A Crisis of Existential Crises: Outside of Christ, Everything is an Existential Crisis

In the first segment of his The Briefing for 18 June 2025, Albert Mohler points out why so many people are terrified of ‘existential crises’.

Related:

He’s Still There and Still Not Silent – Revisiting Francis Schaeffer’s Classic – Douglas Groothuis at The Gospel Coalition.

“Shortly after becoming a Christian in 1976, I read Schaeffer’s books, starting with The God Who Is There. Not long after, I read He Is There and He Is Not Silent, and I’ve read it many times since.

I developed a Christian worldview through his books, and Schaeffer gave me an intellectual courage that has only grown over the years.”

Archdeacons commissioned in Bathurst Diocese

This morning, a special service was held at Holy Trinity Dubbo to commission The Ven Andrew Thornhill as Diocesan Archdeacon, and The Rev James Daymond as Archdeacon of the North West.

Video here.

It’d be good to continue to pray for these men and for the continued work of proclaiming Christ is this huge area of NSW.

The night the Diocese, the College and the ACL all almost imploded

Moore College Principal Dr. Mark Thompson gave the keynote address at the Anglican Church League’s 2025 Annual General Meeting on 12 June 2025.

The meeting was held in the T.C. Hammond Common Room – an appropriate venue, as you will see from his address.

The talk is more than just a fascinating glimpse into the history of the Diocese of Sydney.

Take the time to listen (31 minutes) – and good to share:

________

Or you can download a PDF file of the talk, including footnotes, with much thanks to Dr Mark Thompson. (file updated 14 June)

Top image:
David John Davies – Principal of Moore College 1911–1935 with the Moore College crest (from Moore Centenary History by Marcus Loane), and Everard Digges La Touche (image from Sydney Anglicans by Stephen Judd and Kenneth Cable).

TMA introduces Archbishop-elect Ric Thorpe

The June 2025 issue of The Melbourne Anglican introduces Archbishop-elect Ric Thorpe:

“The Archbishop-elect of the Diocese of Melbourne has urged its members to pray for strength to be aligned with God’s purpose as the Church entered a new season.

London Bishop Ric Thorpe was elected Anglican Archbishop of Melbourne at an election synod comprising more than 700 clergy and lay leaders in May.

He called on Melbourne Anglicans to ask God to strengthen the diocese’s foundation and their spiritual lives during the transition. …”

– Read here.

See also:

Can the new Melbourne Anglican Archbishop revive a shrinking church? – Bishop Ric Thorpe is interviewed in this 16 minute segment from ABC’s The Religion and Ethics Report, published 11 June 2025.

Helping out at Condobolin

From the Diocese of Bathurst:

“Bishop Stuart Robinson, along with Janie, began their 6 months in Condobolin [on Saturday] afternoon with a full church, joyful singing (thanks to the West Wyalong crew!), and warm fellowship.

They were blessed to have members of the local Presbyterian church join them, and everyone enjoyed an ‘Italian banquet’ of pizzas in the rectory after the service. Please pray that many will return and that this time will be Christ-honouring and kingdom-building.”

– via the Bathurst Diocese Facebook page. For your prayers.

Survey results: How often do Rectors preach in the Sydney Diocese?

“In January 2025 the ACR emailed out a survey to all Sydney Anglican Rectors – numbering just over 250. The survey was short and uncomplicated to ensure a good number of respondents. Below are the results for the survey and the questions that were asked.

The catalyst for the survey followed some anecdotes about preaching frequency amongst our Rectors, especially amongst those Rectors who serve in what might be called a large church.…”

– Mike Leite, Editorial Director of The Australian Church Record, shares the results of the ACR’s survey.

How to face dying with joy and confidence — rather than fear and dread

Bishop of Bathurst Mark Calder shares this message in his HOPE25 series.

He speaks from John 11:17-45. He also mentions Titus 3:5.

Good to watch, even better to share.

Ministry mentor takes on training role

“Archbishop Kanishka Raffel has announced that the Rev Mat Yeo will be the new Director of Ministry Training and Development, starting in 2026.

‘I’m delighted that Mat has accepted my invitation,’ Archbishop Raffel said. ‘Mat has been involved with recently ordained clergy as a Ministry Mentor and has a passion for seeing people recruited, equipped and supported in local church ministry in our Sydney Anglican fellowship.

‘He has been a fruitful and much-loved pastor at Hurstville Grove for over twenty-two years and will bring to this role a wealth of experience in training and equipping people for ministry.’ …

In paying tribute to MT& D Director Gary O’Brien, who retires at the end of the year, the Archbishop said ‘I’m deeply thankful to the Lord for the work that has been done by Gary O’Brien over the last 11 years.’…”

– Story from Russell Powell at SydneyAnglicans.net.

Did Melbourne just see a sign?

Murray Campbell at Mentone Baptist Church in Melbourne reflects on events in Melbourne, including the election on Saturday of Bishop Ric Thorpe as the next Anglican Archbishop –

“Melbourne needs more churches. Melbourne needs 100s more Christ-centred, Gospel-believing and preaching, people-loving churches.

I’m not an Anglican so feel free to take my observations with the same volume of water found in a baptismal font (bad joke). My Melbourne Anglican friends are overwhelmingly encouraged and thankful for all candidates and the outcome, even as the Diocese looks over troubled waters. Like all our Christian denominations, much deep work of theological and spiritual reform needs to take place. Theological liberalism and moral progressivism is like sand in the car after a day at the beach …”

– Read it all here.

Bishop Ric Thorpe from London elected Archbishop of Melbourne

News from The Melbourne Anglican:

“The Anglican Diocese of Melbourne has today announced the election of the Right Reverend Dr Richard (Ric) Thorpe.

The Administrator Bishop Genieve Blackwell was pleased to announce the decision following the deliberations of the Archbishop Election Synod.  The synod, comprising approximately 760 people of the diocese, consisting of clergy and lay parish representatives, began its work on Friday 23 May.

Archbishop-elect Ric, currently serves in a special episcopal role as Bishop of Islington in the Diocese of London.  It encompasses diocesan, national and international responsibilities, held together within the Gregory Centre for Church Multiplication with a focus on church planting.

Ordained in the Diocese of London, Bishop Ric did his undergraduate theological studies at Wycliffe Hall, Oxford University and his doctorate through Asbury Theological Seminary, Kentucky United States.

Archbishop-elect Ric says, ‘We have come to love Melbourne over the years, as we have served and ministered in the diocese, in other denominations, and across the nation.’

Dr Thorpe’s passion is ‘seeing the whole Church of God thrive, enabling churches to be healthy, new congregations planted, and struggling churches revitalised.’

The Chair of the Board of Nominators, Dr Jenny George, described Archbishop-elect Ric as ‘an experienced and visionary leader. Ric has been personally involved in revitalising small or shrinking parishes and planting new churches.  His commitment to developing future leaders is seen in his local and global training of church planters and other leaders.’

He will succeed Archbishop Philip Freier who retired in February after serving 18 years in office, once it completes some internal processes to confirm his election.

Bishop Thorpe will be installed as Archbishop in St Paul’s Cathedral later in the year at a date to be advised.  Bishop Blackwell will continue to serve as Administrator until that time.

The Right Reverend Genieve Blackwell
Administrator of the Melbourne Diocese.”

– Source.

Here’s some background from The Diocese of London.

And a video by Bishop Thorpe from The Gregory Centre for Church Multiplication. (Above image from the video.)

From 2015: New church plant bishop will be Rev Ric Thorpe – by Ruth Gledhill gives some more background.

Please pray that the outcome of this election will be that the churches of Melbourne will be greatly encouraged to lovingly and clearly proclaim Christ across that city, and the Lord will be glorified as men and women turn to him.

Prayer reminder: Diocese of Melbourne Election Synod begins tonight

Here’s a reminder to uphold in prayer the members of the Melbourne Synod as they meet tonight (Friday), tomorrow – and longer if necessary – to elect the next Archbishop of Melbourne.

They value and seek your prayers.

We will aim to post any public news on our website as it becomes available.

Joint statement on the NSW floods

Joint statement on the NSW floods

Our hearts ache for the people of the Mid-North, Hunter and other areas of New South Wales suffering in the current flood crisis.

We pray for the tireless work of emergency workers and first responders as they guard and save lives. May God give them strength and endurance. We cry out to God for families grieving the loss of loved ones, homes and businesses. May they find comfort and hope.

We give thanks for the countless acts of neighbourliness, kindness and help, and for the resilience of these communities.

As Anglicare, Samaritans and local churches gear up for the recovery operation ahead, may God bless their efforts to share the love and compassion of Christ with a hurting community.

May those who suffer cling to the hope of restoration through the God who makes all things new.

The Most Reverend Kanishka Raffel, Archbishop of Sydney and Metropolitan of NSW

The Right Reverend Dr Peter Stuart, Bishop of Newcastle

The Right Reverend Dr Murray Harvey, Bishop of Grafton

23 May 2025.

– via SydneyAnglicans.net

The Christian’s daily battle

For the grace of God has appeared that offers salvation to all people. It teaches us to say “No” to ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives in this present age, while we wait for the blessed hope – the appearing of the glory of our great God and Saviour, Jesus Christ.  (Titus 2:11-13)

“Paul’s letter to Titus takes as one of its central themes ‘knowledge of the truth that leads to godliness’ (Titus 1:1).

The apostle is eager to show the relationship between the ‘grace of God that has appeared’ in Jesus, and the ‘self-controlled, upright and godly lives’ that are the fruit of God’s grace in the lives of those who ‘wait for the blessed hope’. …”

– Archbishop Kanishka Raffel writes at SydneyAnglicans.net.

(Also in the print edition of Southern Cross magazine, May-June 2025.)

The foreigner, the fatherless, the widow

“As I read the Bible, I’m struck by God’s heart for the most vulnerable.

In the Old Testament, we repeatedly see God’s tender care for the foreigner, the fatherless, and the widow. These groups were particularly vulnerable, not just because they lacked money and possessions, but because they had lost important relationships – and the security, provision, and love these relationships bring.

Throughout the Bible, God calls his people to care for these groups of people. And today, around the world, compelled by Christ’s love, Anglican Aid’s partners are taking this to heart. …”

– Anglican Aid’s Canon Tim Swan introduces their End of Financial Year Appeal.

Praying for the Melbourne Election Synod

The Election Synod of the Diocese of Melbourne meets on Friday and Saturday of this week (23 and 24 May) to elect a new Archbishop.

They ask for your prayers in this process.

Last week, the Board of Nominators released their report to Synod which contains the names of the Candidates for election. The list of Candidates is not public. As the Board of Nominators explains:

“The information about the Candidates is confidential to Synod members. 

We are conscious that when candidates agree to be part of the process there is the potential for disruption to their current and ongoing ministry. Therefore we offer them confidentiality as a gesture of love and care for them and their pastoral ministries. The names of the candidates are not public and we ask that Synod members keep them confidential to other Synod members only.

However, candidates themselves have always been free to share information about their own candidacy with others.…”

Lists circulated online suggest that four candidates will be considered by the Election Synod.

The Board of Nominators has published this prayer:

“For the members of our Synod, as it elects a new Archbishop:

Loving Lord Jesus, who seeks for your people to be one,
as you and the Father are one: grant to the members of our Synod
the same unity of heart and spirit that is your will
as they elect a new Archbishop for our Diocese.
Enable them to discharge their weighty duties with care,
each member voting without fear or favour for the person
who, before God, they believe ought to be chosen as our chief pastor.
For you are alive, with the Father and the Spirit, now and forever. Amen.”

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