Duties of Church Membership (i) — Church Society podcast
Posted on November 12, 2024
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“In 1954, the Church Assembly (the forerunner to General Synod) asked the Archbishops of Canterbury and York to write this short guide to the duties of church membership.
It is a simple list which could be given to every person in church, indicating what is expected of them as disciples of Christ and members of the congregation. Presumably in 1954, there were already concerns that not everyone who attended church understood these. It is certainly the case today that newcomers to church have no idea about many of them.
In this week’s episode of the podcast, Tony Cannon and Steve Short discuss the first three items: discipleship and witness, prayer and Bible reading, asking what benefit they would bring to individuals and congregations if we were all more faithful in doing them. …”
– The latest Church Society podcast.
Holy Imposter Syndrome
Posted on November 11, 2024
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“The term might not be familiar to you, but the concept behind it most likely is – imposter syndrome. It’s the feeling, often experienced in professional or academic contexts, that you can’t do what everyone believes you can and expects of you. You feel like an imposter. Any success you seem to have experienced up until this point was a fluke. You’re a fraud, and any moment now everyone is going to realize it. It’s only a matter of time. …”
– Sam Allberry helps put it all in perspective. At The Gospel Coalition.
Idolatry and the Church of England
Posted on November 10, 2024
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“The Archbishop of Canterbury recently commented about his changing views, admitting that he no longer believes the doctrine of the Church of England on sexuality.…
These comments have rightly been met with a wide backlash from evangelicals in the Church of England. This is an Archbishop leading his people astray. This is an Archbishop saying ‘Enter through the wide gate to destruction’ (Matthew 7:13-14).
But the reality is that Justin Welby and the Bishops have been saying this for years. …
All false religions ultimately destroy us. We are promised salvation by the things in the world, but they will never satisfy, they will never deliver. They will never save.”
– Strong words from Benjamin John, writing at Christian Concern.
Image: Ben John speaking at the Church of England’s General Synod in February 2023.
Preaching Mentors 2025
Posted on November 10, 2024
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From The Expository Preaching Trust:
“The Trust is delighted to offer mentors to encourage faithful and engaging expository preaching.
Mentoring can take place on a weekly or fortnightly basis and consists of the mentor listening to Sunday’s sermon and then meeting via Zoom to give feedback.
Feedback consists of highlighting the positives of the sermon and then mutual investigation of how the sermon might be improved. …”
– Very helpful and encouraging. See the details from David Cook here.
Eternity: The Power of a Word
Posted on November 9, 2024
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“Arthur Malcolm Stace (1885-1967) was a returned Australian soldier who served in in World War I and later became known as ‘Mr Eternity’.
Stace grew up in an impoverished and broken family. His mother handed him over to foster care at the age of seven, and his sisters would end up working as prostitutes.
By the age of 14, Stace was an alcoholic. He would turn to booze to escape his pain and misery. However, all it did was increase the sorrow of his heart. …”
– In this brief sketch at AP, James Jeffery reminds us of the wonderful discovery made by Arthur Stace – and calls us all to live in the light of eternity.
Image: at left, Photo of Arthur Stace by Les Nixon. at right, The Eternity memorial at the waterfall in Sydney Arcade between Town Hall and St. Andrew’s Cathedral.
Looking for Remembrance Day resources?
Posted on November 9, 2024
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Defence Anglicans has some resources – including audio files – you could use – for Remembrance Day, 11th November, or perhaps in church on Sunday.
Image: Defence Anglicans.
How an Australian church is changing Christian songwriting
Posted on November 8, 2024
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“Over the last few decades, church music has shifted. Congregations sing fewer hymns and more praise songs. We hear fewer organ chords and more guitar riffs. We read lyrics that are less theological and more generic.
The move toward quicker and more casual songwriting means new music hits our Spotify—and CCLI—lists more quickly. But it also means Christians are sometimes singing repetitive choruses, nonsensical lyrics, or wrong theology.
That matters, because we sing those songs so often that we memorize them. We hum them in the car. We play them while we’re making dinner. We lean on them when hard times hit.
About 10 years ago, a church in Australia noticed these problems. They tried a different songwriting process. It was slow and clunky and never should have worked—and yet it did.
Odds are, you’ve sung their good theology in your church, in your car, or in your kitchen.”
– At The Gospel Coalition’s Recorded podcast, Sarah Eekhoff Zylstra introduces CityAlight to her audience.
See also the accompanying article.
Related:
Armidale’s “The Link” – November 2024
Posted on November 7, 2024
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The latest edition (November 2024) of The Link, the magazine of the Diocese of Armidale, is now online.
Download a copy for your edification and your prayers.
Launch 2025 for School Leavers– and ten years of Two Ways Ministries
Posted on November 6, 2024
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From Phillip Jensen –
“Join us at Launch 2025!
Launch is the camp for school leavers keen to live for Jesus. It is where you will –
- Meet others who have just finished school
- Listen to great Bible talks from Phillip Jensen and Richard Chin
- Equip yourself for University/TAFE alongside leaders and staff-workers
Our leaders are an awesome group of young women and men just a few years ahead of you! They are keen to help you work out what it means to align your priorities to God’s in this next phase of your life whilst having a fantastic time meeting others doing the same thing. Launch camp truly is the best investment you can make to think through how to live for Jesus!…”
– Download a flyer, and secure your spot.
Three nights away at Stanwell Tops – 3rd-6th February 2025.
It’d be good to advertise it at youth groups and church too, before other, less strategic, things are booked to occupy that time!
“The aim of Launch is to work out together what it means to live for Jesus in the transition to post-school life – years that are likely to be the most formative years of life.”
Related:
Two Ways Ministries is ten years old! – See the TWM website to learn more, give thanks, and do pray.
How personality impacts ministry teams
Posted on November 6, 2024
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From The Pastor’s Heart –
“I want to be a big hearted encourager like Barnabas. I want to be a reliable assistant like Timothy. I want to be passionate preacher like Apollos.
When you think about the qualifications for Christian ministry in 1 Timothy 3, the significance of personality is pretty much ignored.
What is the relationship between character and personality? Someone is all about structure and someone else is much more ‘loosy-goosy/flexible’.
When there’s conflict in church or in a ministry teams – it’s often put down to personality difference or sometimes even disorder.
What does the Bible say about all this?
Tim Omrod serves with the Australian Fellowship of Evangelical Students (AFES) at Griffith University on the Gold Coast and has just finished a study of the co-workers of Paul.”
BBC Daily service – giving thanks for Bishop Timothy Dudley-Smith
Posted on November 5, 2024
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On BBC Radio 4’s Daily Service for 4th November 2024, Pam Rhodes from BBC TV’s Songs of Praise gives thanks for her dear friend Bishop Timothy Dudley-Smith, who was called home in August.
The 15 minute programme is available until the end of November.
(Image from a 2020 message from Bishop Dudley-Smith to the Hymn Society of Great Britain and Ireland.)
US election season, politics and the gospel — Ministry Matters from the Church of Confessing Anglicans NZ
Posted on November 5, 2024
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“With the US presidential election well underway … and because we here at Ministry Matters know no fear, we dedicate this issue to a few brief reflections on politics and the gospel.
If you’re over politics, sorry – but let me assure you the emphasis here is very much on the gospel! …”
– Editor of Ministry Matters from the Church of Confessing Anglicans Aotearoa NZ, Geoff Robson, introduces the latest issue.
Alistair Begg with Biblical Wisdom for Voting (in the US elections)
Posted on November 4, 2024
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“Dear Friend,
I haven’t checked, but I will not be surprised to discover that the content of my letter written four years ago on the threshold of the US election was not dissimilar to this letter, particularly in seeking to declare, ‘Hallelujah! For the Lord our God the Almighty reigns’ (Rev. 19:6). …
It is imperative that we learn to discipline ourselves to view the world through the prism of God’s Word. In deciding how to vote, I have been helped by being reminded of this quote from Gresham Machen’s book The Christian Faith in the Modern World…”
– At Truth for life, Alistair Begg shares some wisdom from God’s word as the US elections arrive (Wednesday morning Australian time).
Related: 1 Timothy 2:1-4:
“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.”– ESV.
A reminder of the need for gospel ministry in the country
Posted on November 4, 2024
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This was posted on the Diocese of Bathurst Facebook page:
“Molong? Gilgandra? Canowindra? Bathurst? (assistant role at the Cathedral). Where might you come and experience the blessings of regional ministry? Or perhaps somewhere a little further away? West Wyalong? Coonabarabran?
Keen to talk to men and women open to exploring ministry in central and western NSW.
(Also: Coonamble, Condobolin, Bourke-Brewarrina, Nyngan, Warren, Coolah-Dunedoo, Cumnock, Trundle.)”
– see also the Diocesan website.
AP interview with Tim Chester on ‘Enjoying Jesus’
Posted on November 3, 2024
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In the latest podcast from AP, the Australian Presbyterian journal, Mark Powell speaks with Tim Chester about his latest book – Enjoying Jesus.
– Watch here.
What we believe
The message at the heart of Christianity is really quite simple…