Mainstream media pays little attention to reports of massacre in eastern DR Congo
Posted on February 24, 2025
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“On 12 February 2025, Allied Democratic Forces (ADF) militants entered the village of Mayba in Lubero Territory, North Kivu, Democratic Republic of the Congo and abducted at least 70 Christian civilians.
The captives were subsequently taken to a Protestant church in Kasanga, North Kivu, Democratic Republic of the Congo, where they were executed by beheading via machetes. Their bodies were discovered on February 14. …”
– This Wikipedia article includes references to a number of reports of a massacre in a church in eastern DR Congo.
Update (25 February) – SydneyAnglicans.net has this story:
Christians massacred in Congo chaos.
“Hate speech” and religious freedom: Recent developments in Australia
Posted on February 24, 2025
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“Recently there have been a number of legislative moves or proposals attempting to deal with issues around the area of ‘hate speech’. The term of course is problematic – we will try to unpack it shortly.
But the context, in Australia at least, is the shocking rise in the number of anti-semitic slogans and actual violence being seen in the last few months. Insults have been daubed on buildings and cars, fires lit at buildings associated with the Jewish community. And more recently…”
– At Law and Religion Australia, Neil Foster looks at what is happening in terms of Federal, NSW and Victorian legislation.
Bathurst Diocese – updated list of Ministry Opportunities
Posted on February 24, 2025
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The Diocese of Bathurst has updated its profiles of Parishes without Rectors.
See the profiles to inform your prayers – and there’s a link to use if you are interested in serving in Bathurst Diocese.
Preaching Workshop 3-5 June 2025 — Expository Preaching Trust
Posted on February 23, 2025
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At The Expository Preaching Trust, David Cook shares details of the Preaching Workshop coming up on 3-5 June at Drummoyne.
A valuable resource for preachers.
27 Ordained and Director of Indigenous Ministry Commissioned in Sydney
Posted on February 23, 2025
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Russell Powell writes at SydneyAnglicans.net –
“With more than 1000 people in the congregation and 27 servant-hearted men and women, St Andrew’s Cathedral echoed with the sound of singing, fulfilling Charles Wesley’s hope for ‘O for a thousand tongues to sing my great Redeemer’s praise’.
Newly ordained, the deacons then made their way through the crowds for a group photo on the steps of the cathedral and then celebrated with family and church members from across Sydney, Wollongong and beyond. …”
Scotland: Pensioner Arrested for Silent Abortion Protest
Posted on February 22, 2025
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“A 74-year-old woman has become the first person to be charged under Scotland’s new abortion buffer zones law.
The quiet, unthreatening pensioner was handcuffed and detained under new rules that came into force late last year, setting a 200-metre zone around abortion clinics in which ‘protests’ – including silent prayer– are not allowed.…”
– Report from The European Conservati . (Link via Anglican Mainstream.)
The reality of ministry – 2 Corinthians 4
Posted on February 21, 2025
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Archie Poulos preached at Moore College’s chapel this morning.
From 2 Corinthians chapter 4, he spoke about The Reality of Ministry.
Pray for your enemies
Posted on February 21, 2025
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“Friends in Christ, here are some words I would like you to consider learning off by heart:
‘But to you who are listening I say: love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who ill-treat you.’ [Luke 6:27-28]
These are the words of the Lord Jesus. He spoke them particularly to his disciples, but also in the hearing of the large crowds who were following him.
And these are words for our times, our very divided and uncertain times …”
– Dean of St. Andrew’s Cathedral Sydney Sandy Grant was writing in last week’s Cathedral Newsletter.
ESV Bible Translation Update
Posted on February 21, 2025
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From Crossway, publishers of the English Standard Version of the Bible:
“The ESV Translation Oversight Committee (TOC) is a standing committee of the Crossway Board of Directors. The purpose of the TOC is to carry forward the publication of the English Standard Version Bible translation and to preserve the ongoing accuracy and fidelity of the ESV Bible for this generation and generations to come.
The Stability and Future of the ESV
With this purpose in mind, we are committed to maintaining a faithful, stable, and standard ESV Bible text that will meet the reading, memorizing, preaching, and liturgical needs of Christians worldwide. It should be noted that Crossway does not plan to introduce frequent text updates, and it has been nearly ten years since the last update in 2016. …
In light of this commitment, the TOC met over the summer of 2024 to consider a limited number of changes to the ESV text. Briefly summarized, the committee made text changes to 36 Scripture passages involving 42 verses, resulting in a total of 68 word changes.”
Pray for Congo as atrocities echo those of the Rwandan genocide
Posted on February 20, 2025
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“Horrific reports are emerging from the Democratic Republic of Congo as the nation is being torn apart by fighting which has echoes of the Rwandan genocide in the 1990s…
In the isolated city of Goma, rebels have conducted a campaign of looting, rape and indiscriminate killing.
The Archbishop of Sydney’s Anglican Aid has launched an emergency appeal to provide food, clothing, and medicine to those in extreme need. …”
– At SydneyAnglicans.net, Russell Powell shares something of what is happening in Congo, and what you can do to help those suffering (including by praying).
Related:
Back in 1997, ACL News spoke with Bishop Peter Dawson, then recently returned from DR Congo (then Zaire). He called for prayer for the churches of Congo. It would be good to pray such prayers now. (See the prayer included in today’s Sydney Anglicans report.)
A first glance at the pastor’s heart – 2 Corinthians 1:1–22
Posted on February 20, 2025
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Moore College Principal Dr Mark Thompson speaks from 2 Corinthians 1:1–22 at the start of the College academic year.
Two Ways News Podcast — The Foundations of Genesis Part 2
Posted on February 19, 2025
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The second episode of the 2025 series of Two Ways News Podcasts is now out, with Phillip and Peter Jensen. They continue on Genesis 1–11.
“We spent last time talking about the background ideas of how we come to read Genesis, but Peter, you said something about the nature of literature, and I’d like to follow you up more on the assumptions when you’re reading, because you talked about how you approach reading.”
Exploding pastoral leadership myths — with Craig Hamilton
Posted on February 19, 2025
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On The Pastor’s Heart this week:
“What happens when a leader operates without a clear vision. And how poetic or concrete should a vision be?
How to organise things so the overall vision cascades down through every area of church life?
What should our pastoral approach be to innovators, early adopters, early majority, late majority, laggards and the nos.
Biblical vision and Leadership vision: What is the difference? Why do people mangle Proverbs 29:18?
Plus infusing the church with vision, in a significant moment and especially via drip feed.
Craig Hamilton is senior pastor of Pitt Town Anglican Church and author of ‘Wisdom in Leadership.’ ”
Dave Moore on Why your church needs Healthy Teams
Posted on February 19, 2025
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Matthias Media has recently published The Team Leader’s Handbook by Dave Moore at Hunter Bible Church.
The Australian Church Record speaks with Dave about his background, his ministry journey, and about the book.
Bringing Hope to the Illawarra
Posted on February 18, 2025
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“March 2025 will see one of the largest evangelistic campaigns for many years in the Illawarra region.
‘Hope For The Illawarra’, a partnership between the US broadcast ministry Leading The Way and churches in the Illawarra, will culminate in outreach events. …”
– Russell Powell has news of good news for the people of the Illawarra.
At SydneyAnglicans.net.
What we believe
The message at the heart of Christianity is really quite simple…