Lessons from Mark Dever’s 30 Years at Capitol Hill Baptist Church

Posted on September 27, 2024 
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“September 25, 2024, marks the 30th anniversary of Dever’s installation as senior pastor of Capitol Hill Baptist Church (CHBC) in Washington, DC.

What lessons are there to glean from a ministry that has spanned three decades and influenced thousands? One answer comes from a response Dever gave in a pastoral candidate interview with the congregation in November 1993. …”

– At The Gospel Coalition, Caleb Morell, an assistant pastor at Capitol Hill Baptist Church, shares this encouragement for pastors and churches.

Photo: Mark Dever at the 2019 Nexus Conference in Sydney.

Highlights from the Seoul Statement at Lausanne 2024

Posted on September 26, 2024 
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“Just before the opening ceremony of the Fourth Lausanne Congress for World Evangelization—a gathering of more than 5,000 church leaders from around the world—the Seoul Statement was released. Each time the Lausanne Congress has met, a document has been published: the Lausanne Covenant in 1974, the Manila Manifesto in 1989, and the Cape Town Commitment in 2010.

The Seoul Statement builds on the good work of those previous documents while addressing several challenges facing the church today. The preface reiterates the need for urgency in evangelism and calls for the church to ‘nurture the faith and discipleship’ of believers by responding biblically to ‘trending social values and to distortions of the gospel, which have threatened to erode the sincere faith of Christians and to destroy the unity and fellowship of the church of the Lord Jesus.’

The 13,000+ word document seeks to give voice to the call of this Congress: Let the church declare and display Christ together! The Statement is worth reading as a whole, but here are some highlights. …”

– At The Gospel Coalition, Trevin Wax shares some highlights from the Seoul Statement at Lausanne 2024.

Moore College Open Events — Friday 27 and Saturday 28 September 2024

Posted on September 25, 2024 
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Know someone interested in studying at Moore College?

There are open events on Friday and Saturday of this week.

Preaching illustrations to win Muslims — with Samuel Green

Posted on September 25, 2024 
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From The Pastor’s Heart:

“How to preach to build confidence so members want to invite Islamic friends and workmates to church and better educate our Christians for conversations with Muslim friends.

What topics might we address? How to best engage with the authority and authorship of the Bible vs the Qur’an, plus Jesus and Muhammed, the Trinity, Incarnation, Sin and human nature, Judgement and Salvation.

Sam Green works for the Australian Fellowship of Evangelical Students and is the author of ‘Where to start with Islam.’”

– Watch or listen here.

“We have Indigenous churches that are struggling… we have a responsibility”

Posted on September 24, 2024 
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“ ‘We need to have a structured plan to Indigenous ministries, otherwise we will never have a genuine effect in the Diocese… my dream is that not only will we impact this Diocese, we will impact this nation.’

With those words, the leader of Macarthur Indigenous Church, the Rev Michael Duckett, urged Sydney’s Anglican Synod to support the appointment of the first Director of Indigenous Ministry. …”

– Russell Powell reports from Sydney Synod.

Gideon Ilechukwu – Planting a Diocese from Scratch — Global Anglican Podcast

Posted on September 24, 2024 
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From Gafcon:

“Meet the Venerable Gideon Ilechukwu, who is about to become Gafcon’s newest bishop, and who will soon lead Gafcon’s newest diocese.

Thirteen years ago, he planted a church in Manchester, England, which has now grown to 39 churches with 52 ministers… and on October 15 we will form this fellowship into a diocese called ‘Anglican Missionary Congregations (AMC) Europe’, which he will lead as bishop.

General Secretary Paul Donison speaks with Gideon, as he shares with us how he planted this diocese from scratch, and how Gafcon provided vital support and resources for gospel mission throughout the UK and Europe.”

– Listen here.

Evangelism encouragement from Bishop Dudley Foord

Posted on September 23, 2024 
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Bishop Dudley Foord spoke to the ACL’s 1988 Annual General Meeting.

The topic he chose was “Reaching Out In Difficult Situations”.

While many things have changed since 1988, the need for men and women to hear the gospel and be saved has not. Be encouraged and challenged. In our Resources section.

Bathurst Synod 2024 Presidential Address

Posted on September 21, 2024 
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Bishop Mark Calder this morning delivered his Presidential Address to the Synod of the Diocese of Bathurst. Click the image above to watch.

Or read the text (PDF file).

“I only have one agenda.

His name is Jesus.

I want everyone in our churches to know Jesus, love Jesus, trust Jesus, serve Jesus and share Jesus.

And I want everyone not currently in our churches to hear of Jesus, turn to Jesus, revel in Jesus as Saviour and serve Jesus as Lord.

I was elected by the Bishop’s election board in 2019 for that agenda.

The board made it clear that they wanted change. Not just any change, but Gospel-shaped, Jesus- focused change.

Of course, I am not suggesting that Jesus wasn’t on the agenda prior to my appointment. However, the reality of the prior years, is that there were many other distressing and distracting issues which needed to be addressed.

I have now been here five years, and under our ordinances, I have three more.

So I want to share with you five lessons I’ve learnt in five years and three prayers I will continue praying in my last three years. …”

– Whether you watch or read, be encouraged to share the link to this page so that others can pray, and help in other ways.

Southern Cross September–October 2024

Posted on September 21, 2024 
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The latest edition of Southern Cross is out now.

If you don’t get a printed copy at your church, you can download it or read online.

What not to say at the beginning (or end) of a church gathering

Posted on September 21, 2024 
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“The fact is, many leaders do not attach great significance to the opening and closing elements of their services and, therefore, do not adequately prepare themselves for what they will say …

The result is words or phrases that may be empty, distracting, or just plain silly. …”

– Some wise (and encouraging) words from Tim Challies.

Synod votes on faithful governance

Posted on September 20, 2024 
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“After two years of work, a mountain of feedback and the best part of three days’ discussion at this year’s Synod, members are now set to pass a new diocesan governance policy.

On Wednesday night, the deputy chairman of the governance policy review committee, former CEO of Anglicare Greg Hammond, explained that the goal of the committee had been to strengthen the Diocese’s schools, colleges, welfare and aid organisations, and other groups covered by the policy, ‘to enable them and their governors and CEOs to pursue gospel priorities, their mission and purpose, doing so consistently with the doctrine of the Diocese’. …”

– Judy Adamson reports from Sydney Synod.

What on earth am I doing here? — Bishop David Bassett

Posted on September 20, 2024 
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“I wonder if you’ve ever asked yourself this same question?

Here I am seven or so months into my new role as Assistant Bishop here in Perth. I’ve met too many people to remember, been lost more often than I care to admit, and have spent significant time at my desk praying ‘what do I do now?’ But don’t get me wrong, I am so glad to be here, there are so many blessings, and I keep seeing how God is working here.

The question is an important one for us all to be asking: what on earth am I doing here?…”

– Bishop David Bassett, Assistant Bishop in the Diocese of Perth, reminds us why we’re here.

New Gafcon Diocese and Bishop serving the UK and Europe

Posted on September 19, 2024 
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News from Bishop Paul Donison, Gafcon General Secretary:

“Dear Brothers and Sisters of Gafcon,

I am delighted to announce the establishment of a new Gafcon diocese, to be led by our newest bishop-elect, the Venerable Dr Gideon Ilechukwu. …”

– Read the full announcement at the Gafcon website.

Moore Matters — Spring 2024

Posted on September 19, 2024 
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The latest issue of Moore Matters from Moore College is now available – at churches across Sydney – and for download from the College website.

This issue is especially encouraging – with news from Bathurst, Canberra, Adelaide, Tasmania, North West Australia, and more.

– Download or read online here.

Leading up as a ministry team member — The Pastor’s Heart

Posted on September 19, 2024 
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From The Pastor’s Heart:

“How do you work in a team excellently with those above you in ministry?
How do you as a team member take responsibility for the success of your church?
What can ministry team members do well to help the whole team function better?
What mistakes do team members make? And what about confidentiality on team?

Michael Davies is associate pastor of Lighthouse Church in Gorokan, NSW.
Megan Stevens serves at Vine Church in Surry Hills in Sydney.
Peter Blanch is a ministry consultant with Reach Australia.”

– Watch or listen here.

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