ESV Bible Translation Update
Posted on February 21, 2025
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From Crossway, publishers of the English Standard Version of the Bible:
“The ESV Translation Oversight Committee (TOC) is a standing committee of the Crossway Board of Directors. The purpose of the TOC is to carry forward the publication of the English Standard Version Bible translation and to preserve the ongoing accuracy and fidelity of the ESV Bible for this generation and generations to come.
The Stability and Future of the ESV
With this purpose in mind, we are committed to maintaining a faithful, stable, and standard ESV Bible text that will meet the reading, memorizing, preaching, and liturgical needs of Christians worldwide. It should be noted that Crossway does not plan to introduce frequent text updates, and it has been nearly ten years since the last update in 2016. …
In light of this commitment, the TOC met over the summer of 2024 to consider a limited number of changes to the ESV text. Briefly summarized, the committee made text changes to 36 Scripture passages involving 42 verses, resulting in a total of 68 word changes.”
Pray for Congo as atrocities echo those of the Rwandan genocide
Posted on February 20, 2025
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“Horrific reports are emerging from the Democratic Republic of Congo as the nation is being torn apart by fighting which has echoes of the Rwandan genocide in the 1990s…
In the isolated city of Goma, rebels have conducted a campaign of looting, rape and indiscriminate killing.
The Archbishop of Sydney’s Anglican Aid has launched an emergency appeal to provide food, clothing, and medicine to those in extreme need. …”
– At SydneyAnglicans.net, Russell Powell shares something of what is happening in Congo, and what you can do to help those suffering (including by praying).
Related:
Back in 1997, ACL News spoke with Bishop Peter Dawson, then recently returned from DR Congo (then Zaire). He called for prayer for the churches of Congo. It would be good to pray such prayers now. (See the prayer included in today’s Sydney Anglicans report.)
A first glance at the pastor’s heart – 2 Corinthians 1:1–22
Posted on February 20, 2025
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Moore College Principal Dr Mark Thompson speaks from 2 Corinthians 1:1–22 at the start of the College academic year.
Two Ways News Podcast — The Foundations of Genesis Part 2
Posted on February 19, 2025
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The second episode of the 2025 series of Two Ways News Podcasts is now out, with Phillip and Peter Jensen. They continue on Genesis 1–11.
“We spent last time talking about the background ideas of how we come to read Genesis, but Peter, you said something about the nature of literature, and I’d like to follow you up more on the assumptions when you’re reading, because you talked about how you approach reading.”
Exploding pastoral leadership myths — with Craig Hamilton
Posted on February 19, 2025
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On The Pastor’s Heart this week:
“What happens when a leader operates without a clear vision. And how poetic or concrete should a vision be?
How to organise things so the overall vision cascades down through every area of church life?
What should our pastoral approach be to innovators, early adopters, early majority, late majority, laggards and the nos.
Biblical vision and Leadership vision: What is the difference? Why do people mangle Proverbs 29:18?
Plus infusing the church with vision, in a significant moment and especially via drip feed.
Craig Hamilton is senior pastor of Pitt Town Anglican Church and author of ‘Wisdom in Leadership.’ ”
Dave Moore on Why your church needs Healthy Teams
Posted on February 19, 2025
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Matthias Media has recently published The Team Leader’s Handbook by Dave Moore at Hunter Bible Church.
The Australian Church Record speaks with Dave about his background, his ministry journey, and about the book.
Bringing Hope to the Illawarra
Posted on February 18, 2025
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“March 2025 will see one of the largest evangelistic campaigns for many years in the Illawarra region.
‘Hope For The Illawarra’, a partnership between the US broadcast ministry Leading The Way and churches in the Illawarra, will culminate in outreach events. …”
– Russell Powell has news of good news for the people of the Illawarra.
At SydneyAnglicans.net.
Stories of encouragement from Anglican Aid
Posted on February 18, 2025
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Anglican Aid in Sydney has published several stories showing how aid from Australia is helping in Africa and India. Food for our prayers, and encouragement for generosity.
New edition of Anglican News from Canberra & Goulburn
Posted on February 18, 2025
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Dr Jacqueline Service will be commissioned as Director of Canberra’s St Mark’s National Theological Centre this weekend.
That’s one of the stories in the February edition of Anglican News from the Diocese of Canberra & Goulburn. (PDF file.)
Men Meeting the Challenge Conference 2025 – promo
Posted on February 16, 2025
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Rory Shiner and Dave Jensen are speaking at this year’s Men Meeting the Challenge Conference.
Saturday 29th March.
“100 Ministry Stories from Moore College” — Gavin Rosser
Posted on February 16, 2025
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From Moore College:
“Gavin Rosser, along with his wife Megan and their family, serves with the Anglican Church in Amman, Jordan, through CMS.
After 17 years of ministry in Sydney, Gavin followed a long-held calling to minister in a region where Christ is less known. …”
– Moore College is continuing its “100 Ministry Stories” series – this time with Gavin Rosser.
Living in Love and Faith — A way forward which holds us together?
Posted on February 14, 2025
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Anglican Futures has been providing daily summaries of the General Synod of the Church of England, meeting in London. From Day 4 (Thursday):
“Next was the Living in Love and Faith (LLF) update, led by Bishop of Leicester, the Rt Revd Martyn Snow. He asked Synod to imagine a future together,
‘One church, with all our differences, or are we resigned to going our separate ways, mirroring society, where each person chooses their own truth?’
This is an extraordinary claim – a total reversal of reality. Surely, it is because some are choosing their own truth, rather than remaining under God’s truth, as revealed by the Apostles, that there is a need for separation?
He continued,
‘What we are offering is a possible way forward which holds us together, and it starts in the imagination, not the detail…’”
– Read it here.
Image from an October 2024 (now deleted) video by Bishop Snow.
Conservative bishops can ban same-sex blessings in their dioceses – they need to start doing this
Posted on February 13, 2025
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“The Church of England’s turmoil over same-sex marriage continues.
With the resignation in November of the Archbishop of Canterbury, Justin Welby, the latest development in the long-running saga is another delay by the bishops in bringing in standalone services to bless same-sex couples – services that will closely resemble same-sex weddings.
How did we get here?…”
– Writing in Christian Today, Dr Will Jones, a trustee of Anglican Mainstream, argues that conservative Church of England bishops have been poorly advised by some to believe that they can’t stop same-sex blessings in their dioceses.
Image: Bishop of York Stephen Cottrell, speaking at the Church of England’s General Synod this week.
Kristie Higgs wins as Court of Appeal rules dismissal for free speech is illegal
Posted on February 13, 2025
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Here’s a Press Release from Christian Concern in the UK –
“In a seminal judgment for Christian freedom and free speech, the Court of Appeal has reversed a ruling which defended the dismissal of Kristie Higgs from Farmor’s School in Gloucestershire for raising concern on Facebook about extreme sex education and transgender ideology being taught in her son’s Church of England primary school.
The groundbreaking decision, handed down this morning by Lord Justice Underhill, Lord Justice Bean and Lady Justice Falk, re-examines and re-shapes England’s law on religious discrimination. (see legal analysis in notes to editors.)
The dramatic six-year legal battle has been supported by the Christian Legal Centre from the beginning. Mrs Higgs, 48, was represented in court by barrister, Mr Richard O’Dair.
The ruling confirms that the Equality Act protects traditional Christian beliefs on social issues, such as opposition to the ideas of transgenderism and ‘gender-fluidity’ and opposition to same-sex marriage.
The authoritative judgment re-shapes the law on freedom of religion in the workplace. For the first time in employment law, the judgment has effectively established a legal presumption that any dismissal for an expression or manifestation of Christian faith is illegal. …”
– Read it all at Christian Concern.
See also:
Kristie Higgs wins as Court of Appeal rules dismissal for free speech is illegal – Christian Concern.
Celebration of the 50th year of Campus Bible Study
Posted on February 13, 2025
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Campus Bible Study at the University of NSW is turning 50!
“Over many years, God has been working through people at UNSW. The foundation of CBS is prayer and proclaiming the crucified and risen Christ as Lord of all. From CBS, God has raised many servants for Sydney, Australia and the world.
So, join past and present CBSers on campus to give thanks to God for his incredible kindness and faithfulness through CBS. We will look forward to the next 50 years (or until the Lord returns) of proclaiming Christ to future generations of university students.
Please join us and many others on Saturday 15th March 2025 at UNSW.”
– Details here.
What we believe
The message at the heart of Christianity is really quite simple…