Statements on the nature and development of the Anglican Communion from the first Lambeth Conference to the Anglican Covenant
Posted on December 16, 2021
Filed under Anglican Communion, History Comments Off on Statements on the nature and development of the Anglican Communion from the first Lambeth Conference to the Anglican Covenant
“The fact that the Lambeth Conference is going to be held next year means that in the coming months there will be much discussion about the nature of the Anglican Communion.
In order to provide a historical perspective on these discussions, I have decided to post a paper I first wrote in 2011 which uses primary sources to trace the development of Anglican thinking about the nature of the Anglican Communion from the time of the first Lambeth Conference in 1867 up to the issuing of the proposed Anglican Covenant in 2009. …”
– Anglican theologian Martin Davie posts the first of a three part series to give some historical perspective to the coming (and ignored by many) Lambeth Conference.
New video: Thank you for supporting the Gospel in Greenfields
Posted on December 15, 2021
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Here’s the latest encouraging video from the Archbishop of Sydney’s New Churches for New Communities.
Our trust vindicated at Christmas
Posted on December 15, 2021
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“At Christmas, God proved himself worthy of our trust.
Having put the world on notice that he was going to pay us a visit, he told us where. …”
– Neil Percival, Rector of the Parish of Young, has had this Christmas message published in The Boorowa News.
Private prayers in Victoria a legal ‘grey area’
Posted on December 14, 2021
Filed under Culture wars Comments Off on Private prayers in Victoria a legal ‘grey area’
“I’ve written about The Change or Suppression (Conversion) Practices Prohibition Act numerous times given the extraordinary nature of this Government intrusion into the lives of religious Victorians. In this post, I want to inform people of one further way these laws will encroach on religious and civil freedoms and commonsense.
The laws will come into effect in February 2022. Churches are supportive of some measures contained in these laws, but the Act goes well beyond what is reasonable or right. …
Private prayers are considered a ‘grey area’ by the VEOHRC (Victoria Equal Opportunity Human Rights Commission). If that doesn’t make your eyes pop out of your head and roll down the hallway, what will?”
– Murray Campbell in Melbourne issues further warnings about Victoria’s new “anti-conversion” law.
What to measure in church life
Posted on December 14, 2021
Filed under Resources Comments Off on What to measure in church life
From The Pastor’s Heart –
“It’s time to review what’s happened this year and have robust informed conversations about what we will do next year. What won’t we do again? How we will do things differently? And why?
To make realistic decisions, we need to know what’s helpful to measure. And what isn’t.
Not everything that’s measurable matters. And not everything that matters is measurable.
Mike Hastie has been serving on the team at Newtown Erskineville Anglican Church, and is about to become the senior pastor of Toongabbie Anglican Church.”
Devotionals I recommend for a New Year
Posted on December 13, 2021
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Tim Challies writes:
“With 2021 quickly waning, many of us are beginning to think about a devotional approach for the year ahead. Some are looking for a resource that will serve as the main component of their devotions and others for something that will be merely supplementary.
Either way, I’ve collected some of the resources I most recommend and hope you find something here that will serve you as you devote yourself to reading the Word of God in 2022.”
Sunday morning encouragement
Posted on December 12, 2021
Filed under Encouragement, Resources Comments Off on Sunday morning encouragement
The Night Song – another beautiful song, just out, from CityAlight with Colin Buchanan.
Driscoll, Schaeffer, and Packer on the Size of your Church and the Idolatry of your Heart
Posted on December 11, 2021
Filed under Encouragement, Theology Comments Off on Driscoll, Schaeffer, and Packer on the Size of your Church and the Idolatry of your Heart
Just in time for Sunday, three thought-provoking quotes, via Justin Taylor.
He also mentions the excellent “Liberating Ministry from the Success Syndrome” by Kent & Barbara Hughes.
Photo of J I Packer courtesy Crossway.
Anglican Aid update on Relief Distribution in Marsabit
Posted on December 11, 2021
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Anglican Aid (Sydney) has posted an update on relief distribution in Marsabit, Kenya.
Fuel for your prayers – and there’s a link to donate if you wish.
Bringing Jesus to a needy city
Posted on December 10, 2021
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“It may have been a stormy night under COVID restrictions, but masks could not hide the enthusiasm as Canon Andrew (Sandy) Grant was installed as the new Dean of Sydney. …”
– Russell Powell at SydneyAnglicans.net has this report on the Installation of Dean Sandy Grant.
Watch the entire service here.
Moore Matters Summer 2021
Posted on December 10, 2021
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Moore Matters for Summer 2021 is now available in churches – and you can also read it online.
The New Two Ways to Live website
Posted on December 9, 2021
Filed under Evangelism, Resources Comments Off on The New Two Ways to Live website
If you’ve been waiting for the Two Ways to Live website to be updated to reflect the new printed versions, then today is a happy day.
(If you prefer it as it was, the old version is still online.)
Paul Sampson to be BCA’s NSW/ACT Regional Officer
Posted on December 9, 2021
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Bush Church Aid Society’s National Director, Greg Harris, has this announcement:
“I’m pleased to announce that The Revd Paul Sampson has accepted the role of BCA NSW/ACT Regional Officer.
Paul and his wife Cathy have three adult children – Marsden, Anastasia and Geneva.
Born and raised in Gunnedah in country New South Wales, Paul became a Christian in his early twenties after being invited along to church in Wollongong where he heard the Gospel clearly preached. …”
– Read it all here. Photo: Paul and Cathy Sampson.
Dominion: How the Christian Revolution Remade the World — Review
Posted on December 8, 2021
Filed under History, Resources Comments Off on Dominion: How the Christian Revolution Remade the World — Review
At his website, John Anderson has posted a review of Tom Holland’s Dominion: How the Christian Revolution Remade the World –
“Holland’s Dominion is already regarded as a masterpiece of sweeping philosophical history, grounded in a deep reading of the primary sources.”
Evangelical Fellowship in the Church in Wales: Statement following meeting with the Bench of Bishops
Posted on December 8, 2021
Filed under Wales Comments Off on Evangelical Fellowship in the Church in Wales: Statement following meeting with the Bench of Bishops
“EFCW Public statement following the meeting of representatives of the EFCW Executive with the Bench of Bishops on Tuesday 23rd November 2021 in Wrexham.
The EFCW Executive were pleased to have been invited to meet the Bench of Bishops in a courteous two-hour meeting. The Bench and the EFCW representatives were able to openly explore current concerns over the introduction of the experimental same-sex blessing liturgy. We were in agreement that these are difficult times for the Church in Wales regarding the sensitive pastoral issues for both the LGBTQ community and those holding a traditional position. …”
– Read the full statement from the Evangelical Fellowship in the Church in Wales.
Also in the news:
New Archbishop of Wales elected – Anglican Communion News Service.
What we believe
The message at the heart of Christianity is really quite simple…