New Primate elected

From SydneyAnglicans.net –

“Canberra and Goulburn Bishop Dr Mark Short has been elected as the Primate of the Anglican Church of Australia.

The election is significant as the position, regarded as ‘first among equals’ in Australian bishops, had traditionally gone to a ‘metropolitan’ bishop from one of the major cities…”

– This report by Russell Powell includes a congratulory statement from Archbishop Kanishka Raffel.

Alistair Begg gives thanks for John MacArthur

In this video, Alistair Begg gives thanks for John MacArthur.

See also:

Crossway gives thanks – with links to a number of articles by John MacArthur.

Testimony about John MacArthur from the fitness trainer who didn’t know his identity – NottheBee.

John MacArthur 1939-2025

Grace Community Church in Sun Valley California, the church pastored by John MacArthur since 1969, has announced that he has been called home to be with the Lord.

– Church website here.

Church Society Podcast: George Whitefield

The latest Church Society podcast:

“Ros Clarke and Lee Gatiss talk about the controversial and brilliant George Whitefield.”

– Listen here.

Christian Songwriting: A Conversation with Greg Cooper

At The Gospel Coalition Australia, Mikey Lynch interviews Greg Cooper in Melbourne.

Many will remember Greg as a member of Garage Hymnal and his beautiful songs such as ‘Hear our Prayer’.

“This extended interview is in two parts. First, Mikey discusses general principles with Greg about congregational songwriting, personal songwriting and the place of art and beauty in the Christian life. Second, Greg breaks down the composition and recording of one song—’The Same God’—in detail, drawing out general songwriting principles along the way.’”

– Listen here.

Archdeacons commissioned in Bathurst Diocese

This morning, a special service was held at Holy Trinity Dubbo to commission The Ven Andrew Thornhill as Diocesan Archdeacon, and The Rev James Daymond as Archdeacon of the North West.

Video here.

It’d be good to continue to pray for these men and for the continued work of proclaiming Christ is this huge area of NSW.

Sally’s Conversion

“My minister has just completed an expository sermon series on Judges which compelled me to find ways to tell my salvation story in more detail. I totally relate to Judges 21:25. Past public testimonies have avoided that salvation was related to having two abortions. Australia has developed such horrendous Australian abortion laws which are unbearable for me, so I needed to ‘come out’. …

I grew up in Hobart, with middle-class parents and two younger siblings, all of whom held a secular 20th century worldview. My parents were nominal Anglicans, educated at private schools, occasionally attending church at Christmas and Easter, and also for special events. …”

– Sally Trethewey shares her story of the Lord’s amazing kindness  – at AP, the online Presbyterian journal.

(Many of our readers will recall Sally’s lovely 1993 album The Perfect View, distributed by St Matthias Press.)

TMA introduces Archbishop-elect Ric Thorpe

The June 2025 issue of The Melbourne Anglican introduces Archbishop-elect Ric Thorpe:

“The Archbishop-elect of the Diocese of Melbourne has urged its members to pray for strength to be aligned with God’s purpose as the Church entered a new season.

London Bishop Ric Thorpe was elected Anglican Archbishop of Melbourne at an election synod comprising more than 700 clergy and lay leaders in May.

He called on Melbourne Anglicans to ask God to strengthen the diocese’s foundation and their spiritual lives during the transition. …”

– Read here.

See also:

Can the new Melbourne Anglican Archbishop revive a shrinking church? – Bishop Ric Thorpe is interviewed in this 16 minute segment from ABC’s The Religion and Ethics Report, published 11 June 2025.

Alistair Begg Farewell Service

Alistair Begg, who spoke at this year’s NSW/ACT CMS Summer School, was farewelled from Parkside Church in Cleveland Ohio on Sunday. (Alistair has served at Parkside since 1983.)

– Watch here.

Helping out at Condobolin

From the Diocese of Bathurst:

“Bishop Stuart Robinson, along with Janie, began their 6 months in Condobolin [on Saturday] afternoon with a full church, joyful singing (thanks to the West Wyalong crew!), and warm fellowship.

They were blessed to have members of the local Presbyterian church join them, and everyone enjoyed an ‘Italian banquet’ of pizzas in the rectory after the service. Please pray that many will return and that this time will be Christ-honouring and kingdom-building.”

– via the Bathurst Diocese Facebook page. For your prayers.

Church of Uganda celebrates Archbishop Janani Luwum’s legacy

From NTV Uganda –

“Forty-eight years ago, Archbishop Janani Luwum was reportedly assassinated on the orders of the former President Iddi Amin Dada.

Luwum was at the time the leader of the Church of Uganda. But his legacy lives on after Uganda declared the 16 of February a public holiday to celebrate the life of Luwum. Daniel Kibet brings us the tales from the Northern Uganda Diocese of the Anglican Church, where Luwum once served as the bishop, and how people there remember him.”

– The 5 minute report includes comments from Moore College graduate Bishop Alfred Olwa.

Moore College Vice Principal Simon Gillham to return to the Mission Field

“The Principal, Mark Thompson, announced today that Simon Gillham, the Vice Principal, and his wife Margie, have been accepted to serve again as missionaries with the Church Missionary Society from 2026.

Simon joined the Faculty in 2016 and was appointed Vice Principal in 2020. Before they returned to Moore, they had been serving in the Namibia Evangelical Theological Seminary. Prior to that, they had been involved in church planting in the Newcastle area. …”

– Read the news from the Moore College website.

Ministry mentor takes on training role

“Archbishop Kanishka Raffel has announced that the Rev Mat Yeo will be the new Director of Ministry Training and Development, starting in 2026.

‘I’m delighted that Mat has accepted my invitation,’ Archbishop Raffel said. ‘Mat has been involved with recently ordained clergy as a Ministry Mentor and has a passion for seeing people recruited, equipped and supported in local church ministry in our Sydney Anglican fellowship.

‘He has been a fruitful and much-loved pastor at Hurstville Grove for over twenty-two years and will bring to this role a wealth of experience in training and equipping people for ministry.’ …

In paying tribute to MT& D Director Gary O’Brien, who retires at the end of the year, the Archbishop said ‘I’m deeply thankful to the Lord for the work that has been done by Gary O’Brien over the last 11 years.’…”

– Story from Russell Powell at SydneyAnglicans.net.

Bishop Ric Thorpe from London elected Archbishop of Melbourne

News from The Melbourne Anglican:

“The Anglican Diocese of Melbourne has today announced the election of the Right Reverend Dr Richard (Ric) Thorpe.

The Administrator Bishop Genieve Blackwell was pleased to announce the decision following the deliberations of the Archbishop Election Synod.  The synod, comprising approximately 760 people of the diocese, consisting of clergy and lay parish representatives, began its work on Friday 23 May.

Archbishop-elect Ric, currently serves in a special episcopal role as Bishop of Islington in the Diocese of London.  It encompasses diocesan, national and international responsibilities, held together within the Gregory Centre for Church Multiplication with a focus on church planting.

Ordained in the Diocese of London, Bishop Ric did his undergraduate theological studies at Wycliffe Hall, Oxford University and his doctorate through Asbury Theological Seminary, Kentucky United States.

Archbishop-elect Ric says, ‘We have come to love Melbourne over the years, as we have served and ministered in the diocese, in other denominations, and across the nation.’

Dr Thorpe’s passion is ‘seeing the whole Church of God thrive, enabling churches to be healthy, new congregations planted, and struggling churches revitalised.’

The Chair of the Board of Nominators, Dr Jenny George, described Archbishop-elect Ric as ‘an experienced and visionary leader. Ric has been personally involved in revitalising small or shrinking parishes and planting new churches.  His commitment to developing future leaders is seen in his local and global training of church planters and other leaders.’

He will succeed Archbishop Philip Freier who retired in February after serving 18 years in office, once it completes some internal processes to confirm his election.

Bishop Thorpe will be installed as Archbishop in St Paul’s Cathedral later in the year at a date to be advised.  Bishop Blackwell will continue to serve as Administrator until that time.

The Right Reverend Genieve Blackwell
Administrator of the Melbourne Diocese.”

– Source.

Here’s some background from The Diocese of London.

And a video by Bishop Thorpe from The Gregory Centre for Church Multiplication. (Above image from the video.)

From 2015: New church plant bishop will be Rev Ric Thorpe – by Ruth Gledhill gives some more background.

Please pray that the outcome of this election will be that the churches of Melbourne will be greatly encouraged to lovingly and clearly proclaim Christ across that city, and the Lord will be glorified as men and women turn to him.

Gordon J. Wenham (1943–2025)

“Old Testament scholar Gordon Wenham, best known for his commentaries on the Pentateuch and the Psalms, died in Cheltenham, England, on Tuesday, May 13, 2025, at the age of 81.

Gordon John Wenham was born in Cambridge, England, in May of 1943, the oldest of four sons to John and Grace Wenham. …

After finishing school and gaining a science scholarship to Pembroke College, Cambridge, Gordon felt called to study Theology, and spent time before going up to university studying Hebrew under Alec Motyer …”

– Justin Taylor at The Gospel Coalition has published this obituary written on behalf of Gordon Wenham’s family.

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