A “Must Hear” address — Dave Jensen at the ACL Synod Dinner 2024

“Taking the evangelistic temperature of the Diocese of Sydney” is the topic of Dave Jensen’s address at the Anglican Church League’s Synod Dinner held on 16th September 2024. (Dave is the Assistant Director of Evangelism and New Churches in the Diocese of Sydney.)

Listen Here:

 

or download the mp3 file here (right click to download).

Here is a summarised version of Dave Jensen’s address:

Bible Reading: Act 5:17-26.

There is no shortage of non-Christian people in our city, and the number will continue to grow as our city grows. And yet, this is the hardest time for evangelism in Australia’s history. Being a public Christian and sharing the gospel has never been more complicated. On the other hand—this is the greatest time for evangelism in Australia’s history! There has never been a better time to share the gospel. Despite the difficulties and dangers, biblical, historical, and observational evidence provide us with attitudes of action, initiative, and hope.

How can both of these things be true?

In Acts 5, there is an astonishing interaction between Peter and John and the Sanhedrin. Luke has already described numerical and gospel growth, along with the growth of opposition. Peter and John have been hauled before the Sanhedrin and ordered not to teach in the name of Jesus anymore. But as Acts 5 continues, we see the apostles continue this public gospel ministry. They’re arrested, re-arrested, and flogged—yet they continue to preach. The apostles proclaim with clarity the death and resurrection of the Lord Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of sins. Suffering and opposition do not prevent their worship and witness; they fuel it! When they face opposition, they leave the Sanhedrin rejoicing for being counted worthy of suffering disgrace for the name! So they return.

Why do they do this and respond in this way? It is significant that the second time they are captured, there is no angelic prison break—and the large-scale persecution of the church begins. If God has the power to prevent their pain and persecution, why would he bring them back to the same place and not release them from prison? Why would God allow what he has the power to prevent? There can only be one possible answer. He has a purpose of greater value—something he holds as of greater worth than our comfort and pleasure in this life: “this new life” (verse 20). The new life that comes to us through trusting in the death and resurrection of Jesus. This is worth more than anything else because it lasts forever.

So, the disciples keep the big picture in mind: the eternal perspective of assured salvation in Christ. So, this passage gives us two priorities for evangelism:

Firstly, above all else, we must prioritise gospel proclamation. People’s greatest need in this life is spiritual—so we need to proclaim the life-transforming gospel of Jesus Christ.

Secondly, suffering for the gospel is not an enemy to be avoided—it’s a privilege to be endured. We might believe that by watering down, we reach out. We can be tempted to make the gospel more palatable or first to persuade people how beautiful Christianity is before we eventually share the gospel with them. But that is wrong. As we suffer, we make the saving sacrifice of Jesus visible.

So, this is the hardest time for evangelism in Australia’s history. But it’s also the greatest time for evangelism in Australia’s history because as we suffer, the love of Jesus and the gospel shines through the words we say.

God isn’t done with Sydney! People are being converted all over the place. We have a job to do—let’s stick to it. Let’s do it with hope and determination. Let’s fix our eyes on Jesus, who for the hope set before him, endured the cross.

Some quotes from attendees:

Trevor Cairney: The talk was incredible—it was challenging and so right about the times we live in. People are miserable and hurting; they need and want people to talk to them about the gospel. This was a timely message: we need to have more!

Susan An: I really appreciated Dave talking about both the difficulties and opportunities we have in sharing the gospel.

Christian corporate governance, statements of faith, and upholding marriage

At The Australian Church Record, Dean of Sydney Sandy Grant writes:

“In September 2024, the Synod of the Anglican Diocese of Sydney will be asked to delete the personal Statement of Faith from its Corporate Governance Policy.

However, this personal Statement of Faith should continue to be signed by those elected or appointed to be Board Governors and Heads/CEOs of our Anglican organisations. It has been an integral part of the Corporate Governance Policy since 2014, when it was introduced as the culmination of 4 years’ research, discussion, review and debate. …”

– Read here.

“Will you help the crowds see Jesus?”

“Two years ago we met in the southwest growth corridor at Oran Park and I asked you, ‘Do you see the crowds?’ The crowds of people moving into Sydney – growth areas and established areas, people from many nations, people without knowledge of the Lord and his cross. Today I want to ask, will you help the crowds see Jesus?”

With that challenge, Archbishop Kanishka Raffel opened the Synod in the Greenfields in northwestern Sydney. …

– Report from Russell Powell at SydneyAnglicans.net.

Below: Watch Archbishop Kanishka Raffel’s Synod Address.

The purpose of the Lord will stand — Australian Church Record Journal for Synod 2024

The Australian Church Record has published a special edition of their Journal to coincide with the meeting of Sydney Synod starting this weekend.

Whether or not you are a member of Synod, this is well worth downloading, reading and sharing.

Highlights include interviews with Robert Tong and Laurie Scandrett, but much else to see too.

 

“They said I had what they were missing and asked to visit my church”

“I spoke recently at the GAFCON Australasia gathering in Brisbane. GAFCON is the “mission arm” of the movement of orthodox global Anglicans. Hundreds had eagerly put aside time and paid to travel there from every Australian state and territory, as well as New Zealand, PNG and Myanmar.

We looked at Romans 1, full of Paul’s personality and emotion. This is a little surprising because Paul didn’t plant the church and hadn’t visited it yet. Yet it drips with authentic affection and concern. …”

– Archbishop Kanishka Raffel writes at SydneyAnglicans.net.

The 2024 Synod Briefing Podcast now online

See also The Synod Survival Guide by Dr Robert Tong.

This very helpful introduction to Sydney Synod is presented by the Anglican Church League as a service to the Synod of the Diocese of Sydney.

– Download your copy here. (PDF file.)

Confronting the big attendance drop — with Toby Neal, Dave Jensen and Geoff Bates

From The Pastor’s Heart:

“What should the church pastor / staff team / church council or bishop do about the big drop in attendance?

A new report shows Adult Attendance in churches in Sydney is down 7% or 14% against population (over a decade).

Adult attendance declined at approximately two-thirds of Sydney Anglican comparable church centers, and only one-third of church centers recorded an increase in attendance.

The big problem is newcomers.  We just are not reaching them.  Newcomers are down to 5.4%.

And with fewer new people joining churches, the churches that are growing are primarily growing at the expense of churches that are declining.

A noticeable decline in attendance was recorded in 2018-2019, especially in the most rapidly secularising areas of our region.

The issues are not just external. We have internal issues. There are denominational and congregational factors at play. There are key church health characteristics that show internal health factors are lower in those regions – factors relating to congregational character and leadership. …”

– Watch or listen here as Toby Neal, Dave Jensen and Geoff Bates discuss with Dominic Steele.

Tribute to Bishop Timothy Dudley-Smith by Ross Cobb

During the 10:30am service on Sunday (25th August 2024), Ross Cobb, Director of Music at St. Andrew’s Cathedral in Sydney, gave this tribute to Bishop Timothy Dudley-Smith.

The service also featured hymns written by Bishop Dudley-Smith. (See it from the start here.)

Earlier posts.

Epic Reading of the Gospel of John coming to St. Andrew’s Cathedral

From the Cathedral:

“On Saturday 7th September, at 3:30pm, St Andrew’s Cathedral will host an ‘Epic Reading’ of the entire Gospel of John, in our atmospheric Chapter House, off Bathurst Street, Sydney.

The expert reader will be Melbourne actor and author, Simon Camilleri, well known already for illuminating various books of the Bible by his public readings.

Thirty years ago, reading the Gospel of John was part of what changed Simon’s life.

In the same way that you can’t really understand the Lord of the Rings by watching a few short YouTube clips of the movie, Simon says some things can only be appreciated by seeing and hearing the whole. …”

– Read it all here – and see a video of Simon Camilleri with a sample.

And the Dean of Sydney, Sandy Grant, invites you to be there:

Bold plan to build one new church every year

“Sydney Anglican Property’s fundraising arm, New Churches for New Communities (NCNC), has set itself an ambitious goal – but one that, according to executive director Ed Hercus, is needed to meet the challenge of modern Sydney.

‘Our goal is to be building a church a year over the next 30 years on the land that Sydney Anglican Property “banks” in the greenfield and urban infill areas’ …”

– Russell Powell has this encouraging piece at SydneyAnglicans.net.

Homelessness Week

“Homelessness is an awful situation to be in. The 2021 national census found that over 122,000 Australians were homeless – this category includes rough sleepers, those in homeless shelters or boarding houses, ‘couch surfers’, and those in severely crowded dwellings. Another 93,000 people were found to be living in marginal housing, such as caravan parks. …

At the Cathedral we’ve taken some small steps in trying to care for our homeless and housing-insecure neighbours.

Our Monday and Tuesday ‘Street T’ breakfasts are, at heart, an expression of Christian hospitality. Meeting on the street – just outside the Cathedral building – we serve a simple meal and, most importantly, lend a listening ear. …”

– At the St. Andrew’s Cathedral website, Community Chaplain Rob Elder asks for your prayers for this important ministry.

Cross Cultural Sydney

“In many ways in Sydney, mission has come to us. Nations all around the world have come to our doorstep providing us with an abundance of opportunities to share our faith with them. There is a joy in knowing that we are all one people in Christ Jesus. But ministries focussed on a specific culture or people group can also be highly beneficial and effective. I myself became a Christian through going to an ethnicity-based church. When you are reminded every day that you stand out from the crowd, being with others who stand out with you can be a strong drawcard in building a community.

At Moore, we benefit from the wisdom and experience of people who continue on this work of evangelising a specific people group. Their insight, knowledge and research are generously shared with us to grow the next generation of gospel workers reaching the nations. I look forward to gathering before the throne of the Lamb with every nation, tribe, people and language (Rev 7:9) and singing his praises with these, and many other, people groups. …”

– The Rev Susan An, Dean of Women at Moore College, helps us to get to know some of the people groups of Sydney.

Southern Cross August – September 2024

The August – September 2024 edition of Southern Cross magazine is now available on the Sydney Diocese website.

Download your copy – or pick up one at church when printed copies are available.

“They are really growing!” — Good news from Kenya

The Archbishop of Sydney’s Anglican Aid shares this encouragement from Norm Gorrie in Marsabit, Kenya –

“This is Joseph, our first MTS apprentice in the Department of Mission (with the Anglican Church of Kenya), powerfully teaching 2 Ways to Live to around 600 students. …”

– Read and watch here.

Anglican Church Diocese of Sydney Statement regarding decisions of the Church of England General Synod 2024

Archbishop Kanishka Raffel has published this Statement on behalf of the Diocese of Sydney:

Anglican Church Diocese of Sydney
Statement regarding decisions of the Church of England General Synod 2024

Sanctify them by the truth; your word is truth. John 17:17

Jesus prays for his church that they would be made holy by the truth of God’s word. Anglicans affirm the ‘ultimate rule and standard of faith’ (ACA Constitution, Fundamental Declarations s2)) of the teaching of Jesus Christ and the word of God revealed in scripture. The decision of the Church of England Synod to approve the use of prayers of blessing for same-sex marriages and to begin moves to allow clergy to enter into same-sex marriages, is a grievous abrogation of its responsibility to uphold the primacy of scripture in the life and ministry of the church. To reject God’s plan for human sexuality is a failure to love people experiencing same-sex attraction and who, like all humanity, are made in his image and designed for his purpose.

This decision is contrary to scripture and to Anglican expressions of the teaching of scripture in our formularies, including the Book of Common Prayer, and Lambeth resolution I.10, clearly affirmed by the Archbishop of Canterbury as the standard of Anglican doctrine as recently as the Lambeth Conference in 2022.

I’m very grateful for the gracious and courageous way in which many English brothers and sisters in Christ have taken a stand in their General Synod for biblical authority and the trustworthiness of Jesus’ teaching on human identity and sexuality.

We express our support for the coalition known as The Alliance which has, in love and integrity, been a clarion voice for truth. The Alliance is a broad grouping of faithful Anglicans from across the spectrum of the church who have in common, fidelity to the scriptures in matters of faith and life, a deep love for the Church of England and commitment to its mission to the nation. Importantly, the Alliance includes Anglicans who experience same-sex attraction and who gladly and courageously affirm the teaching of Jesus concerning marriage and sexuality. We honour them all.

I’m humbled and encouraged by the stance of The Alliance and offer them the hand of fellowship and the assurance of our prayers and support as they contend for the faith once for all delivered to the saints.

I’m grateful too for those whose conscience has not allowed them to remain in the Church of England but who remain committed to Anglican doctrine and mission as members of the Anglican Network in Europe under Bishop Andy Lines and assure them too of our friendship and fellowship in the mission of the gospel in which we are fellow workers.

We note statements from global Anglican fellowships representing the majority of Anglicans worldwide, such as the Global South Fellowship of Anglicans, GAFCON and GAFCON Australia. We rejoice in our common hope, the Lord Jesus Christ, and remain committed to the faithful proclamation of his gospel in love and truth.

…the faith and love that spring from the hope stored up for you in heaven and about which you have already heard in the true message of the gospel that has come to you. Col 1:5,6 (NIV)

Archbishop Kanishka Raffel
17 July 2024.

Source: SydneyAnglicans.net. (PDF file)

More background here.

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