Into all the world — Moore College Graduation 2012

Held last night. “Moore College Graduation 2012 saw 102 people receive their awards. It was a wonderful celebration of the work of God in the lives of graduates and the vital equipping work of the College. We thank God that these faithful servants have completed their training and preparation, and now head out ‘Into all the World’ to minister Jesus’ love and saving grace.

Some fast facts:

See the videos – and more – from the graduation – and give thanks.

‘The mistakes of Phillip Jensen’

Few people have been used by the Lord to bring gospel blessing to Sydney as has Phillip Jensen. And few people have been as maligned and misrepresented.

At The Briefing, Tony Payne chats with Phillip about his days in university ministry, about the Anglican Church, about being nominated for Archbishop, about the real agenda of REPA, and much more. Read it all here.

Diocesan budget needs more than ‘minor tweaking’

“A conference on future funding of diocesan bodies has been told the Global Financial Crisis provides a great opportunity for change but not in the form of ‘radical congregationalism’.

The Anglican Church League organised an open forum on the Draft Statement on Funding Principles and Priorities for 2013-2015, presented to last year’s Synod by the Mission Board. Speakers at the Chapter House on February 18th included Dean Phillip Jensen, who was on the sub-committee which prepared the draft, GAB Chairman Bruce-Ballantine Jones, ACL Chairman Dr Mark Thompson and Senior Ministers Sandy Grant of Wollongong, Peter Lin of Bossley Park/Fairfield and Craig Roberts of Neutral Bay…”

– Russell Powell at SydneyAnglicans.net reports on the ACL’s Diocesan Financial Priorities Conference. (Conference papers here.)

Missed Carols from St Andrew’s? (updated)

If you missed “Carols from St Andrew’s” on Christmas Eve on ABC TV, you can see it on the ABC website.

We’ve heard that the vodcast is not geo-protected, so it can be seen worldwide. You could share the link with your friends overseas.

God Becomes our Neighbour

Read Archbishop Peter Jensen’s Christmas sermon, delivered at St. Andrew’s Cathedral in Sydney –

“The success of the whole human enterprise depends on knowing God. That is the condition for us to have what the Bible calls ‘eternal life’, the fulfilment of all human hopes and aspirations in this life and in the world to come. Getting to know God is the central ambition and task of your life. Do you know God? …”

– read it all at SydneyAnglicans.net.

Archbishop Peter Jensen’s 2011 Christmas message

Archbishop Peter Jensen has released his Christmas message for 2011.

“we are celebrating the generosity of Jesus, who left his heavenly home to live amongst us and to die for us on a Roman cross to reconcile us to God.”

Here’s the full text.

Christmas is our big annual reminder of the generous love of God. When Jesus was born, it was God himself entering our story to rescue us from sin.

Some people just can’t stand the fact that he is the most important person in history and our whole dating system revolves around his birth. They even want to change the language to write him out.

It’s sad really. It shows that people are frightened of his influence and will do anything to stop us talking about him.

Sad, because Jesus Christ is the world’s greatest inspiration. We need him in our lives and in our history and in our community.

The signs are that the world is in for a difficult time economically. For some countries it is not just a downturn, they will need to grapple with a breakdown in their economic systems. Already, many people go hungry each day. If times get worse, it will be the poor and disadvantaged who suffer most. We are going to need to be generous, and the greatest inspiration to generosity that the world has ever known is Jesus.

When we celebrate Christmas we are celebrating the generosity of Jesus, who left his heavenly home to live amongst us and to die for us on a Roman cross to reconcile us to God.

When we are reconciled to God, it affects the whole way we think of others. We reach out in care and forgiveness.

It’s a glad and generous season of the year because our God makes us glad with his generosity.

Dr Peter F Jensen,
Archbishop of Sydney,
Christmas, 2011 AD.

Video version here (thanks to SydneyAnglicans.net)

December 2011 Church Record online

The December 2011 issue of The Australian Church Record is now available from their website.

The Sydney Family Album — 7

Mark Thompson has returned to his theme of Sydney’s Family Album with the story of Nathaniel Jones, Moore College Principal 1897–1911:

“Jones’ legacy was a determined evangelicalism, determined equally to live out the faith in quiet godliness and to resist the liberalism (a.k.a. modernism) that would seek a foothold in the diocese over the next two decades.”

Nathaniel Jones, Principal of Moore College from 1897 until 1911, must be included in any reckoning of those who shaped contemporary Sydney Anglicanism. He influenced a generation of Sydney clergy during his fourteen years as principal of the college. He was also instrumental in the establishment of the Katoomba Christian Convention. It would be Jones’ men who would promote Howard Mowll for Archbishop in 1933.  Read more

‘Common Prayer’ development version launched at Sydney Synod

At Sydney Synod this week, the ‘development version’ of a new liturgical resource (Common Prayer) was presented for one year’s experimentation, examination and feedback. The anticipated final version of Common Prayer is intended as ‘a resource for gospel-shaped gatherings in the evangelical Anglican tradition’.

Speaking on behalf of the Archbishop of Sydney’s Liturgical Panel, Bishop Robert Forsyth said that the Panel was very keen to receive feedback to make this first draft better. An updated and improved version will be presented to the Synod in 2012. The initiative was very warmly received.

The development version, and supporting information, is available now at commonprayer.org.au.

Synod gives thanks for Marcus Loane

Sydney Synod today passed this motion –

“On the 100th anniversary of his birth, Synod thanks God for the life and ministry of Sir Marcus Loane; Moore College Principal (1953-1966), Australian Army Chaplain (Kokoda Track, 1942-1945) the first Australian born Archbishop of Sydney (1966- 1982) and Primate of Australia (1978).

We thank God for Sir Marcus’ contribution to the evangelical identity of our Diocese. He served us by providing a model of godly leadership and leaving a legacy of published works. In particular those biographical books bringing to life heroes of the faith will ensure that our evangelical heritage is not easily lost.

With fondness we remember the clarity of his preaching, the strength of his convictions, the warmth of his pastoral care and his faithfulness in prayer.

In passing this motion, Synod thanks God for Lady Loane and her partnership in Sir Marcus’ ministry. We send her greetings, love and God’s comfort.”

(Photo: Ramon Williams.)

Sydney Synod sends message to four Vancouver churches

The Synod of the Diocese of Sydney today passed this motion –

Synod requests that the following message be sent to the following four churches in Vancouver, British Columbia Canada: St. John’s Vancouver (comprising the congregations formerly known as St John’s Shaughnessy); Good Shepherd, Vancouver; St. Matthias & St. Luke’s Vancouver; and St. Matthews, Abbotsford –

“The Synod of the Anglican Diocese of Sydney wish to extend our prayers and support to you in this time of transition and change. We praise God for your commitment to upholding Scripture and your willingness to contend and suffer for the faith. You have been a great example in grace, wisdom and humility to Bible-believing Christians, both here in Australia, and around the world. We pray the Lord’s richest blessings on your fellowship as you continue to proclaim, rejoice and grow in the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ, and that the grace of God will ring out from you in the great city of Vancouver, to the glory of God.”

Remembering with gratitude Sir Marcus Loane, on the Centenary of his birth

Marcus Loane was born in Tasmania one hundred years ago – on 14 October 1911.

He grew up in Chatswood in Sydney, becoming a Christian at the age of thirteen. After completing school, he worked as a shipping clerk while studying at Sydney University in the evenings.

In 1932, he entered Moore Theological College, with a view to ordination for parish ministry. He excelled academically in the Th.L and also earned an MA in English from Sydney University.  Read more

Looking forward with Moore College – an invitation

Moore College’s Board, “as part of its governance role, is examining the College’s long-term strategic vision to enable the College to best serve its students and the churches, and to acquit its obligations as a significant tertiary education institution. The Board is encouraging churches, friends and supporters of the College, past students and others with an interest in the College’s future, to participate in this process.”

– Read more on the College website.

October 2011 Church Record online

The latest issue of The Australian Church Record is now online.

Includes:
Welcome to the 49th Synod – editorial
Knox/Robinson for Today – Mark Thompson
Meet the Secretariat’s CEO
What Kind of Bishop? – Gerald Bray

Forward on our knees

“From time to time, people ask me (often in a lugubrious, ‘I knew it would never happen’ tone of voice) how I feel, given that so far we have not seen 10 per cent of the population of our region attending Bible-based churches although our Mission is now more than eight years old. They seem to think that I may be terribly despondent.

The answer is that while I have always wanted to see many more people come to know Christ, I have such confidence in the wisdom and power of God not to be at all cast down. Among other things, we do not as yet know how the Lord will answer our prayers. …”

– Archbishop Peter Jensen reminds Sydney Anglicans that there’s only one way forward. (Image: SydneyAnglicans.net. The phrase about advancing ‘on your knees’ is attributed to Hudson Taylor.)

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