Paul and Sue Harrington: Lessons on the way
From The Pastor’s Heart – this week at the Reach Australia conference on the NSW Central Coast:
“Paul Harrington has led the Trinity Network of Churches in Adelaide for 33 years, guiding it from a single congregation of 800 to a thriving network of 13 churches with over 2,600 members.
Sue Harrington is a Reach Australia board member, has been deeply involved in supporting pastors’ wives, families, and women in ministry and runs a consultancy business.
Together, we discuss the lessons learned along the way, the emotional and practical challenges of planting daughter churches, and the role of humility and servant-hearted leadership. We explore the cost and recovery after sending, the evolving nature of church leadership, and the often overlooked but critical support needed for ministry households.”
Ashley Null consecrated as the second Anglican Bishop of North Africa
“On Sunday 11th May, the world-renowned Thomas Cranmer scholar, the Rev Canon Dr John Ashley Null, was consecrated as the second Anglican Bishop of North Africa in a joyful service at St George’s Tunis …”
– Report from Charles Raven at the GSFA website.
(Gafcon photo.)
Alistair Begg on his preaching ministry
“Alistair Begg has been in pastoral ministry since 1975. He graduated from the London School of Theology and subsequently served in Scotland at Charlotte Chapel in Edinburgh and Hamilton Baptist Church. In 1983, he became the senior pastor at Parkside Church near Cleveland, Ohio, where he continues to lead the congregation and teach God’s word Sunday by Sunday.
Alistair is also the Bible teacher on the daily and weekend program Truth for Life. Truth For Life is distributed through 1,900 radio networks across the United States and can also be heard on the Truth for Life website, through YouTube, via podcast, and by way of numerous other listening platforms. Alistair is the author of several books. He and his wife Susan were married in 1975 and have three grown children and eight grandchildren.
The following is a transcript of a section of an interview with Alistair conducted by the ACR during the 2025 CMS Summer School, Katoomba, where Alistair was speaking on the book of 1 Peter. …”
– Read the full interview at The Australian Church Record.
From Obscurity to Influence: The Legacy of A. W. Pink
“Few figures in modern Reformed history are as paradoxical – or as vital – as Arthur W. Pink. During his lifetime (1886–1952), Pink lived largely in obscurity, often isolated and out of step with the ecclesiastical landscape of his day. Yet after his death, his writings sparked a widespread retrieval of historic Calvinism across the English-speaking world. His works, particularly The Sovereignty of God, still nourish those who hunger for robust, God-centred theology.
One hundred years ago this year, in 1925, Pink arrived in Australia, pastoring briefly in Sydney before retreating into the quieter, itinerant years of his life. His sojourn here, though short, lasting only three years, reminds us that his theological voice was already crossing continents long before it found wider acclaim.
Pink’s theological influence is hard to overstate. …”
– At AP, the Presbyterian journal, Brett Lee-Price has this reminder of A. W. Pink.
Photo via The Banner of Truth.
Archbishop of Adelaide and Primate Geoffrey Smith announces resignation
“Adelaide’s Anglican Archbishop Geoffrey Smith has announced he will resign as Archbishop on November 8 and as Primate… of the Anglican church of Australia effective October 8th.
This will bring on the separate election process for both positions.
‘The time is right for Lynn and I to reconnect with family and friends by moving back to Queensland. Lyn and I will move to the Sunshine Coast, where we will settle and look forward to becoming involved with the local church and community,’ Smith writes in a letter to Adelaide clergy. …”
– John Sandeman at The Other Cheek has the news.
Photo: Diocese of Adelaide.
Veronica Hoyt’s hopes for the Priscilla and Aquila Centre at Moore College
“Dr Veronica Hoyt loves the ministry of Moore College’s Priscilla and Aquila Centre so much that, when she lived in New Zealand, she travelled to Sydney two years in a row for P&A Centre’s annual conference. So, it’s a delight for her to now become director of a place that focusses on encouraging the ministries of women, particularly as they partner with men in gospel work. …”
– Judy Adamson writes at Sydney Anglicans.net.
Was Pope Francis a ‘gospel man’?
“Throughout my life, and during my ministry as a priest and bishop, I have always entrusted myself to the Mother of Our Lord, the Blessed Virgin Mary. … I wish my final earthly journey to end precisely in this ancient Marian sanctuary, where I would always stop to pray at the beginning and end of every Apostolic Journey, confidently entrusting my intentions to the Immaculate Mother, and giving thanks for her gentle and maternal care.” (Santa Marta, Vatican City, 29 June 2022)
These are the words contained in Pope Francis’ testament where he outlines his last wishes. His deep devotion to Mary is pervasive and profound.
On one hand, there is no surprise …
– At The Australian Church Record, Leonardo De Chirico takes a look at what Pope Francis said was most important to him.
Being a Christian Entrepreneur — An Interview with Mr Neil Smith
For the Global South Fellowship of Anglican Churches, Charles Raven interviews Christian businessman Neil Smith.
There are some fascinating insights into the challenges of doing business as a Christian – as well as insights into what works and what doesn’t work in investment and development.
In 2016 Neil founded The Relay Trust – a charity set up to enable the training of grassroots Christian leaders in the poorest Anglican provinces of Africa – currently training about 8,000 people a month in partnership with the GSFA. (Charles Raven is The Relay Trust’s CEO.)
– Watch here. 36 minutes.
Archbishop Kanishka Raffel on the death of Pope Francis
“Anglican Diocese of Sydney
Statement from Archbishop Kanishka Raffel
The passing of Pope Francis
I offer my deepest condolences to the family of Pope Francis, and those closest to him.
The example of the humility that characterised his life will be his lasting legacy.
On behalf of Sydney Anglicans, I extend our profound sympathy to Archbishop Fisher and the Catholic community in Sydney.
Archbishop Kanishka Raffel
April 21, 2025.”
– Media release from the Diocese of Sydney.
100 Ministry stories — Peter Jensen interviews Lloyd Bennett
From Moore Theological College:
“Former Archbishop of Sydney, Peter Jensen, sits down with Lloyd Bennett – pastor, chaplain, and Moore College graduate.
Lloyd shares how he came to know Christ, his journey into ministry, and the ways God used his time at Moore to shape a lifetime of faithful service. From classrooms to chaplaincy, his story is one of God’s grace and guidance every step of the way.”
– This is a most encouraging interview. Watch or listen here.
Peter Williams on eighty years of Tyndale House
In the latest Tyndale House podcast, Principal Peter Williams speaks about the origins of Tyndale House in Cambridge, founded 80 years ago, in 1945.
Along the way, he mentions many people with whom our readers will be familiar.
“Dr Peter J. Williams, Principal of Tyndale House, walks us through the history of Tyndale House. Starting with the initial conversations about creating an institution for evangelical biblical scholarship that took place in the late 1930s, through to the new library building project starting in 2025.”
An encouraging and illuminating 33 minutes.
27 Ordained and Director of Indigenous Ministry Commissioned in Sydney
Russell Powell writes at SydneyAnglicans.net –
“With more than 1000 people in the congregation and 27 servant-hearted men and women, St Andrew’s Cathedral echoed with the sound of singing, fulfilling Charles Wesley’s hope for ‘O for a thousand tongues to sing my great Redeemer’s praise’.
Newly ordained, the deacons then made their way through the crowds for a group photo on the steps of the cathedral and then celebrated with family and church members from across Sydney, Wollongong and beyond. …”
“100 Ministry Stories from Moore College” — Gavin Rosser
From Moore College:
“Gavin Rosser, along with his wife Megan and their family, serves with the Anglican Church in Amman, Jordan, through CMS.
After 17 years of ministry in Sydney, Gavin followed a long-held calling to minister in a region where Christ is less known. …”
– Moore College is continuing its “100 Ministry Stories” series – this time with Gavin Rosser.
Report: Ashley Null elected Bishop of the Diocese North Africa
“The Episcopal/Anglican Diocese of North Africa is delighted to announce that The Revd Canon Dr Ashley Null has been elected as the next bishop of North Africa. The Electoral Synod met on 4 February in N’Djamena, Chad, in the context of a Diocesan Synod that will continue until 6 February.
If the Synod of the Province of Alexandria confirms this election Dr Null will become the second, and first elected, bishop of the Diocese of North Africa, covering five countries (Algeria, Chad, Libya, Mauritania and Tunisia) and including the territory of the see of St Augustine of Hippo.
Dr Null holds research degrees from Yale and the University of Cambridge. He has received numerous awards for his work, including Fulbright, National Endowment for the Humanities and Guggenheim fellowships as well as being elected fellow of the Royal Historical Society and the Society of Antiquaries in London. He currently holds a research post funded by the German Research Council at Humboldt University of Berlin and is a visiting fellow at the Divinity Faculty of Cambridge University and St. John’s College, Durham University. His project is editing the private theological notebooks of Thomas Cranmer,
Commenting on the election the current bishop, the Rt Revd Anthony Ball, said ‘I am delighted that Canon Ashley offered, and has been chosen to share, his varied experience and renowned gifts as a pastor and theologian in the service of this wonderful diocese. As the Chair of the Board of The Alexandria School of Theology he is already familiar with the Diocese. He will now have the chance to broaden and enhance the work he has done for many years to promote and encourage Christian witness in this cradle of Christianity. I look forward to working with him and wish him every blessing as he prepares to assume his new role.’ ”
– Report from The Jerusalem and the Middle East Church Association in the UK.
A bit more background on Bishop Anthony Ball, who is quoted above –
“On 30 November 2021, shortly after the Province of Alexandria was recognized as a new Anglian Communion province, Ball was consecrated as an assistant bishop in the Anglican Diocese of Egypt. He held this role on a part-time basis while remaining resident at Westminster Abbey. In January 2024, at a service in N’Djamena, Ball was installed as the first diocesan bishop of North Africa—which covers Algeria, Chad, Libya, Mauritania, Morocco and Tunisia—while retaining his appointments at Westminster.” – Source, Wikipedia.
Photo of Ashley Null: Gafcon.
Advancing Indigenous Ministry
“In a boost for ministry to Indigenous peoples, Archbishop Kanishka Raffel has announced the landmark appointment of the Rev Michael Duckett as the first Director of Indigenous Ministry in the Sydney Diocese.
Synod last year voted overwhelmingly to create the position after a recommendation from the Sydney Anglican Indigenous Peoples Ministry Committee (SAIPMC) that it would greatly impact the growth and oversight of ministry by, among and for Indigenous people in Sydney and the Illawarra. …”
– Good news from Russell Powell at SydneyAnglicans.net.
Photo: Michael Duckett thanks to SydneyAnglicans.nrt.