Archbishops: Installed or enthroned?

“It is all about a seat! A ‘cathedra’ is the proper name for the seat of a Diocesan Bishop or Archbishop, hence cathedral is the building in which it is placed. Its origin is the Greek, then Latin, word for a seat with arms. Why a seat? What should a bishop do when sitting in their seat?

The seat is often described as a ‘throne’, hence the words, ‘enthronement’ or ‘enthronisation’. This implies that the bishop rules the diocese from this seat, a symbol of authority. …”

– At The Melbourne Anglican, Dr Peter Adam explains how much evidence he finds in the New Treatment for “Diocesan Bishops as rulers with thrones”.

He also shares some “New Testament instructions which are relevant to a bishop’s role”.

Image: St Helen’s Bishopsgate.

Musician glorifies God

“From outback North West Australia, singer/songwriter Tenielle Neda puts scripture to song so that God is glorified and his Church is built up.

Tenielle recently moved from Karratha to Geraldton where she is part of the Cathedral congregation with her young family. She is a blessing to the Christian community, having produced a catalogue of songs that bring bible truths to bear on the heart and mind. …”

– Good news and photo from the Diocese of North West Australia.

Diocese of Armidale Synod begins tomorrow

The Synod of the Diocese of Armidale meets this weekend (Friday 26 – Sunday 28 September).

“Bishop Mark Calder (Bathurst Diocese) will join us on Sunday to preach at our concluding service.”

– It’d be good to uphold the Anglican churches of that diocese in your prayers.

Presidential Address — Bathurst Synod 2025

Video of Bishop Mark Calder’s Presidential Address to the Bathurst Diocesan Synod today is now available.

– Watch here.

See also:

Archbishop Kanishka Raffel’s sermon at last night’s Synod service – and his Saturday morning Synod Bible Study.

Thanksgiving in Sydney Synod as Bathurst Diocese shares what God has been doing

On Tuesday of this week, three representatives of the Diocese of Bathurst were welcomed to the Synod of the Diocese of Sydney – Bishop Mark Calder, Dr Warwick Baines (Registrar) and Adrian Ahern (Chancellor).

As shared with the Diocese of Bathurst via their Facebook page –

“Bishop Mark reported on all that God has been doing among us for his glory as we prioritise Sharing Jesus for Life.

He also thanked the Diocese of Sydney for their generous financial and prayerful support, which makes such a significant difference to the ministry here.

Finally, he shared the great need for more gospel workers, noting this would wonderfully maximise Sydney’s financial investment.”

 

These slides were used by Bishop Calder in his presentation –

The summary and further images can be seen at the Bathurst Facebook page.

The Archbishop of Sydney, Kanishka Raffel, travelled to Bathurst Cathedral to speak at their Synod service tonight.

It’s all a great reminder to pray for the eternal welfare of the men and women of this huge area of NSW, and for the churches of the diocese as they are committed to Sharing Jesus for Life.

Thanks to the Diocese of Bathurst for the images.

BCA Information Night – October 13 2025

The Bush Church Aid Society is holding an Information Night on Monday October 13.

Perhaps you, or someone you know, would like to find out more about BCA’s work across Australia, with the possibility of going.

Click the image above, or go to this link and scroll down to “Nation Wide”.

(Via the Diocese of Bathurst Facebook page.)

Matthew Gospel hits the stage

“An engaging stage dramatisation of the gospel produced kingdom fruit in Geraldton.

Geraldton Anglican Cathedral member Eugenie Harris produced The Matthew Drama, a 90-minute retelling of the Gospel of Matthew with a cast of 15 local Christians.

‘More than 200 people attended the two performances which happen as theatre-in-the-round so the audience is central to the action,’ she said. …”

– Encouraging news from the Diocese of North West Australia.

Anglican Diocese of North Queensland enters receivership

“A church diocese covering a third of Queensland has entered receivership to help fund ongoing compensation payments to victims of child sex abuse.

The Anglican Diocese of North Queensland covers 75 congregations, from the Torres Strait to Mackay and west to Mount Isa. …”

– Report from ABC News.

(The ABC report does not outline how this move will affect parishes, but notes that “schools and aged care service providers” will not be directly impacted.)

Image derived from the North Queensland Diocese website.

Top Centre issue 2 for 2025

Top Centre is the News Publication of the Diocese of the Northern Territory.

The latest issue was published online a few weeks ago, and it’s ideal reading to fuel your thanksgiving and intercession for the churches and people of the Northern Territory.

At the moment the Diocesan Synod is meeting in Darwin (prayer point!) – so it’s good to read Bishop Greg Anderson’s article on the Diocese’s Strategic Plan –

“This is the last in my series of articles on the Diocese’s strategic plan. I have written before about our vision statement “Growing communities in the love of Jesus Christ” and about our values: love, unity in diversity, hope, integrity, courage, safety and faithfulness to our foundations. Now, finally, I want to say something about our two strategic objectives: “Promote the gospel” and “Provide effective support structures around ministry.”

Those two objectives are about what we plan to do, under God, to achieve the growth in our churches and Christian engagement with our neighbours across the Northern Territory which we all hope for.

Promoting the gospel starts with having at the very centre of all our ministries the good news that Jesus Christ is Lord. How much unpacking we have to do to get all the meaning from those four words, not to mention why we think this is a good strategy! …”

As well, there’s an article reflecting on Greg’s decade as Bishop, another on more Andersons moving to the Northern Territory, and much more.

Download your copy of this issue – On this page, click on the button “Download latest issue”.

And you can download the Strategic Plan poster and booklet from the Diocesan website.

Talks from the Bathurst Diocesan Camp 2025

Dr. Mark Earngey spoke at the Bathurst Diocesan Camp earlier this month. His theme – “Why Church?”

Bishop Mark Calder has now posted the videos for your encouragement and edification.

Bathurst Winter 2025 Newsletter

The Winter 2025 edition of the Bathurst Diocese Newsletter is now up on their website.

Plenty to pray about, including –

“Grenfell – you’re invited to join many in welcoming the Rev’d Steve and Mrs Clenda Wockner as we commission Steve as their new minister – Sat 23 Aug, 11am.”

– Download the newsletter for your interest – and your prayers.

Discover serving in Bathurst Diocese

From the Diocese of Bathurst –

INFORMATION ZOOM EVENING
12 AUGUST @ 7:15 PM – 8:30 PM

Are you interested in ministry opportunities and pathways outside of the city? Are you curious about what it actually looks like to minister out west? Are you keen to hear about what it is like to SHARE JESUS for LIFE in the Bathurst Diocese?

Join us for an Information Zoom session and have all your questions answered! All welcome!

– Interested? Register at this link.

(And even if you are not able to go, you can still pray for the progress of the gospel and the building up of Christ’s people in Bathurst.)

Bathurst Diocesan Prayer Diary — July 2025

The Bathurst Diocesan Prayer Diary has been updated with the latest points for prayer and thanksgiving.

Maybe you could use it to help you pray for the work of the gospel in this huge area of New South Wales.

“Please pray for our diocese as a whole, that the Lord
…would fill us with the knowledge of his will through all the wisdom and understanding that the Spirit gives, so that we may live a life worthy of the Lord and please him in every way.
See Colossians 1:9-10”

Download here (PDF file).

Moving to a five-day working week for the welfare of clergy

“We have always made clear to our new clergy that their stipend is not a salary for ‘services rendered’, but rather an allowance so they don’t have to work for a living.

Set free from that burden, they are able to adopt that particular lifestyle which is ministry—that is, giving of themselves to shepherding their sheep and seeking the lost…”

– Bishop of Bathurst Mark Calder shares his thoughts on the advantages of having a five-day working week for clergy.

Mark Short elected Primate of the Anglican Church of Australia

From John Sandeman at The Other Cheek:

“Mark Short, the Bishop of the Canberra-Goulburn diocese, is the new Primate – titular head – of the Anglican Church of Australia.

He is an alumnus of Moore Theological College, and was elected as Bishop of Canberra in 2019. Prior to that, he served as National Director of the Bush Church Aid Society from 2011.

His election means that the head of the Australian Anglicans is once more an evangelical. Short has been involved in EFAC, the Evangelical Fellowship in the Anglican Communion. …”

– More here.

Read some of Mark’s addresses on the Canberra Goulburn Diocese website.

Update:

The Melbourne Anglican has this story.

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