Northwest Network Sept 2015 — Keeping the Cross Central

The latest (and 100th!) issue of Northwest Network is out – with news and encouragement to pray for the cause of Christ in North West Australia.

Bishop Gary Nelson writes:

“I find it easy in our world to be distracted from the core truth, the fundamental basis of Christian belief. But Paul reminds us here in 1 Corinthians that the cross is the ground of our faith and preaching. While he goes on to say in 2:2 …

‘For I decided to know nothing among you except Jesus Christ and him crucified.’

Now the message we proclaim isn’t merely moral – as if you could extract, for example, the Sermon on the Mount from the rest of the Bible and somehow retain its integrity and power – but rather, Christianity’s morality arises from the Christ who is Lord and Saviour through his sacrificial death on the cross for our salvation.

So in a world that regards the message of Christ crucified as weak and foolish, Christians – whether as individuals, churches or dioceses – will always be tempted to look elsewhere for power and wisdom that appears impressive. Thus we must keep asking ourselves,

…‘will this message or movement point me to the crucified Christ? Will it grow my knowledge, love and service of Jesus as Lord?’ …”

Read it all in NWN – download it here as a 770kb PDF file.

Archbishop Davies calls for ‘warm and generous welcome’

The Anglican Archbishop of Sydney, Dr Glenn Davies, has welcomed the Government’s announcement that Australia will permanently resettle 12,000 refugees from Syria on top of the current humanitarian intake.

Dr Davies has also called upon Sydney Anglicans to make a generous and practical response to the Syrian refugee crisis.

“I am calling upon parishes all across our diocese, not only to pray for these victims of persecution, but to step up and be prepared to do whatever is within their power to provide a warm and generous welcome, coupled with practical assistance, to ensure that those who come to find safety in Australia are afforded the best possible chance to make a new start and benefit as fully as possible from the peace, freedom and opportunity that Australia offers,” Dr Davies said.

“Under the leadership of Anglicare Sydney, I have also asked our diocesan organisations – our schools, our retirement villages, our youth programs and our colleges to come together to assist in any way they can with goods in kind, funds, ESL classes, educational support, personal support and even accommodation.”

“We also look forward to working as effectively as possible in a coordinated manner alongside other non-government organisations and government agencies.” …

The Archbishop and Anglicare have also launched ‘The Archbishop’s Syrian Refugee Crisis Appeal’, to provide particular emergency relief and support to Syrian refugees. For more information, or to donate, please visit the Anglicare website or call 13 22 26.

– Read the full story at SydneyAnglicans.net.

Australian Christian Lobby welcomes Government response to Syrian crisis

Here’s a media release from the Australian Christian Lobby:

9 September 2015

The Australian Christian Lobby today welcomed the federal Government’s response to the Syrian refugee crisis with the allocation of 12,000 additional places for asylum seekers. …

“ACL believes that assistance should be based on human suffering. Naturally the most needy groups are religious minorities like Christians, Yazidis, Mandeans and others. We support including these groups in the allocation, not merely because of their religion, but because of their need” Mr Shelton said.

– full text here.

Related: Syrian crisis ‘too great to be ignored’ – Archbishop Davies (06 Sept 2015)

Syrian crisis ‘too great to be ignored’ — Archbishop Davies

“Sydney’s Anglican Archbishop Dr Glenn Davies has called on the Federal Government to develop a comprehensive response to the Syrian refugee crisis.

‘One of the most significant characteristics of a civilised society is the way it treats those who are the most vulnerable…”

– Read the full story at SydneyAnglicans.net.

‘Tamworth’s Anglican Ministers take marriage equality concerns to Barnaby Joyce’

“A group of Anglican church leaders from Tamworth have used a meeting with New England MP Barnaby Joyce to call for a balanced debate on same sex marriage…”

– Report from and audio ABC New England.
Rod Chiswell from St. Peter’s South Tamworth was interviewed – worth listening. (Photo: Barnaby Joyce Facebook.)

Bishop John Harrower reflects on 15 years in Tasmania

The Diocese of Tasmania is preparing to elect a new Bishop on 27-28 November. Nominations closed on Friday.

Last month, in an interview with Dean of Hobart, Richard Humphrey, Bishop John Harrower reflected on his 15 years as Missionary Bishop of the diocese.

A prayer of thanks – Bishop John’s blog.

My intention to retire – Bishop John’s blog.

“Following much prayer and consultation with family, senior colleagues and close friends, I believe God is leading me to draw my ministry as the 11th Bishop of Tasmania to a close mid-September.”

Please pray for the churches of Tasmania as the election synod draws near.

8th Planned Parenthood video + resources

“C. S. Lewis once wrote in the preface to the Screwtape Letters,

The greatest evil is not now done in those sordid “dens of crime” that Dickens loved to paint. It is not done even in concentration camps and labour camps. In those we see its final result. But it is conceived and ordered (moved, seconded, carried, and minuted) in clean, carpeted, warmed and well-lighted offices, by quiet men with white collars and cut fingernails and smooth-shaven cheeks who do not need to raise their voices.

He could have been writing about Planned Parenthood and StemExpress.

Today (August 25, 2015), The Center for Medical Progress released its eighth video using undercover footage exposing the reality of what goes on behind these closed clinical doors…”

– At The Gospel Coalition, Justin Taylor has a description of the video, plus some resources for healing.

Michael Stead to be next Bishop of South Sydney

“The Archbishop of Sydney, Dr Glenn Davies, has announced he has chosen the Rev Michael Stead to be the next Bishop of South Sydney.

He will replace Bishop Robert Forsyth, who retires in December after 15 years in the position…

The Standing Committee of the Diocese of Sydney confirmed the appointment tonight (Monday 24th August).”

– News from SydneyAnglicans.net.

Phil Wheeler to head Evangelism and New Churches

“The board of Evangelism and New Churches (ENC) has announced that the Rev. Philip Wheeler will be its new Director, to continue its work of evangelism and church planting.

Mr Wheeler replaces the Rev Bruce Hall who has directed the organisation for the past four years.

ENC grew from the well-established Department of Evangelism, run by the late evangelist John Chapman over four decades in the 20th century…”

– News from SydneyAnglicans.net. (Photo from Anglican Deaconess Ministries.)

Two new faculty appointments at Moore

“At its meeting on 18 August, the Governing Board of the College has approved the Principal’s nomination of two new members of the Moore College faculty.”

They are Dr Chase Kuhn and Dr Chris Thomson. Details here.

Bible Society Australia ‘acquires’ Koorong

Here’s an interesting development:

“Bible Society Australia – whose core cross denominational mission is to translate, distribute and engage people with the Bible – has acquired leading Christian retailer Koorong…”

– Real the media release (PDF), or watch the announcement video from Bible Society Australia CEO, Greg Clarke and Koorong Managing Director Paul Bootes.

And some more info here from Bible Society Australia.

Archbishop of Sydney backs plebiscite plan

Here’s a media release from the Diocese of Sydney, Friday 14th August 2015:

Anglican Church Diocese of Sydney
Media Statement August 14th, 2015

The Archbishop of Sydney, Dr Glenn Davies, has congratulated the Prime Minister and the Coalition for backing a plebiscite on same-sex marriage.

“I believe that marriage is a foundational concept to our society and indeed to human civilisation as a whole, in accordance with God’s own plan for all people, and it is intrinsic to the continuation of the human race as the bedrock of the family from which succeeding generations are born.”

“Despite the relentless campaign by some sections of the community, it is only now that other views are starting to be heard in the media, not only from the churches. The discussion must include the implications for children and the family unit, not just sloganeering.”

“Mr Abbott has been consistent and forthright on this issue, and it is clear he recognises the national importance of a debate about the definition of marriage as well as the strength of feeling on both sides. Yet the debate has been unhelpfully politicised, which is why it should be decided by the people directly. If the majority of Australians desire a change to the time-honoured understanding of marriage, then so be it. The Prime Minister is graciously offering this option so that we, the people, may have our say on the future of marriage in Australia.”

– Source, SydneyAnglicans.net.

Perth consecration

From The Book of Common Prayer, 1662, Consecration of Bishops: The Archbishop is to ask the candidate,

“Be you ready, with all faithful diligence, to banish and drive away all erroneous and strange doctrine contrary to God’s Word; and both privately and openly to call upon and encourage others the same?”

(page 591, Cambridge pocket edition.)

David Ould publishes some excerpts from a recent consecration at St. George’s Cathedral in Perth.