Guess who’s coming to church

“The congregation of St Thomas’ North Sydney was told only the day before that they would have the King and Queen as special guests for the Sunday morning family service.

Strict security had to be in place for the opening official engagement of King Charles’ first visit to Australia as King.

‘We really hope and pray that he recovers well and what he hears in the service will be of great encouragement and meaning to him,’ said the rector, the Rev Micky Mantle, as he prepared for the service. …”

– Russell Powell has the story at SydneyAnglicans.net.

You can read the text of Archbishop Kanishka Raffel’s sermon here. (PDF file.)

Video of the full service can be seen here (link to the arrival of the King and Queen).

Cannon Phil Ashey elected Bishop of Diocese of Western Anglicans

“On Saturday, October 19, 2024, the Synod of the Diocese of Western Anglicans elected the Rev. Canon Phil Ashey to be the next bishop of the diocese.

Canon Phil Ashey is the President and Chief Executive Officer of the American Anglican Council (AAC). Phil grew up in a Christian family and gave his life to Christ in 1968. A graduate of Stanford and Loyola Law School, he served as a Deputy DA in Orange County California. He was ordained to the priesthood in 1988 and spent twenty years leading Episcopal and Anglican congregations of all sizes in California, Virginia, and Pittsburgh—thirteen as a Rector and Church planter, and seven as a Senior Associate. Phil’s focus and passion is to develop biblically-faithful leaders at all levels of the Church—both here in North America and across the Anglican Communion. …”

– News from The American Anglican Council.

Church Society podcast: Interview with Bishop Rob Munro

From Church Society:

“Ros Clarke chats to the Bishop of Ebbsfleet, Rob Munro, about what his role requires and some of the challenges he has been facing. In an increasingly politicised church he speaks of how he tries to follow theological principles, and calls us to pray for revival.”

– Listen here.

A Cloud of Witnesses: Australian Anglicans in Tanzania – Rev Dr Colin Reed

“The Letter to the Hebrews encourages us with the account of the great cloud of witnesses in the Old Testament – people who lived by faith looking forward to Jesus. The Moore College Archives encourage us with some of the witness of people of more modern times who have stepped out in faith looking to Jesus as they went to serve God in Tanzania. How do they encourage and challenge us today? What shaped their faith? What shaped their passions? What were their aims in mission? How do they ‘strengthen our feeble arms and weak knees’?”

Colin Reed spoke at a Moore College Library Lecture earlier this month. His fascinating lecture will be of great interest to anyone wanting to know more of the history of CMS in East Africa, and many people he mentions will likely be familiar to our readers.

Rev Dr Colin Reed grew up in Africa and (along with his wife Wendy) served with CMS as a missionary in Tanzania, on staff of the NSW & ACT Branch, and as Principal of St Andrew’s Hall.

Over many years, Colin has studied and written on the history of the Church in East Africa.

Watch here.

And on YouTube, there are timestamped links to topics mentioned in the lecture.

Ridley’s Principal to deliver farewell lecture

“The Reverend Brian Rosner will deliver a public farewell lecture at Ridley College on Wednesday, 16 October, marking the conclusion of his more than 12 years as principal.

The lecture, titled Strengthened by the Gospel: The Purpose of Romans and the Future of Ridley College, will focus on the enduring role of the gospel in Christian life and ministry. …”

– Report and photo from The Melbourne Anglican.

And a good reminder to also pray for the College and for Rhys Bezzant as he takes up the reins in January.

New Moore College Lecturer in Ministry and Dean of Students

“Rev Malcolm York, currently Rector of St Andrew’s Roseville, has been nominated as Lecturer in Ministry and Dean of Students for Moore College starting in January 2025.

With a depth of experience in parish ministry Mal has the heart and the skills needed for this important teaching and pastoral role. …”

– Announcement from Moore College.

Dr Tony Payne to Lecture in Christian Thought at Moore College

“The College is thrilled to announce the appointment of Rev Dr Tony Payne as Lecturer in Christian Thought (Ethics) from November 2024.

Currently serving at Campus Bible Study (CBS) in the University of New South Wales as a ministry trainer, Tony has previously served the College in a part-time capacity (2014–2019) as Director of the Centre for Christian Living.

For more than three decades, mainly through his work with Matthias Media, Tony has been regularly sharing reflections on what it means to live the Christian life through books, articles, podcasts and lectures. …”

– Read the news at the Moore College website.

Bishop Jack Iker — ‘Lion of Fort Worth’

Bishop Jack Iker at GAFCON 2008 in Jerusalem.

“The Rev. Rt. Jack Iker, also known as the ‘lion of Fort Worth,’ died Oct. 5 at the age of 75. …

Iker became the third bishop to serve the Episcopal Diocese of Fort Worth on Jan. 1, 1995.  …

On Nov. 13, 2008, after 13 years in the role, Iker left the Episcopal Church. He became the face of the split within the local diocese that made Fort Worth a focal point in the widening national schism among Episcopalians with opposing viewpoints on ordaining women and gay priests and blessing same-sex unions. …”

–  from The Fort Worth Report.

In 2008, Bishop Iker clarified the issues during his address to the Fort Worth diocesan convention:

“‘Contending for the Faith’ is the theme of this year’s Diocesan Convention, and it aptly describes what lies at the heart of the controversy that surrounds us.

Others have argued that it is a matter of contending for property, or contending for the authority of The Episcopal Church over us, or contending for homosexual rights in the church. But these are simply some of the side issues confronting us.

The real issue is the faith. We are taking a stand for the historic faith and practice of the Bible, as we have received them, and against the continuing erosion of that faith by TEC. This Diocese stands for orthodox Christianity. TEC stands for a revisionist and compromised version of what the Church has always taught. …”

See also many previous posts on our website.

Rev Dr Dan Cole appointed as next Principal of Trinity Theological College, Perth

“Trinity Theological College is pleased to announce the appointment of Rev Dr Dan Cole as the next Principal of the College. Dan, who currently serves at Trinity as Senior Lecturer in New Testament and Greek, will take over from Rev Dr Don West who has been Principal for 21 years. …”

– Good news from Perth. Read the full announcement here.

Sovereign Grace Music Podcast with Colin Buchanan (part 1)

Sovereign Grace Music has just published Part 1 of an interview with Colin Buchanan for their Sound Plus Doctrine podcast.

“Colin Buchanan is widely known in Australia both as a country musician and a writer of Christian songs for kids. He is extremely funny and a joy to be around, but more importantly loves introducing children to the riches of God’s Word and the gospel through song. We had the opportunity to record two podcasts with him.

In this first episode, David and Bob talk to Colin about his history and how he got connected with Sovereign Grace Music.”

– Watch here.

Service of Thanksgiving for Bishop Timothy Dudley-Smith

A Service of Thanksgiving for Bishop Timothy Dudley-Smith was held at St Andrew the Great in Cambridge late last night (Friday 27 September 2024) Australian time. The service was led by the Rev Alasdair Paine and the Rev Giles Walter was the preacher.

It was recorded and is now available on YouTube.

See the website for the Order of Service.

Lessons from Mark Dever’s 30 Years at Capitol Hill Baptist Church

“September 25, 2024, marks the 30th anniversary of Dever’s installation as senior pastor of Capitol Hill Baptist Church (CHBC) in Washington, DC.

What lessons are there to glean from a ministry that has spanned three decades and influenced thousands? One answer comes from a response Dever gave in a pastoral candidate interview with the congregation in November 1993. …”

– At The Gospel Coalition, Caleb Morell, an assistant pastor at Capitol Hill Baptist Church, shares this encouragement for pastors and churches.

Photo: Mark Dever at the 2019 Nexus Conference in Sydney.

Gideon Ilechukwu – Planting a Diocese from Scratch — Global Anglican Podcast

From Gafcon:

“Meet the Venerable Gideon Ilechukwu, who is about to become Gafcon’s newest bishop, and who will soon lead Gafcon’s newest diocese.

Thirteen years ago, he planted a church in Manchester, England, which has now grown to 39 churches with 52 ministers… and on October 15 we will form this fellowship into a diocese called ‘Anglican Missionary Congregations (AMC) Europe’, which he will lead as bishop.

General Secretary Paul Donison speaks with Gideon, as he shares with us how he planted this diocese from scratch, and how Gafcon provided vital support and resources for gospel mission throughout the UK and Europe.”

– Listen here.

Alistair Begg announces retirement — planned for Sept 2025

“On September 8, 2024, Alistair Begg announced to the congregation of Parkside Church that he will be concluding his time as senior pastor in September of 2025. He will continue his pastoral and ministry work at Truth For Life.

Alistair informed the Parkside Elders about his decision in August of 2024, and the Elders will nominate a candidate for senior pastor in the year ahead.”

– Announcement video here. (Of course, many will be looking forward to hearing Alistair Begg at the NSW & ACT CMS Summer School in January 2025.)

A Heart for the Gospel: Paul Donison speaks with Jodie McNeill

GAFCON’s Global Anglican Podcast episode number 7 has been released:

“Jodie McNeill – A Heart for the Gospel: Meet the New Global Operations Manager

We sit down with the Revd Jodie McNeill, Gafcon’s Global Operations Manager, to discuss his vital new role in the day-to-day ministry of Gafcon.

As an Anglican pastor and longstanding advocate for the Gafcon movement, Jodie understands the need to both ‘throw a lifeboat’ to Anglican churches whose diocesan leaders have abandoned the truth, as well as the importance of supporting churches that remain within their troubled dioceses.

General Secretary Paul Donison explores with Jodie their shared passion to see Gafcon engage and equip everyday Anglicans in standing firm for the gospel today.”

– Listen here.

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