Sunday morning encouragement
With thanks to Rob Smith and St. Andrew’s Cathedral Sydney.
Sunday morning encouragement
With thanks to Emu Music.
Expository Preaching Trust expands
David Cook writes:
“I am delighted to let you know that Janet Riley is to join the Trust as an encourager, especially of women’s groups, one day per week in 2022. …
Janet joined the Faculty at SMBC as Dean of Women and Lecturer in Greek in 2008 where she had involvement in the College’s preaching groups, encouraging students by critiquing sermons. Janet is one of the most insightful critiquers of sermons I know.
I am delighted that Janet is joining us to encourage preachers, she will be involved with some of the existing ‘Lather and Shave’ preaching groups and will establish a Preaching Club for women. …”
– Read David’s announcement here.
Sunday morning encouragement
With thanks to Emu Music.
Illustrations: harlotry, professionalism, or audience engagement?
“Preachers are communicators.
We need to give attention to engaging the congregation; truth won’t do a person good if they are not awake to hear it. That is why introductions are so important. I try to engage people from my first words.
However, an interesting introduction will not sustain engagement for 20 minutes. …”
– David Cook, former Principal of SMBC, continues to encourage preachers in their calling.
At The Expository Preaching Trust.
God’s heart for all humanity
“Tensions are very high in our community at the moment. Take the illegal anti-lockdown protest on 23 July 2021 in Sydney. The protesters were expressing a fear and anger that’s clearly present amongst many. They were wrong to express it in this way. But you can feel it, can’t you? I know right now many of us are feeling the frustration. Some of us are in almost impossible situations: climbing the walls! And it’s hard. …”
– Lionel Windsor preached from 1 Timothy 2:1-7 at Moore College Men’s Chapel yesterday, 4th August, 2021.
A much-needed refocussing in these difficult days.
Southern Cross for August 2021
Once more, it’s not possible to distribute printed copies of Southern Cross magazine (in fact, it wasn’t printed this month) – but Anglican Media Sydney has posted the full issue online.
From Archbishop Kanishka Raffel’s column (Sickness, COVID and the hope to come, page 15):
“John’s Gospel records an episode in the life of Jesus that is both deeply personal and powerfully universal.
As far as Scripture records, Jesus never experienced illness himself. He did, however, experience hunger, thirst, the barbarous physical cruelty of flogging and crucifixion. And of course, Jesus experienced death.
Jesus is famously recorded on numerous occasions being swamped by people who were ill or suffering from some mental, physical or demonic affliction. His reputation as a healer was documented even by non-Christian ancient sources.
In John chapter 11 we are given a window into how Jesus was affected by the sickness of others. …”
Thanks to Jane Tooher, there’s also a profile of “A woman who did not give in to fear” – Dorothy Mowll. (page 16).
Read online (or download the PDF file) at magazine.sydneyanglicans.net.
Archbishop Kanishka Raffel’s message for churches for Sunday 1st August 2021.
Archbishop Kanishka Raffel has recorded this message for churches for their online gatherings on Sunday, 01 August, 2021.
We’re sure you’ll find it an encouragement.
Russell Powell has more at SydneyAnglicans.net.
Sunday morning encouragement
With thanks to Rob Smith and St. Andrew’s Cathedral.
The Importance of Children’s and Youth Ministry
“It is no surprise to ACR readers that Australia is radically and rapidly changing as a nation.
Whether or not it is accurate to describe the initial colonies or federated states as a “Christian” nation, it is abundantly clear that as we enter the third decade of the 21st Century, Australia is increasingly a post–Christian and post–church society.
In 2017 45% of Australians identified as Christian and 25% of Australians were described as ‘cold’ towards Christianity. Only 15% stated that they attend church monthly or more.
As confessional Anglicans, we are not specifically concerned with Australia being a culturally Christian nation. However, we are passionate about Christ and his Kingdom. We are passionate about making disciples of all nations by evangelising the lost and discipling the saints …”
– At The Australian Church Record, Tim Beilharz writes to encourage clarity on Children’s and Youth Ministry.
Sunday morning encouragement
With thanks to Emu Music.
A regular diet of Scripture
“Although it shouldn’t surprise us, hearing the word of God regularly can be surprisingly helpful as we navigate life, mid-2021 included. The frustration of another lockdown, separation from loved ones, the monotonous grind of working life, the fracturing of relationships, the sluggishness and mediocrity we feel as we struggle through online work, online school and online church – there is so much in life that can bring us down and take us away from the wonder, awe and majesty of knowing our great God and Saviour. …”
– Here’s some encouragement from Ben George at The Australian Church Record.
Sunday morning encouragement
With thanks to Emu Music.
Faith vs Reason
“A lot of people assume that faith and reason are irrevocably opposed. Reason is seen as the ability to think, understand and form conclusions logically. Faith is seen as belief in things based on conviction rather than proof. So, we find people very nervous of the merits of either faith or reason. …”
– In the latest (July 2021) Ministry Matters from the Church of Confessing Anglicans Aotearoa New Zealand, Bishop Jay Behan writes about the relationship between Faith and Reason.
Also in this edition, there’s encouraging news from South Auckland, “Gifts from God – the Formation of South Auckland Anglican Mission”, and “The Call to New Zealand” from Mike & Maddy Turner waiting to go to West Hamilton Community Church.
Fuel for your prayers.
GAFCON Chairman’s Pastoral Letter July 2021
“Every day we are challenged with troubling news from around the world. Of late, there is a further complication from the global pandemic. There is a mutation to COVID-19 called “Variation D.” In addition, some regions are having a much higher mortality rate than others.
Archbishop Laurent Mbanda has shared that a rise in cases has led to a new lockdown in Rwanda. Western Kenya and parts of Uganda are also being hit very hard. Archbishop Stephen Kaziimba reports that Uganda is in the midst of a 42-day total lockdown. …”
– GAFCON Primates Council Chairman Archbishop Foley Beach shares his pastoral letter to members of the GAFCON family for July 2021.
What we believe
The message at the heart of Christianity is really quite simple…