Southern Cross, May – June 2023 now available
Posted on May 8, 2023
Filed under Encouragement, GAFCON, Sydney Diocese Comments Off on Southern Cross, May – June 2023 now available
The May – June 2023 issue of Southern Cross, the magazine of the Diocese of Sydney, is now available.
Copies can be picked up at local churches, and you can also download it here.
From Russell Powell:
“Southern Cross this month has all anyone needs to know about GAFCON IV, including the Archbishop writing on Why GAFCON matters, as well as
- We sing Getty hymns – now the foremost contemporary hymnwriter is visiting Sydney
- A Mother’s Day special – How my mother shaped my faith by Rachel Chin and Dave Jensen.
- An analysis of clergy stress and burnout.”
Bishop Stuart Bell interviewed on GB News
Posted on May 7, 2023
Filed under GAFCON, Wales Comments Off on Bishop Stuart Bell interviewed on GB News
The Anglican Network in Europe’s recently-consecrated Bishop Stuart Bell spoke with Calvin Robinson on GB News last weekend.
While both attended GAFCON IV, they have differing opinions on the way forward. Bishop Bell spoke of the impending collapse of the Church in Wales.
Sydney Anglicans celebrate the coronation with scones, DIY crowns, bowler hats and a sermon about tax
Posted on May 7, 2023
Filed under Sydney Diocese Comments Off on Sydney Anglicans celebrate the coronation with scones, DIY crowns, bowler hats and a sermon about tax
“At Sydney’s main Anglican cathedral on Sunday morning, the signs of celebration for the King’s coronation were everywhere.
Men mingled outside in bowler hats and Union Jack clothing, children decorated crowns with stickers in the kids’ activity packs, and ushers served scones with jam and cream after the service. …”
– Report from The Sydney Morning Herald.
GAFCON IV and the revolution in world Anglicanism
Posted on May 4, 2023
Filed under Anglican Communion, GAFCON Comments Off on GAFCON IV and the revolution in world Anglicanism
“Lambeth Palace needs to ‘wake up and smell the coffee.’ As an English Anglican, my experience at GAFCON was deeply sobering. The churches to which the vast majority of Anglicans belong feel completely betrayed by the Archbishop of Canterbury and by the Church of England as their mother church. …”
– Martin Davie writes at Christian Today.
Photo: GAFCON IV.
Key issues in scholarship on 1 Timothy 2:8–15
Posted on May 4, 2023
Filed under Resources, Theology Comments Off on Key issues in scholarship on 1 Timothy 2:8–15
“In the last few decades, there’s been an enormous amount of scholarship on the meaning and significance of 1 Timothy 2:8–15. The sheer range of interpretations can be bewildering, leading us to throw our arms in the air and declare that it’s all too hard, so we should all just do what is right in our own eyes.
This video is designed to help us to regain some clarity and perspective on the passage by giving a broad overview of the main issues. …”
– Lionel Windsor presented this seminar at the recent Priscilla & Aquila Centre conference at Moore College.
See also:
Claire Smith presented an elective on The household of God in 1 Timothy the next day at the inaugural P&A Research Conference, which is for women.
May 2023 edition of the North West Network
Posted on May 3, 2023
Filed under Australian dioceses, Encouragement Comments Off on May 2023 edition of the North West Network
The May 2023 edition of the North West Network is now available for you to download.
It’s a great way to be encouraged to pray for the people and churches of North West Australia.
A brief guide to the Coronation Service
Posted on May 3, 2023
Filed under Church of England, Resources Comments Off on A brief guide to the Coronation Service
“The Coronation Service for each monarch is put together using set elements, some of which are legally required, and others that can modified or updated over time. The structure of the service draws on the Old Testament, and has developed over many centuries of use in England, and later the UK. The last significant overhaul, especially of the oaths, came for the coronation of William III and Mary II in 1689 …
At the coronation, he does not become king. Rather he is acknowledged as King, not by the state, but by the Church and in the eyes of God. The promises he makes are not that he will rule, but how he will rule. The service is a reminder throughout that he is only King by the will of God and with the consent of the people. He is not our ultimate authority, and he himself is subject to another king, the King of Kings and Lord of Lords. …
It is notable that in the Proper Preface, Charles will be referred to as ‘the Defender of thy Faith’, not as he once hoped, ‘Defender of Faiths’.”
– At Church Society’s website, Ros Clarke provides some helpful background to the Coronation coming up this weekend.
See also the Liturgy to be used in the Coronation Service.
Image: Royal.uk.
David Livingstone brought the Gospel to my Country
Posted on May 2, 2023
Filed under History, People Comments Off on David Livingstone brought the Gospel to my Country
“David Livingstone (1813–73) is known as a missionary, explorer, and abolitionist.
He was the first missionary to bring the gospel to my beloved country, Malawi, in 1859…”
– Confex Makhalira gives thanks to God for David Livingstone on the 150th anniversary of his death. (At The Gospel Coalition.)
Photo: David Livingstone by Thomas Annan, 1864.
Bible Time with Pre-schoolers
Posted on May 2, 2023
Filed under Encouragement, Resources Comments Off on Bible Time with Pre-schoolers
“I’m so thankful that my daughter is taught at pre-school by wonderfully experienced Christian teachers… so when a list of recommended Bible resources from one of those gifted and thoughtful teachers finds its way into your child’s book bag, it is something to be treasured!
I come back to this list every time I want to add to our library. Clearly, it’s far from exhaustive (there are so many good things out there) and seasoned pre-school teachers and parents will no doubt be familiar with a lot of these books, but I thought I’d share this treasured list here anyway, with a few of my own favourites added in along the way. …“
– Here’s some encouragement and practical help from Kirsten McKinlay at The Australian Church Record.
Trekking through Tanzania
Posted on May 1, 2023
Filed under GAFCON, Sydney Diocese Comments Off on Trekking through Tanzania
“On a trip to honour veteran CMS Missionary Helen Hoskins and to visit Sydney’s Anglican Aid projects, Archbishop Raffel is travelling through Tanzania.
Soon after the final session of GAFCON IV in nearby Rwanda, the Archbishop was on his way to a series of engagements in the Diocese of Mara. …”
– Story from Russell Powell at SydneyAnglicans.net.
GAFCON 101 – everything you need to know
Posted on May 1, 2023
Filed under Anglican Communion, GAFCON Comments Off on GAFCON 101 – everything you need to know
From David Ould:
“I wrote this brief article last week for my church newsletter. It’s a basic primer on what GAFCON is, how it came about, what happened at Kigali and why it was necessary.…”
– Read here.
Photo: Bishop Glenn Davies at GAFCON IV in Kigali.
The Most Radical Thing I Do
Posted on May 1, 2023
Filed under Encouragement Comments Off on The Most Radical Thing I Do
“As I left our small church this morning the crowd sitting outside at the café opposite stared at me. I smiled back and waved. They had no idea of the fundamental treasons I’d been committing, of the revolution I participate in. …”
– At The Gospel Coalition Australia, Mike Flynn has some counter-cultural encouragement.
A 3 minute report on GAFCON IV to play in your church
Posted on April 29, 2023
Filed under Anglican Communion, GAFCON Comments Off on A 3 minute report on GAFCON IV to play in your church
From The Pastor’s Heart.
Download link just above the video on that page.
What now after Canterbury’s leadership implosion – with Sydney Archbishop Kanishka Raffel
Posted on April 29, 2023
Filed under Anglican Communion, Encouragement, GAFCON Comments Off on What now after Canterbury’s leadership implosion – with Sydney Archbishop Kanishka Raffel
Just released from The Pastor’s Heart – while visiting Bunda Bible College in Tanzania, Dominic Steele speaks with Archbishop Kanishka Raffel.
“Sydney’s Archbishop Kanishka Raffel has responded to Gafcon’s Kigali Commitment which says the Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby’s continued leadership of the Anglican Communion is entirely indefensible.
Leaders representing 85% of the Anglican Communion say they have no confidence in the Archbishop of Canterbury or the other instruments of the Anglican Communion.
In his first interview, since the release of Gafcon’s Kigali Communique, Archbishop Raffel sits down with Dominic Steele while on a tour of Anglican Aid projects in rural Tanzania.”
Also much encouraging news on the impact of Anglican Aid.
How the Original Languages can benefit the African Church
Posted on April 29, 2023
Filed under Encouragement, Resources Comments Off on How the Original Languages can benefit the African Church
“It’s very important in our promotion of the original languages not to make people think that they cannot trust their translated versions. However, I have personally experienced the joy and value of reading the Bible in the original languages. This is something I wish for many more to experience for themselves. …”
Ikho Poswayo serves at George Whitefield College in Capetown.
What we believe
The message at the heart of Christianity is really quite simple…