California: ‘Gay marriage ban leading’
A measure to once again ban gay marriage in California led Tuesday, throwing into doubt the unions of an estimated 18,000 same-sex couples who wed during the last 4 1/2 months…
Eight years ago, Californians voted 61% to define marriage as being only between a man and a woman. The California Supreme Court overturned that measure…
– Report from The Los Angeles Times.
See also Arizona and Florida ban ‘gay marriage’.
A Prayer for America on Election Day
“May God bless America, not because this nation deserves to be blessed, but because He is a God of grace and mercy. Oh God… save us from ourselves.”
– Al Mohler calls Christians to pray for America as millions go to vote.
Sir Marcus Loane launches preaching guide
Former Archbishop of Sydney, Sir Marcus Loane has expressed his hopes for the flourishing of preaching in Sydney at the launch of an historic book on Saturday.
Preach or Perish, a new book on the theology and practice of preaching, has a weighty Sydney Anglican contributor list, including previous Archbishops of Sydney, Sir Marcus Loane and Dr Donald Robinson, as well as current Archbishop, Dr Peter Jensen…
– Story from SydneyAnglicans.net. (Photo: Ramon Williams.)
Paul Barnett honoured
Press release from the Australian College of Theology –
Australian New Testament Scholar Honoured.
At its October meeting, and on the strong recommendation of the College’s Honorary Degree Committee, the Board of Directors of the Australian College of Theology awarded an honorary Doctor of Theology degree to well-known Sydney historian and New Testament scholar, Paul Barnett. The award is in recognition of Dr Barnett’s contribution to the life and work of the Anglican Church of Australia and particularly his substantial academic and scholarly contributions. Read more
New bishop says Anglicanism ‘in trouble’
Born in 1959 to unmarried musicians from Sydney’s Kings Cross, Stuart Robinson was elected yesterday as the next Anglican Bishop of Canberra and Goulburn. …
With a background in management, Dr Robinson trained for the priesthood at Sydney’s Moore Theological College. Much of his subsequent work has involved establishing new churches, including several years in Belgium…
– Report from The Canberra Times. (Photo: St. Paul’s Chatswood.)
Stuart Robinson elected to Canberra and Goulburn
The Reverend Stuart Robinson has been elected as the new Diocesan Bishop of the Anglican Diocese of Canberra and Goulburn. The Reverend Stuart Robinson is presently National Mission Facilitator for the Anglican Church of Australia and Rector of Chatswood in the diocese of Sydney.
The announcement was made today by the Very Reverend Phillip Saunders, President of the Electoral Synod and Dean of St Saviour’s Cathedral…
– Announcement from the Diocese of Canberra and Goulburn.
Learn about Stuart’s ministry as National Mission Facilitator. (Photo: St. Paul’s Chatswood.)
Taking a crack at the stained glass ceiling
Church history will be made this weekend if Canberra’s Dr Sarah Macneil is elected the 10th Anglican Bishop of Canberra and Goulburn.
… only four remained from an original field of five nominees when the electoral synod began meeting yesterday in Goulburn. … Others nominated are Assistant Bishop and Vicar General of the diocese, Allan Ewing; Assistant Bishop and rector of the parish of St Matthew, Wanniassa, Trevor Edwards; and the rector of the parish of St Paul, Chatswood, Stuart Robinson.
– Report from The Canberra Times. (emphasis added)
FiF UK reacts to recent news from Sydney
“Forward in Faith regrets the recent decision of the Synod of the diocese of Sydney with regard to lay and diaconal presidency at the Eucharist, both of which are clearly contrary to the foundational documents of Anglicanism.
It trusts that the Archbishop of Sydney will use those powers available to him to ensure that such innovations are not set forth, in order that further division is not thereby introduced into the life of the Communion.”
– a Statement from Forward in Faith UK.
However, the motion at Sydney Synod simply re-stated the Synod’s long-held opinion. There was no legislation involved. It seems many are reacting to exaggerated media reports. See Jeremy Halcrow’s report at SydneyAnglicans.net
See also George Conger’s article for The Church of England Newspaper.
Arguing for GAFCON
Wallace Benn and Mark Burkill respond to Iain Murray
The Christian work and fellowship started by GAFCON in Jerusalem in June 2008 has only just begun.
We are well aware that it faces plenty of dangers and obstacles as it seeks to renew the Anglican Communion in the work of the gospel. We know that it has already been misunderstood in various quarters. This may lead some to hesitate about supporting it. That is why we want to respond to the particular misunderstandings and historical errors that are stated in the article by Iain Murray in the September 2008 issue of EN, although both of us have enormously appreciated books he has written over the years…
– Wallace Benn and Mark Burkill in Evangelicals Now – in response to ‘The Church of England in crisis’ by Iain Murray.
(Photo of Bishop Wallace Benn at GAFCON: Peter Frank.) h/t Anglican Mainstream.
Petition in support of St. John’s Shaughnessy
Just a reminder about that petition…
So much for Possibility Thinking
Bad news must be especially hard to bear when you build your world on positive thinking, but the news out of Garden Grove this past Sunday was not happy. Robert H. Schuller, founder of the Crystal Cathedral and the “Hour of Power” television ministry, announced that he had removed his son, Robert A. Schuller, as host of the television ministry…
In the elder Schuller’s view, preaching “what is sin and isn’t sin” is out of bounds for his television program.
– Al Mohler on events at the Crystal Cathedral. (Photo: crystalcathedral.org)
Sydney diocese votes for lay and diaconal presidency – again
“The General Synod of the Diocese of Sydney, Australia, has voted ‘overwhelmingly’ in favor of lay and diaconal presidency, which means that lay people and deacons could be permitted to administer the sacraments at Holy Communion – a role that is usually limited to priests.
In the motion, the synod affirmed ‘its conviction that lay and diaconal administration of the Lord’s Supper is consistent with the teaching of Scripture, and that the Lord’s Supper in this diocese may be administered by persons other than presbyters…”
– Episcopal Church’s coverage of Sydney Synod’s vote.
Barack Obama: The 2004 ‘God Factor’ interview transcript
In 2004, Chicago religion journalist for the Chicago Sun-Times, Cathleen Falsani, interviewed Barack Obama on his Christian beliefs –
“Do you believe in sin?”
“Yes.”
“What is sin?”
“Being out of alignment with my values.” …
Cathleen Falsani writes: “Because of the staggering interest in now U.S. Sen. Obama’s faith and spiritual predilections, I thought it might be helpful to share that interview, uncut and in its entirety, here.”
Petition in support of St. John’s Shaughnessy
Many from around the world have signed the online petition in support of the churches of Good Shepherd and St. John’s Shaughnessy in Vancouver, against expected action by the Diocese of New Westminster.
Read the St. John’s website to discover some reasons for signing – or see our related posts.
If you haven’t yet signed it, please consider doing so. The text of the petition, released on October 18, says,
We, the undersigned, as active clergy and lay members of the Anglican Communion, stand with those parishes in Vancouver that are part of the Anglican Network on Canada, affirming that they are authentically Anglican.
The petition is available here – and there’s an equivalent petition for members of the Church of England. (Photo: Joy Gwaltney)
Canberra & Goulburn to vote this week
The Anglican Diocese of Canberra and Goulburn will elect its tenth Diocesan Bishop at an election Synod beginning on Friday (31st October). Bishop George Browning retired in August.
– Details on the process from the Diocese of Canberra and Goulburn website. (Image: Dioc. Canb & Goulb.)
What we believe
The message at the heart of Christianity is really quite simple…