Funeral service for Bishop Donald Robinson Tuesday 11:00am
The funeral service for Bishop Donald Robinson will be held at 11:00 am on Tuesday, September 11, at St. Andrew’s Cathedral in Sydney.
A Drought Reflection
“I teared up! The farmer’s dozer was broken down, the diesel mechanic had returned to town for parts and the farmer’s chainsaw filled the bush with noise as he brought down branches suitable for his sheep to eat.
Over a sandwich we talked of assistance but the response was like that of others, ‘There are people a lot worse off than us!’ Five thousand dollars a week I am told to keep his sheep alive but his wife made clear that they’d take no help. …”
– Bishop of Armidale Rick Lewers writes with a plea to the farming communities and those who would seek to help them.
Donald William Bradley Robinson (1922-2018)
“We at Moore College rejoice today that our dear brother and father in the faith, Archbishop Donald William Bradley Robinson AO, has been called home to be with Christ, ‘which is better by far’.
The debt we owe to this faithful disciple and Bible teacher is truly incalculable. Hundreds of thousands of people worldwide, many of whom do not even know his name, have been shaped in their reading of the Bible by the approach to biblical theology that he pioneered at Moore College in the 1950s and 1960s. Graeme Goldsworthy’s Gospel and Kingdom and Vaughan Roberts’ God’s Big Picture have taken that approach around the world.
Donald William Bradley Robinson was born on 9 November 1922, the son of a clergyman in the Diocese of Sydney. He studied classics at Sydney University, graduating in 1946, and theology at Queen’s College, Cambridge, graduating in 1950. …”
– Moore College Principal Dr. Mark Thompson adds his tribute to Bishop Donald Robinson.
Read it all at Theological Theology. (Also published at the Moore College website.)
With much thanks for Bishop Donald Robinson
“One of the towering figures of Anglicanism in the 20th century and former Archbishop of Sydney Bishop Donald Robinson, has died at the age of 95. …
The first to pay tribute was the current Archbishop of Sydney, Glenn Davies, who described the contribution of Bishop Robinson as ‘immeasurable’.
“We have lost a giant in the world of New Testament scholarship” Dr Davies said in a statement.
“Bishop Robinson, who lectured at Moore Theological College for more than 30 years, influenced a generation of future ministers and scholars. His innovative approach to Biblical Theology is one of his many lasting legacies.
While a scholar of great intellect, he was also a man of great humility and grace.” the Archbishop said.”
– SydneyAnglicans.net has the first tribute.
Bishop Robinson’s funeral service will be held at 11:00 am next Tuesday, September 11, at St. Andrew’s Cathedral, Sydney.
(Top photo courtesy Dr Chase Kuhn, via Dr Mark Thompson. Bottom photo from the 1982 Sydney Diocesan Year Book.)
Anglican Future starts with ‘Gospel Confidence’
“The opening of the Anglican Future Conference in Melbourne has begun with a stirring call for Christian leaders to defy secular stereotypes of the church as a dying force. …
The conference, with the theme “Grace and Truth in Uncertain Times” is organised jointly by the Evangelical Fellowship in the Anglican Church (EFAC) and the Fellowship of Confessing Anglicans, Australia and New Zealand, chaired by the Bishop of Tasmania Richard Condie.”
– Russell Powell reports at SydneyAnglicans.net.
St. John’s Cathedral Brisbane ‘celebrating and supporting’ Brisbane Pride Festival
St. John’s Cathedral Brisbane, the ‘mother church’ of the Diocese of Brisbane, has announced it will be “Celebrating Pride and supporting the Brisbane Pride Festival throughout September”.
Announced via the Cathedral’s Facebook page.
Trusting in God in drought

“Be strong and courageous” sang Colin Buchanan, but the words of one of his most famous kids’ songs were being applied to all ages as St Andrew’s Cathedral filled with people wanting to pray for an end to the worst drought for more than a century.
The singer’s poignant songs about the Australian bush, farmers and faith hit the right note as the congregation was told of the struggles of those living and working in rural and remote areas of New South Wales. …
– Full story from SydneyAnglicans.net.
See also: The Archbishop of Sydney’s Anglican Aid Drought Appeal.
Denham Court Anglican Church celebrates 180th birthday
“As the face of Denham Court continues to evolve each year, one beautiful building has stood the test of time.
Parishioners at Denham Court Anglican Church celebrated the historic building’s 180th birthday on Sunday. …”
– Local news from The Macarthur Advertiser.
Photo: Denham Court Anglican.
Hitting the right note
“A music ministry stream is to be added to Moore’s Advanced Diploma of Bible, Mission and Ministry course.
… designed for music ministers, for all who serve in music ministry and those preparing and leading church services …”
– News from Moore College.
Archbishop Davies presents proposal for NZ Anglican future

“Archbishop Glenn Davies has addressed some of the leaders of the Anglican Church in Aotearoa, New Zealand and Polynesia (ACANZP), proposing ‘Distinctive Co-existence’ as a solution to the issues facing the Church after their Synod’s decision to allow the blessings of same gender relationships. …”
– Read the full story at SydneyAnglicans.net.
Be sure to read Archbishop Davies’ A PROPOSAL FOR THE ANGLICAN CHURCH OF AOTEAROA, NEW ZEALAND & POLYNESIA (PDF file – may download to your computer – Alternative link.).
Depending on Others
“O that it would rain! I admit to not knowing a whole lot about sheep and cattle and seasonal crops but I have been a person for sixty years and I’ve been farming people vocationally for thirty years of my working life.
I hope that doesn’t sound inappropriate and if it does, please forgive me. But like a farmer who hates to see his stock in poor condition, I am a person who hates to see any of God’s people in a similar condition. Sadly, those two things go hand in hand in times of drought. …”
– Bishop of Armidale, Rick Lewers, writes on his diocesan website.
Preferred new Anglican Bishop chosen for Christchurch — name secret
“A preferred candidate has been chosen as Christchurch’s new Bishop – but their name will remain a secret until a vote by the church’s governing body.
The involved and legal process to determine a new Bishop for the city began after Victoria Matthews stood down from the role in May.…” – The Press, NZ.
Statewide meeting to be held to take on Tasmanian Anglican Church’s proposed property sales
“A coalition of parishioners protesting the planned sale of Anglican Church property around the state will band together in Campbell Town on Sunday.
This will be the first statewide meeting of regional groups under the banner of Save Our Community Soul. …”
– Story from The Advocate.
Anglicare opens new community pantries in St George and Sutherland Shire
Stocked with household pantry items, Anglicare Sydney’s Mobile Community Pantry… will be arriving at Rockdale, San Souci and Southerland Anglican churches.”
– story from The St. George and Sutherland Shire Leader.
Have we lost evangelism? with Phil Colgan and Craig Schafer
“A good friend tells you when you have something stuck between your teeth just before the photograph is taken.
Scotland’s David Andrew Robertson was a guest on The Pastor’s Heart a few months ago and is a good friend.
In an interview with Australian Church Record, having spent three months in Sydney, he’s had some significant things to say about the Sydney Anglican Church and asks have we gone off the boil on seeking the lost saved? …”
– Take the time to watch Phil Colgan and Craig Schafer discuss the state of evangelism with Dominic Steele at The Pastor’s Heart.
And a response from David Robertson:
“This is a fascinating discussion about evangelism in Sydney – in response to this interview I gave to the Sydney Anglican magazine. This is from an excellent podcast called The Pastors Heart. hosted by Dominic Steele. I found it very encouraging to hear pastors and church leaders take seriously this issue.
I contrast these Sydney Anglican brothers with what I hear from Anglicans here (Rico Tice resigning from the Archbishops commission on evangelism, Kelvin Holdsworth complaining about the roads being closed for a cycle race in Glasgow, the Leeds diocese facing bankruptcy, or the endless attempts to impose LGBT ideology upon the church), and I am heartened by what I hear. (at a personal level it was good to have people take one seriously and not just shrug their shoulders or shake their heads!).
Those of us who are not Sydney Anglicans (or even Australians!) could learn a great deal from this conversation – I loved the line ‘You can’t convert the public square, you can only see people converted’. …”



