When Mother loses her mind

Posted on November 23, 2022 
Filed under Anglican Communion, Church of England, Opinion Comments Off on When Mother loses her mind

“Over the last two weeks, several bishops in the Church of England have publicly endorsed the Bishop of Oxford’s booklet, Together in Love and Faith, which he sets out his thinking about same-sex relationships. He proposes that the Church of England should provide public services for the blessing of same-sex civil partnerships and marriages but allow a conscience clause for those who dissent. Barbara Gauthier has done a superb job chronicling all of the statements and rebuttals by Vaughan Roberts, and others.

As one of the senior Bishops in the Church of England, Steven Croft (the Bishop of Oxford) has proposed nothing less than a sea-change in the teaching of the Church of England.  It will divide the Church of England and further harden the divisions within the Anglican Communion. …”

– At The American Anglican Council, Canon Phil Ashey asks, “When Mother loses her mind, what can we do?”

Faith-Based Schools in the Northern Territory threaten to close

Posted on November 23, 2022 
Filed under Australia, Culture wars Comments Off on Faith-Based Schools in the Northern Territory threaten to close

“The Northern Territory parliament is currently considering amending the Anti-Discrimination Act so as to end an existing provision that allows ‘religious educational institutions to discriminate against staff based on their sexuality’. This would mean people who do not share the beliefs or values of a faith-based school or institution could no longer be excluded from employment.

In response, the Roman Catholic Bishop of Darwin, Charles Gauci, has said that he will consider closely all eighteen Catholic colleges and schools in the Northern Territory. Christian schools have also thrown their support behind this response, strongly suggesting they would follow a similar course of action. …”

– AP (The Australian Presbyterian) has this on the latest from the Northern Territory.

Update:

Northern Territory parliament passes anti-discrimination law reform amid fierce backlash – ABC News.

“The CLP has vowed to overturn the legislation if elected in 2024.”

Quiz Worx Christmas video for 2022 — The Saviour of the World

Posted on November 23, 2022 
Filed under Resources Comments Off on Quiz Worx Christmas video for 2022 — The Saviour of the World

The wonderful team at Quiz Worx have released their Christmas video for 2022.

“What do a Surf Lifesaver, a Firefighter and a Dr have in common? They all save lives! 

This Christmas join Aneeka, Cosec and the Quiz Worx team to discover what the Bible teaches: that Jesus is the greatest lifesaver ever because Jesus is the Saviour of the World!

This 17-minute video is ideal for use in SRE (NSW) and RI (QLD) classes and assemblies. It is recommended by the creators of Beginning with God, Connect, Big Questions and GodSpace, and supports the learning outcomes of these curricula.”

– See the promo video – and register to see and download the full video resource – here.

They also have lots of other very helpful resources on their website.

Christianity: Weird and Wonderful — Rory Shiner on ‘The World Next Door’

Posted on November 22, 2022 
Filed under Encouragement, Evangelism, Resources Comments Off on Christianity: Weird and Wonderful — Rory Shiner on ‘The World Next Door’

Recorded in August 2022, Glen Scrivener from Speak Life in the UK speaks with Rory Shiner about his new book, ‘The World Next Door: A Short Guide to the Christian Faith’, which he co-authored with Peter Orr.

It’s a fascinating interview with very helpful insights into sharing the gospel in our culture.

Watch here. The book is available from Matthias Media.

Put on your glasses

Posted on November 20, 2022 
Filed under History, Resources Comments Off on Put on your glasses

“On our recent trip to the UK we went on two Christian Heritage walking tours, one in Edinburgh and one in London. Both were excellent.

In Edinburgh we followed the path of the Reformation and the brutal treatment of the faithful Covenanters.

In London we visited John Newton’s church, St. Mary, Woolnoth, as well as many other significant evangelical centres in the square mile which makes up the city of London.

I was struck at the value of having a guide who can give so much extra background information. …”

– At The Expository Preaching Trust, David Cook draws attention to the importance of knowing history.

(David mentions this book.)

Canada Euthanized 10,000 People in 2021. Has Death Lost Its Sting?

Posted on November 19, 2022 
Filed under Culture wars Comments Off on Canada Euthanized 10,000 People in 2021. Has Death Lost Its Sting?

“In the past five years, the number of patients dying with physician assistance in Canada has grown tenfold, from around 1,000 in 2016 to more than 10,000 in 2021—3.3 percent of all deaths in Canada that year, according to official government reporting. …”

– Published last month, this Christianity Today article shows how quickly things are changing in Canada, and the pressures facing doctors.

(link via Tim Challies.)

Southern Cross November — December 2022 out now

Posted on November 19, 2022 
Filed under Encouragement, Sydney Diocese Comments Off on Southern Cross November — December 2022 out now

The November – December 2022 issue of Southern Cross magazine will be arriving in parishes shortly. Be sure to get your copy!

If you can’t wait, you can download a copy (12MB PDF file) or read it online at SydneyAnglicans.net.

Archbishop Kanishka Raffel’s column is on page 19.

What to do with Santa?

Posted on November 17, 2022 
Filed under Resources Comments Off on What to do with Santa?

“Personally, I have been thinking about how I should relate to the character of Santa for many years now.

As a child, I was taught that Santa was real. I believed that he lived in the North Pole and on Christmas Eve he somehow entered our house (we had no chimney) and gave me presents if I had been a good boy. I would even leave him cookies and a glass of milk, and the proof of his existence was the fact that these had been consumed by Christmas morning. …”

– At The Gospel Coalition Australia, Simon Camilleri (author of “When Santa Learned the Gospel”) has some simple advice for Christian parents.

Photo: simoncamilleri.com

New Dean of Women for Moore College

Posted on November 17, 2022 
Filed under People Comments Off on New Dean of Women for Moore College

“Last Thursday, at its final meeting for the year, the Moore College Governing Board approved the Principal’s nomination of the Reverend Susan An to become a member of the College faculty, serving as its Dean of Women. …”

– News from Moore College.

Remembering Chappo with affection and thanksgiving

Posted on November 16, 2022 
Filed under People, Sydney Diocese Comments Off on Remembering Chappo with affection and thanksgiving

Ten years ago today, on 16 November 2012, John Chapman (‘Chappo’) was called home.

Not many are blessed with the gifts of evangelism and preaching that Chappo had – but all Christians are blessed to have the same saving message to share.

Here are a few reminders of Chappo, and we pray that they will serve to draw our hearts to Jesus:

Phillip Jensen interview with John Chapman – Part 1 and Part 2.

John Chapman: Encouragement for Evangelism – 7 minute cassette tape to encourage Christian students at Sydney University to believe and act on the gospel, prior to the SUEU Mission in June 1977. Right-click the link above to download, or listen below.

 

Phillip Jensen on Chappo, March 2013. – The Briefing, Matthias Media.

The preaching of John Chapman – Simon Manchester, The Briefing.

John Chapman – a personal reflection from Mark Thompson.

John Charles Chapman (Chappo) – by David Cook.

Chappo’s contribution to the Anglican Diocese of Armidale – Tim Stevens.

Dick Lucas gives thanks for Chappo.

1980 Photo: AFES.

New song for Christmas from Emu Music

Posted on November 16, 2022 
Filed under Encouragement, Resources Comments Off on New song for Christmas from Emu Music

Emu Music has released a beautiful new song for Christmas – Jesus is His Name.

Watch at the link – and audio tracks and sheet music are also available.

A safe harbour for faithful Anglicans — Anglican Network in Europe response to the Bishop of Oxford

Posted on November 15, 2022 
Filed under Church of England, Culture wars, GAFCON Comments Off on A safe harbour for faithful Anglicans — Anglican Network in Europe response to the Bishop of Oxford

Here’s a Press Release from The Anglican Network in Europe:

The recent publication by the Bishop of Oxford of a paper ‘Together in Love and Faith’, and the briefing to the Church Times after the College of Bishops’ meeting on ways forward after LLF (31 Oct – 2 Nov 2022), both indicate a situation that is causing widespread dismay: a majority of bishops apparently now claim that maintaining a biblical orthodox position on same-sex blessings or marriage “is not an option” for the Church of England.

In his essay, the Bishop of Oxford, while advocating the full acceptance of same sex marriage within the Church, proposes some sort of provision of an alternative structure of oversight for those unable to accept this radical innovation.

This has been welcomed by some who hold to the historic, biblical teaching on sex and marriage, who acknowledge that there is an irreconcilable division in terms of understanding of the Christian faith, but would like an orderly, negotiated separation to occur within the church. This would have to involve robust protections for biblically faithful ministers, together with their congregations and buildings, should the Church of England be led into accepting heterodox faith and practice.

However a growing number are increasingly uncomfortable with this proposal, as it would require an acquiescence to ‘plural truth’ within the denomination. It would require an acceptance of divergent and irreconcilable views within the same church on a matter about which the Bible is unequivocal. As one commentator has put it, a church with “two integrities” on a primary, gospel issue has no integrity.

When senior Bishops call publicly for the departure from the authority and sufficiency of Scripture, the universal witness of Christian tradition and the great majority of Anglicans worldwide, this is not a matter for polite negotiation, but requires a call for repentance, which if not heeded, must result in an immediate break in fellowship, and the establishment of a faithful jurisdiction under godly oversight committed to the authority of the word of God.

Such a body has already been established: The Anglican Network in Europe, with its constituent members the Anglican Convocation Europe and the Anglican Mission in England. It is the result of gracious provision by the majority of faithful Anglican leaders worldwide. It is a safe harbour and a genuine, authentic and authorised Anglican alternative to compromise and cultural capitulation. Why not look for your nearest ANiE church, or investigate starting a new one?

As Archbishop Foley Beach (Primate of the Anglican Church in North America and Chair of the Gafcon Primates’ Council) said at the Network consecrations in October 2022, “We are here to say ‘you are not alone’, and as representatives of the majority of Anglicans in the Anglican Communion, we recognise what the Lord is doing in this emerging province.”

ENDS

PDF download here.

Our missionary faith – Matthew 28:16-20

Posted on November 15, 2022 
Filed under Encouragement, Evangelism Comments Off on Our missionary faith – Matthew 28:16-20

Last week, Moore College Principal Dr Mark Thompson spoke about The Great Commission as the College comes to the end of the academic year.

It’s not only Moore College students who need to be reminded why we’re here.

Watch or listen at the Moore College website. Most encouraging.

‘The day I almost resigned’ – Dominic Steele

Posted on November 15, 2022 
Filed under People Comments Off on ‘The day I almost resigned’ – Dominic Steele

In the latest edition of the Pastor’s Heart, host Dominic Steele shares something of his own journey –

“Ten things that went wrong for Dominic Steele, the mistakes he made, and the day he almost resigned.

Dominic Steele has just notched up twenty years as senior pastor of Village Church in Annandale, Sydney.

But it hasn’t always been plain sailing.

In this address at Craig Hamilton’s HUSTLE leadership conference on 2 Timothy 2, Dominic shares about the things that went wrong and the mistakes he made.”

– Watch or listen at The Pastor’s Heart.

Remembering Arthur Stace 90 years after he began to chalk Eternity

Posted on November 14, 2022 
Filed under History, People Comments Off on Remembering Arthur Stace 90 years after he began to chalk Eternity

Ninety years ago today, on 14th November 1932, Arthur Stace (“Mr. Eternity”) heard evangelist John Ridley and felt the call to write Eternity on the streets of Sydney.

(Related posts here.)

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