Roebourne’s Holy Trinity Church, the oldest church in WA’s north-west, celebrates 125 years

Posted on May 13, 2021 
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“The historic Holy Trinity Church in Roebourne — transformed last year after decades of neglect — turned 125 this week, with more than 50 people attending celebrations to mark the milestone.

Some travelled more than 1,600 kilometres to celebrate the anniversary of the church, which is the oldest in north-west WA. …”

– This story from ABC Pilbara serves as a reminder to pray for gospel ministry in Roebourne and elsewhere in the North West.

The Anglican Church League welcomes the election of Kanishka Raffel

Posted on May 11, 2021 
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The Anglican Church League expresses its congratulations to Dean Kanishka Raffel on his election to become the new Archbishop of Sydney. We look forward to his installation at St Andrew’s Cathedral on 28 May 2021.

We give thanks for the prayerful and diligent way the members of Synod chose our new Archbishop from among four godly nominees. We also wish to express our appreciation to all the nominees and their families for allowing themselves to be considered for such an important role, and we commit to praying for their ongoing ministry within the Diocese of Sydney.

Over his entire ministry life, both within and outside the Diocese, we have seen Kanishka demonstrate a heartfelt love of Jesus and a commitment to following him as Lord, whether it be through the gracious proclamation of the Gospel to the lost, or in the courageous contention for Evangelical truth with the wider Anglican Communion. We are confident he will continue to bring these same traits to the new ministry role of the Archbishop of Sydney.

The ACL encourages its members to continue to uphold Kanishka, Cailey and their family in prayer as Kanishka seeks to lead our Diocese in mission to the lost and lead the wider church in faithfulness to the Scriptures. We give thanks for his willingness to serve.

Kanishka has been a member of the Anglican Church League for more than 25 years.

Rev. Andrew Bruce
President

Dr. Robert Tong AM
Chairman

Kanishka Raffel with Richard Glover on ABC Radio Sydney

Posted on May 11, 2021 
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Updated with a direct link to the interview.

Richard Glover on ABC Radio Sydney interviewed newly elected Archbishop of Sydney Kanishka Raffel on Monday 10th May 2021.

The interview can be heard at this link.

Image from the Cathedral video stream, 09 May 2021.

Hear the back story of Sydney’s new Archbishop

Posted on May 11, 2021 
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“In the days after Kanishka Raffel’s election as Sydney’s new Archbishop, his face has been on the major TV news, he has been questioned by the Sydney Morning Herald and now an in-depth interview with ABC Radio.

While Channel Nine News drew comparisons with the first leader of Anglicans in Sydney, Bishop Broughton, the main news on Channel Seven featured the Dean of Sydney speaking about his election last Thursday. …”

– At SydneyAnglicans.net, Russell Powell gives a roundup of media coverage of the Archbishop’s election, including a transcript of Kanishka’s interview with Richard Glover on ABC Radio Sydney yesterday.

Image: Wesley Mission.

Religious Freedom Weekend June 11-13, 2021

Posted on May 11, 2021 
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Neil Foster, at Law and Religion Australia, writes,

“Let me commend this event, the ‘Religious Freedom weekend’ to be celebrated over June 11-13, 2021; details available at this website: religiousfreedomweekend.com.au.

The weekend is being sponsored by Freedom for Faith, a legal think-tank supporting religious freedom in Australia which I am proud to be associated with. This is not a conference, but simply a weekend where we are encouraging believers all over Australia, and those who just support the important human right of religious freedom, to celebrate religious freedom and consider what they can do to support this right.

There is a Resource Pack outlining some current challenges, with some suggestions for prayer for churches and other religious groups. There is a call which can be sent to Members of Parliament to support proposals to protect religious freedom, especially through laws prohibiting religious discrimination. Church leaders can also email for further resources.

I think this is a great resource and encourage all those who read this blog to support it and share it with others!”

Sydney’s almost unnoticed Archbishop-elect: The challenges facing Kanishka Raffel and the Anglican church

Posted on May 11, 2021 
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“Sydney’s Anglicans have just elected a new Archbishop — the current Dean of Sydney, Kanishka Raffel. You may not have noticed. Only two decades ago, the election of an Anglican Archbishop in Sydney was not just news, it was a matter for critical commentary in the opinion pages of the Sydney Morning Herald.

Earlier this year, the retirement of the previous holder of that office, Archbishop Glenn Davies, was not even mentioned in the secular press. The death of former Archbishop Donald Robinson, Archbishop from 1982 to 1993, likewise scarcely caused a ripple.

All this tells you something about the current cultural moment into which the new Archbishop of Sydney must step. …”

– In an opinion piece for ABC Religion and Ethics, Michael Jensen concludes,

“If Sydney Anglicans can catch something of the character of Christ as it has been refracted in their new leader, and imitate him as he continues to imitate and serve his Lord, then who knows what the Spirit of the living God may do?”

‘We’ve failed the Great Commission and lost the Gospel’

Posted on May 11, 2021 
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On this week’s episode of The Pastor’s Heart,

“A prophetic word from the most senior evangelical leader in Australia’s Uniting Church, Stu Cameron.

Stu has published two short essays over the last week, the first diagnoses the problems in his denomination, saying: We’ve failed the great commission; Stifled entrepreneurial leadership; and most significantly, Have lost confidence in the gospel.

The second essay suggests a five fold solution: 1. Confess, Repent, Pray; 2. Obsess about Disciple-Making; 3. Release Property Joyfully; 4. Learn Humbly; and 5. Blow it all Up.

Stu Cameron is the new senior pastor of the influential Wesley Central Mission in Sydney…”

– Watch or listen at here.

Anglican Aid Update for Churches – May 2021

Posted on May 11, 2021 
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At last week’s Diocese of Sydney Synod, this short video from Anglican Aid was screened. It introduces their partnership with the people of Madagascar. and would be ideal to show in church or to small groups.

A downloadable version is available via the website where there’s also an update in the situation in India.

Women Pastors, Women Preachers, and the Looming Test of the Southern Baptist Convention

Posted on May 11, 2021 
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“In truth, the issue of women serving as pastors fuelled the Conservative Resurgence in the SBC. The question was instantly clarifying. The divide over women serving in the pastorate served as a signal of the deeper divide over the authority and interpretation of the Bible. …”

– Southern Baptist Theological Seminary President Albert Mohler sees a fresh test coming to the Southern Baptist Convention.

Stand firm! – Bishop Rod Chiswell at Moore College

Posted on May 10, 2021 
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Bishop Rod Chiswell, the recently-installed Bishop of Armidale, spoke at Moore College chapel on 1 Corinthians 15:53-58 last week.

Most encouraging.

Moore College welcomes Kanishka & Cailey Raffel

Posted on May 10, 2021 
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“Moore College welcomes the election of the new Archbishop of Sydney, Kanishka Raffel.

Kanishka is married to Cailey and they have two adult daughters, Hannah and Lucy.

He is a graduate of the College having studied here from 1992–1995. While exercising a powerfully effective ministry at St Matthew’s Wanniassa in Canberra (1996–99) and St Matthews’ Shenton Park in Perth (1999–2015), he completed a MA (Theol) from the College as well (2010). Since returning to Sydney as Dean of Sydney in 2016, Kanishka and Cailey have been frequent visitors to the College. …”

– A welcome from Moore College.

Bishop of Bathurst introduces their new Chancellor

Posted on May 9, 2021 
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Bishop of Bathurst Mark Calder introduces the new Chancellor of the diocese, Adrian Ahern.

Sydney’s new Anglican Archbishop faces an enormous task

Posted on May 9, 2021 
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“Last week, Sydney’s Anglicans elected Kanishka Raffel to serve as Archbishop of Sydney.

Kanishka is currently serving as dean in Sydney’s St Andrew’s Cathedral. At a service there on May 28, he will be officially installed in the role, making him the spiritual leader of some half a million people who identify as Anglicans in Greater Sydney and Wollongong. …

Only about 60,000 people regularly attend Anglican churches in the Sydney diocese. … There is, however, a deep spiritual hunger in our community – a desire that has intensified during the pandemic.”

– Michael Jensen writes about the challenges facing the new Archbishop and Anglicans in Sydney – in The Sydney Morning Herald.

Image: Kanishka and Cailey Raffel were interviewed about their new roles during the Cathedral service this morning.

An historic moment at Synod — video

Posted on May 6, 2021 
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Watch this encouraging video of the Synod of the Diocese of Sydney welcoming Kanishka and Cailey Raffel just after Kanishka was elected as the next Archbishop of Sydney.

With thanks to Russell Powell and Anglican Media Sydney.

Getting to know the incoming Archbishop of Sydney

Posted on May 6, 2021 
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Many will know Kanishka Raffel, who was elected as Archbishop of Sydney at the special session of Sydney Synod this week.

If you don’t know Kanishka, here is some background provided by his nominators:

“Kanishka Raffel is currently the Dean of Sydney, serving at St Andrew’s Cathedral.

He has been married to Cailey for 32 years, and they have two adult daughters.

Born in London of Sri Lankan parents, he arrived in Australia as a 7-year-old. His father died soon after the family arrived in Australia and his mother and siblings moved back to Sri Lanka for a couple of years before returning to Australia when Kanishka was 9.

Raised a Buddhist, a friend gave Kanishka a copy of two Gospels when he was at University. At the age of 21, Kanishka was convicted by the inescapable words of Jesus in John’s Gospel: ‘No one can come to me unless the Father who sent me draws them, and I will raise them up at the last day’ (John 6:44). This personal experience has not only meant that Kanishka is passionate about spreading the Good News but it also means that he happily rests on the unchanging truth that God brings people to himself through his Son.”

Here a selection of links (some of them thanks to the above website) to help you get to know Kanishka:

The Dean’s Story – interview with Rachael Kohn on ABC Radio National, February 2016. Audio file here.

Interview with Noel Debean on ABC Radio Religion and Ethics, March 2016.

A very surprised Christian – Kanishka’s journey from Buddhism to Christ, in his own word, May 2018.

Do not lose heart – Preaching Matters, St. Helen’s Bishopsgate, February 2015.

Good News from the Other Side — Dean of Sydney’s Easter Day sermon 2020.

Speaking about Love on Good Friday, March 2016.

Unexpected Beauty: The Enduring Comfort of Christian Fellowship, March 2021.

A selection of articles on The Gospel Coalition website

Guest appearance on The Drum, ABC TV, October 2019 – esp. see from 43:39.

‘Leading from the pulpit’, Village Church Annadale, 2018.

A sermon on John 6:49-69 (I am the bread of life) at MBM Rooty Hill, March 2019.

Please uphold in prayer Kanishka and Cailey with the many changes coming for them both, and pray that they will continue to delight in knowing and serving the Lord Jesus Christ.

Photo: Courtesy Kanishka’s nominators.

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