Sydney Ordinations 2013
Thirty four candidates have been ordained to various ministries at a service at St. Andrew’s Cathedral. Russell Powell has the encouraging story at SydneyAnglicans.net.
Launch of ‘Common Prayer’ — February 6th
The Archbishop of Sydney’s Liturgical Panel and Anglican Press Australia are launching new Common Prayer: Resources for gospel-shaped gatherings on Wednesday February 6 at 4:00 pm.
The venue is the Chapter House at St Andrew’s Cathedral and an invitation has gone to all Rectors and members of ministry teams. RSVP Friday February 1 to Andrew Eisenhauer on 8268 3316.
(Copies of Common Prayer will be available for purchase on the day.)
Moore College ‘Big Day In’ — Sat 2nd Feb
“Moore College is holding its annual Big Day In on February 2 to welcome and orient new students to the college. …
Starting at Moore College you no doubt have a lot of questions and uncertainties, and the Big Day In is designed specifically to familarise you with the campus and culture.”
The Best Christmas Ever
“Christmas 2012 turned out to be the best Christmas ever! Who would have thought that we would have such a large congregation on Christmas night itself! Nearly all our initiatives worked better than anybody expected. In terms of congregational members’ involvement, evangelistic outreach, follow up contact cards, and conducting different gatherings, a whole new way of programming Christmas has been created for 2013.
To call it “the best Christmas ever” is a great claim that is of course slightly ridiculous…”
– Dean of Sydney, Phillip Jensen, looks back at Christmas 2012 at the Cathedral.
Christmas Eve from St. Andrew’s 2012
Watch a recording of the live stream of Carols from St. Andrew’s Cathedral 2012 – here. The service starts around 14 minutes into the recording.
Archbishop Peter Jensen’s Christmas message 2012
With thanks to SydneyAnglicans.net.
And here is the text of the message formatted to A5 (two-up on an A4 sheet) – perhaps you could use it as a church newsletter insert. (180kb PDF.)
Reminder: Carols from St. Andrew’s Cathedral rebroadcast
Last year’s Christmas Eve Celebration from St. Andrew’s Cathedral in Sydney is being replayed this year on Christmas morning.
ABC 1 at 7:00am Christmas Day
Let your friends and neighbours know – and you could watch it over breakfast before heading to church.
If you enjoy it , you could contact the ABC to thank them for broadcasting it again.
Changes
“By now many of you will have heard the news that my responsibilities at Moore Theological College, Sydney will change from 12 May 2013.
From that date I will begin to serve as the thirteenth principal of the College, succeeding John Woodhouse whose monumental contribution to its life is recognised by all. John’s model of servant leadership, his absolute confidence in the power of the word of God to change lives and drive effective Christian ministry, his generous treatment of all — those with whom he agreed and those with whom he disagreed — will continue to bear fruit in the College and through its graduates for many years. It is a rather daunting prospect to follow him in this responsibility let alone consider the long list of faithful servants who have borne it before him (e.g. Peter Jensen, D. Broughton Knox, Marcus Loane, T. C. Hammond, and Nathaniel Jones). …”
– Mark Thompson writes at Theological Theology to ask for your prayers as he becomes Principal of Moore College next year.
Australian Church Record, December 2012
The latest issue of The Australian Church Record, and the results of their recent Survey of Sydney Synod members are now available from their website.
New Centre for Ministry Development
News from Moore College –
Moore College’s campus in Newtown is becoming a “ministry training and theological education precinct”. A growing number of organisations, devoted to serving the churches in these ways – are being located on the campus, enabling closer cooperation and partnership. Part of this development has been the creation by Moore College of the Priscilla and Aquila Centre and the Centre for Christian Living.
The College is pleased to announce plans to establish a new centre: the Centre for Ministry Development (CMD). CMD will partner closely with other best practice ministry training practitioners to help pastors and ministers strengthen their ministries through training and support that is personal, localised and practical.
“Faithful Christian ministers always long to serve Christ and his people with more insight, improved skills and greater effectiveness. We believe that full-time theological education builds a firm foundation, and that ministers then need ongoing development to be the most faithful and effective ministers they can be. CMD will support this development with the best possible coaching and training tools,” said Principal John Woodhouse.
“I am delighted to announce that the experienced pastor and church planter, Archie Poulos, will lead this new initiative,” said Dr Woodhouse. “Archie is currently the head of the Ministry Department at Moore College and is widely known for his pastoral care and wisdom as well as his wealth of perceptiveness and ability in ministry matters.”
The Centre for Ministry Development will be officially launched in the first half of 2013. More details on the centre and it’s activities will be made available in the New Year.
– Source.
Understanding Sydney Diocese
What is it that makes Sydney Diocese what it is?
Between March and August 2012, Dr Mark Thompson, then President of the ACL, penned a series of articles on the topic.
We’ve also added them to our Resources page.
“Here I want to look at some of those things which, while not by any means unique to Sydney Anglicans, nevertheless are important characteristics of the diocesan ethos.”
Sydney Anglicans I. Biblically confessional
Sydney Anglicans II. The congregation as the centre
Sydney Anglicans III. Complementarian ministry
Sydney Anglicans IV: The Primacy of the Word
Sydney Anglicans V: A commitment to mission
Sydney Anglicans VI: An evangelical episcopate
Sydney Anglicans VII: The value of theological education
The ACL congratulates the new Principal designate of Moore College
Here is a statement from ACL President Gav Poole, on the news that Dr Mark Thompson has been appointed as the next Principal of Moore Theological College, from May 2013 –
“The ACL congratulates Mark Thompson on his appointment as the next Principal of Moore Theological College. Read more
Indomitable Sydney? The challenge of Sydney Anglicanism
Michael Jensen from Moore College writes for the ABC’s Religion & Ethics –
“Evangelical Anglicans of the sort found in Sydney have good ground for claiming the Anglican heritage as their own and ought not to accept the view that they are in some way the illegitimate children of the Anglican family.”
Chappo Memorial Service video
While the Memorial Service for John Chapman has now concluded, you can see the recorded video stream here.
Thanks to Ken Sandell and Audio Advice for making this available.
Order of Service (PDF).
Update: Russell Powell has a report at SydneyAnglicans.net.
More thanks from South Africa for Chappo
Frank Retief, past Presiding Bishop of the Church of England in South Africa, gives thanks for John Chapman –
“But above all his love for Christ and the saving Gospel was always paramount. His wisdom in sharing the Gospel was a gift. We in South Africa will miss him very much.”
These words of thanks were sent to Archbishop Peter Jensen –
“Dear Peter
I am sure you have received many tributes in regard to John Chapman. I know that Des Inglesby has written to you on behalf of CESA. But I felt that I would like to add mine anyway because of the impact Chappo had on us in South Africa.
I first met him with your brother Phillip at Amsterdam in 1983. I was very naïve at that time and knew no one from Australia. I got the impression that if I hung around with them long enough I would get into trouble sooner or later. They were mischievous and insightful and to me very bold. But that connection has been one of the great blessings of my life because amongst other things they were both indeed bold for the Gospel and their humour was real, pertinent and made them both very accessible.
Chappo visited us several times. He taught our men how to preach the Gospel positively, from the text; boldly and wisely. I personally, as have others, seen him weep in the pulpit unashamed of his emotions which I thought was a great model for all preachers.
He was humble, unassuming and generous to a fault. His eccentricities only made him more loved. Our eldest granddaughter, now nine, had her very first pair of baby bootees knitted for her by Chappo. He was a remarkable conversationalist and enjoyed human company. But above all his love for Christ and the saving Gospel was always paramount. His wisdom in sharing the Gospel was a gift. We in South Africa will miss him very much.
I don’t know what you will do with this letter. I simply wanted to express to someone how much he was appreciated from my personal point of view.
Warm Christian greetings
Frank.”
See also: Dick Lucas gives thanks for Chappo.
What we believe
The message at the heart of Christianity is really quite simple…