Presidential charge to the Synod of the Diocese of the Northern Territory

“Last synod, I mentioned six planks that I felt needed to guide what I, and we together, focussed on in the diocese, and I have written more about them in the issues of Top Centre since last synod. Now that I have been the bishop for nearly two and half years, I have had more time to think about and refine the areas that I believe need attention and resourcing.…”

– The Diocese of the Northern Territory has published Bishop Greg Anderson’s 2017 Synod Charge.

Read it, and be encouraged to pray for our brothers and sisters, and the progress of the gospel, in the Top End.

The Christ Church Cathedral saga

“Lost track of what is going on in the Christ Church Cathedral saga? These 19 questions will get you up-to-date. …”

– Over in New Zealand, six years after the earthquake, the future of Christchurch Anglican Cathedral is still undecided.

This article helps to explain why it is taking so long for the situation to be resolved.

Photo: cardboardcathedral.org.nz.

Greg Clarke and Roy Williams with James Valentine on ABC Radio

Bible Society Australia CEO, Greg Clarke, and author of “God, Actually”, Roy Williams, chatted with James Valentine about the Bible and the Sydney Writers Festival. Aired 23rd May 2017 on 702 ABC Sydney.

17 minutes. Listen here.

Photo of Roy Williams and Greg Clarke courtesy Bible Society.

Broughton Knox: servant of Christ Jesus

“More than a hundred years ago, Broughton Knox, Principal of Moore College from 1959 until 1985 and one of the most influential figures in the history of the Diocese, was born.

He was a man loved by many and yet he deeply irritated others. For forty years he was a dominant force in the Diocese of Sydney, shaping generations of clergy and impacting the core convictions of the diocese.

He shaped its theological college, Moore College, into a modern institution capable of making a significant contribution on the world stage. Then, after retiring from a record principalship of the College in 1985, he accepted an invitation to found another college in South Africa, George Whitefield College, which today is playing a strategic role in equipping the burgeoning churches on that vast continent.

What was it that animated Broughton Knox throughout his ministry and his life as a disciple of Christ? …”

– Moore College Principal, Dr Mark Thompson, writes about his renowned predecessor – at the Moore College website.

 

Installation of Archbishop of Adelaide — in pictures

Bishop Geoff Smith was installed as the fifth Archbishop of Adelaide last week.

The Diocese of Adelaide has posted some pictures.

Moore Theological College Open Week, May 8 – 12, 2017

Moore College is holding its next Open Week from Monday 8th May.

Click the image for a larger version, or go here for details of what’s on.

Bishop Greg Thompson to be farewelled

The Diocese of Newcastle is holding a Farewell Service for Bishop Greg Thompson.

Sunday 21st May, 6:00pm at Christ Church Cathedral, Newcastle.

Marriage booklets out

“More than 65,000 booklets discussing God’s plan for marriage in light of the current push for its redefinition are being distributed to Sydney churches.

The 20-page booklet opens up the question (which is also its title), What has God joined together? Jesus’ good message about marriage for Australia. The publication outlines the biblical view on marriage and answers some common challenges to that view in the context of the same-sex marriage debate.…”

– Story from SydneyAnglicans.net.

See above for Archbishop Davies’ video introduction to the companion website.

ANZAC Righteousness

“ANZAC Day reminds us that morally some wars have to be fought. Everyone must grapple with the issues of a just and moral war and the leaders of our nation need our prayers for wisdom.

ANZAC Day reminds us that in every age the reality of human sinfulness can become so deep that its lunacy, its terrorism, its attacks on the best of our humanity must be stopped.

ANZAC Day reminds us of the best of men and women in the fight for righteousness. Oh that all Australians would realise that when righteousness is under threat we have no alternative but to fight. The alternative to not fighting is to succumb to evil. …”

– Bishop of Armidale, Rick Lewers, reflects on ANZAC Day, and the need to pray.

Moore Matters — Autumn 2017

The latest issue of Moore Matters, the Moore College newsletter, is now available.

Copies have been sent to churches, but if you missed out, you can download your copy from the College – on this page – or here’s the direct link to the file (a 10.5MB PDF file).

Among the articles is this one from Colin Bale on Marcus Loane’s Masters of the English Reformation:

“Marcus Loane’s Masters of the English Reformation was first published in 1954 and remains in print sixty-three years later.

The long period of the work being in print is a testimony not only to its important focus but also to its readability for successive generations.

The book presents biographical profiles of five key English reformers—Thomas Bilney, William Tyndale, Hugh Latimer, Nicholas Ridley and Thomas Cranmer—showing how they contended for the truth in the period 1516 to 1556. Loane describes the vfie men as ‘Masters’ because, convicted of the truth of the gospel, their contributions were incredibly significant to the cause of Reformation in England.”

Read it all on page 10.

Also in this issue:

 

Michael Kellahan to be Reader in Religious Freedom at Moore College

“The Principal has announced the appointment of the Rev Michael Kellahan as Moore College Reader in Religious Freedom. This new position will see the College working with Mr Kellahan to address one of the most pressing challenges of the moment in Australia and many other parts of the world. …

Michael has resigned as Senior Minister of Roseville East to take up a full-time role as Executive Director of Freedom for Faith, a legal think tank that exists to see religious freedom protected and promoted in Australia and beyond. …”

– Read the full announcement from Moore College.

Secret tomb containing bodies of former Archbishops of Canterbury found under London museum

“Coffins containing the remains of five archbishops of Canterbury dating back to the early 17th century have been discovered in a secret tomb below a London church now used as a museum. …”

— Report from ABC News.

Painting of Abp Richard Bancroft via Wikipedia.

Related: Buried Archbishops “found by accident”? The CofE’s forgetfulness is galling – ‘Archbishop Cranmer’.

“Did the Church of England not know that there were at least five archbishops buried there? Couldn’t someone be bothered to check the records? Why was no archeological dig commissioned? This wasn’t just any old parish church: St Mary-at-Lambeth had been an adjunct to Lambeth Palace for centuries. Its flint and stone walls are 14th-century; its consecrated ground dates back to Edward the Confessor.”

Archbishop Glenn Davies’ Easter Message 2017 — Rescuing Australia

Anglican Church Diocese of Sydney 2017 Easter Message

Archbishop’s Easter Message 2017 from Sydneyanglicans.net on Vimeo.

Text below:  Read more

Archbishop Davies welcomes SRE Review

“I welcome the recently released review of SRE and SEE in New South Wales. I am pleased that the report confirms Special Religious Education has overwhelming support, is working well and is an integral part of the holistic education offered by New South Wales public schools. …”

— Archbishop Glenn Davies has released this statement on the release of the NSW SRE Review.

The Australian has this story.

The Review can be read here.

Easter: For the Love of Beautiful Things

“Has our age lost a love for beautiful things? With all our environmental education my travels still find McDonald’s coffee cups and beer bottles in the most remote of places.

I was born in the late 50’s and schooled in the 60’s and 70’s when environmental care was not on the curriculum. As I drive past the polystyrene burger container, the soft drink cans and chip wrappers I find it interesting that in a bygone age we never had to be told to not throw our rubbish on the ground or out the car window. We never had to advertise with slogans like, ‘Dob in a Tosser’. …”

– Bishop of Armidale Rick Lewers shares his 2017 Easter message.

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