Government Takeover Scandal
Posted on June 9, 2023
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In her latest video, the Australian Christian Lobby’s Wendy Francis discusses the alarming takeover attempt of the Catholic Calvary Hospital in Canberra.
The Fall of Canterbury
Posted on June 8, 2023
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“The Kigali Commitment recognizes that Archbishop Welby has abandoned his office and that Instruments of Communion have failed to uphold essential doctrine regarding human sexuality, thereby undermining their very purpose. Those signing the Commitment no longer recognize the authority of the existing Communion structures. The Commitment empowers GAFCON and the Global South Fellowship of Anglican Churches to establish new structures for orthodox Anglicans wherever they are. …”
– At First Things, Matt and Anne Kennedy share their thoughts on GAFCON IV.
Image: At GAFCON Jerusalem in 2018, Russell Powell (left) interviews the Kennedys. (Well worth watching.)
What is the gospel? — Dr Mark Thompson
Posted on June 7, 2023
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“I remember, more than twenty years ago now, an international visitor to Sydney being asked this question.
Throughout the week that he had been here, the speaker had appealed to the gospel many times. Clearly in a part of the world well-known for the strength of its evangelical witness, such an appeal was essential if he was to get a hearing. But the appeal had not been convincing and it had become increasingly obvious that at this most basic level our guest had a very different idea of what exactly it was that he was appealing to repeatedly throughout the week.
So some brave soul — someone braver than me — publicly asked him the question. What is the gospel? …”
– Back in 2015 we published this very helpful article by Dr Mark Thompson, Principal of Moore College.
Quebec funeral home charging $700 for doctor-assisted suicide services
Posted on June 7, 2023
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“A Quebec funeral home is renting out a private room for people to partake in doctor-assisted suicide – at a minimum cost of $700.
The cost is not for the euthanasia procedure, which is covered by Quebec’s medical insurance, but for the dedicated space featuring couches, candles, plants and artworks. Patients come to the home with their physician.
The funeral home’s new offering comes amid euthanasia deaths exploding in the province, going from 63 in 2015-2016 to 3663 in 2021-2022.
The funeral home takes charge of handling the deceased body, noting that it has necessary installations on site…”
– Report from True North (Canada).
Image: A St Helen’s Bishopsgate video.
Bishop of Bathurst’s newsletter — Pentecost 2023 edition
Posted on June 6, 2023
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Here’s the latest Bathurst Diocese newsletter from Bishop Mark Calder — for your encouragement and to inform your prayers.
In the last 12 months 35% of Australian Ministers considered quitting
Posted on June 5, 2023
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“A little under 200 clergy took part in the survey and, while they work across the country, they were predominantly in NSW, married and male, with an average of 18½ years in ministry. More than 60 per cent of the respondents were senior ministers…
A senior consultant at the Centre for Ministry Development, Peter Mayrick, who gets alongside clergy to support them in their ministry, says that the issues of stress and burnout are ‘very real… and something we have to deal with’. …”
– Story by Judy Adamson at SydneyAnglicans.net.
Two exciting projects from Discipleship Tech
Posted on June 5, 2023
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Recently Andy Geers shared updates on two exciting updates from Discipleship Tech, the team behind PrayerMate.
• An update of Redeeming the Time.
• Crowdfunding for The Serpent & The Seed, “a mobile adventure game designed to help people, who would never normally open the Bible, to engage with the big story of salvation and our place within it.”
Good to pray about (and financially support, if you are able)!
Pastor: Help your Congregation navigate Gay Pride Month
Posted on June 3, 2023
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From Jonathan Leeman at 9Marks:
“…pastor, consider how you might equip your church members to stand in truth and love during this month. As the neo-paganism of LGBTQ+ increasingly defines our nation’s public religion, more of our members will be taking it on the jaw at school and work. We should prepare them for these occasions if nothing else than by setting the example of speaking publicly ourselves.”
ACL 2023 Annual General Meeting reminder
Posted on June 3, 2023
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For ACL members, a reminder:
The 2023 Annual General Meeting of the Anglican Church League, previously advised, is on Thursday 8th June, 6:00pm – 7:30pm.
Venue: St Andrew’s Cathedral School, 474 Kent Street, Sydney 2000 (enter via Foyer located on Sydney Square), Level 4, The Community Hub.
Speakers:
- Vice President Phil Colgan on The Noble task of Ministry.
- President Roger Cunningham on The Ever Present Need for the League.
The agenda for the meeting, including positions to be filled by election, is available here (PDF).
If you need to renew your membership, you can do so at this link.
South Carolina Supreme Court issues final ruling on disputed churches
Posted on June 2, 2023
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“Two of South Carolina’s oldest church buildings will not be returned to the Episcopal Church in the United States, but will stay with the Anglican Diocese of South Carolina, a court has ruled. One other church will be returned to the Episcopal Diocese. …”
– Story from Church Times.
The photo of now-retired Bishop Mark Lawrence from 2010 gives an idea of how long this has been running. (Mostly) related posts.
In 2018 at GAFCON 3 in Jerusalem, Dominic Steele spoke with Dr Kendall Harmon about what was happening in South Carolina at the time. Starts 2:15 into this clip.
Target (US) has redefined its business model to force its consumers to make a choice
Posted on June 2, 2023
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In his The Briefing for Friday 02 June 2023, Dr Albert Mohler looks at the place of Target (the US company, not the Australian one) in the culture wars – and the response of customers.
– Listen here.
Calvary Health Care starts legal proceedings
Posted on June 2, 2023
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“Lawyers for Calvary Health Care and the ACT Government will have a full day in the Supreme Court to argue over whether an injunction can be granted to hold up the compulsory acquisition of the public hospital in Bruce.
The head of the northside transition team isn’t worried this will hold up the process, which is slated to be finalised by 3 July. …”
– Report from Riotact, Canberra.
Heresy Half Hour: Donatism
Posted on June 1, 2023
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The latest podcast from Church Society:
“In this episode, Chris Moore, Lee Gatiss and Mark Smith explain the ancient heresy of Donatism and its contemporary relevance for the church today as so many people are considering how to relate to ungodly authorities.”
Plenty of relevance to the Church of England today.
– Listen here.
Highlights, insights, reflections and things I learned in Africa – Dominic Steele
Posted on May 31, 2023
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Dominic Steele at The Pastor’s Heart:
“In almost every personal conversation I’ve had since returning from Africa I’ve been asked about my personal reflections on the almost four weeks that Catherine and I spent there.
How was Gafcon? What was significant? What stood out? How has Africa impacted you?”
– Watch or listen here. Most encouraging.
“We are the Anglican Communion; we represent 85% of all church-going Anglicans” — Bishop Glenn Davies
Posted on May 31, 2023
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“We have a de facto re-ordered Communion now. We are not leaving the Anglican Communion, but reforming it along Cranmerian lines, where the Scripture is supreme and obedience to Scripture is essential; we represent 85% of Anglicans worldwide and are moving forward. …”
– David Virtue at VirtueOnline has published an interview with Bishop Glenn Davies.
Photo: Bishop Davies speaks at GAFCON IV in Kigali.
What we believe
The message at the heart of Christianity is really quite simple…