephen Liggins has a helpful suggestion for our own personal interactions – and for church gatherings.

Some of our favourite Christmas resources

From Kirsten McKinlay at The Australian Church Record:

“Some of the ACR team share their favourite resources that have helped keep their eyes on Jesus in the busy Christmas season…”

– See them here.

Ministry in the Later Stage of Life

Earlier this month, Phillip Jensen spoke at a Prime Time event at Croydon Park.

He speaks to retirees (or those hoping to be): “We have the gift of a decade.”

See what he means – and what we can do with it.

How to be fun and not boring in Christmas preaching?

From The Pastor’s Heart:

“Planning Christmas Preaching.

What we are nervous about? What we want to get right? What has worked best? What hasn’t?

And how do we leverage the cultural moment?”

Dominic Steele speaks with Nigel Fortescue at Christ Church St. Ives and Pete Stedman at Norwest Anglican Church.

– Watch or listen here.

Duties of Church Membership (ii) — Church Society Podcast

“In 1954, the Church Assembly (the forerunner to General Synod) asked the Archbishops of Canterbury and York to write this short guide to the duties of church membership.

It is a simple list which could be given to every person in church, indicating what is expected of them as disciples of Christ and members of the congregation. Presumably in 1954, there were already concerns that not everyone who attended church understood these. It is certainly the case today that newcomers to church have no idea about many of them.

In this week’s episode of the podcast, Tony Cannon and Martin Lane discuss the final three items on the list: financial giving, upholding marriage and bringing children up in the Lord, asking what benefit they would bring to individuals and congregations if we were all more faithful in doing them. Forthcoming episodes will cover the other items on the list. …”

– The latest Church Society podcast.

Evangelising Adults through Song: Colin’s Calvary Road Show

“Beyoncé, Madonna, Adele, Bono, Slash, Ringo, Drake… how many artists are recognised by merely their first name? In Australian Christian circles, Colin has reached such dizzying heights. For thirty years his name has been synonymous with Christian kids’ music, and for good reason. He has perhaps evangelised more Australians than anyone else this century, recorded hundreds of theologically robust songs, many that will likely be sung for generations.

But did you know Colin also does great concerts for adults?…”

– At The Gospel Coalition Australia, Kingsley Davidson introduces Colin  Buchanan’s The Calvary Road LP and Show.

Photo: The Gospel Coalition Aust.

Chappo – Jesus claims to be the only way to God

In July 1979, John Chapman spoke at a one-off evangelistic meeting for the Sydney University Evangelical Union. His topic was “Jesus Claims to be the Only Way to God”.

John had a heavy cold, but that didn’t stop him preaching Christ with his characteristic clarity and humour.

Hear his 40 minute talk (9.7MB mp3 file). The audio quality is poor, but this recording will bring back many memories of a dear brother.

 

It’s also a great talk to pass on – and there are many road-tested illustrations which you could use yourself!

(1980 Photo: AFES. This is a re-post.)

Preparing Your Funeral

“The emptiness of secularism is never more evident than at the funeral.

On one occasion, preaching in the Moore College Chapel, my Principal, D.B.Knox, made the point that death, whether it be 1, 2, 20 or 30 years away, was relatively close for us all.

I am now at an age where I am told it is wise to have my Will handy, together with the Powers of Attorney and Title deed to our apartment. As well, I have included some guidelines for my funeral service, after all, this will be my last opportunity to testify to God’s saving work in my life. …”

– At The Expository Preaching Trust, David Cook shows us what it is like to think about your own funeral. If you trust in Christ, your funeral can be markedly different from the empty ‘celebrations’ we often see.

Is God disappointed with me?

“For a long period in my Christian life, I felt like God was always just a bit disappointed in me.

Sure, I believed he loved me enough to die for me, and I knew he forgave me for my sin, but I felt that perhaps God just tolerated rather than delighted in me. After all, Jesus calls us to be perfect as our heavenly Father is perfect (Matt 5:48). Christians are told to pray continually (1 Thes 5:17). Paul exhorts us to rejoice in the Lord always (Phil 4:4). I knew I wasn’t perfect, my prayers were certainly not continual and I failed to always rejoice, so I felt that God must be constantly displeased with me.

I walked around in a persistent state of low-level guilt. I assumed God gave a bit of a deep sigh and an eye roll each time he saw me fail again.

I wish I had been able to read Faith Chang’s heartwarming book, Peace Over Perfection, in those long years. …”

– At The Gospel Coalition Australia, Jocelyn Loane reviews Peace Over Perfection.

Older people and ‘positive, Jesus focussed, choices’

From The Pastor’s Heart:

“How do we proactively serve Jesus in retirement? How might we motivate our older church members to prioritise the work of the gospel?

Mike Raiter said on The Pastor’s Heart a little while back that retirement needs rethinking to avoid the sin of the sluggard.

Mike Raiter said downing tools at 65 and spending 20 or 30 years resting is a 19th century concept and is not Christian.

But what is the alternative?

Ying Yee is lead English Pastor of Chinese Christian Church Milsons Point in Sydney.
Carmel Vincent serves as training and events coordinator at the Ministry Training Strategy.
And Ian Carmichael was CEO of Sydney’s Matthias Media.”

– Watch or listen here.

Duties of Church Membership (i) — Church Society podcast

“In 1954, the Church Assembly (the forerunner to General Synod) asked the Archbishops of Canterbury and York to write this short guide to the duties of church membership.

It is a simple list which could be given to every person in church, indicating what is expected of them as disciples of Christ and members of the congregation. Presumably in 1954, there were already concerns that not everyone who attended church understood these. It is certainly the case today that newcomers to church have no idea about many of them.

In this week’s episode of the podcast, Tony Cannon and Steve Short discuss the first three items: discipleship and witness, prayer and Bible reading, asking what benefit they would bring to individuals and congregations if we were all more faithful in doing them. …”

– The latest Church Society podcast.

Preaching Mentors 2025

From The Expository Preaching Trust:

“The Trust is delighted to offer mentors to encourage faithful and engaging expository preaching.

Mentoring can take place on a weekly or fortnightly basis and consists of the mentor listening to Sunday’s sermon and then meeting via Zoom to give feedback.

Feedback consists of highlighting the positives of the sermon and then mutual investigation of how the sermon might be improved. …”

– Very helpful and encouraging. See the details from David Cook here.

Looking for Remembrance Day resources?

Defence Anglicans has some resources – including audio files – you could use – for Remembrance Day, 11th November, or perhaps in church on Sunday.

At this link.

Image: Defence Anglicans.

How an Australian church is changing Christian songwriting

“Over the last few decades, church music has shifted. Congregations sing fewer hymns and more praise songs. We hear fewer organ chords and more guitar riffs. We read lyrics that are less theological and more generic.

The move toward quicker and more casual songwriting means new music hits our Spotify—and CCLI—lists more quickly. But it also means Christians are sometimes singing repetitive choruses, nonsensical lyrics, or wrong theology.

That matters, because we sing those songs so often that we memorize them. We hum them in the car. We play them while we’re making dinner. We lean on them when hard times hit.

About 10 years ago, a church in Australia noticed these problems. They tried a different songwriting process. It was slow and clunky and never should have worked—and yet it did.

Odds are, you’ve sung their good theology in your church, in your car, or in your kitchen.”

– At The Gospel Coalition’s Recorded podcast, Sarah Eekhoff Zylstra introduces CityAlight to her audience.

See also the accompanying article.

Related:

CityAlight.

Launch 2025 for School Leavers– and ten years of Two Ways Ministries

From Phillip Jensen –

“Join us at Launch 2025!

Launch is the camp for school leavers keen to live for Jesus. It is where you will –

Our leaders are an awesome group of young women and men just a few years ahead of you! They are keen to help you work out what it means to align your priorities to God’s in this next phase of your life whilst having a fantastic time meeting others doing the same thing. Launch camp truly is the best investment you can make to think through how to live for Jesus!…”

– Download a flyer, and secure your spot.

Three nights away at Stanwell Tops – 3rd-6th February 2025.

It’d be good to advertise it at youth groups and church too, before other, less strategic, things are booked to occupy that time!

“The aim of Launch is to work out together what it means to live for Jesus in the transition to post-school life – years that are likely to be the most formative years of life.”

Related:

Two Ways Ministries is ten years old! – See the TWM website to learn more, give thanks, and do pray.

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