Debating the Church and same-sex marriage
Posted on September 9, 2021
Filed under Church of England, Culture wars Comments Off on Debating the Church and same-sex marriage
“On Friday 3rd September, at 2.10 pm, I had a phone call from a number I did not recognise. When I answered, it turned out to be from a BBC researcher asking if I would appear on BBC1 on Sunday morning for a debate about the Church of England and same-sex marriage, in the light of the coming vote taking place in the Church in Wales.
I have been preaching in different churches, covering for vacancies, but it just happened that this Sunday I did not have a commitment.
As I have said elsewhere, when someone makes a media request like this, the first thing to say is ‘Yes’…”
– Dr Ian Paul shares his experience (and video) of being interviewed on BBC TV last week. Do pray for those who stand for the authority of God’s Word.
The interview can be seen here – and this exchange calls to mind Luke 11:17.
A Profile of Moral Collapse: President Biden, Abortion, and the Culture of Death
Posted on September 9, 2021
Filed under Culture wars, Opinion Comments Off on A Profile of Moral Collapse: President Biden, Abortion, and the Culture of Death
“Almost fifty years after Roe v. Wade, abortion remains the moral issue in American public discourse and politics.
There are very few profiles in courage in American politics. This seems especially true when it comes to the defense of unborn life. The political predicament of a pro-life politician is this – the political class and the New York-Hollywood-Silicon Valley axis reward those who abandon pro-life positions and condemn those who refuse to surrender.
A particularly important profile in moral collapse now resides in the White House. The story of President Joe Biden’s slippery shape-shifting on the abortion issue is both revealing and horrifying.
Brace yourself. …”
– In his latest essay, Albert Mohler looks at what happens when leaders abandon their ‘devoutly held beliefs’ for political expediency. This is not a ‘party political’ commentary, but a chronicling of one man’s moral shift, at the expense of countless unborn lives. Mohler ends with a challenge to us all.
SparkLit Awards Author Interviews
Posted on September 8, 2021
Filed under People, Resources Comments Off on SparkLit Awards Author Interviews
The SparkLit Awards Night was held last week, with Stephen McAlpine winning the Australian Christian Book of the Year Award for his book “Being the Bad Guys: How to Live for Jesus in a World that Says You Shouldn’t” (available from The Wandering Bookseller and other Christian bookshops).
SparkLit has now released video interviews with shortlisted authors, including Professor Graeme Clark AC (pictured), inventor of the “bionic ear”.
On the SparkLit YouTube channel.
How I came to know Jesus — Scott Newling
Posted on September 7, 2021
Filed under Encouragement, People Comments Off on How I came to know Jesus — Scott Newling
“I do not know when God called me to salvation, and I am content with that because, whenever it was, my election has always been certain and sure. So the when of my calling is not so important to me: the fact of it is everything. Nevertheless, in God’s providence, the people of St John’s Asquith were instrumental in the path that led to my salvation, which I’ll always cherish and for which I’ll always be thankful. …”
– At The Australian Church Record, Scott Newling shares the story of how he was saved. Thanks be to God.
See also:
How I came to know Jesus – Pip Taylor.
How I came to know Jesus – Ben George.
In the Lord I Take Refuge: Daily Devotions on the Psalms with Dane Ortlund
Posted on September 7, 2021
Filed under Encouragement, Resources Comments Off on In the Lord I Take Refuge: Daily Devotions on the Psalms with Dane Ortlund
Crossway is hosting Dane Ortlund’s daily devotions on the Psalms.
Starting today. On Apple Podcasts.
COVID crisis at Oakhurst
Posted on September 6, 2021
Filed under COVID19, Sydney Diocese Comments Off on COVID crisis at Oakhurst
“Our brothers and sisters in Oakhurst need us. They need our prayers.
The pastor of the parish’s South Sudanese congregation, the Rev Samuel Majok, is aware of 15 families in the congregation and wider community whose lives and livelihoods have been turned upside down by contracting COVID. …
This has been especially distressing for the family of his assistant pastor, John Deng …”
– An urgent call for prayer – from Judy Adamson in Southern Cross magazine, September 2021. (Full PDF file here.)
Consultations begin on post-lockdown plans
Posted on September 6, 2021
Filed under COVID19, Sydney Diocese Comments Off on Consultations begin on post-lockdown plans
“The Archbishop, through his Regional Bishops, is convening a series of meetings for rectors and churchwardens to discuss plans for re-opening of churches amid uncertainty about timing and government regulation.
The COVID-19 outbreak is yet to reach its peak, with Premier Gladys Berejiklian forecasting that worst will come in the next fortnight. Beyond that, Premiers and the Federal government are working to vaccination targets before restrictions can be eased.
New South Wales is expected to reach 70 per cent double dose vaccination by October 18 and 80 per cent by November 1.
No detailed plan for re-opening of mass gatherings has yet been announced and appears to be some weeks away.
…
Archbishop Raffel called on churches to pray for the community, especially the LGAs hit hard by COVID, health and emergency workers, and for the Gospel witness of churches at this time.
He commended the prayer meetings being held in various churches and the diocese wide opportunity to pray at 7pm on Wednesday 22 September 2021. Churches, groups and individuals can join the ‘Lifting our Voices to God’ online event of prayer, song and word.
Registration is not necessary and further information can be found at praytogether.online. Archbishop Raffel will speak at the event.”
How might the reopening of churches play out in Australia?
Posted on September 6, 2021
Filed under COVID19, Resources Comments Off on How might the reopening of churches play out in Australia?
“What will happen in churches after the third wave of COVID as the freedoms return to Australia over the next two months?
When vaccination rates reach 70% venues, including places of worship are likely to be reopened, and even more when the rates reach 80%.
Governments are planning more freedoms for those who are double vaccinated. But will they impose restrictions on who can attend worship? …”
– A very topical issue of The Pastor’s Heart.
Mike Raiter on Revelation 21 and “the virus which keeps you out”
Posted on September 5, 2021
Filed under COVID19, Resources Comments Off on Mike Raiter on Revelation 21 and “the virus which keeps you out”
Mike Raiter spoke evangelistically from Revelation 21 on the St. Jude’s Carlton livestream in Melbourne this morning.
While the video and audio is somewhat compressed, the message is well worth hearing and passing on to others.
(GAFCON photo.)
Sunday morning encouragement
Posted on September 5, 2021
Filed under Encouragement Comments Off on Sunday morning encouragement
With thanks to St. Andrew’s Cathedral, Sydney.
Australian Christian Book of the Year 2021
Posted on September 3, 2021
Filed under Resources Comments Off on Australian Christian Book of the Year 2021
Stephen McAlpine’s Being the Bad Guys was announced as the 2021 Australian Christian Book of the Year at the SparkLit Awards Night livestreamed from Melbourne on Thursday 2nd September.
The video of the awards is available at the link above, and the book is available from The Wandering Bookseller.
$4.5 Million Legal Fee Reimbursement from the Episcopal Church (TEC)
Posted on September 2, 2021
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“Jeffrey Walton of Juicy Ecumenism reports that the Episcopal Church (TEC) has reimbursed $4.5 million in legal fees to the Anglican Diocese of Fort Worth (Texas, United States).
In 2009 the Diocese was sued by TEC and it was not until this year that a unanimous decision by the Texas Supreme Court ended the litigation in favor of the Diocese. …”
– GAFCON notes the resolution of a long-running legal battle in Texas.
(These posts from our archives show just how long-running it has been.)
Why We Can’t Sign the Ezekiel Declaration — an Evangelical Response
Posted on September 2, 2021
Filed under Australia, COVID19, Opinion Comments Off on Why We Can’t Sign the Ezekiel Declaration — an Evangelical Response
“Over the past week a letter has been promoted and circulated around many churches and religious organisations. The Ezekiel Declaration (“the Declaration”) is addressed to Prime Minister Scott Morrison and outlines concerns over a potential “vaccine passport” that would be required for church attendance.
The letter has now received 2000+ signatures of religious leaders from across Australia, and for that reason alone it is gaining much attention receiving quite a splash. For every signatory there are certainly many more Christian leaders who have not signed their names. Still, 2000+ names and the organisations that they represent is a significant number. …”
– David Ould and Murray Campbell have jointly published their thoughts on “the Ezekiel Declaration”.
See what you think of their reasoning, and continue to pray for all those in authority.
Update (02 September 2021) –
A response to The Ezekiel Declaration – Gospel, Society and Culture Committee of the Presbyterian Church in Australia in NSW and the ACT.
UK Government silence “is another betrayal of Afghanistan Christians”
Posted on September 2, 2021
Filed under World news Comments Off on UK Government silence “is another betrayal of Afghanistan Christians”
“Dr Patrick Sookhdeo, International Director of Barnabas Fund, wrote on 18 August to three MPs requesting that they ask the government to allow Afghan Christians to be resettled in the UK, and explaining why the UK has a unique responsibility to help and support believers from Afghanistan. To date the UK government remains silent on this matter. …”
– from Barnabas Fund.
How I came to know Jesus – Pip Taylor
Posted on September 1, 2021
Filed under Encouragement, People Comments Off on How I came to know Jesus – Pip Taylor
“I became a Christian at age 13. I was a kid who had sat in church and felt I knew God. Each year on my family camping holiday, a beach mission team showed up and invited us to their program to hear about God. …”
– At The Australian Church Record, Pip Taylor shares how she was saved.
What we believe
The message at the heart of Christianity is really quite simple…