Report on the Good Governance Workshop
Good Governance Workshop — Report
The Anglican Church League takes a special interest in finding gospel-minded Christians to serve on the many councils and committees of the Sydney Diocese, and in assisting those elected to serve well.
To support our brothers and sisters, the ACL organised and ran a Good Governance Workshop on Thursday evening, 26th November.
The evening was open to all, and its purpose was to help members of boards and councils – especially newly elected members – to think about how the gospel shapes the way we practice governance. It was well attended, with more than forty people coming to increase their skills in governance and to share their wisdom and insights with others.
The basic concepts of evangelical governance established on the evening could easily serve as the basis for future workshops of this sort exploring these matters further for boards and committees, and even parish councils.
For more detail and our summaries of insights from each of our excellent speakers, read on! Read more
From the Vault: What’s really important
Richard Condie Bishop-elect of Tasmania
“The election board of the Diocese of Tasmania has just elected the Ven. Dr. Richard Condie, currently vicar of St Jude’s Carlton and Archdeacon in Melbourne, as its next bishop…”
– David Ould has the news. (Richard is Chairman of FCA Australia.)
Here’s the Media Release from the Diocese of Tasmania. (PDF)
And here’s a letter from Richard to the churches of the diocese. (PDF)
Photo: SydneyAnglicans.net
Need Ministers be Theologians?
At Church Society’s blog, Kirsty Birkett (who now teaches Pastoral Counselling and Youth and Children’s Ministry at Oak Hill College) reminds readers of a 1994 Churchman article by the much-missed John Richardson.
In his article, John draws some important conclusions for evangelicals in the Church of England, reflecting on his year of study at Moore College.
(Readers can also rightly give thanks to Almighty God for the growth of Oak Hill College in London in the years since John wrote that article.)
Thinking of going to Moore next year?
“Thinking of coming to Moore next year but haven’t applied yet? The application due date is Monday November 30 2015. Any applications received after this date will attract an admin fee of $250…”
– Encouragement from Moore College to get that application in.
Good Governance Workshop 26 November
UNSW Campus Bible Study 40th Anniversary
Campus Bible Study at the University of New South Wales held a 40th anniversary thanksgiving and reunion event on October 31st.
There is much cause for thanksgiving to the Lord for a ministry that has been such a blessing to so many around the world.
Video from the day has now been posted at phillipjensen.com.
Sydney Anglicans Pray for Paris
A special public service of sorrow and prayer for Paris, in the wake of the Black Friday attacks, will be held in St Andrew’s Cathedral, Sydney on Sunday 15th November at 3pm.
“It is difficult to comprehend the barbarity of such attacks” said the Archbishop of Sydney Dr Glenn Davies “but we mourn with those who mourn and weep with those who weep.”
“We pray that God in his unfailing love will comfort the people of Paris, especially those who have been injured and the families and friends who have lost loved ones.”
Premier Mike Baird will attend the service and representatives of the French Government will also be in attendance.
A French flag is already flying at half-mast at the Cathedral.
– Source: SydneyAnglicans.net.
Update: Bible Society Australia has published prayers by Dominic Steele and by Steve Cree.
10 churches destroyed in Aceh
“A church was burnt to the ground in Aceh Singkil in the province of Aceh, Indonesia last month, and a further nine churches destroyed by police.…”
– Report from Bible Society Australia. (Photo: Open Doors Australia.)
Newcastle Synod 2015
The Second Session of the Fifty-First Synod of the Anglican Diocese of Newcastle was held the weekend before last. Bishop Greg Thompson’s Synod Charge has been published on the diocesan website (PDF file). Photos here.
‘I was abused by clergy’: Bishop of Newcastle tells of abuse
“Anglican bishop Greg Thompson has spoken about being groomed by an Anglican bishop and senior clergyman in the 1970s and later sexually abused, after an historic diocese apology on Sunday for the ‘shameful’ treatment of abuse survivors in the past…”
– from The Sydney Morning Herald.
See also: Anglican bishop leading charge against child sexual abuse says he too was a victim – ABC News.
(Photo: In June 2015 Bishop Thompson apologised on behalf of the Diocese of Newcastle to all who have experienced abuse.)
Aasia Bibi placed in solitary confinement over fears for her life
“Aasia Bibi, a Pakistani Christian woman who has been languishing on death row since 2010 after she was unjustly convicted of blasphemy, has been transferred to solitary confinement amid fears she could be attacked by vigilantes…”
– from Barnabas Fund. (Photo: Barnabas Fund.)
Update, 27 Oct 2015: Asia Bibi ‘healthy and safe,’ says her lawyer – World Watch Monitor.
Kara Hartley — encouragement for women in ministry
Kara Hartley, Archdeacon for Women in the Diocese of Sydney, spoke at the Priscilla & Aquila Centre Refresh Conference in August.
The theme was ‘Stress & Ministry’. The first talk – by Kara Hartley – on Psalm 100 – and the second – by Dr Helen Rienits – are now on Vimeo.
Centre for Ministry Development to focus on Clergy needs
“Moore College’s Centre for Ministry Development (CMD) has been assisting in the development of clergy for the past three years.
The Centre has recognised the need to more deeply research the development needs of clergy and has released its founding Director, Archie Poulos, from the Directorship in order to undertake this research…”
– Read the story at the Moore College website.
What we believe
The message at the heart of Christianity is really quite simple…