Elisabeth Arnett retires as Executive Assistant to the Principal of Moore College

Posted on August 5, 2022 
Filed under People, Sydney Diocese Comments Off on Elisabeth Arnett retires as Executive Assistant to the Principal of Moore College

“Many people who have visited or contacted Moore College will know Mrs Elisabeth Arnett. Elisabeth has served the College for nineteen years as the Executive Assistant to the Principal.

In all that time she has been an adornment to the College, a magnificent example of grace and service, warm friendliness and thoroughgoing professionalism. …”

– News from Moore College.

(Elisabeth also served for many years on the Council of the Anglican Church League and would be familiar to many Synod members through her organising of ACL Synod Dinners.

ACL Council members likewise thank the Lord for her, remembering her service and friendship with much gratitude, and pray for the Lord’s blessings on Elisabeth and her husband Trevor.)

The Purpose of Preaching

Posted on August 5, 2022 
Filed under Encouragement, Resources Comments Off on The Purpose of Preaching

“Part of my job involves teaching people to preach.

If I’ve learned one thing over the years it’s that you can’t learn to do something until you understand the goal. So I find myself asking the question, over and over again, what is the purpose of preaching? It’s a really important question.

Understanding the purpose of preaching not only affects the preacher, but also the listener. What is a preacher trying to do when they preach? What is the hearer supposed to do with what they’ve heard?”

– The Australian Church Record has published this encouragement from Paul Grimmond at Moore College.

Image: Paul Grimmond on The Pastor’s Heart.

At Lambeth Palace, bishops and spouses celebrate launch of Anglican Communion forest initiative

Posted on August 4, 2022 
Filed under Anglican Communion, Lambeth 2022 Comments Off on At Lambeth Palace, bishops and spouses celebrate launch of Anglican Communion forest initiative

“With the launch of the Anglican Communion Forest, Anglican and Episcopal bishops from across the world are seeking to make tangible their shared commitment of the Fifth Mark of Mission, to strive to safeguard the integrity of creation and sustain and renew the life of the Earth.

Climate change ‘is an absolutely enormous emergency for literally billions of the world’s population,’ Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby said during an Aug. 3 press conference held in the Lambeth Palace Library. …”

– Story from The Episcopal News Service. Photo: Lambeth Conference.

By contrast:

“At this conference, we are being asked to look at the needs of our broken the world, and to offer hope. But we cannot mend a broken world when the Anglican Church is so broken and fractured.”

– Archbishop James Wong, Archbishop of the Province of Indian Ocean, from the Lambeth ’22 Resource Group on Facebook.

Lambeth 2022 Diary: Bad News and Good News

Posted on August 4, 2022 
Filed under Anglican Communion, Global South, Lambeth 2022 Comments Off on Lambeth 2022 Diary: Bad News and Good News

“In the Lambeth Conference of Bishops 2022, Tuesday August 2 was to have been a critical moment of reflection and decision on the divisions that have rent the fabric of the Communion asunder.

Tuesday was to have been the day when the Bishops discussed whether to reaffirm Lambeth Resolution 1.10 (1998) and its teaching on the authority of scripture, creation, human sexuality, marriage and leadership in the Church. …”

– The American Anglican Council’s President, Canon Phil Ashey, shares his observations for Tuesday – quite an eye-opening day at Lambeth.

See also:

What Then has happened to Lambeth Resolution 1.10 (1998) at LC2022? – American Anglican Council.

Bathurst Diocese Strategic Plan

Posted on August 4, 2022 
Filed under Australian dioceses, Encouragement Comments Off on Bathurst Diocese Strategic Plan

You may have watched Bishop Mark Calder’s keynote address from the Bathurst Diocesan Conference held on 30 July 2022.

He spoke about the Strategic Plan for the Diocese.

Here it is in one-page – Sharing Jesus for Life! (PDF file.)

Archbishop James Wong explains how bishops at Lambeth can support the GSFA Resolution

Posted on August 3, 2022 
Filed under Anglican Communion, Global South, Lambeth 2022 Comments Off on Archbishop James Wong explains how bishops at Lambeth can support the GSFA Resolution

In this video from Global South Fellowship of Anglican Churches and EFAC, Archbishop James Wong, Primate of the Indian Ocean, explains how bishops of Lambeth can express their support for the Resolution affirming Lambeth 1.10.

The Global South move apparently has been necessitated by the reluctance of the Lambeth organisers and the Archbishop of Canterbury to allow this issue to be discussed on the floor of the conference.

Anglican Unscripted 747 and 748 – Revolts at Lambeth

Posted on August 3, 2022 
Filed under Anglican Communion, Global South, Lambeth 2022 Comments Off on Anglican Unscripted 747 and 748 – Revolts at Lambeth

On today’s “Anglican Unscripted 747 – The Lambeth Revolt”, Kevin Kallsen and George Conger discuss the latest developments at Lambeth.

George Conger has several interesting observations about the transparency of the Lambeth organisers and the Lambeth media office, as well as the identity of some of the bishops attending.

See also “Anglican Unscripted 748 – Who will kiss Pope Justin’s Ring?” with Susie Leafe, discussing quite a day at Lambeth.

GSFA Bishops and Canterbury both release Statements on Lambeth 1.10

Posted on August 3, 2022 
Filed under Anglican Communion, Culture wars, Lambeth 2022 Comments Off on GSFA Bishops and Canterbury both release Statements on Lambeth 1.10

“At almost the same time, the Archbishop of Canterbury and the Global South Fellowship of Anglican Churches (GSFA) released statements on Lambeth Resolution 1.10. Both could not have been more different in tone.

Canterbury released a letter to those at Lambeth stating that the Anglican Communion did, in fact, affirm Resolution 1.10. He even writes that the fact that Lambeth Calls: Human Dignity quotes the resolution three times should be enough to show that this is true.

What he doesn’t say is that the part of the resolution that affirms the traditional view of marriage and human sexuality was unceremoniously removed from the Call after causing liberal backlash. It is evident he is trying to appease Global South leaders and progressive leaders at the same time. …”

– Report from The American Anglican Council.

Image: Lambeth website.

Global South Anglicans invite Bishops at Lambeth to Reaffirm Lambeth I.10. Here’s the text.

Posted on August 3, 2022 
Filed under Global South, Lambeth 2022 Comments Off on Global South Anglicans invite Bishops at Lambeth to Reaffirm Lambeth I.10. Here’s the text.

Archbishop Justin Badi invites bishops to affirm Lambeth I.10, and, summarises what is at stake:

“We want to see the Communion united.”

Here’s the full text of the Global South Fellowship of Anglican Churches Press Release published overnight –

“Press Release

ORTHODOX BISHOPS REVEAL TEXT OF RESOLUTION REAFFIRMING ‘LAMBETH 1.10’ AS THE ANGLICAN COMMUNION TEACHING ON MARRIAGE & SEXUALITY

ANGLICAN BISHOPS, representing 75 per cent of Anglicans across the globe, have released the text of a Resolution (‘Call’), and are giving an opportunity to all registered bishops at the Lambeth Conference to ‘reaffirm’ Lambeth 1.10 as the ‘official teaching of the Anglican Communion on marriage and sexuality’.

This afternoon (AUG 2), from 2pm, copies of the text are being made available to bishops around the University of Kent campus, uploaded to the Global South Fellowship of Anglican Churches (GSFA) website, available on the EFAC stand in the conference resource centre, and via email to around 250 global south bishops direct. They are also providing details of how bishops can register their support as leaders of Anglicans under their direct episcopal care.

In the preamble to the Resolution – which bishops are not asked to sign up to, only the actual stated Resolution – Archbishop Justin Badi, Chairman of the GSFA says: “Anglican identity is first and foremost ‘grounded in the Holy Scriptures, and in such teachings of the ancient Fathers and Councils of the Church.

“Lambeth Resolution 1.10 of the 1998 Lambeth Conference is a test of faithfulness to this doctrinal standard, because it explicitly applies the clear and historic teaching of Scripture to matters of sexual morality. The Resolution does not take its authority from the Lambeth Conference, but from Holy Scripture.”

At their opening press conference last Friday (JULY29), the GSFA announced it would proceed with giving bishops the opportunity to reaffirm. Today the text has been revealed, together with the way bishops can indicate their support for the Resolution.

Archbishop Badi explains to fellow bishops: “We are living at a time of great spiritual confusion and moral flux. The Church of Jesus Christ cannot afford to lose its moorings in Holy Scripture and drift with the world. Based on the need to establish clear doctrine on Marriage and Sexuality at this defining moment for the Anglican Communion, this conference must reaffirm the biblical teaching of Lambeth Conference 1998 Resolution 1.10.”

The core resolution reads “that this Conference:-

a. in view of the teaching of Scripture, upholds faithfulness in marriage between a man and a woman in lifelong union, and believes that abstinence is right for those who are not called to marriage;

b. recognises that there are among us persons who experience themselves as having a homosexual orientation. Many of these are members of the Church and are seeking the pastoral care, moral direction of the Church, and God’s transforming power for the living of their lives and the ordering of relationships. We commit ourselves to listen to the experience of homosexual persons and we wish to assure them that they are loved by God and that all baptised, believing and faithful persons, regardless of sexual orientation, are full members of the Body of Christ;

c. while rejecting homosexual practice as incompatible with Scripture, calls on all our people to minister pastorally and sensitively to all irrespective of sexual orientation and to condemn
irrational fear of homosexuals, violence within marriage and any trivialisation and commercialisation of sex;

d. cannot advise the legitimising or blessing of same sex unions nor ordaining those involved in same gender unions;

e. notes the significance of the Kuala Lumpur Statement on Human Sexuality and the concerns expressed in resolutions IV.26, V.1, V.10, V.23 and V.35 on the authority of Scripture in matters of marriage and sexuality.

f. Urges that renewed steps be taken to ensure that all Provinces abide by this doctrine in their faith, order & practice.”

To prevent any fraud in the ‘sign in’ process, the GSFA has asked bishops to take a photo of their official Lambeth Conference pass (which contains an up-to-date picture, full name, the province/diocese they serve in and a unique ID number). They are then asked to email it to a dedicated email address, and in the subject line, include their name and importantly, the number of worshippers under their direct episcopal care.

Bishops have been assured the process will be completely anonymous. Their names will not be revealed at the conference, or at any time after. Only the province, how many bishops in that province reaffirmed, and the number of worshippers in their direct episcopal care will be revealed. The GSFA will ask a well-respected person to independently verify the processes to provide independent security, giving Anglicans across the globe assurance that the reaffirmation process was recorded accurately. Records, once verified, will be destroyed.

Details of the response from bishops will be announced by the GSFA in due course. A copy of the full text, and the associated notes can be found at www.lambeth22resourcegroup.com

ENDS”

——————————————-

and the full text of the affirmation –

LAMBETH CONFERENCE 2022: THE GSFA CALL ON RE-AFFIRMING LAMBETH 1.10 1998

1. Introduction

1.1 The prophet Jeremiah declares that the leaders of his day ‘have healed the wound of my people lightly’ (Jer. 6:14, 8:11). It is a warning for our day too. We stand at a crossroads, and must ‘ask for the ancient paths, where the good way is, and walk in it.’ (Jer. 6:16). The only basis for our walking together is to submit ourselves again to the sovereign authority of Holy Scripture in loyalty to the Anglican tradition and its formularies.

1.2 In 1 Peter, the book chosen for the Bible Studies at Lambeth 2022, we are gripped by the emphasis that the power of God unto salvation is experienced through the living and unchanging word of God (see 1Pet 1:23; cf Jn 17:17; Rom1:16-17; Jude 3)

“You have been born again, not of perishable seed but of imperishable, through the living and abiding word of God.” ( 1 Pet 1:23)

2. Declaration

2.1 Anglican identity is first and foremost ‘grounded in the Holy Scriptures, and in such teachings of the ancient Fathers and Councils of the Church as are agreeable to the said Scriptures. In particular, such doctrine is to be found in the Thirty-Nine Articles of Religion, The Book of Common Prayer (1662), and The Form and Manner of Making, Ordaining, and Consecrating of Bishops, Priests, and Deacons, annexed to The Book of Common Prayer, and commonly known as the Ordinal’.

2.2 Lambeth Resolution I.10 of 1998i is a test of faithfulness to this doctrinal standard because it explicitly applies the clear and historic teaching of Scripture to matters of sexual morality. The Resolution does not take its authority from the Lambeth Conference, but from Holy Scripture.

3. Affirmation

3.1 We affirm our commitment as Anglicans to being part of the one, holy, catholic, and apostolic Church of God, our confidence in the gospel as Anglicans have received it

4. The Need to Re-affirm Lambeth 1.10

4.1 We are living at a time of great spiritual confusion and moral flux. The Church of Jesus Christ cannot afford to lose its moorings in Holy Scripture and drift with the world. We believe the Lord is ‘strengthening the bars of the gates’ of the city/community of His people (Ps 147:12) by guarding the truth of His Word so that His church will indeed be ‘a light to the nations.’ (Is 42:6; Acts 13: 47).

5. The Resolution

5.1 As bishops gathered at the Lambeth Conference 2022, we reaffirm Lambeth resolution 1.10

Based on the need to establish clear doctrine on Marriage and Sexuality at this defining moment for the Anglican Communion, this conference:

i. Reaffirms the biblical teaching of Lambeth Conference 1998 Resolution I.10 as follows:

a. in view of the teaching of Scripture, upholds faithfulness in marriage between a man and a woman in lifelong union, and believes that abstinence is right for those who are not called to marriage;

b. recognises that there are among us persons who experience themselves as having a homosexual orientation. Many of these are members of the Church and are seeking the pastoral care, moral direction of the Church, and God’s transforming power for the living of their lives and the ordering of relationships. We commit ourselves to listen to the experience of homosexual persons and we wish to assure them that they are loved by God and that all baptised, believing and faithful persons, regardless of sexual orientation, are full members of the Body of Christ;

c. while rejecting homosexual practice as incompatible with Scripture, calls on all our people to minister pastorally and sensitively to all irrespective of sexual orientation and to condemn irrational fear of homosexuals, violence within marriage and any trivialisation and commercialisation of sex;

d. cannot advise the legitimising or blessing of same sex unions nor ordaining those involved in same gender unions;

e. notes the significance of the Kuala Lumpur Statement on Human Sexuality and the concerns expressed in resolutions IV.26, V.1, V.10, V.23 and V.35 on the authority of Scripture in matters of marriage and sexuality.

ii. Urges that renewed steps be taken to ensure that all Provinces abide by this doctrine in their faith, order & practice.

Source: Global South Fellowship of Anglican Churches.

Top image with thanks to the Lambeth ’22 Resource Group.

Review: War on the West, by Douglas Murray

Posted on August 3, 2022 
Filed under Culture wars, Resources Comments Off on Review: War on the West, by Douglas Murray

“Douglas Murray continues the expose and critique that he began in his Madness of Crowds, focussing on the West’s increasing loathing of itself, particularly through the lens of Critical Race Theory (CRT) and a general contempt for its own culture and history.

It covers the remarkable events of the 2020 Black Lives Matter protests and riots, showing the ideology animating that movement.

Murray gives a highly engaging account of how the same ideologies animating BLM are increasingly taking over corporations, schools, universities, and our politics. …”

– This review of Douglas Murray’s latest book is published at JohnAnderson.net.au.

Grace Flows in Tanzania — Anglican Aid

Posted on August 3, 2022 
Filed under Encouragement, Sydney Diocese Comments Off on Grace Flows in Tanzania — Anglican Aid

Here’s an encouraging video from Anglican Aid.

The harvest is plentiful — more workers for Bathurst Diocese

Posted on August 1, 2022 
Filed under Australian dioceses Comments Off on The harvest is plentiful — more workers for Bathurst Diocese

Bishop of Bathurst Mark Calder has announced two new appointments –

“Excited to announce the appointment of the Reverend Andy Martin as rector of Holy Trinity Orange from October (pictured at left with his wife Amanda and their two girls), and the appointment of Tim Smith, who will serve from 2023, initially as Deacon in Charge of Grenfell parish (pictured here with Jess and their baby).”

– from the Bathurst Diocese Facebook page.

See also Bishop Mark Calder’s keynote address from the Diocesan Conference held on 30 July 2022:

A tonic for any church. Well worth watching – and plenty to pray about.

Interview with Archbishop Badi: ‘We cannot break bread with bishops who betray the Bible’

Posted on July 31, 2022 
Filed under Anglican Communion, Global South, Lambeth 2022 Comments Off on Interview with Archbishop Badi: ‘We cannot break bread with bishops who betray the Bible’

“The struggle in the Anglican Communion is not about sexuality. It is a symptom of something deeper: it is about biblical authority, the Archbishop of South Sudan, the Most Revd Justin Badi, told me on Friday. …”

– At The Church Times, Pat Ashworth interviews GSFA Chairman Archbishop Justin Badi about what’s happening at Lambeth.

(While the Church Times is paywalled, a single article may be accessible.)

Image: Global South Fellowship of Anglican Churches.

Welby meets with GSFA primates — affirms Lambeth 1.10 is the ‘official’ stance of the Anglican Communion

Posted on July 31, 2022 
Filed under Anglican Communion, Global South, Lambeth 2022 Comments Off on Welby meets with GSFA primates — affirms Lambeth 1.10 is the ‘official’ stance of the Anglican Communion

“The Archbishop of Canterbury has agreed to execute a letter stating the official position of the Anglican Communion on human sexuality is given in the 1998 Lambeth Conference resolution 1.10.

The letter is the fruit of on-going negotiations between the Most Rev. Justin Welby and the primates representing the Global South Fellowship of Anglicans, who comprise approximately 257 of the 650 bishops present at the 2022 Lambeth Conference meeting at the University of Kent in Canterbury. …”

– This report from George Conger at Anglican.Ink.

Obedience and Submission in 1 Peter

Posted on July 31, 2022 
Filed under Resources, Theology Comments Off on Obedience and Submission in 1 Peter

At Forget the Channel, Moore College Lecturer (and ACL Council member) Lionel Windsor introduces his research on Obedience and Submission in 1 Peter.

Here, he asks, “What’s the issue?”. This is the first in a series of videos.

← Previous Page — Next Page →