Communique from the Australian Bishops after meeting Archbishop Justin Welby

Posted on October 15, 2022 
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The Primate of the Anglican Church of Australia, Archbishop Geoffrey Smith, has released this communiqué after the Australian bishops met with the Archbishop of Canterbury this week.

(This copy via the Diocese of Bathurst.)

Re-Imagining Success in Ministry

Posted on October 15, 2022 
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“We need a new model for the church. Actually, the model we need is an old one. We need churches in which the key indicator of success is not evident results but persevering biblical faithfulness. …”

– This week 9Marks is highlighting this 2010 article by Mark Dever – excerpted from Nine Marks of a Healthy Church – for your encouragement and edification.

Learning from Elsewhere — voices from around the Anglican Communion

Posted on October 15, 2022 
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The Church of England Evangelical Council asked Anglicans around the world share what happened when Scripture’s teaching on sexuality was compromised.

See the latest film (Film 5) and the previously-released resources here.

Reports from Melbourne Synod 2022

Posted on October 14, 2022 
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From The Melbourne Anglican:

“14 October 2022

Hello! Welcome to Friday. Tonight will be the final evening session of the 2022 Melbourne Synod, before delegates meet at St Paul’s Cathedral on Saturday. Melbourne Anglican editor Elspeth Kernebone here with a summary of proceedings so far. …”

– Summary and links to updates here.

Chronics and the cross

Posted on October 13, 2022 
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“An older Christian once told me, ‘if you live long enough, you will suffer’. Over the years, I have seen how true this statement is and for our young family, it has been around the area of health.

As I look back, I have vivid memories of two occasions where my wife and I sat anxiously while the doctors were trying their best to deliver to us sad and life-changing news.

Having walked through such dark moments, I am now even more convinced that we need a good theology of suffering. This is especially so, given the rise of the wealth-and-health gospel, which though appealing, does not prepare Christians for the grim reality of the brokenness of life this side of heaven. …”

– At The Australian Church Record, Moore College graduate Tawanda Masango writes from Zimbabwe.

Also hear his podcast from June 2020 – COVID-19, God’s Megaphone.

Photo: Gospel Coalition, Africa edition.

Perth Synod: Archbishop’s “breach of trust and failure of integrity” disappoint conservatives

Posted on October 13, 2022 
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“This past Saturday and Sunday has seen the annual synod of the Diocese of Perth on Australia’s west coast.

Over that weekend and since then many delegates who were present have contacted me to let me know of what happened. …”

– David Ould shares reports from last weekend’s Perth Synod.

Photo: Diocese of Perth.

Persistent Prayer

Posted on October 13, 2022 
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“Prayer is a very special privilege for the people of God. Why don’t we pray more consistently than we do?

Come with me to the parable in Luke chapter 18, verses 1 through 9. It is about a powerful judge and a powerless widow. …”

– In his Word on Wednesday at Anglican Connection, John Mason writes to encourage us to pray.

Lord, open the eyes of Hindus to Satya

Posted on October 12, 2022 
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“Picture this scene: approximately two hundred million men, women, and children; from every religious caste; from every echelon of every society; from most of the countries across the world; all congregating at the confluence of the Ganges river, the Sarasvati river, and the Brahmaputra (Jamuna) river at Prayag (modern day Prayagraj).

This jaw-dropping scene is the largest gathering of any kind on planet earth. …”

– At The Australian Church Record, Ben George asks us to pray to the Lord of the harvest. Read the article to see the need, and then see the ‘15 days of prayer for the Hindu world’.

Reconciliation and the Rugged Cross

Posted on October 12, 2022 
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“The Sydney leg of a whistlestop tour of Australia by the Archbishop of Canterbury began with a meeting with Indigenous leaders around a campfire in the centre of Glebe. …”

– Russell Powell at SydheyAnglicans.net has this report on the Archbishop of Canterbury’s visit to Sydney this week.

John Howard condemns ‘disgraceful’ treatment of Andrew Thorburn

Posted on October 12, 2022 
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“Former prime minister John Howard has argued the treatment of Andrew Thorburn over his affiliation with the church group City on a Hill went against the ‘spirit of this country’. …”

– Interviewed on Sky News Australia, from about 10:00 into the video clip.

The Pastor, the CEO and the Victorian Premier — The Pastors Heart

Posted on October 11, 2022 
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From The Pastor’s Heart –

“Four Victorian Christian leaders on the controversy that has erupted in Australian National Politics – around the chair of the Victorian based City on a Hill church movement Andrew Thorburn, over his appointment as CEO of the Essendon Football Club and then almost immediate resignation.

When faced with an ultimatum to choose between his church and his new position at Essendon, Thorburn chose his church.

Melbourne’s Herald Sun started the controversy by publishing quotes from two ten year old sermons from City on a Hill on abortion and homosexuality.

Victoria’s Premier Daniel Andrews described City on a Hill’s mainstream Christian views as appalling, intolerant, bigoted, hatred and wrong.

Our guests:

– Watch or listen here. Well worth watching.

David Cook — Letters to the Editor

Posted on October 11, 2022 
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“I am a mostly frustrated letter writer to the Editor of the Australian newspaper, about 1 in 5 of my letters get published and then sometimes, with unacceptable editing!

Recently I wrote a letter in response to a column by Tony Abbott in which the former PM quoted Margaret Thatcher as saying that, ‘reality will always trump ideology’.

Abbott’s 3 examples of ideology were the virus hysteria, the emissions obsession and cultural self loathing …”

– At The Expository Preaching Trust, David Cook reminds us how the Scriptures bring us back to reality.

New bishops for the Anglican Network in Europe

Posted on October 10, 2022 
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Here’s an announcement from GAFCON (via e-mail):

It is with great joy that we announce the appointment of two new bishops for the Anglican Convocation in Europe. Ian Ferguson and Stuart Bell will serve as Assistant Bishops under the leadership of Bishop Andy Lines.

Bishop Andy’s appointments were affirmed by the ACE Synod on 4th October after a thorough process of references, conversations and interviews.

Together with Bishop Andy, Ian and Stuart will seek to provide support and encouragement, oversight and accountability to the ACE ministers and congregations, enabling and assisting them to ‘proclaim Christ faithfully to the nations’ of Europe.

Bishop Andy writes: “I am passionate to see the peoples of this great continent have the opportunity to hear of the biblical Christ and to see lives transformed by him. Ian and Stuart share this concern and have already been demonstrably used by the Lord to this end. I look forward to seeing what more the Lord will do with and through them.”

Ian Ferguson was converted through the ministry of St Silas’ Glasgow. Married to Heather, he trained for ordination at Oak Hill Theological College under Maurice Wood and his ministry in Scotland involved pioneering and leading a new church plant in Westhill, Aberdeen for over 30 years which has, in God’s goodness, enjoyed significant growth. Despite the ‘success’ of Westhill, Ian has faced many difficulties along the way. This has particularly equipped him to empathise with and help those who are struggling in ministry.

Bishop Andy writes: “I am excited that Ian has agreed to serve in this way. His and Heather’s knowledge of Scotland and the Scottish Anglican scene will help me care for the Scottish Anglicans who look to me but I expect his long experience and wisdom to help me far more broadly than that geographical dimension. Indeed Ian has already been helping others struggling a long way from Scotland.”

Ian will be consecrated on Friday 21 October in Hull, along with 2 new assistant Bishops for the Anglican Mission in England, Lee McMunn & Tim Davies.

Stuart Bell is originally from Devon, but along with his wife Pru, was called to serve the gospel in Wales. Under his leadership St Michael’s Aberystwyth became the largest Anglican church in the principality and from where over 50 people have gone on to ordained Anglican ministry.

Now leading Fellowship 345, Stuart says, “For more than half a century I have been concerned to bring Christ to the people of Wales and the people of Wales to Christ. I am primarily a preacher / teacher with a strong evangelistic focus. My eyes are constantly searching for the people in the congregation who have not yet embraced the Gospel in its fullness. This is true of my relationships pastorally with members of our church as well as those which have been established in our local neighbourhood.”

Bishop Andy writes: “I am delighted that Stuart, with his wife Pru, have agreed to help me care for Anglican churches in Wales. Their long and distinguished service and their recognised knowledge of Welsh culture and language will be invaluable as I seek to serve the orthodox Anglican witness in the country. Stuart’s evangelistic focus is an added gift, as is the wisdom the Lord has given him in both difficult and good times.”

Stuart’s previous commitment to serving at the Garden Tomb in Jerusalem this autumn means his consecration will be delayed until sometime in 2023.

Photo: Ian Ferguson (left) and Stuart Bell.

GAFCON UK on the Church of England teaching on sexuality, relationships and marriage

Posted on October 10, 2022 
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“Two new reports have been released in September as a follow-on to the Living in Love and Faith process. …

This process appears to be leading in the same direction as the Lambeth Conference’s ‘Call to Human Dignity‘. The conference leaders attempted to affirm two mutually contradictory views on sexuality and more broadly, on how the bible functions in the life of the church. Scottish and Welsh Bishops have followed this path – will English bishops do the same? Much prayer is needed!”

– GAFCON GB & Europe has brief news items on LLF, the just concluded ReNew Conference, and planning for GAFCON 4 in Kigali.

Essendon-Thorburn: How to join the conversation

Posted on October 9, 2022 
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“What happens when a Christian’s values clash with workplace values? Andrew Thorburn decided to resign from his new job at a football club one day after starting work.

Kamal Weerakoon, a GS&C committee member, takes up the issue, provides the facts behind the Essendon Football Club-Andrew Thorburn imbroglio and offers some helpful conversation primers for you to consider.”

– Some helpful tips from the Presbyterian Church’s Gospel, Society and Culture Committee.

Photo; Christ College Sydney.

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