Archbishop Philip Freier elected Primate
The Archbishop of Melbourne, Philip Freier, has been elected Primate of the Anglican Church of Australia at the meeting of Electors in Adelaide today.
Russell Powell has the story at SydneyAnglicans.net.
Related: Boy from bush takes Anglican reins – News.com.au.
Challenges facing General Synod
General Synod begins in Adelaide this weekend.
Many of the documents and reports to be discussed have been placed on the General Synod website.
For example, the Report of the Viability and Structures Taskforce (Book 8, PDF file) includes this quote –
“In only three dioceses (Armidale, North West Australia and Sydney) are sufficient numbers of clergy being ordained to replace those in current active ministry.” [for the period 1995-2010.]
and the table on page 8-029 (page 34 of the PDF file) showing numbers of Anglicans, Clergy, and Attendance figures is worth pondering.
These figures raise questions as to why this is so, and what can be done to help the national church. And they provide encouragement to pray for all gathered for the General Synod, for godly wisdom in seeking to make Christ known.
Prayers for General Synod
General Synod meets in Adelaide from Sunday to Friday (June 29–July 4), at St. Peter’s College.
Please be encouraged to uphold in prayer all who are meeting (including those who will be electing a new Primate tomorrow), and in their travels to and from Adelaide.
The current Primate, Archbishop Phillip Aspinall, will end his term at the conclusion of the General Synod on Friday.
Graphic: ACA website.
Good news for the Top End
Reactions to the news that Greg Anderson has been elected Bishop of The Northern Territory –
Dr Mark Thompson, Principal of Moore College:
“It is very good news for the Anglican Church of Australia that Dr Greg Anderson has been elected as the sixth Bishop of the Northern Territory. Greg is a godly and gifted teacher and pastor. We are very sad to see him leave the College since he has made a terrific contribution as the Head of Department of Mission and a vital member of the community.”
“However his love for the Northern Territory and Indigenous people in particular is well known, so it is no surprise that he should be elected Bishop of the Northern Territory. We will continue to pray for Greg, Annette and the family as they prepare for this very important ministry”
Dr Glenn Davies, Archbishop of Sydney:
“This is an excellent outcome following a long and protracted process which makes the decision worth waiting for.
Greg has had experience working in the Northern Territory and has a very good knowledge of Aboriginal culture, deepened by his groundbreaking study of their music.”
And via SydneyAnglicans.net, Bishop-elect Anderson says,
“We’re grateful for the prayers of many as we look forward to the new situation. The Territory has a rapidly growing population, with many challenges, and also many opportunities, including opportunities for Christian ministry.”
“The situation of the indigenous churches is precious – people whose traditional culture is thousands of years old, and who are thinking hard about what it is to be both Aboriginal and Christian. A particular opportunity for Territory ministry is for people from different cultures to read the Bible together and be open to how God can correct our own culturally-shaped blind-spots through hearing one another’s perspective of what God is saying.”
Greg Anderson elected Bishop of The Northern Territory
The Head of the Department of Mission at Moore Theological College, The Rev Dr Greg Anderson, has been elected the sixth Bishop of the Northern Territory.
Here’s the announcement (PDF) from the Administrator of the Diocese, Bishop Clyde Wood:
23rd June, 2014.
The Administrator of the Synod of the Diocese of the Northern Territory is pleased to announce that The Reverend Doctor Gregory David Anderson has been elected as the Sixth Bishop of the the Northern Territory.
Greg Anderson has been the Head of the Department of Mission at Moore Theological College, Sydney since 2007. Prior to that he and his wife worked in the Northern Territory from 1995 as missionaries with the Church Missionary Society. Greg trained indigenous church leaders at Nungalinya College, Darwin, and was Indigenous Ministry Development Officer for the Diocese of the Northern Territory. His interest in the Aboriginal church began when he was researching the traditional music of central Arnhem Land.
Greg is married to Annette and they have four children. Apart from their church involvement, they are very involved in music activities and fitness.
Consecration and Installation dates have yet to be determined. We will provide further advice when available.
Yours in Christ.
Bishop Clyde Wood
Archbishop Aspinall to refocus on Brisbane
“In a few weeks my nine year term as Primate of the Anglican Church of Australia will come to an end…
The Board to elect a new Primate will meet in Adelaide on Saturday, June 28. I will then preside over the 16th General Synod from June 29 to July 4, immediately following which I will hand over the reins to the newly elected Primate.”
– Archbishop of Brisbane Phillip Aspinall reflects as he nears the end of his time as Primate – in the June – July 2014 issue of FOCUS from the Diocese of Brisbane. (Page 2, see also page 15ff.)
Renovated St Mark’s Library rededicated
“The library of St Mark’s National Theological Centre, Charles Sturt University, was filled to overflowing on Wednesday 4 June with students, friends and staff for its dedication by Bishop Stuart Robinson and the Revd Dr Jane Foulcher with prayer and thanksgiving…”
– from the Diocese of Canberra & Goulburn.
VCC Mourns Bishop John McIntyre
An exceedingly sad announcement from the Victorian Council of Churches –
“We stand with our Anglican Community today as we mourn the passing of a beloved, Bishop, Ecumenical companion, family man and friend.”
Please be encouraged to join in prayer for John’s family and friends, and also for the churches of the Diocese of Gippsland.
See also: The Gippsland Times.
Update: David Ould has some information about plans for John’s funeral. (It seems previous information was incorrect.)
Photo: Diocese of Gippsland.
Prayers urged for Bishop of Gippsland, John McIntyre
We’ve heard from several sources (among them. BCA on FaceBook, and David Ould’s website) that the Bishop of Gippsland, John McIntyre, is very ill. Please be encouraged to uphold John and his family in prayer at this time.
Sad news: VCC Mourns Bishop John McIntyre.
Presidential Address — Tasmanian Synod 2014
Bishop John Harrower’s Presidential Address from the 2014 Synod of the Missionary Diocese of Tasmania:
“The Aurora over the landscape of Tasmania draws from within me a deep longing that the Light of the World, our Lord Jesus Christ, will break into our lives and ministry in powerful and transforming ways. We yearn for His radiance to be fully known, that His rule and Kingdom will be on earth as it is in heaven.
Our State, Tasmania, needs the Church, our Anglican Church, and every Christian man, woman, boy and girl to fulfil our biblical mandate to proclaim the good news of God’s kingdom and to declare the purpose of God in the life, death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. …
Let me focus you – Do you still love Jesus?
Yes, I know! It is the question you have heard from me on many occasions. It is the question I ask the clergy. But on this occasion let me ask this of each one of us? Yes, each one of us gathered here on this occasion: Do you still love Jesus? Is this the focus of your life? Is your love for Jesus your inspiration, comfort and yearning? …”
Newcastle to renew Tri Diocesan Covenant
The ‘Tri Diocesan Covenant’ signed in 2008 by the Anglican Diocese of Newcastle and the Roman Catholic Dioceses of Maitland-Newcastle and Broken Bay will be renewed at a service in East Maitland next week, according to the Diocese of Newcastle website.
Oz and NZ News 11 May 2014
Here are a few items from around Australia and New Zealand…
- Anglican News, the newspaper of the Diocese of Canberra & Goulburn – May 2014, PDF.
- Keep Good Friday a holy day and holiday – Bishop Philip Huggins in Melbourne.
- The Diocese of Willochra, Bishop John Stead’s Synod address 2014 – PDF.
- NZ General Synod – Archbishop’s charge to be given over three days.
- Anglican hierarchy urged to approve same sex marriage – TVNZ – and video report.
New National Coordinator for Church Army
Here’s a press release from The Church Army:
The Board of Church Army in Australia is pleased to announce that Conrad Parsons has been appointed to the new role of National Coordinator.
Making the announcement, Ian Freestone, Chairman of the Board said, “we are very excited in this new season Church Army is in and believe Conrad is the perfect fit in our task of growing a network of evangelists across Australia.
The mission of Church Army is to honour and encourage evangelists across Australia in their work of making disciples. Church Army has recently undergone an overhaul of its strategic plan and the Board sees the appointment of a national coordinator as a key part of this new chapter.
“The work of the evangelist is an often misunderstood and undervalued gift to the Church and its mission. Our hope in implementing our strategic plan is to see over 300 evangelists networked together in dynamic and empowering relationships. Conrad comes to us with a wealth of experience as an evangelist, Christian leader and effective networker,” said Freestone.
Conrad Parson’s appointment will begin as three days a week beginning on May 1, 2014 whilst continuing to also serve part-time in his role as Pacific Regional Director for Youth for Christ International.
Photo: Church Army.
Northwest Network, May 2014
The latest issue of Northwest Network, the newsletter of the Diocese of North West Australia, is now out. You can download it here as a 1.9MB PDF file.
It’s a good way to keep in touch with – and to pray for – the churches of the North West.
New Bishop for Rockhampton
The Rev. David Robinson (pictured here with his wife, Jan) has been elected the twelfth Bishop of the Diocese of Rockhampton. He is presently Ministry Formation Coordinator at St Mark’s National Theological Centre in Canberra.
What we believe
The message at the heart of Christianity is really quite simple…