One Reason Preaching Matters — David Jackman

Posted on September 18, 2024 
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“To many people, preaching seems strangely out of place in the modern world. Why would anyone choose to go to a church building, week by week, to hear a preacher (often the same person) deliver a monologue for twenty or thirty minutes (sometimes even longer) about an ancient book with characters who lived, at best, two thousand years ago? This doesn’t happen in any other context. Educational methods are increasingly interactive. Learning by discovery is the watchword. Preaching seems to be just another example of the church being out of touch, out of date, and out of steam.

Of course, it’s not difficult to find examples of preaching that are sadly boring or irrelevant. Nor is it hard to hear arguments put forward to claim that preaching has had its day: we live in a visual learning culture, listeners have sound-bite levels of concentration, study groups or one-to-one mentoring is more effective, moderns are opposed to domination of a congregation from an elevated pulpit, and so on. But the remedy for the disappointing level of much contemporary preaching is not less preaching, nor its removal from the church’s agenda, but better preaching. And that is because something happens through preaching that cannot occur in any other communication context. …”

– Crossway has published this helpful excerpt from a new book by David Jackman, former Director of The Proclamation Trust.

Image from an encouraging interview with Word Partners on expository preaching.

Anglicare Sydney extends community services to the Bathurst diocese as Anglicare Central West

Posted on September 17, 2024 
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Here’s a media release from the Diocese of Bathurst and Anglicare Sydney:

“Joint statement: Anglicare Sydney extends community services to the Bathurst diocese as Anglicare Central West

We are delighted to share that Anglicare Sydney is extending its community services to the Bathurst Diocese to help deliver and grow those services to the community in the region.

Currently community services are delivered through a partnership arrangement with Anglicare NSW South, NSW West and ACT (SWACT). Following agreement between Anglicare Sydney and Anglicare SWACT, Anglicare Sydney will provide these services from October.

Regionally, these services will be known as Anglicare Central West.
This decision followed careful consideration, prayer and discussion over the past six months.

The need for community services in the Bathurst Diocese is great, and it is our desire to see a strong, flourishing and expanded service of care to the community.

Anglicare Sydney is delighted to welcome the Anglicare SWACT Central West team and looks forward to providing much needed services in the Bathurst Diocese, such as food and financial assistance, including emergency relief, food hampers, no interest loans for eligible clients, and other community services.

Key areas of focus for Anglicare Sydney in the Central West include the strengthening of partnerships with local churches, as well as understanding and responding to specific regional needs and opportunities.

Anglicare Sydney is recruiting a locally based, mission aligned Regional Manager for Anglicare Central West, to help lead the growth of its services.

Please join us in thanking God for the work of Anglicare SWACT, for this new partnership with Anglicare Sydney, and that together we would see more communities loved in the name of Jesus.

Bishop Mark Calder & Simon Miller, CEO Anglicare Sydney.”

– PDF file.

A “Must Hear” address — Dave Jensen at the ACL Synod Dinner 2024

Posted on September 16, 2024 
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“Taking the evangelistic temperature of the Diocese of Sydney” is the topic of Dave Jensen’s address at the Anglican Church League’s Synod Dinner held on 16th September 2024. Dave is the Assistant Director of Evangelism and New Churches in the Diocese of Sydney. (Larger image.)

Listen Here:  Read more

Christian corporate governance, statements of faith, and upholding marriage

Posted on September 16, 2024 
Filed under Culture wars, Sydney Diocese Comments Off on Christian corporate governance, statements of faith, and upholding marriage

At The Australian Church Record, Dean of Sydney Sandy Grant writes:

“In September 2024, the Synod of the Anglican Diocese of Sydney will be asked to delete the personal Statement of Faith from its Corporate Governance Policy.

However, this personal Statement of Faith should continue to be signed by those elected or appointed to be Board Governors and Heads/CEOs of our Anglican organisations. It has been an integral part of the Corporate Governance Policy since 2014, when it was introduced as the culmination of 4 years’ research, discussion, review and debate. …”

– Read here.

AI as God, Deepfakes, and The Resurrection — John Anderson speaks with John Lennox

Posted on September 15, 2024 
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From JohnAnderson.net.au:

John Anderson “… speaks with Oxford Professor John Lennox about the intriguing connections between science, religion, and modern cultural shifts.

Lennox reflects on how figures like Jordan Peterson have opened the door for renewed dialogue between Christianity and science. He argues that historical scientific pioneers were driven by their faith in a divine lawgiver, a perspective that has regained traction in modern intellectual discussions.

The conversation also touches on the ethical challenges of artificial intelligence and society’s growing struggle with truth in the age of deepfakes. \

Lennox emphasises the unique hope Christianity offers through the resurrection of Jesus, contrasting it with secular movements like transhumanism, which promises immortality but fails to address deeper human questions.”

– The video on YouTube has timestamps for ease of navigation.

Alistair Begg announces retirement — planned for Sept 2025

Posted on September 15, 2024 
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“On September 8, 2024, Alistair Begg announced to the congregation of Parkside Church that he will be concluding his time as senior pastor in September of 2025. He will continue his pastoral and ministry work at Truth For Life.

Alistair informed the Parkside Elders about his decision in August of 2024, and the Elders will nominate a candidate for senior pastor in the year ahead.”

– Announcement video here. (Of course, many will be looking forward to hearing Alistair Begg at the NSW & ACT CMS Summer School in January 2025.)

“Will you help the crowds see Jesus?”

Posted on September 14, 2024 
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“Two years ago we met in the southwest growth corridor at Oran Park and I asked you, ‘Do you see the crowds?’ The crowds of people moving into Sydney – growth areas and established areas, people from many nations, people without knowledge of the Lord and his cross. Today I want to ask, will you help the crowds see Jesus?”

With that challenge, Archbishop Kanishka Raffel opened the Synod in the Greenfields in northwestern Sydney. …

– Report from Russell Powell at SydneyAnglicans.net.

Below: Watch Archbishop Kanishka Raffel’s Synod Address.

The death of Jesus — Matthew 27:1-66

Posted on September 14, 2024 
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St. Helen’s Bishopsgate in London has published a new audio reflection by Dick Lucas – on The Death of Jesus – from Matthew 27:1-66. It was recorded in March this year.

In discussing the passage, Dick seeks to prepare Christians for what happens when the gospel is proclaimed, and shares a sobering story of his first days at St. Helen’s in 1961. (Dick served as Rector from 1961 to 1998.)

Listen here.

We can give great thanksgiving to the Lord for Dick. Born in 1925, Dick attained the age of 99 on Tuesday (September 10). St. Helen’s posted this Happy Birthday message on their Facebook page.

St. Helen’s has more than 1700 talks by Dick available on their website.

Knowing Jesus when it hurts

Posted on September 14, 2024 
Filed under Encouragement, Moore College, Theology Comments Off on Knowing Jesus when it hurts

“Imagine that God gave you a vision of heaven. One moment you sit praying, the next God’s Spirit has lifted you into the heavenlies. You gaze around at the heavenly reality. You see the glories of the Father and the wonders of the seraphim and angels.

Perhaps you catch a taste of what it means to be without sin, to live unencumbered by the desires of the flesh. In ways that you will never find words to express you feel something of the glory of life in the presence of the living God. And then, just as quickly as it began, it’s over.

I wonder, if you had such a vision, who would you tell about it? I wonder, how quickly would you tell them? Would you post it online, phone a friend, talk to your pastor? …”

– Very helpful article from Paul Grimmond at SydneyAnglicans.net.

The purpose of the Lord will stand — Australian Church Record Journal for Synod 2024

Posted on September 13, 2024 
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The Australian Church Record has published a special edition of their Journal to coincide with the meeting of Sydney Synod starting this weekend.

Whether or not you are a member of Synod, this is well worth downloading, reading and sharing.

Highlights include interviews with Robert Tong and Laurie Scandrett, but much else to see too.

 

A Heart for the Gospel: Paul Donison speaks with Jodie McNeill

Posted on September 12, 2024 
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GAFCON’s Global Anglican Podcast episode number 7 has been released:

“Jodie McNeill – A Heart for the Gospel: Meet the New Global Operations Manager

We sit down with the Revd Jodie McNeill, Gafcon’s Global Operations Manager, to discuss his vital new role in the day-to-day ministry of Gafcon.

As an Anglican pastor and longstanding advocate for the Gafcon movement, Jodie understands the need to both ‘throw a lifeboat’ to Anglican churches whose diocesan leaders have abandoned the truth, as well as the importance of supporting churches that remain within their troubled dioceses.

General Secretary Paul Donison explores with Jodie their shared passion to see Gafcon engage and equip everyday Anglicans in standing firm for the gospel today.”

– Listen here.

“They said I had what they were missing and asked to visit my church”

Posted on September 12, 2024 
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“I spoke recently at the GAFCON Australasia gathering in Brisbane. GAFCON is the “mission arm” of the movement of orthodox global Anglicans. Hundreds had eagerly put aside time and paid to travel there from every Australian state and territory, as well as New Zealand, PNG and Myanmar.

We looked at Romans 1, full of Paul’s personality and emotion. This is a little surprising because Paul didn’t plant the church and hadn’t visited it yet. Yet it drips with authentic affection and concern. …”

– Archbishop Kanishka Raffel writes at SydneyAnglicans.net.

Where was the Serious Exchange of Ideas? The American People Need More Than What Happened Last Night in the ‘24 Presidential ‘Debate’

Posted on September 11, 2024 
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Albert Mohler shares his thoughts on “The Debate”.

– Listen here if you’re interested.

Repost: Call from the Presbyterian Moderator General to “Walk for Life”

Posted on September 11, 2024 
Filed under Australia, Culture wars, Other denominations Comments Off on Repost: Call from the Presbyterian Moderator General to “Walk for Life”

“David Burke, the moderator general for the Presbyterian Church of Australia, has called on all people of Christian faith to defend the rights of the unborn by participating in ‘Walk for Life’.

Rev. Dr. Burke argued that there is a parallel with the abuse relating to domestic violence, vulnerable people such as children and people with disabilities as well as child abuse in all its forms. Burke said:

‘To my mind, one of the great unmentioned forms of child abuse is the fact that there is a capacity in Australia to kill a child still in its mother’s womb – a living human being with all its actuality and potential made in the image of God.’”

– See the video message from David Burke at AP, the Presbyterian Church’s national journal.

The Walk for Life to which he is referring is planned for September 21st 2024, 2:00pm – 4:00pm Hyde Park, Sydney. Tickets here.

From the ticketing website:

“Love Sydney exists to stand for truth and intercede for the preborn through gathering together with others who are in agreement with our mission.

As we walk, may our countenance and attitude of our faith be evident with all interactions with each other. We welcome everyone who wishes to stand for life with us in this respectful way, regardless of their faith, ethnicity, age or gender.

We ask that you not engage with anyone that is expressing their opposition to our peaceful Walk for Life event. Our trained marshals, professional security and police are all here to keep our event safe. Anyone making nuisance noise will be asked to leave.

Please remember no megaphones or signs. Our official signs will be available for you to carry while at this event. Please obey the marshals, security team and police on the walk.

Our role is simple – to stand in the gap and be a voice for the voiceless, as we cover Sydney in prayer and love.”

Coercive control in Christian families and the impact on children – with Jenni Woodhouse

Posted on September 11, 2024 
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From The Pastor’s Heart:

“How do we help children in Christian families escape and recover from the devastating effects of domestic abuse?

Pastoral consultant Jenni Woodhouse says there is a hidden epidemic of coercive control where a parent with narcissism or borderline personality disorder makes life impossible for their both their spouse and children.

We also explore the impact of domestic abuse on children of all ages, from teenagers to toddlers.

What responsibility does the church have? What should a church leader do?

How can we as church leaders detect and address these issues in the congregation?

Jenni Woodhouse is a pastoral care consultant with the Church Missionary Society.”

– Watch or listen here.

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