Challenge and Choice — Australian Anglican Schools Today

“The book Challenge and Choice – Australian Anglican Schools Today by Dr Ruth Edwards was launched in Brisbane on Wednesday 3 December.

The work represents a significant attempt to not only survey the history of these religious schools but to map something of the future that lies before this sector.”

– See the story from the Diocese of Canberra & Goulburn.

Moore College redevelopment under way

Archbishop Glenn Davies has ceremonially started the demolition of 1 King Street, Newtown, as part of Moore College’s redevelopment of their site.

“The new building will provide a new purpose-built facility for the College, including a library and research centre, more teaching areas, research and study spaces and a large auditorium enabling the entire student body to come together in one space.”

– from Moore College. See also SydneyAnglicans.net.

Anderson Consecration photos

Adam Burgan of the Diocese of the Northern Territory has shared these photos he took at Dr Greg Anderson’s consecration as Bishop on Saturday.

Greg Anderson consecrated in Darwin

“Dr Greg Anderson has been consecrated as the sixth Bishop of the the Northern Territory. …”

– Report at SydneyAnglicans.net. Photo by David Höhne.

We understand nearly 500 from around Australia were present at this morning’s service.

Greg Anderson Consecration to be streamed live from Darwin

Dr. Greg Anderson will be consecrated as the next Bishop of the Northern Territory this Saturday, 29th November 2014, at 9:00am CST (GMT + 9.5 hours, i.e. 10:30am AEDT), in Christ Church Cathedral in Darwin.

Phil Zamagias in Darwin writes:

“Non-Darwin friends, if you would like to watch the Consecration service on Saturday morning I am going to attempt a live stream. It will be a basic, single camera broadcast but it should be a good way to virtually ‘be there’ for Greg and his family.

You will need to visit this link and create a free account so that you can view the live stream.

Be sure to click the ‘Follow’ button if you would like to get a notification when the stream begins.

Please feel free to pass this info on to anyone who may be interested and pray that it all works on the day!”

Northwest Network December 2014

The latest edition of Northwest Network, the newsletter of the Diocese of North West Australia, is hot off the press.

Download your copy (750kb PDF file) to inform your prayers for our brothers and sisters – and for those with whom they long to share the gospel.

“It has been a challenging few months. After our 7,500 km safari around the diocese Christine and I returned home for the School of Theology, followed by Synod. Then there’s the pressing issues which have required attention, including the finding of locums or new ministers. But in the midst of it all God’s faithfulness keeps returning, especially in those times when the pressure is intense, or the difficulties seem insurmountable. One of God’s blessings has been Peter Grice and his family – Peter will begin as the new dean of the cathedral in late January, 2015…”

– Bishop Gary Nelson.

Life and Ministry with Peter Jensen

Geoff Robson has conducted a “sweeping conversation with Peter Jensen, former Archbishop of Sydney, about life and ministry – including his favourite book of all-time, how he became a Christian, why he wanted to be a stand-up comedian, why he tries to emulate Billy Graham, and how he has found spiritual refreshment for the last five decades.”

– Take the time to read it here – and please remember to pray for Peter as he continues to serve Christ.

Moore College ends academic year

“Dr Thompson encouraged the graduating students to hold on to Jesus as they go through changes in their lives,

‘When people go climbing, seriously climbing, they often use rope. But those ropes need to be tied to something: something that will not move, something that will still be there when they get to the top… There is only one properly unchanging thing in all the universe. Lash your rope to Christ and know he is the same, yesterday, today and forever.’…”

– Report from the College.

Read the Principal’s Graduating Students’ Dinner Address.

Starting small: Phillip Jensen on starting The Briefing

Tony Payne asks Phillip Jensen about how The Briefing was started.

Bishop Ken Short obituary in SMH

“Bishop Ken Short had a number of significant roles in his lifetime and made a deep impact in each of them. He served as Dean of Sydney and Bishop of Wollongong and Parramatta, but was probably best known as Chaplain-General of the army and first bishop to the armed forces, which he became in 1979.

Despite his name, Kenneth Herbert Short was a tall man with a big smile, handshake and voice…”

– The Sydney Morning Herald has published this Obituary for Bishop Ken Short, written by Simon Manchester. (Photo: Ramon Williams.)

Simon Gillham to be Head of Mission at Moore College

“The Governing Board of the College has approved the Principal’s nomination of Rev Simon Gillham to join the faculty as Head of Department of Mission from 1 January 2016. Simon is a graduate of the College who is currently serving with CMS as Acting Principal of Namibia Evangelical Theological Seminary (NETS)…”

– Read the full announcement from Moore College. And SydneyAnglicans.net.

Chappo’s contribution to the Anglican Diocese of Armidale

“This weekend (8/11/2014) the good people of the Anglican Diocese of Armidale are celebrating their centenary.

Before 1914, the Armidale Diocese existed as the Diocese of Grafton and Armidale, which covered a huge amount of New South Wales from 1867 till 1914. Over the past 100 years the Diocese has undergone massive change, and as part of my 4th year program at Moore Theological College I had the opportunity to do a large research project on the diocese.

Specifically, I wanted to look into Chappo’s time in the diocese as I had hardly heard anything about his work there. What I found was deeply encouraging for my life and ministry. As the Armidale Diocese celebrates this weekend, feel free to get acquainted with our brothers and sisters of the north…”

– Tim Stevens writes on someone close to the heart of many in Australia and around the world.

Tears and Hope 2014

The annual ‘Tears And Hope’ service of healing for survivors of abuse is to be held at St John’s Darlinghurst, next Monday, November 3rd at 7:00pm.

Download a 1.3MB PDF flier to share with others, and pray that the service may help to bring comfort and healing.

The Briefing: The end of the beginning

“Back in issue #1 of The Briefing, in 1988, the feature article was entitled ‘Have Evangelicals lost their way?’ With this being our final edition ever, readers may be wondering: ‘Has The Briefing lost its way? Is there nothing left to say?’