Save the Date for Moore College Sunday

“Moore College Sunday will be held on August 5th this year.

This is a very important day in the life of our College, when we partner with churches all over Sydney and beyond, inviting them to pray for the College, its gospel work, graduates, students, faculty and staff…”

– More from Moore. And further.

Reflections on Sydney Anglicanism: An interview with David Robertson

It’s often very helpful to hear the observations of a visitor.

“The ACR was privileged to hear from David Robertson, author of The Dawkins Letters and blogger at TheWeeFlea.com, on his recent visit to Sydney.”

Here’s one excerpt:

“This one kind of shocked me a bit. I came here expecting to learn a great deal about evangelism. I have learnt about church structures, praise, organisation and leadership training—all of which is essential. But in my limited experience I’m not convinced that evangelism is a strong point amongst Sydney Anglicans (or indeed some other Christians). There is a little bit of a sense of living on past glories and seeking to maintain legacies.

I have very much enjoyed reading about Australian Christianity, not least in Meredith Lake’s wonderful book on the Bible in Australia and the memories of ‘Chappo’, whose shadow seems to fall everywhere. It seems to me that he was an extraordinary and wonderful man who had a phenomenal evangelistic impact (along with others). But where are the ‘Chappos’ today?”

– Read it all at The Australian Church Record.

Societas 2018 now out — available in print and online

The Moore College annual student magazine is out now! The theme of Societas this year is ‘Resilience in Christian ministry – discovering your hidden reserves’. You will find articles on resilience and endurance in ministry, student stories and profiles as well as Christian reading recommendations from the College faculty. …”

– Details from Moore College.

Further surgery for Bishop Ivan Lee

“The Bishop of Western Sydney, Ivan Lee, is to undergo further surgery after a recurrence of cancer.

The news was disclosed in an emailed letter to rectors from Bishop Lee on Wednesday, 18th June. …”

– SydneyAnglicans.net has this unwelcome news on Bishop Ivan Lee (one of the ACL’s Vice-Presidents).

Please be do continue to uphold Ivan and Virginia in your prayers.

Three Anglican bishops face disciplinary action

“Newcastle Anglican diocese has initiated disciplinary action against three former bishops condemned by the child abuse royal commission for their roles in failing to stop ‘a group of perpetrators’ sexually abusing Hunter children for at least 30 years. …”

– Further fallout from the Royal Commission. (The Newcastle Herald.)

Time for churches ‘catch up with where God is’ on same-sex marriages – Dean of Brisbane

“The church communities of which I have had the privilege to be part, both as a lay and ordained person, have been blessing same-sex unions for years.

Rarely have these blessings been done in any formal or liturgical sense. But that is the overdue step that is now required. …”

– The Dean of Brisbane, Dr Peter Catt, claims that the church need to ‘catch up with where God is’. Article in The Brisbane Times.

Photo: St John’s Cathedral.

Diocese of the Northern Territory celebrates 50 years

In June, the Diocese of the Northern Territory celebrated fifty years of ministry.

The latest edition of Top Centre (PDF) has a special photo feature. A good reminder to pray for the salvation of many across the Top Emd.

Related: Nungalinya College in Darwin is seeking a new Principal. Applications close this month.

Diocese of Wangaratta pushes ahead with Same-Sex Blessings

“The Diocese of Wangaratta, at its recent synod, passed the following motion,

That this Synod:

… commends the pastoral value of the Bishop authorising a Form of Blessing [of same-sex couples] for optional use in the Diocese of Wangaratta … and  …

requests that the Bishop of Wangaratta ensure opportunity for the clergy and laity of the Diocese to engage in further discussion as part of the process leading to the potential Diocesan provision for blessing of civil marriages. …

It is hard to see [Bishop Parkes’] actions here as anything other than a direct challenge to the position that the Anglican Church of Australia has established both at a national synodical level and also amongst his fellow bishops.”

– Read the post at DavidOuld.net for more.

Canberra & Goulburn Episcopal Election Nominations Committee proceeds to next stage

“The Episcopal Election Nominations Committee… has now completed the consultation phase and the Diocesan Profile and Episcopal Selection Criteria. …

On 2 July 2018 we will be inviting Members of Synod to propose the names of persons for consideration as Prospective Nominees.”

– The Diocese of Canberra & Goulburn Nominations Committee is continuing their work, with an Election Synod scheduled for November. Do continue to pray for the churches of the diocese, and for those who will be proposed.

Reactions to the Gafcon 2018 Conference Statement from leaders in Europe, Africa, North and South America and Australia

The GAFCON Media Team have been busy, and have now uploaded this compilation of reactions from Anglican leaders in Europe, Africa, North and South America and Australia.

Most encouraging.

Australian Diocesan Bishops speak on the Gafcon 2018 conference statement

Archbishop Glenn Davies of Sydney, and Bishops Richard Condie of Tasmania, Gary Nelson of Western Australia and Ian Palmer of Bathurst, speak of their experience of #Gafcon2018, and reaction to the ‘Letter to the Churches’.

Bishop Richard Condie mentions the National Anglican Future Conference, coming up in September. Read about it here.

New Zealand church leaders react to the GAFCON 2018 Statement

Dominic Steele speaks with Michael Hewett, Dave Clancy & Jay Behan, and tell something of their story.

Parish confident St Matthias’ will be saved

“The Holy Trinity Anglican Parish [Launceston] is confident St Matthias’ Church will be saved from sale.

The Windermere church was chosen as one of 108 properties the Anglican Diocese of Tasmania plans to sell in order to partly fund its commitment to the national redress scheme for sexual abuse survivors. …

Speaking at a public meeting on Sunday, the Holy Trinity Anglican parish Archdeacon Dane Courtney said the community could successfully raise the amount expected to go toward the redress scheme to save the church. …”

– Report and image from The Examiner.

North West Network, June 2018

The latest edition (June 2018) of North West Network, the newsletter of the Diocese of Northwest Australia (the largest diocese in Australia — by geographical size) is now available.

Download the PDF file and use it to inform your prayers on behalf of the people of the North West.

Here’s a snippet from the latest issue –

“Meet Ross, a visitor to the North West. In August 2017 he left Perth needing a break from caring for elderly parents and looking for direction in his wayward life.

Ross stopped in Geraldton and went to the Bluff Point Anglican Church. That Sunday he heard God speak to him from 1 Peter 2:13-16,

Therefore, with minds that are alert and fully sober, set your hope on the grace to be brought to you when Jesus Christ is revealed at his coming. As obedient children, do not conform to the evil desires you had when you lived in ignorance. But just as he who called you is holy, so be holy in all you do; for it is written: “Be holy, because I am holy.”

Ross realised he wasn’t holy. He was cut off from God because of his sin. A church family invited him to lunch and over the course of three days Ross became a Christian. He went from spiritual death to life knowing that God’s love and forgiveness came to him through Jesus Christ. This was life changing for Ross.

But that’s not the end. …”

– Read the rest of the story on page 2 of the June 2018 NWN.

David Peterson on Romans — one of Albert Mohler’s ’10 Books Every Preacher Should Read’

“Dr Albert Mohler, theologian and current President of Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, sees the personal collections of preachers as an indication of their preaching priorities, style and engagement. In his annual book review for Preaching Magazine, he highlights the ten books that he believes essential in 2018 for pastors to be reading, reflecting on and shaping their own ministry now and into the future. …”

– Good news from Moore College.

← Previous Page — Next Page →