Prayer for Peace in the Middle East

Posted on June 17, 2025 
Filed under GAFCON, Global Comments Off on Prayer for Peace in the Middle East

From Gafcon:

“Dear brothers and sisters in Christ within our Gafcon family,

I bring you greetings in the mighty name of Jesus, the Prince of Peace.

We are grieved by the escalating violence between Israel and Iran.

With heavy hearts, we watch as this conflict brings death, destruction, and unspeakable suffering to the innocent.

Each of those killed or wounded—Israeli, Iranian, or others caught in this conflict—are made in the image of God. Reports of civilian casualties, including children, drive us to our knees in lament and prayer.

I ask you to join me in prayer.  

Pray for this conflict to cease. Pray for the protection of the innocent.  Pray for the wounded and for the bereaved. And pray that the Lord will raise up peacemakers in our time.  

For, our Lord Jesus says in the Sermon on the Mount, “blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God” (Matthew 5:9). We must all be voices for peace in a world that too often chooses the way of violence.

As we pray for Israel and Iran, let us also remember the long-suffering people of Sudan, Eastern Congo, Ukraine, and all others who are suffering in this moment.

Even now, we do not lose hope.

For, Jesus Christ was born into a world torn by conflict. Through the cross, he reconciled not only humanity to God but enemies to one another: “For he himself is our peace, who has made us both one and has broken down in his flesh the dividing wall of hostility” (Ephesians 2:14).

In this season of Pentecost, may the Holy Spirit rekindle in us the ministry of reconciliation and prayer—for the sake of a world in need.

The Most Reverend Dr. Laurent Mbanda
Chairman, Gafcon Primates Council
Archbishop of the Anglican Church of Rwanda
Bishop of Gasabo
Monday, 16th June 2025.”

– via e- mail.

In praise of catechisms

Posted on June 16, 2025 
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“No names, no identifying details but in a Sunday School of mostly church kids the teacher asked ‘what is a Christian?’ And answer came there none.

Which got me thinking – maybe we need a catechism.

That’s a fancy word for a teaching document – often in Q and A form. The word Catechism is from the Greek katechein, which means ‘to teach orally or to instruct by word of mouth’…”

– At The Other Cheek, John Sandeman praises the idea of using a catechism in helping young people – and older ones – to know the Scriptures and know what Christians believe.

Of course, he’s not alone:

In 2012, Tim Keller made the case for catechesis –

“…in the evangelical Christian world today the practice of catechesis, particularly among adults, has been almost completely lost. Modern discipleship programs are usually superficial when it comes to doctrine. Even systematic Bible studies can be weak in drawing doctrinal conclusions. In contrast, catechisms take students step by step through the Apostles’ Creed, the Ten Commandments, and the Lord’s Prayer – a perfect balance of biblical theology and doctrine, practical ethics, and spiritual experience.

Catechesis is an intense way of doing instruction. The catechetical discipline of memorization drives concepts in deep, encouraging meditation on truth. …”

Our own Mark Earngey wrote in The Australian Church Record 18 months ago –

“Catechesis is the necessary bridge between the baptism of children and their later confirmation in the faith. The Book of Common Prayer baptismal service concludes with the explicit (and lengthy) command to godparents that they would teach the children the Apostles’ Creed, the Lord’s Prayer, and the Decalogue. Indeed, that the child would be ‘further instructed in the Church Catechism set forth for that purpose.’ The Church Catechism in the BCP is explicitly subtitled: ‘An instruction to be learned of every person before he be brought to be confirmed by the Bishop.’…

The decline in catechetical emphasis and the disappearance of the traditional catechetical elements (e.g. the Decalogue) would have surprised the theologians of the Reformation. …”

and back in 2010, J I Packer and Gary Parrett spoke with Michael Horton at The White Horse Inn on their book Grounded in the Gospel: Building Believers the Old-Fashioned Way. (The interview is well-worth hearing.)

It’s a very real challenge for churches and all of us as 21st century Christians.

On Preaching

Posted on June 15, 2025 
Filed under Encouragement, Resources Comments Off on On Preaching

David Cook introduces –

Simon Flinders recently spoke to our preaching club at Abbotsford on preaching.

Simon preached and then spoke about preaching, the following are his thoughts:

“Preaching has many detractors these days. There are many who question its place or its relevance, this is not new, it may be that the detractions come more frequently these days.

The attacks may come from bored and resentful pew sitters; from educators who are moving toward more student directed learning; from learning style advocates who argue for more varied presentation methods; from the social media generation who are not used to sitting and listening unless the content comes in super short grabs, YouTube hits and Insta reels; from those who value God’s voice in another form, like direct words of prophecy or dream revelation; from evangelists who may question preaching which they think may seem unattractive and even alienating to the visitor at church.

Why then should we persist with preaching? …”

– Read it all at The Expository Preaching Trust.

Archdeacons commissioned in Bathurst Diocese

Posted on June 14, 2025 
Filed under Australian dioceses, People Comments Off on Archdeacons commissioned in Bathurst Diocese

This morning, a special service was held at Holy Trinity Dubbo to commission The Ven Andrew Thornhill as Diocesan Archdeacon, and The Rev James Daymond as Archdeacon of the North West.

Video here.

It’d be good to continue to pray for these men and for the continued work of proclaiming Christ is this huge area of NSW.

Sally’s Conversion

Posted on June 14, 2025 
Filed under Good News, People Comments Off on Sally’s Conversion

“My minister has just completed an expository sermon series on Judges which compelled me to find ways to tell my salvation story in more detail. I totally relate to Judges 21:25. Past public testimonies have avoided that salvation was related to having two abortions. Australia has developed such horrendous Australian abortion laws which are unbearable for me, so I needed to ‘come out’. …

I grew up in Hobart, with middle-class parents and two younger siblings, all of whom held a secular 20th century worldview. My parents were nominal Anglicans, educated at private schools, occasionally attending church at Christmas and Easter, and also for special events. …”

– Sally Trethewey shares her story of the Lord’s amazing kindness  – at AP, the online Presbyterian journal.

(Many of our readers will recall Sally’s lovely 1993 album The Perfect View, distributed by St Matthias Press.)

The night the Diocese, the College and the ACL all almost imploded

Posted on June 13, 2025 
Filed under Anglican Church League, Moore College, Sydney Diocese Comments Off on The night the Diocese, the College and the ACL all almost imploded

Moore College Principal Dr. Mark Thompson gave the keynote address at the Anglican Church League’s 2025 Annual General Meeting on 12 June 2025.

The meeting was held in the T.C. Hammond Common Room – an appropriate venue, as you will see from his address.

The talk is more than just a fascinating glimpse into the history of the Diocese of Sydney.

Take the time to listen (31 minutes) – and good to share:

________

Or you can download a PDF file of the talk, including footnotes, with much thanks to Dr Mark Thompson. (file updated 14 June)

Top image:
David John Davies – Principal of Moore College 1911–1935 with the Moore College crest (from Moore Centenary History by Marcus Loane), and Everard Digges La Touche (image from Sydney Anglicans by Stephen Judd and Kenneth Cable).

Does it matter how much a pastor preaches?

Posted on June 13, 2025 
Filed under Resources, Theology Comments Off on Does it matter how much a pastor preaches?

“The latest edition of the ACR includes the results of a survey we conducted in order to investigate how frequently senior ministers are preaching in relation to the number of full-time staff and adult church attendance.

On the whole, there is a negative correlation between the number of full-time staff and the amount a pastor preaches.

On average, a minister serving as the only full-time staff member of a church (35% of responders) preaches 4.3 weeks out of 5. For those serving in a staff team of two full-time equivalents (50% of responders), that average drops to 3.5 weeks out of 5.

What is notable, however, is that this trend flattens out as the size of the staff team increases, stabilising at about 3 weeks out of 5. For a staff team of three (26% of responders), the average is 3.2 weeks out of 5. For a staff team of four (13% of responders), the average is 3 weeks out of 5. For a staff team of five or more (27% of responders), the average slightly increases back up to 3.1 weeks of out 5. This indicates that pastors have a general preference to preach no less than 3 in every 5 weeks.

This, however, prompts the question: Does it matter how much a pastor preaches? Or more specifically, does it matter to God how much a pastor preaches? …”

– At The Australian Church Record, Charles Cleworth explores the question.

Certainty for Eternity launches YouTube channel

Posted on June 12, 2025 
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Mark Gilbert at Certainty for Eternity reports they have launched a YouTube channel with the aim of better equipping people to speak about Jesus with their Roman Catholic friends.

In the first video posted, Mark speaks with Leonardo De Chirico on Learning about Roman Catholicism from Pope Francis’ Funeral.

– Watch here.

TMA introduces Archbishop-elect Ric Thorpe

Posted on June 12, 2025 
Filed under Australian dioceses, People Comments Off on TMA introduces Archbishop-elect Ric Thorpe

The June 2025 issue of The Melbourne Anglican introduces Archbishop-elect Ric Thorpe:

“The Archbishop-elect of the Diocese of Melbourne has urged its members to pray for strength to be aligned with God’s purpose as the Church entered a new season.

London Bishop Ric Thorpe was elected Anglican Archbishop of Melbourne at an election synod comprising more than 700 clergy and lay leaders in May.

He called on Melbourne Anglicans to ask God to strengthen the diocese’s foundation and their spiritual lives during the transition. …”

– Read here.

See also:

Can the new Melbourne Anglican Archbishop revive a shrinking church? – Bishop Ric Thorpe is interviewed in this 16 minute segment from ABC’s The Religion and Ethics Report, published 11 June 2025.

The Two Trees

Posted on June 11, 2025 
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From Phillip Jensen:

“In the middle of the garden, full of beautiful trees, there are 2 trees in particular. What is the importance of the tree of life? What is it telling us about God’s plans for humanity? Why is it singled out for special mention?

The other, the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, seems to be even more important in establishing the drama of life in the Garden of Eden and subsequently the storyline of the rest of the Bible. But what does it mean to eat the fruit of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil?

I hope our discussion prompts more discussion among you and your friends.”

– Listen to the latest stimulating podcast from Phillip and Peter Jensen as they continue to think through the early chapters of Genesis.

Anglican Heroes: Richard Sibbes — Church Society podcast

Posted on June 11, 2025 
Filed under History Comments Off on Anglican Heroes: Richard Sibbes — Church Society podcast

From Church Society:

“In the next instalment of our podcast mini-series featuring great Anglican theologians and reformers of the past, Emily Lucas tells Ros Clarke why the work of Richard Sibbes is so important to her personally and pastorally, as well as why he remains significant for the Church of England.”

– Listen here – with links to resources from Mark Dever.

Alistair Begg Farewell Service

Posted on June 10, 2025 
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Alistair Begg, who spoke at this year’s NSW/ACT CMS Summer School, was farewelled from Parkside Church in Cleveland Ohio on Sunday. (Alistair has served at Parkside since 1983.)

– Watch here.

Helping out at Condobolin

Posted on June 10, 2025 
Filed under Australian dioceses, People Comments Off on Helping out at Condobolin

From the Diocese of Bathurst:

“Bishop Stuart Robinson, along with Janie, began their 6 months in Condobolin [on Saturday] afternoon with a full church, joyful singing (thanks to the West Wyalong crew!), and warm fellowship.

They were blessed to have members of the local Presbyterian church join them, and everyone enjoyed an ‘Italian banquet’ of pizzas in the rectory after the service. Please pray that many will return and that this time will be Christ-honouring and kingdom-building.”

– via the Bathurst Diocese Facebook page. For your prayers.

We neglect it at our peril

Posted on June 9, 2025 
Filed under Resources Comments Off on We neglect it at our peril

“We know that prayer is a crucial discipline for the individual believer, but how often do we consider that it is also a crucial discipline for the assembled church?

The Bible prescribes only a few elements for local church worship, but among them is prayer. …”

– A brief exhortation from Tim Challies.

Gafcon photo.

Reimagining Science Fiction

Posted on June 8, 2025 
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“In our increasingly secular society, the phrase ‘Christian fiction’ probably elicits more discomfort than it does excitement, even for Christians. Often rightfully criticised as clunky and overly tactless in its messaging, the ability to hammer home biblical truths without altogether breaking a good story seems to be a lost art!

Perhaps this is why the work of C.S. Lewis often stands out in my mind. …”

– Isaac Kwong commends C S Lewis’ first foray into science fiction, Out of the Silent Planet, as an exciting and challenging read. At AP.

Image: The first close up picture of Mars, 15 July 1965.

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