Advent Devotionals from Prayermate

If you use the free Prayermate app, there are a number of Advent devotionals you may find helpful.

Some are paid, some are free. See the current list – as well as links to download Prayermate – here.

Women in the Anglican Diocese of Armidale

From the Diocese of Armidale:

“At the recent Synod (September 2024), the Bishop presented a position paper on the Role of Women in the Anglican Diocese of Armidale.

In the paper he seeks ‘to explore the way Christian men and women can partner together in ministry, to grow and build Christ’s church in accordance with the Scriptures’ (Bishop’s synod address, p9).

This was in preparation for employing a Diocesan Deacon for Women. Everything is now ready for the role to begin in January 2025 – the new Deacon for Women will be announced in December…”

– This page has links to Bishop Rod Chiswell’s Position Paper here and his Synod Address.

Image: The Synod of the Diocese of Armidale.

Growth and Change and Preaching

“Recently during a week of study leave I had the privilege of reading Andrew Heard’s excellent new book, Growth and Change: The danger and necessity of a passion for church growth (Matthias Media, 2024). It receives the commendation of numerous respected pastors and scholars. D. A. Carson, reluctant to call any book the ‘best’ in its field, suggests in the Foreword that Growth and Change might serve as an exception to his rule.

Reading through it over three consecutive days, I found myself praising God for its zealous, ambitious, and what I believe to be a scripturally faithful perspective. …”

– David Burger writes at The Expository Preaching Trust. This is Part 1 of his reflections on the book.

Mothers Union Sydney annual seminar 2025

Mothers Union Sydney has details of their 2025 Annual Seminar coming up on Friday 28th February.

Speakers and topics:
Shining Like Stars – Anna Brotherson
Living in a Secular Age – Steve McAlpine
Equipping Our Children – Al James and Beth Braga

It’s free, but registration is required. Read about it and register here.

Rejoice in the Lord — John Mason reflects on Thanksgiving

“‘Thanksgiving’ in America is one of the delights Judith and I experienced when we moved to New York in 2001. Despite the evil events of September 11, 2001 people at our first Thanksgiving Dinner expressed their thanks for the way the Lord had used the events of 9/11 to build their trust in him.

When we think about it, thanksgiving is a theme that permeates the Bible – especially the Psalms. And while we do live in an uncertain world, there is still much for which to be thankful.

Come with me to Paul the Apostle’s Letter to the Philippians, chapter 4, verses 4 through 9…”

– As Americans celebrate Thanksgiving, the Anglican Connection’s John Mason reflects on what Scripture says on the topic.

Jesus was not born in a stable—and it really does matter!

From Ian Paul at Psephizo –

“What do you find most irritating about this time of year? The drawing in of dark and cold nights? The hideous adoption of that consumerist import ‘Black Friday’? People putting up Christmas trees when we have only just started Advent? Being urged to spend more money by means of schmaltzy human interest mini-dramas?

For me, it is the repeated but ill-founded claim that Jesus was born in a stable, alone and isolated, with his family ostracised by the community—despite the complete lack of evidence for this reconstruction. It will be repeated in pulpits, real and virtual, up and down the land, so I do not apologise for reposting once more this annual feature. …”

– See Ian’s argument here.

A wonderful gospel resource you might not have seen

We first posted this in 2022, but it’s worth revisiting since so few people seem to know about this valuable (free) resource:

“Have you ever been in a situation where you would love to leave a gospel message with someone but had nothing with you to give? Or the person didn’t read English and that’s the only language you have available?

Global Recordings Network has a unique solution to this dilemma: 5fish! …

The International Orality Network tells us that 4 out of 5 people in the world communicate primarily or exclusively through oral, not textual means. This means that only 1 out of 5 people are happy when you give them something to read – regardless of whether it is a book, magazine, or tract. Everyone else wants to listen or watch!

The Australian Bureau of Statistics conducted a survey in 2006 that informs us that approximately 7 million (46%) Australians aged 15 to 74 years did not reach the minimum standard required for individuals to meet the complex demands of everyday life and work in the emerging knowledge-based economy. Almost half of the Australian population would struggle to read and understand the Bible if you handed them one.”

– At AP (The Australian Presbyterian), Global Recordings Network’s Christine Platt makes a case for 5fish.

Watch the 75 second video below to see how 5fish works.

Consider sharing the video, and links to 5fish, with members of your church.

(We understand the app will soon be updated to add even more functionality.)

Being more intentional in discipleship

From The Pastor’s Heart this week:

“How do we encourage our staff teams and members to be more intentional in Jesus’ mission of making disciples?

Disciple making is entering into relationships to help people trust and follow Jesus – the whole journey from conversion through maturing and multiplication.

There’s a formal teaching component. But there’s so much more.

Peter Mayrick, from Partners in Ministry, says he wants us to be more intentional.”

– Watch or listen here.

Men Meeting the Challenge conference 2025

The “Men Meeting the Challenge Conference” 2025 is set for Saturday 29th March at The King’s School.

Rory Shiner and Dave Jensen are speaking. Details here.

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.

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