GAFCON leading the way

Posted on August 18, 2022 
Filed under Australian dioceses, Culture wars, GAFCON, GAFCON Australia Comments Off on GAFCON leading the way

“A game of AFL is taking place on a local oval when a small group jump the fence and start kicking a round ball along the ground. The game stops. Players approach the group and ask them to desist.

They retort, ‘we’re also playing football’.

The players answer, ‘no, you’re playing a different game. Different ball, different shaped ground, different goals….if you’re interested, you can join us but first of all, get rid of the soccer ball’.

The group insist, ‘no, we are playing football. We can all play together at the same time.’ …

A significant announcement was made this week, one which may change the Church landscape in Australia. The decision is not so much about changing the game but is confirming that we will not change the game. GAFCON is responding to what is a tireless intrusion onto Christian Churches by certain bishops and leaders who are trying to change the Gospel beyond recognition. They are not playing the same game as Christians Churches, but something quite different.”

– Murray Campbell looks at why it was necessary to form the Diocese of the Southern Cross.

FAQ on Diocese of the Southern Cross

Posted on August 18, 2022 
Filed under GAFCON Australia Comments Off on FAQ on Diocese of the Southern Cross

GAFCON Australia has sought to answer some of the most-asked questions about the new Diocese of the Southern Cross:

“Gafcon Australasia Conference was held in Canberra with 360 people present from across Australia, New Zealand, and the South Pacific. The theme of the conference was ‘Proclaiming Christ Faithfully’ and the focus was on mission.

However the conference also formally announced the creation of the Diocese of the Southern Cross. This will be a parallel Anglican jurisdiction for those who have had to leave the Anglican Church of Australia because of revisionist teaching. …

Member churches will commit to uphold the 39 Articles, the Book of Common Prayer, and the Ordinal. It is overseen by an Anglican bishop. It has been recognised by the Gafcon Primates, Anglican leaders who represent the majority of Anglicans worldwide.”

– Full FAQ here.

Anglican Unscripted 755 – A New Diocese

Posted on August 18, 2022 
Filed under Anglican Church of Australia, GAFCON Australia Comments Off on Anglican Unscripted 755 – A New Diocese

In the very latest Anglican Unscripted video, David Ould speaks with GAFCON Australia Chairman Bishop Richard Condie and Dr Glenn Davies, today (Thursday 18 August) to be commissioned as the first Bishop of the new Diocese of the Southern Cross.

Bishop Davies:

“So this diocese is like a lifeboat – a safe refuge a safe haven – for people who want to remain Anglican but not under the current Anglican structure in the Anglican Church of Australia.

I love the Anglican Church of Australia. I’ve been a member of that all my life. But to see it in this disarray is very sad.

So, it’s not a triumphalist feeling I have with regard to this. Rather, it is a sense of sadness – but joy for those who want to remain Anglican – that I may, with the gifts that God’s given me, maintain that relationship for these congregations.”

He also asks us to pray that the evil one will be restrained.

“But let our focus be on spreading the good news of the gospel to all Australia. That’s what we’re all about. We want to be faithful disciples of Jesus and proclaim Christ faithfully to our nation.”

Watch it all. 9 minutes.

Join us for the 2022 ACL Synod Dinner

Posted on August 17, 2022 
Filed under Sydney Diocese Comments Off on Join us for the 2022 ACL Synod Dinner

The ACL’s 2022 Synod Dinner will be held on Monday 12th September. All Synod members and ACL members are invited. Newly commissioned Bishop of the Diocese of the Southern Cross, Dr Glenn Davies, is speaking.

Update: Booking have closed.

Please pray for Synod in the Greenfields

Posted on August 17, 2022 
Filed under Sydney Diocese Comments Off on Please pray for Synod in the Greenfields

Archbishop Kanishka Raffel has recorded this brief message of encouragement.

He speaks about the September Synod which begins in the growing areas of Sydney’s West and South West.

CMS Summer School 2023 registration is now open

Posted on August 17, 2022 
Filed under Resources Comments Off on CMS Summer School 2023 registration is now open

Registration for the NSW & ACT CMS Summer School 2023 at Katoomba is now open.

Southern Cross: The New Anglican Diocese

Posted on August 16, 2022 
Filed under Australian dioceses, GAFCON Australia Comments Off on Southern Cross: The New Anglican Diocese

“This week over 350 Anglicans from around Australia, New Zealand, Papua New Guinea, and Vanuatu, are gathering in Canberra for the Gafcon Australasia Conference. The conference had been postponed from previous years due to COVID but, in God’s wisdom and providence, it has come at just the right time.

The conference opened with the announcement of the establishment of the Diocese of the Southern Cross, an extra-provincial Anglican diocese in fellowship with the majority of the world’s Anglicans through the Primates’ Council of the global Gafcon network. The conference will close with the commissioning of former Sydney Archbishop, Dr Glenn Davies as the Initial Bishop for the diocese. …”

– At The Gospel Coalition Australia, Dr Claire Smith explains the reasons behind the formation of the new diocese.

Diocese of The Southern Cross

Posted on August 16, 2022 
Filed under GAFCON Australia Comments Off on Diocese of The Southern Cross

Here’s the website for the just-launched Diocese of the Southern Cross.

“We’re a new Anglican diocese made up of churches all across Australia dedicated to faithfully proclaiming the gospel. Sometimes, that can feel a little isolating – but we’re here as a network to provide fellowship, assistance and recognition to you and your church. As part of the Diocese of the Southern Cross, you’ll find home.”

A new Anglican diocese, bishop and church in Australia

Posted on August 16, 2022 
Filed under Anglican Church of Australia, Australian dioceses, Culture wars, GAFCON, General Synod Comments Off on A new Anglican diocese, bishop and church in Australia

“The first congregation of the new Diocese of the Southern Cross started at Beenleigh in Brisbane last Sunday and the Diocese’s first bishop Glenn Davies will be appointed on Thursday.  …”

– The very latest news – from The Pastor’s Heart.

Related:

An open letter to the Archbishop of Brisbane – 11 July 2022.

Dr Robert Tong on the Appellate Tribunal Opinion – 12 November 2020.

Many posts relating to General Synod 2022.

The Line in the Sand: The Appellate Tribunal Opinion and the Future of the Anglican Church in Australia – Joint publication of The Australian Church record and The Anglican Church League.

The Line in the Sand Author Interview: Glenn Davies.

An Anglican lifeboat for faithful Christians

Posted on August 16, 2022 
Filed under GAFCON Australia Comments Off on An Anglican lifeboat for faithful Christians

An announcement from GAFCON Australia:

We are at an important moment in the history of the Anglican Church in Australia,” says Richard Condie, Chair of Gafcon Australia.

This week, over 350 Anglicans from around Australia, New Zealand, Papua New Guinea and Vanuatu are gathering in Canberra for the inaugural Gafcon Australasia Conference to encourage one another to continue proclaiming Christ faithfully.

As part of the conference proceedings, the Diocese of the Southern Cross will be formally announced. “The Diocese of the Southern Cross is a new structure for Anglicans in Australia who can no longer sit under the authority of their bishop,” says Richard Condie.

Bishop Glenn Davies will be the first Bishop of the Diocese. Already, its first church, Southern Cross Anglican Beenleigh and Logan, has met under the leadership of the Rev Peter Palmer.

At the recent General Synod, a majority of bishops were unable to uphold the Bible’s ancient teaching on marriage and sexual ethics. Many Anglicans in Australia are distressed by their failure and the moves in their own dioceses to lower the standards of sexual ethics for leaders.

At the recent Lambeth conference, The Bishops of the Global South said,

“To us in our provinces, this is not primarily about gay sexual practices and unions, but rather that Anglicans look first and foremost to be guided in their faith and order by Scripture, and not by the passing cultural waves of Western society … as disciples, we are not told in Scripture to mould Jesus into ‘our’ image, but to be continually transformed by the Spirit into ‘His’ image.” 

“The issue for us is the authority of the Bible,” says Richard Condie. “The decisions at the recent General Synod, the 2020 Appellate Tribunal opinion that opens the way to blessings for same-sex marriages, and the watering down of standards of behaviour in changes to Faithfulness in Service are examples of this. The Diocese of the Southern Cross provides an Anglican home for those who feel they need to leave their current Dioceses.”

We long to see all Australians come to know the love of Christ. This love of Christ cannot be known unless our witness is faithful and clear.

This Diocese is connected to the Gafcon movement internationally. Gafcon stands for the renewal and reform of the Anglican church by recovering its biblical foundations. It embraces the majority of the world’s worshipping Anglicans.

– Source: GAFCON Australia.

See also:

New Mission initiative for the Global Anglican future – SydneyAnglicans.net.

Sydney Archbishop Kanishka Raffel was among the first leaders that support the new diocese. “I’m happy to extend the hand of fellowship to the Diocese of the Southern Cross and may God bless Bishop Davies and his work.”

Anglican Unscripted 753 — Archbishop Foley Beach Interview

Posted on August 15, 2022 
Filed under Anglican Communion, GAFCON, Global South, Lambeth 2022 Comments Off on Anglican Unscripted 753 — Archbishop Foley Beach Interview

At Anglican Unscripted Kevin Kallsen speaks with GAFCON Chairman Archbishop Foley Beach.

They speak about Lambeth, the Anglican Communion and hopes for the future, including the relationship between GAFCON and the Global South.

(The Pastor’s Heart comes in for honourable mention!)

When The Noise Won’t Stop – Paul Grimmond

Posted on August 14, 2022 
Filed under Encouragement, Resources Comments Off on When The Noise Won’t Stop – Paul Grimmond

From Moore College:

“Do you or a fellow Christian suffer from Anxiety?

Author and Moore College Lecturer Paul Grimmond knows what it’s like.

His newest book ‘When The Noise Won’t Stop’ is packed full of research and Biblical wisdom that will help Christians who suffer from Anxiety – and those who care for them, including pastors.”

– An encouraging 3 minute video.

When The Noise Won’t Stop is available from Matthias Media.

See also this interview with Paul on The Pastor’s Heart (28 June 2022).

Southern Cross August-September 2022 issue now out

Posted on August 13, 2022 
Filed under Encouragement, Sydney Diocese Comments Off on Southern Cross August-September 2022 issue now out

Southern Cross magazine for August-September 2022 is now available from Anglican Media Sydney, and printed copies will soon be in churches across Sydney Diocese.

You can download an electronic copy here.

Peter Sholl to be next CMS Australia International Director

Posted on August 12, 2022 
Filed under People Comments Off on Peter Sholl to be next CMS Australia International Director

“CMS Australia’s new international director has been announced as the Reverend Peter Sholl.

Mr Sholl is set to take on the position, currently held by the Reverend Canon Peter Rodgers, at the beginning of 2023.

The organisation announced the appointment of the former missionary to Mexico on Wednesday afternoon. …”

– Report from The Melbourne Anglican. Image: CMS.

CMS gives thanks for David Claydon

Posted on August 12, 2022 
Filed under People Comments Off on CMS gives thanks for David Claydon

CMS Australia’s Acting International Director Peter Sholl gives thanks for David Claydon:

“[On] 28th July, former CMS Australia Federal Secretary David Claydon passed into the glorious presence of Jesus after a long period of illness.

Having grown up in the Middle East and surviving by the clear providence of God, David served in various cross-cultural contexts, including many years leading the work of Scripture Union in the East-Asia Pacific Region (ANZEA).

He was appointed as the Federal Secretary of CMS Australia in 1988 and was active in this role—promoting mission, recruiting and supporting missionaries, and growing mission networks throughout the world.

He was particularly active in developing a CMS ‘Vision for the Nineties’ which resulted in a new focus on unreached people groups. One result of this new vision was the increase in the number of countries in which CMS missionaries served, from 15 in 1988 to 24 in 2001. …”

– Read the full tribute on the CMS Australia website.

There will be a Thanksgiving service for David at St. Andrew’s Cathedral, Sydney at 10:00am on Monday 15th August.

Photo via Anglican Media Sydney.

← Previous Page — Next Page →