‘Seven Lessons from Down Under’

“John Piper recently spent two weeks ministering in Australia. Here are seven lessons I learned along the way traveling with Pastor John — both through conversation with him and observing his example and interaction with the Aussies. …”

– Josh Etter writes at Desiring God.

Fresh songs for churches

September’s edition of Southern Cross highlights the importance of hymns and contemporary music and worship songs in church. With that in mind, it’s well worth checking out ‘At Your Feet’, songs written by Matt Mulready.

Described as Fresh songs that teach and respond to the saving work of Jesus, ‘At your Feet’ has five tracks, each of which are ideal for congregational singing. Three are new songs, and two are hymns with new tunes (make sure you hear ‘There is a Green Hill’).

Matt explains why he writes in this short video.

Hear and buy the album from simplysing.com.au. (Includes sheet music, lyrics and slides. The CD is $9.95, download version $7.95 – and Christmas isn’t far away.)

‘Christianity Explored’ resources

For the last week or so, at The Good Book Blog, they ’ve been posting a range of information to encourage use of the Christianity Explored course.

Worth checking out. (In Australia, the course is available here.)

9Marks eJournal Sept–Oct 2011

Phillip Jensen, Dean of St. Andrew’s Cathedral Sydney, is one of the contributors to the latest 9Marks eJournal, now available from 9Marks.

This issue is part 2 of The Pastor and his Staff.

Bp John Harrower at Science and Christianity conference

Bishop of Tasmania John Harrower has been speaking at the Conference on Science and Christianity in Launceston over the last few days. He’s posted the text of his devotions, with some Australian science illustrations, at his blog –
Keeping on,
Humility before the facts,
Loyalty and accountability,
Being sure of our ground.

True Feelings: MTC School of Theology 2011

This year’s School of Theology at Moore College is about “True Feelings: Emotions in Christian Life and Ministry” – Wednesday 14th and Thursday 15th September.  Read more

Responding to same-sex marriage debates

On Wednesday August 24th, politicians are due to report to Federal Parliament on the views from their electorates on marriage for same sex couples. Now would be a good time to contact your MP.

Here are some resources that may be useful – (h/t Andrew Cameron.)

Social Issues briefing #090.
‘Revising Marriage?’ (an interdenominational document): Long version, short version.
www.australianmarriage.org
www.australianmarriageis.com
www.makeastand.org.au

‘Prayer is your life’ — Tim Keller

At the 2011 Evangelical Ministry Assembly in the UK, Tim Keller spoke with Adrian Reynolds about the Christian’s prayer life. His answer is challenging and encouraging. See it from the Proc Trust on Vimeo. (h/t Unashamed Workman.)

SMBC Missions Conference 2011

“2011 Equipping Your Church for Global Impact Conference” is the theme of a day conference on Saturday 17th September 2011 at SMBC. The organisers say:

“Most churches still give the major part of their energy and resources to the maintenance of their own local programmes. More than ever, we need well informed, fully resourced global mission enthusiasts in every local church. This conference will provide ideas, resources and opportunities for discussion with other mission enthusiasts.”

– Read the details here.

Need help sharing the gospel?

With the proliferation of evangelistic resources available these days, it’s possible to overlook one of the most helpful.

The two brief videos on this page (scroll down) illustrate why Two Ways to Live has been such a blessing to so many people.

(Thanks to Dane Ortlund for the reminder.)

Top commentaries on Paul’s letters

Tom Schreiner (Southern Baptist Seminary) has released his list of the three best Commentaries – for students, teachers, and pastors – on each of Paul’s letters. A very handy resource.

Andy Naselli has the list here.

‘Commentary’ Summer 2011 from Oak Hill

The latest (UK Summer 2011) issue of Oak Hill College’s Commentary magazine is now available on their website.

It’s a 6.3MB PDF file.

May 2011 Australian Church Record

The latest issue of The Australian Church Record has been released on their website.

It’s available as an 820kb PDF file.

‘The key to Postmodern Evangelism’

“The key to evangelizing our postmodern generation is forming relationships and faithfully proclaiming the gospel. We can not wait for people to come to us; we must take the gospel out to them.

The course called Christianity Explored began when Chris Hobbs, former curate at All Souls Church in London, England, brought Michael Bennett’s Christianity Explained course to England in 1990. …”

– Rico Tice introduces Christianity Explored to the (mainly American) readers of the White Horse Inn’s Modern Reformation magazine.

And Michael Horton at the White Horse blog is enthusiastic about the updated version of Christianity Explored –

“‘Christianity Explored” – especially with this newly revised edition – is exactly what we’ve needed for a long time. My prayer is that churches faithful to getting the gospel right will become just as known for getting the gospel out. And ‘Christianity Explored’ is the best supporting resource I know of for helping us to do that.”

(The Christianity Explored course materials are available in Australia via The Good Book Company.)

The story of Harold Camping

Robert Godfrey, President of Westminster Seminary California writes:

“If you were to drive the freeways of southern California, you would see from time to time billboards proclaiming the Judgment Day on May 21, 2011 and declaring that the Bible guarantees it. To understand these signs we must know something of the history as well as the theology of Harold Camping.

I am in a somewhat distinctive position to write on this subject since I first met Camping in the late 1950s. I learned a great deal from him then, and so I find what follows a very sad story. I pray for him that the Lord will deliver him from the serious errors into which he has fallen.…”

He sketches out Harold Camping’s drift from orthodox Christianity in a series of five articles on the Westminster Seminary California website. (Reflection on this background may prove useful in conversations this week.)

Part 1, Part 2, Part 3, Part 4, Part 5. (h/t Todd Pruitt at 1517.)

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