Trusting God when everything is awful

Posted on September 24, 2025 
Filed under Africa, Resources Comments Off on Trusting God when everything is awful

From The Pastor’s Heart:

“How do you understand God’s sovereignty when your dad is murdered, your family is in poverty, you are living in the most awful slum and your extended family won’t help.

Richmond Wandera’s father was murdered when he was just eight years old, leaving his family destitute in Uganda’s Naguru slum. Initially he wanted revenge. But then he came to know Jesus Christ.

We talk theological reflections on suffering, as well as a challenge for Western comfort-seeking Christianity, and a clear critique of the Prosperity Gospel.

Richmond Wandera leads the Pastors Discipleship Network across East Africa, as well as pastoring at the church where he came to Christ and partnering with Compassion in Uganda.”

– Watch or listen.

Men and Women in the New Testament

Posted on September 23, 2025 
Filed under Theology Comments Off on Men and Women in the New Testament

From Phillip Jensen:

“We come back today to the subject of men and women, though this time not from Genesis, but looking at how the New Testament looks at this topic.”

– Another helpful discussion between Peter and Phillip Jensen – at Two Ways News.

What Sydney means to us – and what we mean to Sydney

Posted on September 23, 2025 
Filed under Africa, Sydney Diocese Comments Off on What Sydney means to us – and what we mean to Sydney

“The relationship between Uganda and the Sydney Diocese goes back to 1959, and the first visit by Bishop Festo Kivengere.

The strong bonds established then continue to this day. Bishop Alfred Olwa of Lango Diocese, who is also chairman of Uganda Christian University, spoke at Synod to the Rev Dr Simon Gillham. …”

– Encouragement from SydneyAnglicans.net.

ACL Synod Dinner 2025 audio

Posted on September 23, 2025 
Filed under Encouragement, Sydney Diocese Comments Off on ACL Synod Dinner 2025 audio

If you missed the panel discussion at the ACL Synod Dinner on 15ht September, with the topic of Hope from the Coal Face, the audio recording is available here:

 

Our panel speakers:

The Rev Canon Bruce Morrison has been the Senior Minister at St John’s Anglican Cathedral, Parramatta for over twenty years.

The Rev Jason McPhail is the Assistant Minister at St John’s, Keiraville International Church.

Mrs Wendy Potts is the Anglicare Sydney Learning Consultant – Evangelism.

Jason McPhail and Wendy Potts contributed to the recent Hope for the Illawarra Mission.

Nicea — Church Society podcast

Posted on September 23, 2025 
Filed under History, Theology Comments Off on Nicea — Church Society podcast

At the Church Society website:

“1700 years on from the Council of Nicea (325AD), Mark Smith talks to Lee Gatiss about its history, myths, theology and legacy.”

– Listen here.

The Theology of Charlie Kirk’s Funeral — Albert Mohler

Posted on September 22, 2025 
Filed under Culture wars, Evangelism, Opinion Comments Off on The Theology of Charlie Kirk’s Funeral — Albert Mohler

In his The Briefing broadcast for Monday September 22 2025, Dr Albert Mohler covers aspects of the Charlie Kirk Memorial Service which may have been missed by the Australian media.

Whatever one’s political convictions may be, this is an important time for Christians to be aware of the impact on many (especially young) people of the death of Charlie Kirk, the message he preached, and of opportunities we have to share the message of hope and salvation through the Lord Jesus Christ.

– Listen here.

Image: Albert Mohler.

The Growing Challenge to Religious Freedom — Professor Patrick Parkinson

Posted on September 22, 2025 
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From AP, the Australian Presbyterian –

“AP’s convener Mark Powell talks to Prof. Patrick Parkinson, former Dean of Law at the University of Qld, about the growing challenge to religious freedom in Australia and the West.

Prof. Parkinson talks about his new book Unshaken Allegiance (Matthias Media, 2025) and what this means for followers of Jesus today.”

– Watch or listen here. Most enlightening.

Related –

Posts on the experience of Bernard Randall in England.

Presidential Address — Bathurst Synod 2025

Posted on September 20, 2025 
Filed under Australian dioceses, for your prayers Comments Off on Presidential Address — Bathurst Synod 2025

Video of Bishop Mark Calder’s Presidential Address to the Bathurst Diocesan Synod today is now available.

– Watch here.

See also:

Archbishop Kanishka Raffel’s sermon at last night’s Synod service – and his Saturday morning Synod Bible Study.

The speech against assisted suicide that Lord Alton couldn’t deliver

Posted on September 20, 2025 
Filed under Culture wars, Good News Comments Off on The speech against assisted suicide that Lord Alton couldn’t deliver

“In July Lord Alton of Liverpool wrote in TCW of his strong determination to oppose the assisted suicide Bill when it reached the House of Lords.

The crossbench peer was unable to speak at Second Reading of the Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill yesterday and the week before, however, because he is recovering from injuries suffered two weeks ago in a bus crash at Victoria Station, London.

Instead, Lord Alton filmed the speech he would have given. It constitutes a passionate plea to the Lords to protect the most vulnerable members of society by rejecting the Bill. …”

– Lord Alton’s 7 minute and 50 second speech is a good summary of many arguments against ‘assisted dying’. It’s embedded on this page at The Conservative Woman.

Of course, Christians are very much aware that there are even greater reasons for hope than articulated in the video. for example –

Hope for the Hopeless:

Hope for the Oppressed:

and Hope for the Dying:

Why Christianity Still Defines Us — John Anderson speaks with Greg Sheridan

Posted on September 20, 2025 
Filed under Culture wars, History Comments Off on Why Christianity Still Defines Us — John Anderson speaks with Greg Sheridan

On his latest video, John Anderson (former Australian Deputy Prime Minister) speaks with journalist Greg Sheridan.

“In this conversation, Greg Sheridan explores Christianity’s defining influence on Western civilisation, showing how its revolutionary impact – from the early Church through to modern times – has shaped culture, morality, and human dignity.”

– At johnanderson.net.au – or see it on YouTube to access the timestamps for the video.

Thanksgiving in Sydney Synod as Bathurst Diocese shares what God has been doing

Posted on September 19, 2025 
Filed under Australian dioceses, for your prayers, Sydney Diocese Comments Off on Thanksgiving in Sydney Synod as Bathurst Diocese shares what God has been doing

On Tuesday of this week, three representatives of the Diocese of Bathurst were welcomed to the Synod of the Diocese of Sydney – Bishop Mark Calder, Dr Warwick Baines (Registrar) and Adrian Ahern (Chancellor).

As shared with the Diocese of Bathurst via their Facebook page –

“Bishop Mark reported on all that God has been doing among us for his glory as we prioritise Sharing Jesus for Life.

He also thanked the Diocese of Sydney for their generous financial and prayerful support, which makes such a significant difference to the ministry here.

Finally, he shared the great need for more gospel workers, noting this would wonderfully maximise Sydney’s financial investment.”

 

These slides were used by Bishop Calder in his presentation –

The summary and further images can be seen at the Bathurst Facebook page.

The Archbishop of Sydney, Kanishka Raffel, travelled to Bathurst Cathedral to speak at their Synod service tonight.

It’s all a great reminder to pray for the eternal welfare of the men and women of this huge area of NSW, and for the churches of the diocese as they are committed to Sharing Jesus for Life.

Thanks to the Diocese of Bathurst for the images.

“We will obey God”

Posted on September 19, 2025 
Filed under Culture wars, NSW, Sydney Diocese Comments Off on “We will obey God”

From SydneyAnglicans.net –

“The Act purports to give churches, schools and parents permission to teach about sexual orientation, gender identity, sexual activity and religion. But, respectfully, we do not need the permission of the government to teach about such things,” said Archbishop Kanishka Raffel, drawing a line in the sand in his opening address to the Synod of the Diocese of Sydney.

“I want to state clearly and publicly to you all – that ‘I will stand by any clergyperson or church worker who finds themselves brought before a tribunal or court because of this poorly conceived law. We must not be silenced or intimidated from teaching God’s good plan for human sexuality and relationships. We will insist on the freedom to do so, respectfully but without fear.’ We will obey God”

The act being referred to was the NSW Conversion Practices Ban Act 2024 which Premier Chris Minns promised would not restrict churches in prayer or preaching. That pledge has now been undercut by Anti-Discrimination New South Wales (ADNSW). …

– Russell Powell reports.

100 Ministry Stories from Moore College — Dani Treweek

Posted on September 19, 2025 
Filed under Encouragement, Moore College, People Comments Off on 100 Ministry Stories from Moore College — Dani Treweek

Moore College has published the latest video in its 100 Ministry Stories.

Veronica Hoyt, Director of the Priscilla & Aquila Centre, speaks with Dani Treweek.

Most encouraging.

– Watch here.

See also:

Singleness book wins Christian book of the year

The real meaning of singleness

Kanishka Raffel and the Sydney Anglican Synod promise to stand with Christians over conversion practices laws

Posted on September 18, 2025 
Filed under Culture wars, NSW, Sydney Diocese Comments Off on Kanishka Raffel and the Sydney Anglican Synod promise to stand with Christians over conversion practices laws

John Sandeman reports on Monday night’s gathering of the Synod of the Diocese of Sydney –

“Clergy, church workers, and any Christian taken before a tribunal when accused of breaching the Conversion Practices Ban Act in NSW have been assured by Archbishop Kanishka Raffel and the Sydney Anglican Synod that they will be supported. ‘I concluded by saying, and I want to say this clearly and publicly to you all, that I will stand by any clergy person or church worker who finds themselves brought before a tribunal or court because of this poorly conceived law,’ the Archbishop declared in his presidential address to the Synod, repeating an assurance he had sent to his clergy as the new law began to operate.

‘We must not be silenced’, he added. ‘We must not be silenced or intimidated from teaching God’s good plan for human sexuality and relationships. We will insist on the freedom to do so respectfully, but without fear, we will obey God. We can do nothing less.’ During the debate, Raffel made it clear his support extended to lay people caught up in tribunal hearings as well. …”

– Do read it all on this important issue.

Related:

Living Faith website.
“Living Faith is a Sydney Anglican ministry to Christian persons who experience attraction to the same sex and/or gender incongruence.”

Image: Archbishop Raffel during his Presidential Address.

100 Ministry Stories from Moore College — Grahame and Patty Scarratt

Posted on September 18, 2025 
Filed under Encouragement, Moore College, People Comments Off on 100 Ministry Stories from Moore College — Grahame and Patty Scarratt

Moore College has published another video in its 100 Ministry Stories.

Peter Jensen speaks with Grahame and Patty Scarratt.

“From surveying in NSW to serving in Chile, Grahame and Patty Scarratt’s journey has been marked by a deep love for God’s word. What began at Moore College grew into decades of ministry across Latin America—most significantly the translation and teaching of the Preliminary Theological Certificate (PTC) and the beginnings of MOCLAM.

Through their work, countless pastors and church members gained access to solid biblical training in their own language, shaping the Anglican Church in Chile and beyond. Even after returning to Australia, the Scarratts continued publishing and supporting resources so that more people might know and teach the Scriptures.”

– Watch here. (And Grahame has a challenge for churches in Sydney.)

Related –

Preliminary Theological Certificate (PTC) from Moore College.

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