Sydney Archbishop Kanishka Raffel on the future
Posted on February 22, 2022
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“Sydney Anglican Archbishop Kanishka Raffel spells out the future mission challenges in Sydney and the future of the National Anglican Church in Australia.
We canvass some of the issues Archbishop Raffel might have broached in his first Presidential address, had the ‘Synod in the Greenfields’ (scheduled for this Saturday 26 February 2022) not been postponed due to the Omicron outbreak.
Archbishop Raffel speaks frankly about the Greenfields challenge, indigenous issues, multiculturalism, the national church and the current religious freedom debate. …”
“He had lost control of his life to Jesus Christ”
Posted on February 21, 2022
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“When Archbishop Kanishka Raffel came to Australia in 1972 as a small child, his home faith was Buddhism. The story of how he came to believe in Jesus has now been told on video, which is available for playing in churches or to pass on to friends.
The Archbishop’s story has been told in print and on radio, but he was moved to record a video version after a request from Anglican Chinese churches. He talks about how he became interested in studying Buddhism as a teenager and also asked Christians about their faith. …”
– Watch and download this encouraging testimony at SydneyAnglicans.net.
From around the Anglican Church of Australia
Posted on February 21, 2022
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A few items of interest from around the Anglican Church of Australia –
The Idea of Duty – Bishop of Canberra & Goulburn, Mark Short.
“As I write this column people across the world are preparing to celebrate the Platinum Jubilee of Queen Elizabeth II, the seventieth anniversary of her accession to the throne. My only encounter with royalty came at a distance. Our family were in England during the Queen’s Golden Jubilee and she came to our city as part of the celebrations. The day of her visit I lined up in on the footpath with our younger son on my shoulders. From that vantage point he saw her: I did but see her lemon-yellow hat passing by. …”
Sesquicentenary of St Stephen’s Fitzgerald’s Valley – Blayney Chronicle.
“Sitting atop a hill in the picturesque Fitzgerald’s Valley between Blayney and Bathurst is an Anglican Church that is unique in the Bathurst parish.
Built in 1871 by the settlers who moved into the valley in the 1800s, St Stephen’s Anglican Church is an operating church that commands one of the best views in the central west. …”
Rod Bower, author of politically charged church billboard, leaves Central Coast – ABC News.
“Father Bower is moving onto his new role as Director of Mission for the Diocese of Newcastle, based at Lake Macquarie, where he will shape and ‘pass the baton of social justice”’ onto the next generation of priests. …”
Eighteen ordained at St. Andrew’s Cathedral Sydney
Posted on February 20, 2022
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“From twenty-something college graduates to an experienced Aboriginal Pastor, the 18 candidates for ordination at St Andrew’s Cathedral on Saturday, Feb 19, 2022, shared both excitement and a sense of privilege and responsibility as they made their vows…”
– Encouraging news from Russell Powell at SydneyAnglicans.net.
When you lose your salvation based on a technicality
Posted on February 19, 2022
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“When coming across stories like these, it is very tempting to use them to bash Roman Catholicism or to win an argument. It is imperative to resist these sinful temptations…”
– At The Cripplegate, Jordan Standridge looks at a recent news story which illustrates the divide between the Church of Rome and biblical Christianity.
The washup from lockdown: What can we pray for our churches?
Posted on February 17, 2022
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From The Australian Church Record:
“We don’t need to talk to too many church pastors to see that the last two years have been extraordinarily difficult. Of course, there have also been many blessings – and we know that God is always at work for his glory and the good of his people. So as our churches begin their third year under COVID, the ACR thought it would be helpful for us to begin the year by praying for one another.
The Sydney Anglican Diocese is a fellowship of churches partnering together in the gospel for the glory and Kingdom of our great God. There are many ways in which we can and should express this fellowship, and one great way is by praying for one another.
Over the next few weeks, the ACR will be sharing prayer points from various church pastors from within the Sydney Anglican Diocese. Will you join me in praying for these churches? What better way to express our fellowship as churches than by mimicking Paul in his relationship with the Philippian church, always praying with joy for all of you in my every prayer (Phil 1:3-5).”
– The ACR has begun publishing prayer requests – so far, from St. Peter’s Cooks River and St Stephen’s, Willoughby.
Is the future for the Church of England’s General Synod… Dan Andrews?
Posted on February 17, 2022
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“The readiness of the English middle classes to sacrifice democracy on the altar of political correctness was evident at last week’s meeting of the Church of England’s General Synod.
It was during a debate on the dry subject of the CofE’s governance structures that the growing anti-democratic spirit on this largely democratically elected body asserted itself. …”
– At Anglican Ink, Julian Mann looks at some disturbing moves in the Church of England’s General Synod.
Ways forward on same sex marriage — Church Society
Posted on February 17, 2022
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Church Society’s Director Lee Gatiss looks at the various possibilities open to the Church of England as it debates same-sex marriage.
A clear look at the options, and a restatement of what needs to be done.
Archbishop Janani Luwum — martyr for Christ — remembered
Posted on February 16, 2022
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Forty-five years ago today, Archbishop Janani Luwum, Anglican Archbishop of Uganda, Rwanda, Burundi and Boga-Zaire, was assassinated, apparently on the orders of Ugandan President Idi Amin.
The event was a turning point – both for Uganda and for the Church.
Read about Archbishop Luwum at the Church of Uganda website and give thanks for his courage in the face of death as well as for the resulting preaching of the gospel.
Photo of Archbishop Luwum with President Idi Amin (right) via this article at Taarifa Rwanda –
“The Archbishop was separated from his bishops. As he was taken away Archbishop Luwum turned to his brother bishops and said: ‘Do not be afraid. I see God’s hand in this.’
The next morning it was announced that Archbishop Luwum had been killed in a car crash.
His body was placed in a sealed coffin and sent to his native village for burial there.
However, the villagers opened the coffin and discovered the bullet holes.”
The story of the Bible in Australasia, 1788-1850
Posted on February 16, 2022
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Dr Meredith Lake, author of The Bible in Australia: a cultural history, is speaking on “The story of the Bible in Australasia, 1788-1850” on Wednesday 6th April at Moore College.
– Details here.
Five ordained as Deacons at Bathurst Cathedral
Posted on February 15, 2022
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“The Anglican Diocese of Bathurst ordained five new deacons at a special service at the All Saints Anglican Cathedral on Saturday.
Mark Calder, Bishop of the Anglican Diocese of Bathurst, was on hand to ordain Ben Mackay, Roger and Sally Phelps, Bec Choi and James Daymond into the church. …
Bishop Calder said the ordination service is one of the largest in recent times.
‘It’s one of the largest ordinations in recent times but the other significant thing is that they’re younger then people who have typical been ordained in recent years’…”
– Encouraging news from The Central Western Daily – and a great reminder to pray for the continued progress of the saving news of Jesus in the Diocese of Bathurst.
I Remember … When I was Licensed to Preach The Gospel
Posted on February 15, 2022
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Presbyterian minister Bob Thomas shares his remembrances and encouragements. (For many years he served as the Editor of Australian Presbyterian Life, and also New Life Christian newspaper.) –
“We’re in the middle of the Licensing Season, that time of year when this year’s crop of exit students has finished their formal studies and are about to embark on their exit appointments. Licensing marks this transition and confers on the licentiate the right to accept a call or appointment on the way to ordination. It’s a wonderful time in the church’s year, when a fresh platoon of front-line soldiers goes forth with stars in their eyes and hope in their hearts to win the world for Christ. …”
See also:
The Crisis of ’77. (June 2017)
New Archdeacon takes on new role
Posted on February 14, 2022
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“Archbishop Kanishka Raffel has announced a newly-created position to assist him as he further settles into the office to which he was elected last May.
The Reverend Canon Simon Flinders is to become Archdeacon to the Archbishop. …”
– Story from Russell Powell at SydneyAnglicans.net.
Church Society podcast — Reading the Bible Better
Posted on February 14, 2022
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Here’s the latest podcast from Church Society in the UK –
“In this week’s episode, Chris Moore and Lee Gatiss discuss how we can read the Bible more and better. They talk about different Bible translations, how to establish a good routine, listening to audio Bibles, using devotional resources, singing and saying the Scriptures aloud. …”
– Listen here.
No Shortcut to Success
Posted on February 13, 2022
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In a recent episode of the Pastors Talk podcast from 9Marks, Jonathan Leeman and Mark Dever commend the book “No Shortcut to Success: A Manifesto for Modern Missions”. They also chat with the author, Matt Rhodes.
While primarily on the topic of missions, it’s an encouragement for those labouring at home.
What we believe
The message at the heart of Christianity is really quite simple…