Bishop Bradly Billings elected as 11th Archbishop of Adelaide

Here’s a news release from the Diocese of Adelaide:

6 December 2025

Bishop Bradly Billings elected as 11th Archbishop of Adelaide

The Anglican Diocese of Adelaide is pleased to announce the election of The Right Reverend Dr Bradly Billings as its 11th Archbishop.

Dr Billings, currently an Assistant Bishop in the Diocese of Melbourne, brings to Adelaide a wealth of experience in parish ministry, theological education, and senior church governance. He has served as an Assistant Bishop since 2016, most recently as the Bishop for the Oodthenong area, which covers the northern and western growth areas of Greater Melbourne and extends to include Geelong. There he oversees 64 parishes and authorised congregations.

Known for his extensive work in parish ministry, and in church planting and revitalisation, Dr Billings’ qualifications include a doctorate in theology and a Master of Law in Canon Law.

He succeeds The Most Reverend Geoffrey Smith, who retired in November.

Speaking on his election, Dr Billings expressed his reliance on Christian hope as he prepares to lead the Diocese.

“The hope we have in the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ gives me confidence and faith for the future, despite the many challenges we face as Anglicans and as disciples of Christ,” Dr Billings said.

“I firmly believe the Christian faith and tradition continues to be good news for all people, and that making the gospel known in words and in actions is the shared task of all believers.”

Dr Billings has a strong track record of collaborative leadership and intends to bring a unifying approach to the role.

“I am comfortable with, and respectful of, the full diversity of Anglicanism,” he said. “I seek to model ministry that is genuinely shared, and to cultivate quality relationships grounded in mutual trust, respect, and humility. I see myself as a partner in ministry with those with whom I live, work, and share my vocation.”

Welcoming Dr Billings’ election, Diocesan Administrator Bishop Sophie Relf-Christopher said: “I have been keenly aware of the Holy Spirit’s guidance at every stage of the nomination and election process.

“I am delighted that Adelaide Anglicans have elected Bishop Billings, and know that he will passionately encourage the ministry of this Diocese, to the Glory of God. We have every indication that Bishop Billings will serve with compassion, wisdom, and integrity, and herald God’s extraordinary love for the world.

“My heartfelt thanks go to the many faithful Adelaide Anglicans who have been praying and preparing for this day, and to the nomination committee.”

Before consecration as bishop, Dr Billings served as Archdeacon of Stonington and Glen Eira and as the vicar of parishes in Toorak and Gisborne, and Curate in Frankston. He has also served as the Director of Theological Education for the Diocese of Melbourne and is a published author in biblical studies, pastoral ministry, and church history.

Dr Billings is married to Karen, and they have five adult children and three grandchildren. He is also a devoted owner of a Hungarian Vizsla named Ruby and enjoys Premier League football and history.

Arrangements for Dr Billings’ installation at St Peter’s Cathedral will be announced in due course.

Here’s some more background on Bishop Billings from the Diocese of Melbourne.

‘I will be a witness to the resurrection’: Archbishop Thorpe

From The Melbourne Anglican:

“Let me state it plainly. I will proclaim the good news of Jesus Christ, crucified and risen, as long as God gives me breath…”

“Melbourne’s new Anglican archbishop has been installed, beginning a new season for the church and diocese.

Archbishop Ric Thorpe became Melbourne’s 14th leader on Advent Sunday, succeeding Philip Freier who retired in February after 18 years of service. …”

– See the full report by Jenan Taylor.

Watch Archbishop Thorpe’s sermon at this link.

Photo of Archbishop Ric Thorpe greeting Archbishop Kanishka Raffel by Janine Eastgate, The Melbourne Anglican.

Video of the State Funeral for John Laws CBE

The State Funeral for John Laws was held at St. Andrew’s Cathedral in Sydney this afternoon (19 November 2025).

Watch the full service at this link – or click on the video above to jump to the sermon preached by The Rev Dr Michael Jensen. (Good to watch – good to share.)

See also:

The man with the golden microphone – Murray Campbell.

“For 67 years she served her Lord and his church alongside her husband”

“Mrs Pam Goodhew, the wife of former Archbishop Harry Goodhew, has died of cancer.

Mrs Goodhew, who was 90, passed away on Friday 15th November while in palliative care at Piper House in Dapto. …”

– Russell Powell shares the news at SydneyAnglicans.net.

We join many in thanking the Lord for Pam Goodhew.

Annette Anderson to be Anglican Dean at Nungalinya College, Darwin

“We are delighted to share that Annette Anderson will be taking up the position of Anglican Dean at Nungalinya College from Monday 10 November 2025.

Annette faithfully served as a CMS missionary from 1995 -2006 in both Darwin and Numbulwar and is no stranger to Nungalinya College, having worked there as a valued teacher since 2015. The 11 years she has dedicated to the college has provided Annette with a deep knowledge of the courses, students, and churches they come from.

Annette will serve all the remote Aboriginal Anglican parishes in the Northern Territory, facilitating the next generation of Church Leaders and Lay people to travel to Nungalinya where she will continue to support them during their studies.

Annette is married to Bishop Greg Anderson and has four children.

Please join us in congratulating Mrs Annette Anderson and upholding her in our prayers.”

– From the Diocese of the Northern Territory.

And a good reminder to give thanks for, and to pray for, the ministry of Nungalinya College.

When the Lights Came On: An Appreciation of Graeme Goldsworthy

Scott Polender in the USA writes to share his deep appreciation for Graeme Goldsworthy and his unfolding of Biblical Theology:

“Many of us can remember the moment when the lights came on. We were already believers, familiar with the stories, the commandments, and the promises, but suddenly everything connected. The many pieces of Scripture formed a single picture centered on Jesus Christ. It was nothing less than a revolution in how we saw the Bible and, in a sense, how we saw everything else. Once the story, like a jigsaw puzzle, lay in pieces, all edges and fragments. Then someone flipped the box over, and the picture on the package brought it all together. Once you’ve seen it, you can’t go back. …

For many years, Graeme Goldsworthy taught Old Testament, Biblical Theology, and Hermeneutics at Moore Theological College in Sydney. Building on the foundations laid by Broughton Knox and Donald Robinson, and working alongside contemporaries such as William Dumbrell and Barry Webb, he gave biblical theology a distinctive voice and a reach that stretched across the globe.

In the years since his retirement, he has continued to write, mentor younger pastors and Christians, and to preach and lecture.”

– Read the whole article at Christ Over All.

Very encouraging, and a good opportunity to recommend Graeme Goldsworthy’s books to a new generation.

Related:

Graeme Goldsworthy on Biblical Theology – with Nancy Guthrie, podcast at The Gospel Coalition.

Base photo: Graeme Goldsworthy speaking at City On A Hill Brisbane, February 2018.

State Funeral for John Laws

The State Funeral for John Laws CBE will be held at St. Andrew’s Cathedral on Wednesday 19th November at 1:30pm.

Good to keep all involved in your prayers.

Livestream at this link.

J. C. Ryle, “the Prince of Tract Writers”

“John Charles Ryle (1816–1900) was one of the most popular theological writers of the Victorian period, and the most prominent evangelical clergyman in the Church of England.

His ministry almost exactly spanned the reign of Queen Victoria – he was converted to Christ in 1837, just a few months after the young Queen’s accession to the British throne, and died at the dawn of the new century in 1900, just a few months before the monarch’s own death. …”

– Crossway has published this article adapted from Andrew Atherstone’s Ryle on the Christian Life: Growing in Grace. 

Anglican Heroes: J. C. Ryle — Church Society podcast

From Church Society:

“Andrew Atherstone talks to Ros Clarke about the life, ministry and legacy of J. C. Ryle, the first Bishop of Liverpool.”

– Listen here.

Related:

His Sermons Roused a Sleeping Church – article by John Piper.

Evangelical Religion — Bishop J.C. Ryle.

Why were our Reformers burned? — Bishop J.C. Ryle (republished by Church Society in 2017).

Adelaide bids fond farewell to Archbishop Geoff Smith

“The Anglican Diocese of Adelaide on Saturday 1 November bid a very fond farewell to the Most Reverend Geoffrey Smith, who has served as Archbishop for more than eight years. …”

— Report and photo from the Adelaide Diocese Guardian.

Doubtless, members of the Diocese of Adelaide would crave your prayers as they move to elect a new Archbishop to lead the diocese.

Photo: Archbishop Geoff Smith greets the Governor of South Australia, Her Excellency the Honourable Frances Adamson.

Adelaide Synod 2025: walking together into another year

The Diocese of Adelaide held its 2025 Synod last weekend. It was the last for Archbishop Geoff Smith, who concludes his time as Archbishop on 1st November:

“The Adelaide Anglican Synod for 2025 concluded its annual session on Sunday, marked by an emphasis on synodality, youth engagement, and a move toward streamlined ministry governance.

Held once again at Starplex at Trinity College Gawler, due to the very high satisfaction survey last year, the session was, once again, affirming for Synod members to listen carefully, and speak respectfully, acting synodically – flourishing and united in God’s Love.

The weekend began with the Synod Eucharist held on Friday 16 October at St Peter’s Cathedral.  During the beautiful service a new Archdeacon was collated, four new area Deans for the Triennium were commissioned and four members of the laity were awarded Diocesan extraordinary service ‘Archbishop’s Pins’.…”

– Secretary of Synod Joe Thorp reports at The Adelaide Guardian.

See also:

Archbishop Geoff Smith’s final Presidential Address to Synod – PDF.

Anglican Heroes: William Wilberforce — Church Society podcast

From Church Society:

“Jago Wynne, the current vicar of Holy Trinity, Clapham tells Ros Clarke about the life, faith and work of its most well-known former member, William Wilberforce.”

– Listen here.

Ten Years of Trump Misunderstanding the Gospel

“President Donald Trump is comfortable telling you what is on his mind. For good or bad, that means there is a long history of recorded statements from Trump, giving his frank and unfiltered thoughts on a variety of topics.

For the last ten years, I have been particularly interested in noting whenever he has spoken about his personal views on spirituality, salvation, and his own eternal destiny. It reveals a decade-long spiritual journey in relationship to the gospel of grace that is both fascinating and, at times, tragic. …”

– No, this post by Simon Camilleri at The Gospel Coalition Australia, is not about politics.

But it is a strong reminder to heed the words of 1 Timothy 2:1-6 –

“First of all, then, I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for all people, for kings and all who are in high positions, that we may lead a peaceful and quiet life, godly and dignified in every way.

This is good, and it is pleasing in the sight of God our Saviour, who desires all people to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth.

For there is one God, and there is one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus, who gave himself as a ransom for all, which is the testimony given at the proper time.”

Image: President Trump in Jerusalem, October 2025.

Richard Gibson Memorial Service livestream at Moore College

“Memorial Service Live-Stream Gathering

Saturday 18 October, 3:00pm, TC Hammond Room, adjacent to the Dining Room, Moore College, 1 King Street Newtown.

Please join with us as we grieve the loss of a brother in Christ, remembering a friend, teacher and colleague, and honouring a life given in service to our Lord and Saviour.”

– from Moore College.

GSFA tribute to Archbishop Drexel Gomez

From the Global South Fellowship of Anglican Churches:

“With deep sorrow, we receive the news of the passing of the Most Rev. Drexel Gomez, Archbishop and Primate of the Church in the Province of the West Indies, and one of the founding fathers of the Global South Fellowship of Anglican Churches. Archbishop Gomez was a faithful shepherd, a wise counsellor, and a steadfast defender of the historic faith of the Church.

Throughout his ministry, he guided the Anglican Communion through defining moments with clarity, courage, and grace. His leadership in the development of the Anglican Covenant and his active participation in the meetings of the Global South were marks of his deep commitment to the unity and orthodoxy of the Anglican family.

We thank God for his life of service and his enduring witness to the Gospel of Jesus Christ. His wisdom, gentleness, and strength will continue to inspire generations of Anglican leaders. May his soul rest in peace and rise in glory.”

– Source.

See also:

Archbishop Drexel Gomez, first Caribbean Anglican bishop in Barbados, dies at 88 – Barbados Today.

Photo courtesy The Anglican Diocese of The Bahamas & The Turks & Caicos Islands.

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