“Airbags on Pokies” — The Dean of Sydney
Posted on March 23, 2023
Filed under Australia, Opinion Comments Off on “Airbags on Pokies” — The Dean of Sydney
Sandy Grant, the Dean of Sydney, writes about the choice before NSW voters this Saturday –
“Friends in Christ, I encourge you to join me in this prayer for our State, with the election of a new Parliament this Saturday, 25th March:
Almighty God and Loving Heavenly Father, we humbly ask you to direct the hearts of those who seek election to our state parliament, and of us as we exercise our democratic freedoms. May we vote unselfishly for the common good. Protect politicians from the temptation of self-serving. Enable them to make realistic promises and help them keep their word. Uphold those elected to serve in the new Parliament through all the heavy demands that come upon them, that they may serve with integrity. May the decisions of our parliaments, state and federal, lead to the safety and welfare of this country, so that peace and happiness, truth and justice may be established among us. Amen.
As you know, I have spoken strongly in favour of reforms to prevent and minimise harm from poker machine use, which currently sees people in NSW lose $8 billion a year. That’s about $23 million per day! And the worst losses are often in the poorer areas of our city.
I have been calling for reform for almost 15 years, since I first became aware of the dreadul damage done by poker machines on their users and families.”
– Read it all at the Cathedral website.
Image: If only modern poker machines took bets of just 25 cents.
University of Helsinki Faculty of Theology to confer Honorary Doctorate
Posted on March 23, 2023
Filed under Culture wars Comments Off on University of Helsinki Faculty of Theology to confer Honorary Doctorate
The University of Helsinki’s Faculty of Theology to confer Honorary Doctorate on twenty-year-old activist Greta Thunberg.
What does the University of Helsinki’s Faculty of Theology do? From the University:
“The Faculty of Theology prepares students for duties requiring expertise in religions, worldviews and values. …”
Encouragement from Archbishop Kanishka Raffel
Posted on March 22, 2023
Filed under Encouragement, Sydney Diocese Comments Off on Encouragement from Archbishop Kanishka Raffel
Archbishop of Sydney Kanishka Raffel has recorded this message to encourage churches as we come up to Easter.
Great to share.
Motion putting pressure on Church of England passed by MPs
Posted on March 22, 2023
Filed under Church of England, Culture wars Comments Off on Motion putting pressure on Church of England passed by MPs
“Yesterday, Ben Bradshaw MP’s ‘ten minute rule motion’ aimed at forcing the Church of England to conduct same-sex marriages was passed by the House of Commons without a vote.
The motion does not change the law. But it sends a message that some politicians are becoming increasingly willing to compel acceptance of same-sex marriage on those who disagree. …”
– Report from Coalition for Marriage in the UK.
Boldy and unapologetically trembling at God’s word – with Phil Colgan and Paul Grimmond
Posted on March 21, 2023
Filed under Encouragement, Theology Comments Off on Boldy and unapologetically trembling at God’s word – with Phil Colgan and Paul Grimmond
From The Pastor’s Heart:
“We are not called to be entertainers, but preachers. How might we as individuals and as leaders of God’s people tremble before him? And are we going soft on this?
What is the connection between the text and the preacher? As a preacher, how long since you have been rebuked and repented? How has your world view has been challenged recently?
Paul Grimmond is Dean of Students at Sydney’s Moore Theological College.
Phil Coglan is senior pastor at Sydney’s St George North Anglican Church.”
Archbishop Ben Kwashi GAFCON IV
Posted on March 20, 2023
Filed under GAFCON Comments Off on Archbishop Ben Kwashi GAFCON IV
Archbishop Ben Kwashi has this brief message of encouragement for all who are going to GAFCON IV – a great reminder for us all to pray for the gathering.
Tom Habib — new Lecturer at Moore College — interviewed
Posted on March 20, 2023
Filed under People Comments Off on Tom Habib — new Lecturer at Moore College — interviewed
For the latest issue of Moore Matters from Moore College, Tom Habbib shares his story –
“I remember reading through Isaiah 53 at my first Youth Group camp and being struck by how Isaiah’s prophecy was fulfilled in Jesus’s death for my sins. Another time, I was convicted while reading Mark 8:36, ‘What good is it for someone to gain the whole world, yet forfeit their soul?’.
I realized that up until then, I had been trying to ‘gain the world’, and from then on, I wanted to live for Jesus. …”
See also: Various articles by Tom.
A Celtic Blessing — Bishop Stuart Bell consecrated for Anglican Convocation in Europe
Posted on March 19, 2023
Filed under GAFCON Comments Off on A Celtic Blessing — Bishop Stuart Bell consecrated for Anglican Convocation in Europe
In a service with a distinctive Welsh flavour, including harpists, songs, prayers and Bible readings in Welsh, Stuart Bell was consecrated on Saturday 18 March as bishop to serve within the Anglican Convocation in Europe (ACE).
Led by Archbishop Foley Beach representing the Gafcon Primates, and Bishop Andy Lines, the Presiding Bishop of the Anglican Network in Europe, the service marked a significant moment in the history of the Principality.
Stuart will assist Bishop Andy Lines in providing support and encouragement, oversight and accountability for ACE clergy and congregations within Wales. His consecration represents the continuing provision by the global Anglican family of a home for those seeking to remain faithful to the Biblical gospel of Jesus Christ and uphold historic, orthodox, biblical, confessional Anglicanism.
In his sermon, Archbishop Foley emphasised that the ministry of a bishop is to ensure the message of the church remains the message of Jesus, by teaching the Word of God, defending the faith and proclaiming Jesus boldly and unashamedly.
Asked about Stuart’s consecration, Archbishop Foley said, “It will now give the people of Wales a godly and faithful bishop who upholds the theology and moral teaching of the Bible and our Anglican tradition.”
Stuart himself reflected, “It seems to me that this a twofold testimony. A testimony as orthodox Anglicans in Wales to the Biblical gospel of Jesus Christ which is our responsibility to faithfully present to all who will receive it; and, sadly, a testimony specifically against the Church in Wales which has stepped away from that Biblical gospel.”
In his greeting to the congregation Stuart publicly re-affirmed three life-time commitments: “Firstly to Jesus Christ as my Lord and myself as his disciple. Secondly to the Scriptures as recorded in the Bible, to believe them, to trust them, to seek to live them, and to preach them faithfully. Thirdly, I re-affirm my commitment to Wales, to commend Christ to Wales and to seek to bring Wales to Christ… until my last breath.”
– Source: The Anglican Convocation in Europe.
Praying for GAFCON IV preparations
Posted on March 18, 2023
Filed under GAFCON Comments Off on Praying for GAFCON IV preparations
Today’s prayer request from GAFCON:
“GAFCON IV, April 17-21, Kigali, Rwanda is taking place at a very significant moment in the Anglican Communion.
Pray for all the contributors to be able to prepare well in their area of the programme.”
March — April 2023 issue of Southern Cross now out
Posted on March 18, 2023
Filed under Encouragement, Resources, Sydney Diocese Comments Off on March — April 2023 issue of Southern Cross now out
The March — April 2023 issue of Southern Cross magazine, produced by Anglican Media Sydney, is out now.
Copies will be available in churches.
As well, you can download a PDF version, or read online, at sydneyanglicans.net/about/southerncross.
Why we are compelled to resist — CEEC
Posted on March 17, 2023
Filed under Church of England, Culture wars Comments Off on Why we are compelled to resist — CEEC
The Church of England Evangelical Council has released a declaration and invites members of the Church of England to signify their assent:
“The Living in Love and Faith (LLF) process and resources have enabled us, as the Church of England, to explore our different understandings of sex, marriage and relationships and, assisted by the Pastoral Principles, become better at the “good disagreement” that many have called for. …
While we recognise and respect the desire of the bishops to find a way forward, which will hold the Church together, we believe that their proposed draft Prayers of Love and Faith cannot do this. This is because they – and further changes some are calling for in the bishops’ revised pastoral guidance to replace Issues in Human Sexuality – do not keep faith with our biblical inheritance and the doctrine of the Church of England on marriage shared with the wider Anglican Communion as expressed in Lambeth 1.10. …”
Bill to allow same-sex marriage in Church of England to be tabled
Posted on March 16, 2023
Filed under Church of England, Culture wars Comments Off on Bill to allow same-sex marriage in Church of England to be tabled
“An MP will seek to introduce a bill next week to permit same-sex marriages to be performed by willing Church of England clergy.
UK law currently prevents its clergy from carrying out same-sex marriages even if they wish to. …”
– More pressure on the Church of England. Story from The National Secular Society.
Moore College welcomes back Peter Jensen to launch his latest book on The Life of Faith
Posted on March 15, 2023
Filed under Resources, Sydney Diocese, Theology Comments Off on Moore College welcomes back Peter Jensen to launch his latest book on The Life of Faith
“On Tuesday night Matthias Media held a book launch for Peter Jensen’s new book The Life of Faith: An Introduction to Christian Doctrine at Moore College. The event was a resounding success, drawing an engaged and enthusiastic audience of over 80 people.
Peter’s book is the fruit of his more than thirty years of teaching Christian doctrine. Many graduates during Peter’s time as Principal of Moore College can testify to the brilliance of his teaching and the invaluable resource his lecture notes have been over the years. These are now, freshly edited, available more widely. …”
– Full report and photos at the Moore College website.
Photo: Archbishop Kanishka Raffel, Carmelina Read and Archbishop Peter Jensen with the new book. Courtesy Moore College.
A Legacy (Thus Far) Marked by ‘Bewildering Ambiguity’: Pope Francis Reaches 10 Years as Papal Leader
Posted on March 15, 2023
Filed under Opinion Comments Off on A Legacy (Thus Far) Marked by ‘Bewildering Ambiguity’: Pope Francis Reaches 10 Years as Papal Leader
In today’s issue (15 March 2023) of The Briefing, Dr Albert Mohler looks at the first ten years of the papacy of Francis.
“He represents so much of the muddled liberalism of the twentieth and twenty-first centuries…”
Key English churches take action as C of E ‘walks away’
Posted on March 15, 2023
Filed under Church of England, Culture wars, GAFCON, Global South Comments Off on Key English churches take action as C of E ‘walks away’
“Some of the largest churches in London and Oxford have announced estrangement from the Church of England, including a pause on paying financial contributions.
St Helen’s, Bishopsgate, a large evangelical church with an outreach in London’s financial quarter, was the first to react to the decision by the General Synod to approve a report by the House of Bishops that introduces prayers of blessing for same-sex couples. …”
– At SydneyAnglicans.net, Russell Powell summarises the response of key evangelical churches in the Church of England – including the news that St Ebbe’s Church in Oxford is also pausing financial contributions to their diocese.
See also:
A response from Vaughan Roberts – Anglican Ink.
What we believe
The message at the heart of Christianity is really quite simple…