Vatican bars gay union blessing, says God ‘can’t bless sin’
Posted on March 17, 2021
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“The Vatican’s orthodoxy office, the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith, issued a formal response on Monday to a question about whether Catholic clergy have the authority to bless gay unions. …”
– Report from The Sydney Morning Herald, 16 March 2021.
For background, here is the statement from the Vatican:
Responsum of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith
to a dubium regarding the blessing of the unions of persons of the same sex.
Marty Foord appointed Principal of Evangelical Theological College of Asia
Posted on March 16, 2021
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The Evangelical Theological College of Asia in Singapore has announced the appointment of Marty Foord as its new Principal from 1st July 2021.
“Rev Dr Marty Foord joined ETCAsia in 2019 and lectures in Systematic Theology as well as serving as the Dean of Studies for the College.
Prior to his appointment at ETCAsia, he was the Senior Lecturer in Systematic Theology and Church History at Trinity Theological College in Perth, Western Australia for 18 years.
He originally trained as a pastor and worked on the staff of a large church in Manly, Sydney. Marty is passionate about the gospel as the organising principle for our lives, the church, and mission.”
Details at the college website.
Photo: Marty and Jenny Foord via ETCAsia.
God’s Plan for Corporate Worship – podcast
Posted on March 16, 2021
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From Crossway’s podcast series:
“In this episode, Matt Merker discusses the central importance of corporate worship for the life of the Christian. He shares his thoughts on the effect that the COVID-19 pandemic could have on church gatherings in the future, explains why the concept of a church liturgy is a good and necessary thing, and offers encouragement to the person who may be toying with the idea of not returning to church once the pandemic is over.”
– This podcast episode is a real encouragement – for pastors and congregational members.
There’s also praise for Reformation Worship: Liturgies from the Past for the Present, the fruit of much painstaking work by Jonny Gibson and Mark Earngey.
Related:
On how the Reformation changed Sunday gatherings.
We ask Mark Earngey about ‘Common Prayer for Homes’.
“He Will Hold Me Fast” — The Story Behind the Song.
Photo of Matt Merker: Together for the Gospel.
Frayed about the Edges
Posted on March 15, 2021
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“It is a common failing of any writer, teacher or preacher to impose one’s individual circumstances on a whole community – to assume that what one is going through, all are going through.
Nevertheless, it is a reasonable diagnosis to say that Australian society, and Western society in general, is looking very frayed about the edges. …”
– Peter Barnes, Moderator-General of the Presbyterian Church of Australia, writes to encourage Christians to be confident in the God who reigns over heaven and earth.
Moore College Open Events 2021
Posted on March 15, 2021
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Here are some dates for your diary from Moore College.
A Tale of Two Liturgies
Posted on March 13, 2021
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At The Gospel Coalition website, Justin Taylor draws attention to “An insightful excerpt from Matt Merker’s new book, Corporate Worship: How the Church Gathers as God’s People, 9Marks, Building Healthy Churches series (Crossway, 2021).”
He quotes Matt Merker who writes,
“…imagine two different church gatherings. Each congregation is the same size. They use the same musical instruments: keyboard, guitar, bass, and drums. More importantly, they affirm the same basic theological beliefs. But their liturgies differ in consequential ways. …
What do these different liturgies communicate? What values do they reveal? …
Look at the structure of your church’s most recent gathering. What is the “story” that it tells through the arrangement of the various elements? Is it a story worth instilling in your congregation, week after week?”
– Read it here.
Not Gathering with the Church Hurts You Spiritually
Posted on March 11, 2021
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“Some will think this is insensitive, some will think it’s overdue, but I want to make sure it’s said: not physically gathering with the church hurts you spiritually.
So, pandemic-weary Christian, work to gather again with your church, even if your church continues to offer a virtual option.
Likewise, pandemic-weary pastor, gently encourage your pandemic-weary congregation to gather as soon as they can. …”
– Timely words from Jonathan Leeman at 9Marks.
Slow start to Archbishop’s election
Posted on March 11, 2021
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“There has been a low-key response to the opening of nominations for the election of the next Archbishop of Sydney.
The summons to the Election Synod was issued on January 25. A one-day ordinary Synod in May will be followed by the Election Synod, which would consider those nominated. However, as Southern Cross went to press in late February, there were no names yet announced. …”
– At SydneyAnglicans.net, Russell Powell shares the latest on the coming Archbishop’s election. A matter for continued prayer.
John Anderson announces he is available for preselection to the Senate
Posted on March 10, 2021
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In a video statement on his website, former Deputy Prime Minister of Australia, John Anderson AO, explains why he is offering himself for preselection for The Nationals Senate ticket in NSW.
Help or Harm: The Gospel Coalition Australia’s planned campaign
Posted on March 10, 2021
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In the latest edition of The Pastor’s Heart, Dominic Steele speaks with Akos Balogh and Bill Salier from The Gospel Coalition Australia about a social media campaign being launched this week.
These brothers each want to see people saved and Christ glorified. We are thankful for them all. Their discussion might help you think through how to best speak of the Lord Jesus in the public square.
Book Review: Born Again This Way
Posted on March 10, 2021
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“Rachel Gilson’s book Born Again This Way is what I wish I’d read about 25 years ago when a Christian friend shared with me that she was same-sex attracted and she didn’t know what to do. Neither did I, and at the time, praying with her was the only thing I could think to do.
Fast forward to 2021 and this conversation is far more common. Today, there are a number of books on the subject of Christians and same-sex attraction. What makes Gilson’s book stand out is the way it combines a careful treatment of the topic with her own deeply personal story. …”
– At Equal but Different, Victoria Colgan commends Born Again This Way by Rachel Gibson.
God, the Bible and Mardi Gras
Posted on March 9, 2021
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“The 2021 gay and lesbian Mardi Gras held at the Sydney Cricket Ground was quite a spectacle. It was colourful, loud, celebratory and was reported by various media outlets as being the best celebration yet (as it is every year). And yet, the Scriptures teach us that what they were celebrating was in fact part of God’s judgement. …”
– At The Australian Church Record, Ben George takes us to Romans chapter 1.
But be sure to read the full article.
“… Knowing that we are all in the same boat, all equally rebellious against God, all equally deserving of death, and all equally in need of Jesus who saves, then it is in fact loving and good that Christians reach out to all communities, including the LGBQTI+ community, with the gospel.”
ABC TV News story a reminder to pray for Bathurst
Posted on March 8, 2021
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This story from ABC-TV News, broadcast on Sunday 7th March 2021, is a reminder to pray for Bishop Mark Calder, the Diocese of Bathurst, and the many people in that region who don’t yet know the Lord Jesus.
Ministry enrolments at Moore double in 2021
Posted on March 7, 2021
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“With great joy, Moore Theological College has seen full-time enrolments for the Bachelor of Divinity and Bachelor of Theology courses double this year.
All up there are more than 95 enrolments for undergraduate students starting in 2021 – an answer to many prayers for more workers for the harvest…”
– Great news from Moore College. Via SydneyAnglicans.net.
Newcastle Synod Presidential Address 2021
Posted on March 7, 2021
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Bishop of the Diocese of Newcastle, Dr Peter Stuart, addressed his Synod on Saturday 6th March.
He spoke about the challenges and opportunities facing the Anglican Church in the Hunter and Central Coast regions of NSW.
A good reminder to pray for gospel ministry in that large area.
Read his full address here (PDF file).
There’s a list of Appointments and moves from page 24.
Photo: Diocese of Newcastle.
What we believe
The message at the heart of Christianity is really quite simple…