Epic Bible Reading at Your Church

Posted on March 9, 2023 
Filed under Encouragement, Resources Comments Off on Epic Bible Reading at Your Church

“I am very glad that many evangelical churches in Australia preach through the Bible, book by book, chapter by chapter and verse by verse. Over weeks or even months, a theologically-educated preacher helps their congregation to dig deep into Scripture—grappling with each section of the book in depth before moving on to the next section.

But imagine if we watched movies this way. …”

– At The Gospel Coalition Australia, Simon Camilleri has some encouragement for you.

A related question: Why do some evangelical Anglican churches only have one Bible reading in a Sunday gathering?

Complementarian Ministry in small group leadership – with Kara Hartley and Tony Payne

Posted on March 8, 2023 
Filed under Resources, Theology Comments Off on Complementarian Ministry in small group leadership – with Kara Hartley and Tony Payne

This week on The Pastor’s Heart:

“How do we work together in complementarian ministry as we lead small group bible studies/growth groups/community groups

Small groups are the heart beats of our churches, where we wrestle together on how God might have us live.

Most groups have a male and female leadership paired together in leadership. But how do those two people work together?…”

– Kara Hartley and Tony Payne discuss with Dominic Steele.

See also last week’s discussion, where Dominic speaks with Bishop Robert Forsyth and Assoc Professor Neil Foster:

– Supreme Court clears pastor of defamation.

Would John Stott have continued on as an Anglican?

Posted on March 8, 2023 
Filed under Church of England, Culture wars, GAFCON Comments Off on Would John Stott have continued on as an Anglican?

“One of the largest evangelical Anglican churches in the UK, St Helen’s Bishopsgate, recently announced that it will no longer accept episcopal oversight from the Church of England’s House of Bishops.

This comes as a result of the General Synod’s decision to bless couples who are in a same-sex marriage or civil partnership. …

The current context raises the question of whether the late John Stott, the famous Anglican evangelical stalwart, would have himself continued to remained.

In 1966 Stott and Martyn Lloyd-Jones had a confrontation which many regarded as a dispute over whether it was time for evangelicals to withdraw from the Anglican communion. For Lloyd-Jones the time was now, but for the Stott the response was not yet. …”

– Presbyterian Mark Powell asks the question. We suspect the answer to the hypothetical question in the title would be, “Yes. And aligned with GAFCON.”

Rev. Calvin Robinson: a crisis of faith for the Anglican Church?

Posted on March 7, 2023 
Filed under Church of England, Culture wars Comments Off on Rev. Calvin Robinson: a crisis of faith for the Anglican Church?

“What follows is one of the most articulate and powerful speeches you are likely to view this year. It is by Rev. Calvin Robinson, who recently argued at the Oxford Union as to why Christianity should not allow gay marriage, or even the blessing of same-sex unions.

Robinson’s twelve-minute talk is a model of graciousness, fidelity to historic Christian doctrine, and personal courage. …”

– You may already have seen the speech by Calvin Robinson. If not, take a look – and also see Mark Powell’s summary in Spectator Australia.

Image: Oxford Union.

Revival at Asbury: A Cold Take

Posted on March 6, 2023 
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“The revival at Asbury College has already come to an end. What began as a brief and simple chapel service turned into a weeks-long worship event that drew tens of thousands of participants and elicited tens of millions of opinions. …

It seems to me that news of an outbreak of revival is best met with a guarded optimism. We don’t need to be naive but also don’t need to be incredulous. …

Speaking personally, I would like my first instinct to be ‘Praise God’ rather than ‘Fat chance!’…”

– You may have heard, the last couple of weeks, about the reported revival in a small private university in Kentucky. Tim Challies shares some thoughts on what has happened and how Christians might respond.

(Image: Tim Challies during a visit to Sydney in 2018.)

The Life of Faith – Peter Jensen Book Launch

Posted on March 5, 2023 
Filed under Resources, Sydney Diocese Comments Off on The Life of Faith – Peter Jensen Book Launch

From Moore College:

“Moore College invites you to attend the launch of Peter Jensen’s latest book, ‘The Life of Faith’.

Date: 14th March 2023
Time: 7:00pm – 8:30pm – supper will be provided afterwards
Location: Moore Theological College, Marcus Loane Hall

This event will be a wonderful opportunity to hear from Peter Jensen himself as he discusses the themes and ideas behind his book, as well as answer any questions you may have.

About the book:
An introductory-level systematic theology from one of the evangelical world’s most influential theologians, perfect for the keen layperson but with enough depth and stimulation to be relevant and interesting for full-time gospel workers. The Life of Faith sits within the tradition of books like In Understanding Be Men by TC Hammond and Concise Theology by JI Packer, written for today’s audience.”

– Book to attend via the College website.

Bishop of Bathurst’s newsletter – Lent edition 2023

Posted on March 3, 2023 
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Bishop of Bathurst Mark Calder has published his Lent newsletter – a great way to be informed and to remember to pray for the people and churches of that diocese.

Download here as a PDF file – or on the Bathurst Facebook page.

Anglican Aid’s Prayer Diary 2023

Posted on March 3, 2023 
Filed under Encouragement, Resources, Sydney Diocese Comments Off on Anglican Aid’s Prayer Diary 2023

Anglican Aid’s Prayer Diary for 2023 is now available to download from their website.

Christ our Refuge, Brisbane — new church in Diocese of the Southern Cross

Posted on March 2, 2023 
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“On Wednesday, 22 February, Bishop Glenn Davies formally commissioned Rev Dave Miers as the Pastor of Christ our Refuge – the fifth church in the new Diocese of the Southern Cross

Christ our Refuge is a new church launching later this year in Brisbane’s Inner North.
Our dream is to be a city of refuge within the city of Brisbane, where many people have found refuge, security, and hope in Christ.

We see a mature, generous, and kingdom-minded community with a prayer to plant four new gospel-centred Anglican churches in Brisbane by 2032.

Find out more about our weekly gatherings, joining our team, prayer updates, and financial partnership here: christrefuge.co”

– News as well as photos of the Commissioning service can bee seen on their Facebook page.

See also the Diocese of the Southern Cross church directory.

Give thanks for all who are stepping out in faith to make Christ known – and especially Dave Miers and the members of this new church in Brisbane.

Chaplain who was sacked for identity politics sermon to appeal ruling

Posted on March 1, 2023 
Filed under Church of England, Culture wars Comments Off on Chaplain who was sacked for identity politics sermon to appeal ruling

“An ordained Church of England (CofE) chaplain, who was sacked and secretly reported to the government’s terrorist watchdog for a moderate sermon in a school chapel on identity politics, will appeal an employment tribunal ruling handed down this week.

Supported by the Christian Legal Centre, Rev. Dr Bernard Randall had taken his employer, Trent College in Nottingham, to court for discrimination, harassment, victimisation and unfair dismissal.

He has described the ruling against him as a ‘blow for free speech and Christian freedoms.‘…”

– Christian Concern in the UK has this report on the sacking of the Rev. Dr Bernard Randall.

This story is quite an eye-opener to what is happening in the UK and in the Church of England.

You can hear his redelivery of the offending sermon below – do take the time to watch and listen.

Also read the transcript, courtesy of Christian Concern.

This case is also a reminder of why Australia needs robust freedom of religion legislation.

See also:

School chaplain loses unfair dismissal case over LGBT sermon – BBC News.

“Employment judge Victoria Butler, who heard evidence from Rev Randall and senior school staff during a three-week hearing, dismissed the clergyman’s claim he was ‘sacked’ by the school after he twice delivered a sermon called Competing Ideologies in chapel services. …”

Class and the evangelical church in England

Posted on February 28, 2023 
Filed under Church of England Comments Off on Class and the evangelical church in England

“I have been asked to write some observations on class in the evangelical church in England.

Those who asked me apparently think that my Australian background gives me an advantage; I am not embedded in the British class system myself, so can be more objective. I’m not sure that this is all that much an advantage: class in Britain is a very complicated and deeply-entrenched matter, not at all easy to understand. It still surprises me that even after 17 years living and working in Britain, I find certain aspects of the class system entirely foreign. Reading and researching on class issues has demonstrated that there is a lot that even now I had never realised, in particular the how powerful are the emotions and attitudes involved. The classes are different, in significant ways, and it really matters to people.

What has struck me most, and what will be the main point of this series of articles, is that running middle-class churches will not reach the working classes. …”

– Kirsten Birkett begins a series of articles at Church Society.

William Taylor: The Bishops have chosen to walk apart – but others stand with us

Posted on February 27, 2023 
Filed under Church of England, Culture wars, GAFCON, Sydney Diocese Comments Off on William Taylor: The Bishops have chosen to walk apart – but others stand with us

William Taylor, Rector of St. Helen’s Bishopsgate in London, has made an important announcement – and he speaks with the support of Anglican bishops worldwide including

Kanishka Raffel, Archbishop of Sydney;
Foley Beach, Primate of North America and GAFCON Primates Council Chairman;
Jay Behan, Bishop of the Church of Confessing Anglicans Aotearoa New Zealand;
Glenn Lyons, Presiding Bishop of REACH South Africa.

– See William Taylor’s announcement and the messages of support from these Anglican leaders.

Where to now for the Australian Christian Lobby? updated

Posted on February 25, 2023 
Filed under Culture wars, People Comments Off on Where to now for the Australian Christian Lobby? updated

You may have heard the news yesterday that Martin Isles, Managing Director of the Australian Christian Lobby, is moving on.

His e-mail to supporters began:

“I write with significant news that will provoke mixed reactions.

After five incredible years as managing director of the Australian Christian Lobby, my employment has been terminated by the Board.

I hasten to add that there is no question of misconduct. Rather, the Board has reviewed ACL’s strategic direction and decided I am not the right person to lead the revised strategy, which focuses more primarily on political tactics, less on the gospel. Having heard this articulated, I absolutely agree with them that I am not the right person for that vision. I have always been a preacher first, a politician second (or third……).

Please pray for the Board as ACL passes through this process, that their decisions would advance God’s will.

Although I think the strategy isn’t the right one, I leave without bitterness. God’s providence works through all things, including our own disappointments. …”

– At Culture Watch, Bill Muehlenberg shares his reaction:

“I too have long been involved in political lobbying and the like, and I know of its importance. But the more I have done this, the more I have come to believe that unless there is a strong gospel feature, unless there is a strong Christian connection, it will be all rather limited in its effectiveness and long-term success. …”

– Read it all here.

(We should add, as sometimes there can be confusion: The Anglican Church League and the Australian Christian Lobby are not the same – we just share the same initials.)

Update, 27 February 2023 from Jim Wallace, Chairman of the Board – Read more

NSW Premier Dominic Perrottet — 2023 State Election Faith Groups Town Hall

Posted on February 25, 2023 
Filed under Australia, Culture wars, Resources Comments Off on NSW Premier Dominic Perrottet — 2023 State Election Faith Groups Town Hall

The NSW Premier, Dominic Perrottet, was a guest at the 2023 State Election Faith Groups Town Hall in Parramatta on Wednesday night (22nd February 2023).

You can watch the meeting as the Premier responded to questions in the run up to the State election.

In response to a question on ‘conversion therapy’, he said,

“There is no place for harmful practices in our state. Since this issue was raised, people have raised with me examples of food deprivation, electroshock therapy. Well, those practices are wrong, and we will move to outlaw them…

At the same time, we will not ban prayer, we will not ban preaching. That is fundamental to freedom of religion in this state and in this country. We can do both. We can ban harmful practices and we can protect freedom of religion in our state…

It’s not one or the other, it’s respecting everyone’s perspectives in relation to this and having a balanced approach.”

A similar event with the State Opposition Leader, Chris Minns, is planned for next week. We’ll aim to post a link to that event as well.

– Watch here. Thanks to Freedom for Faith for the video link and for the quote from the Premier.

‘Catastrophic” — Dr Lee Gatiss on the Global South’s rebuke of the Church of England

Posted on February 25, 2023 
Filed under Anglican Communion, Church of England, Culture wars, Global South Comments Off on ‘Catastrophic” — Dr Lee Gatiss on the Global South’s rebuke of the Church of England

Church Society Director Lee Gatiss is interviewed by Dave Piper for Trans World Radio about the Global South’s rejection of the Church of England and the Archbishop of Canterbury.

“Lee argues this has left the majority of Anglicans worldwide aghast.

He says vicars will essentially be left to decide doctrine themselves – and could get it in the neck if they go against society’s views on marriage and sexual relationships. And he warns some parishes and dioceses could break away and seek oversight from outside of the UK.”

Watch here. 8 minutes.

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