Finance industry leader to head Sydney Anglican Services

From SydneyAnglicans.net –

“Andrew Macey, an experienced banking executive, has been appointed as the new chief executive officer of Sydney Anglican Services (SAS), the key support organisation for the Sydney Diocese.

Mr Macey has held senior roles for Westpac for more than 20 years, including in specialist finance, human resources and, since 2024, as CEO of the Westpac subsidiary RAMS Financial Group. …”

– Read the full story by Russell Powell.

Moore College mourns the passing of Dr Richard Gibson

“Moore College gives profound thanks to God for the life and ministry of Dr Richard Gibson, Principal of the Brisbane School of Theology, and before that a member of the Moore College Faculty for twenty years. Richard died suddenly last week.

Richard’s ministry touched many people. He was a compassionate pastor and a highly effective preacher. His sermons in the College chapel, not least his long series on 2 Corinthians, remain in the memory of many who heard them. His lectures in New Testament Greek were equally memorable, including his impersonations of Nana Mouskouri, the famous Greek singer!

Richard’s friendship remains cherished by a very large number of people serving Christ in a wide range of ministries around Australia and across the world. Many of the current Moore College Faculty were taught by Richard and there are still members of the Faculty who worked alongside him. …”

– Many ACL members will join in giving thanks to the Lord for Richard Gibson.

Read the full tribute at the Moore College website.

See also this tribute by Charles Brammall.

Photo: Brisbane School of Theology.

Shoes, temperance and benevolence — Samuel Callaghan (1809-1884)

“Samuel Callaghan was born in Londonderry, Ireland…

At his death on 29 August 1884, Callaghan had been associated with various efforts of the Wesleyan Church in the colony of NSW for a period of 45 years, and for about 11 years in Ireland prior to coming to Australia. His family maintained an active involvement in Wesleyan/Methodism well into the 20th Century, and one of his grandsons, Robert Samuel Callaghan, was hailed by The Methodist as ‘a prince and a great man’ of Australian Methodism. …”

– Gospel minister and historian Paul F Cooper, Research Fellow at Christ College, Sydney, provides a glimpse into the life of yet another Christian man who worked to be a blessing to the people of Sydney.

Read about Samuel Callaghan at Philanthropists and Philanthropy in Australian Colonial History.

Image: via Trove.

Anglican Heroes: Charles Simeon — Church Society podcast

In the latest podcast from Church Society, Lee Gatiss talks to Ros Clarke about the influential ministry of Charles Simeon.

– Listen here.

Lawyers Task Force Leader Honoured

From Gafcon:

“We give thanks to God for the ministry of Dr Robert Tong AM, who continues to serve as the Leader of our Gafcon Lawyers Task Force.

Dr Tong was honoured this week at the Synod of the Diocese of Sydney, Australia, as he retires from his formal ministry in their Synod after 55 years of service.

Join us in thanking God for his strategic mind, theological wisdom, extensive knowledge of church law, and the personal example of faith and integrity he has provided throughout his years of service.

We continue to pray for the important ministry of The Gafcon Lawyers Network, as they provide legal and canonical counsel and resources to the Primates, bishops, clergy and other leaders of Gafcon as we seek to live out the Jerusalem Declaration and its implications for our life and ministry together under the Lordship of Jesus Christ and the supremacy of the Holy Scriptures.”

– From Gafcon.

ACL members continue to be thankful for Robert’s long term commitment to advancing the reformed and evangelical character of the Anglican Church of Australia, particularly in the Diocese of Sydney, through Anglican Church League, including his continued service as Chairman.

100 Ministry Stories from Moore College — Dani Treweek

Moore College has published the latest video in its 100 Ministry Stories.

Veronica Hoyt, Director of the Priscilla & Aquila Centre, speaks with Dani Treweek.

Most encouraging.

– Watch here.

See also:

Singleness book wins Christian book of the year

The real meaning of singleness

100 Ministry Stories from Moore College — Grahame and Patty Scarratt

Moore College has published another video in its 100 Ministry Stories.

Peter Jensen speaks with Grahame and Patty Scarratt.

“From surveying in NSW to serving in Chile, Grahame and Patty Scarratt’s journey has been marked by a deep love for God’s word. What began at Moore College grew into decades of ministry across Latin America—most significantly the translation and teaching of the Preliminary Theological Certificate (PTC) and the beginnings of MOCLAM.

Through their work, countless pastors and church members gained access to solid biblical training in their own language, shaping the Anglican Church in Chile and beyond. Even after returning to Australia, the Scarratts continued publishing and supporting resources so that more people might know and teach the Scriptures.”

– Watch here. (And Grahame has a challenge for churches in Sydney.)

Related –

Preliminary Theological Certificate (PTC) from Moore College.

New Vice Principal of Moore College

Announcement from Moore Theological College –

“We are delighted to share that the Principal has appointed The Rev Dr Paul Grimmond as the next Vice Principal of Moore Theological College, commencing 1 January 2026.

Paul is a much-loved member of our College community, having joined the Faculty in 2017 as Dean of Students. Since then, he has taught in the Ministry Department and played a key role in the revamping of ministry courses with the development of the Intentional Ministry Reflection (IMR) program, and introduced a more intentional preaching program. Earlier this year, Paul stepped into the role of Head of the Ministry Department following the appointment of Mal York as Dean of Students.”

– Read it all here.

Photo: Paul and Cathy Grimmond with Moore College Principal Mark Thompson.

Honouring Dick Lucas – with Phillip and Peter Jensen

From The Pastor’s Heart –

“This week marks the 100th birthday of Dick Lucas, one of the most influential evangelical leaders of the 20th century. For nearly four decades as Rector of St Helen’s Bishopsgate in London, Dick shaped a generation of preachers and transformed a quiet city parish into a global centre of expository Bible ministry. The influence of his clear, fearless, and creative preaching continues to ripple out through pulpits around the world.

We’re joined by Peter Jensen (former Archbishop of Sydney and Principal of Moore College) and Phillip Jensen (founder of Two Ways Ministries, former Dean of Sydney Cathedral, and long-time leader of Campus Bible Study). Both were impacted by Dick’s ministry and friendship.

Dick Lucas was a trainer of preachers. He helped us see what could be done with city pulpits, and founded the Proclamation Trust and Cornhill Course.

Our focus is on learning from Evangelical History from a faithful, eccentric, humble servant of Christ.”

– Most encouraging. Watch or listen here.

New Head of Mission for Moore College

News from Moore Theological College:

“Moore College is pleased to announce that last night the Governing Board approved the Principal’s nomination of Mr Josh Apieczonek to join the Moore College Faculty as a lecturer in mission and Head of the Mission Department from January next year.

Josh is a graduate of the College who has worked at St Andrews Cathedral School and St Andrews Cathedral, before serving with CMS in France for the last ten years. Josh worked with the GBU as well as an elder in a local church, Croix Rousse Evangelical Church. …”

– Full announcement here.

Dick Lucas at 100: ‘Transforming preaching’

In the Lord’s providence, Dick Lucas turns 100 today.

At Evangelicals Now, Robin Sydserff shares the gratitude many feel for Dick and how the Lord has used him.

“This September will see Dick Lucas’ 100th birthday. As Director of The Proclamation Trust (PT), a ministry started by Dick in 1986, it is my privilege to write something to mark this milestone, though on behalf of countless others in the UK and around the world.

Dick eschews praise. He is a humble, godly man who has assiduously pointed away from himself to Jesus. A suggestion to call the new PT building at Elephant and Castle ‘Lucas House’ was quickly voted down. Instead ‘Proclamation House’ was chosen, reflecting the ministry, not the man. …

Dick’s open-handedness and collaborative spirit, extended beyond bringing Anglicans and Independents together in the UK to reach across the world. [including Australia!]”

– Read it here.

From Adrian Reynolds, FIEC Associate National Director –

How Dick Lucas Helped Me to be a Better Preacher.

And from St. Helen’s Bishopsgate –

“Wishing Dick Lucas a very happy 100 birthday today!

We are so grateful to the Lord for Dick’s many years of faithful gospel service both at St Helen’s and far beyond.

Dick’s talks are available on St Helen’s resource library or catch up on Dick’s recent Bible Matters interview with Leo and Tiff.”

Top photo from a 2014 St. Helen’s video.

John Barnett (1837-1905) an unremarkable but important life

“John Barnett (1837-1905) was born in Stepney, Middlesex, England, on 21 February 1837, the son of John Barnett (Senior) (1810-1858), Grocer and Sugar Refiner and Ann Eliza Winkworth (1807-1842).

In December 1859, John married Janet Gowanlock Smith (1840-1927) at Waverley, Sydney, and they were to have eight children, four of whom lived to adulthood.

John’s parents, together with his 6-year-old sister Elizabeth and his 3-year-old self, had emigrated from England to Sydney in New South Wales (NSW), arriving on the Ann Gales on 12 July 1840. …”

– At Philanthropists and Philanthropy in Australian Colonial History, Paul F. Cooper, Presbyterian minister and Research Fellow at Christ College in Sydney, shares insights into the life of John Barnett, who played a role in the founding of St. Barnabas’ Broadway.

Read it here.

Evangelism and the Local Church

From AP, the Australian Presbyterian journal, Mark Powell speaks with Dave Jensen –

“Dave Jensen talks about his amazing conversion to faith in Jesus as well as why he is passionate about seeing others come to faith in Jesus.

Dave’s ministry now is helping local churches be equipped to share the Gospel with others.”

– Watch here.

Memorial Service for John MacArthur

The Memorial Service for John MacArthur was held at Grace Community Church in California on Saturday.

The full service can be seen here.

The video runs for 2 hours and 43 minutes (!), though the proceedings don’t start until 10 minutes in.

Prayers (Alistair Begg) from 46 minutes.
Eulogy (John Piper) beginning at 58 minutes.
Address (Sinclair Ferguson – from 2 Corinthians 4) starting at 1 hour 51 minutes.

Related:

Albert Mohler shares his thanks for John MacArthur, “A lion of the pulpit”.

Focus on the Family gives thanks for Dr James Dobson 1936-2025

Focus on the Family has posted a video and messages of tribute with the announcement that Dr James Dobson has been called home.

Photo: James Dobson with Chuck Colson in 1988.

Update: Dr Albert Mohler shares his tribute.

Next Page →