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 
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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 
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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 
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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 
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“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.

Bishop of Leicester steps down as lead on Living in Love and Faith

Posted on June 7, 2025 
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“The Bishop of Leicester, the Rt Revd Martyn Snow, has announced that he is stepping down as lead bishop for the Living in Love and Faith (LLF) process.

On Facebook on Friday afternoon, he wrote that he was doing so ‘with a very heavy heart’. He was ‘hugely grateful to the staff team that I have worked with over the last 18 months and similarly the Working Group members who have given hours of their time to seek an agreed way forward in the Church of England on matters of sexuality, relationships, and marriage. I hope it may yet be possible to reach such an agreement, but I don’t think that can happen under my leadership.’…”

– Report from Church Times.

Image from an October 2024 (now deleted) video by Bishop Snow.

2025 Moore PTC Graduation – Occasional Address

Posted on June 7, 2025 
Filed under Encouragement, Moore College Comments Off on 2025 Moore PTC Graduation – Occasional Address

From Moore College:

“Building Christ’s body through truth and love – Ephesians 4:7-16.

At the 2025 Moore PTC Graduation, Dr Lionel Windsor urged us to build up the church by speaking the truth in love and furthering unity and maturity in diverse ways to fulfill God’s purposes. From Ephesians 4, this is a powerful encouragement for all who serve Jesus.”

– Watch here.

Godly Tracts and Spurgeon’s Example

Posted on June 6, 2025 
Filed under Evangelism, Resources Comments Off on Godly Tracts and Spurgeon’s Example

At AP, the Presbyterian online journal, Troy Appleton has some encouragement concerning gospel tracts:

“Some Christian commentators have argued that tract giving is a useless activity; that times have changed. True, many a tract may end up unread and crumpled up in the trash bin. Yet, we must trust in God’s providence. It is likely you will never be able to meet every person in your neighbourhood or even on your street – they are unlikely to ever hear the Gospel told to them in their lifetime. The giving of a tract may be the seed that God uses in His providence to cause them to come to Christ. We may never know this side of eternity. …”

– Read here. (And yes, Matthias Media also has various kinds of tracts.)

Image – a home-made tract distributed at the University of Sydney in the late 1970s.

Survey results: How often do Rectors preach in the Sydney Diocese?

Posted on June 5, 2025 
Filed under Resources, Sydney Diocese Comments Off on Survey results: How often do Rectors preach in the Sydney Diocese?

“In January 2025 the ACR emailed out a survey to all Sydney Anglican Rectors – numbering just over 250. The survey was short and uncomplicated to ensure a good number of respondents. Below are the results for the survey and the questions that were asked.

The catalyst for the survey followed some anecdotes about preaching frequency amongst our Rectors, especially amongst those Rectors who serve in what might be called a large church.…”

– Mike Leite, Editorial Director of The Australian Church Record, shares the results of the ACR’s survey.

The heart of God for children

Posted on June 5, 2025 
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“Children have a unique way of humbling us. From the joys of first steps to the frustration of sleepless nights, children shape our experiences in profound ways. But beyond our personal encounters, what does God say about children? How does he view them, and what should our response be? …”

– Charles Cleworth, who teaches Theology, Philosophy and Ethics at Moore College, writes at SydneyAnglicans.net.

Creating warm and deep church gatherings

Posted on June 4, 2025 
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From The Pastor’s Heart:

“How can we create gatherings that are both warm and deep? How can we avoid gatherings that are superficial or dry.

How do we embed gospel culture in our church gatherings.

How do we emphasize grace, forgiveness and a welcoming atmosphere?

And how to encourage authenticity and emotional intelligence in gathering leaders. Plus how do we evaluate.

A Pastor’s Heart episode to watch with your staff team.

Toby Neal is Senior pastor at Vine Church in Sydney. And Liv Chapman Leggett leads the gatherings aspect of the ministry at Vine Church.”

– Watch or listen here.

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