Should I do a PhD in theology?
“I’m asked this question every so often, so here’s some questions that help answer it. …”
– Some helpful tips from Moore College’s Dr. Lionel Windsor.
Reading into discipleship: Knowing vs knowing of God
“Do you ever feel a sense of guilt or embarrassment when someone mentions one of the great Christian classic works and you’ve never even looked at it? …”
– Kirsten McKinlay points out that knowing about God – and knowing God – are very different things. Read it all at GoThereFor.com.
10 Point Sermon Checklist
Peter Grainger shares some simple questions you can ask about your sermon – at Unashamed Workman.
Church Society series for Lent
We’re now well into the season of Lent.
Whether or not you personally observe Lent, it’s always a good time to mediate on the great truths of Scripture.
Over at Church Society’s blog, Lee Gatiss has been posting Lent reflections:
So far (earliest first), the posts are:
A Revolutionary Act: Saying the Creed.
The Author of Perfect Happiness.
– with more to come, at Church Society.
Dealing with Guilt and Shame
“Western culture regards guilt and shame as overwhelmingly negative experiences. The catch-cry of our times is “believe in yourself”, and ridding ourselves of guilt and shame is part of the near universal pursuit of positive thinking. Yet, for many, guilt and shame are all-too crushingly real and inescapable. We feel their weight even as we try to banish them with positive spin.
In our first Centre for Christian Living event of the year, Faculty member Dr Dan Wu will explore what the Bible has to say about guilt and shame – what they are, and how they can be both negative and positive experiences for Christians. Most importantly, Dan will unpack how these experiences relate to the defining reality for all human life – the glory of God seen in the cross of Jesus. …”
– Read about Moore College’s Centre for Christian Living event coming up on Wednesday 7th March.
Growing godly kids #2: Teaching children to pray
“Speaking to our heavenly Father should be the most natural thing for a child of God. However, our own sinfulness often gets in the way of trusting God and speaking readily to him. It is a quaint idea to imagine children will naturally develop a vibrant prayer life, but the reality is that they struggle just like adults.
Therefore, a vital aspect of growing children as disciples of Christ is helping them to grow as praying disciples of Christ. …”
– At The Australian Church Record, Pete Tong continues his series on Growing godly kids.
Submissions to Religious Freedom Review closing Wednesday 14 February!
Michael Kellahan, from Freedom for Faith, posted the above video last week.
From the Religious Freedom Review Expert Panel’s web page:
“The Expert Panel welcomes submissions from the public addressing the matters set out in the terms of reference until 14 February 2018. You can make a submission below by filling out the form and/or uploading a file.” (emphasis added)
Considering making a submission to the Panel? Time is running out!
Here are some relevant links:
Submission to Religious Freedom Review – Assoc. Professor Neil Foster shares the submission sent in his personal capacity.
My submission to the expert panel on religious freedom – Dr Lionel Windsor.
Be heard on religious freedom – Bishop Michael Stead.
Please Speak Up For Religious Freedom – Australian Christian Lobby.
Growing godly kids #1
“Many Christian parents hope and pray that their children will grow in faith but don’t often know what practical steps they can take to help this.
Over the next few articles we’re going to discuss some little steps we can all take to deliberately disciple the children in our families and churches by training them to pray, read the Bible and be active in the life of the church. …”
– The Australian Church Record has published the first of another series of helpful articles by Pete Tong.
My submission to the expert panel on religious freedom — Lionel Windsor
“The Expert Panel on Religious Freedom in Australia is taking submissions until 14 February 2018. Here’s my submission …”
– Dr Lionel Windsor, lecturer at Moore College, and one of the ACL’s clerical vice-presidents, has shared his submission – at Forget the Channel.
Please don’t forget the deadline for submissions.
Related: Assoc. Prof. Neil Foster’s submission.
Blindspots & Barriers
“Since 2011 Jane Tooher has been Director of the Priscilla & Aquila Centre (P&A): a centre whose stated mission is to benefit women and to encourage their ministries in partnership with men.
We chat to Jane about possible blindspots and barriers to effective complementary partnerships in ministry. …”
– The Australian Church Record has published this interview with Jane Tooher.
Michael Kellahan next guest on The Pastor’s Heart
Freedom for Faith’s Michael Kellahan is the next guest on The Pastor’s Heart – to be streamed live on Facebook tomorrow (Tuesday 30th January 2018) at 2:00pm.
From Dominic Steele:
“With submissions to the Ruddock inquiry into Freedom for Religion being given amazingly tight deadlines, Michael’s been responsible for co-ordinating a ‘heavy weight’ response to the inquiry on behalf of a series of leading Protestant churches.”
Watch live, and also see or hear replays at The Pastor’s Heart on Facebook – or thepastorsheart.net.
The Art of Reading Aloud — Clifford Warne
After seeing the video from David Suchet, we were reminded of this classic audio file – The Art of Reading Aloud – by broadcaster and master storyteller Clifford Warne. At SydneyAnglicans.net.
A wonderful resource which deserves to be widely heard.
(Image: Clifford Warne and Toto on Anglican Television’s Sing Me a Rainbow, with thanks to Reason for Hope on Vimeo.)
David Suchet on reading the Bible well in public
David Suchet (well known for his portrayal of Poirot) recently spoke at Oak Hill College in London about reading the Bible well in public.
In this video, he shares his conviction and some tips.
Bargains at Matthias Media – until Thursday 1st February 2018
Worth checking out, including three great books by Chappo for only $2 each! Buy a bunch and give them away.
(For Australian orders only, and while stocks last.) At Matthias Media.
Preparing for the Ruddock Review
“The Ruddock Review has the potential to produce a legal framework, at the federal level, which will undergird a new societal compact for the religious freedom of people of faith and their organisations in an increasingly irreligious society. …
The terms of reference for the Panel are broad, and crucially include the interaction of Commonwealth and state law. …”
– Check the Freedom for Faith website to be informed about submissions to the Ruddock Review.
What we believe
The message at the heart of Christianity is really quite simple…