Dying Day-to-Day

Posted on September 2, 2025 
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From Phillip Jensen –

“As we come to the end of Genesis 3, we see the judgement of death brought upon the serpent, the woman, and the man. It is surprising in many ways, for it outlines the character of death while we are, apparently, alive.

We have so limited death to that point of the end of life that we are not understanding our present life under the sentence of death.”

– Hear the latest podcast with Phillip and Peter Jensen at Two Ways News.

The real meaning of singleness

Posted on September 2, 2025 
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“Based on data from the 2016 National Church Life Survey, about 35 per cent of our church population over the age of 15 are single; either never married, divorced, separated or widowed. That’s a lot less than the two-thirds who are married. But if you imagine a church of 100 people, that’s 35 people who potentially feel lonely, frustrated, totally fine and everything in between. …”

– At SydneyAnglicans.net, Ruth Baker commends Dani Treweek’s just-launched book Single Ever After.

Learn more about the book at Dani’s website.

What Type of Churches attract Catholics?

Posted on September 1, 2025 
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“People who identify as Roman Catholic make up 20% of the Australian population and 23.1% of Greater Sydney.

Whilst it is still difficult to get people from a Roman Catholic background to attend Protestant services because of their institutional understanding of church, there are many things we can do to make it easier for Catholics to hear the gospel. …

Understanding the Roman Catholic theological system better can help us shape our ministries to be more effective in communicating the gospel clearly and attractively.”

– Mark Gilbert shares some helpful ideas for loving our Catholic friends – at The Gospel Coalition.

Preaching’s Big Umbrella

Posted on September 1, 2025 
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“Apostle Paul unfolds a big umbrella over the work of the pastor/teacher in 1 Corinthians 1.23,24: ‘But we preach Christ crucified, a stumbling block to Jews and folly to Gentiles, but to those who are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God’.

This begs the question for every preacher: Am I preaching Christ in all the fullness of His Person and Work to all-comers, sceptics and saved, sinners and saints, in the face of all opposition and all acceptation? …”

– The Expository Preaching Trust features this post from Bob Thomas, retired Presbyterian minister and, for many years, the Editor of New Life.

(Bob shared his experience of ‘church union’ in The Crisis of 77.)

Reaching Out in Difficult Situations

Posted on August 31, 2025 
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“Timothy has been given a tough assignment — he has been designated to supervise the churches in the regions of Ephesus. He is to proclaim the gospel positively; he is to correct the damage done by the false teachers; and he is to lay down patterns of proper congregational life. …”

– From our archives – a 1988 talk given by Bishop Dudley Foord.

The pattern of Apostolic ministry — Titus 1:1-4

Posted on August 31, 2025 
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Mark Earngey, Head of Church History at Moore College, spoke in the first of a series on Titus at College Chapel last week.

Watch here.

Christian MP dragged back to court in Finland

Posted on August 30, 2025 
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“The consequences of one tweet posted seven years ago continue to reverberate for Finnish MP Päivi Räsänen, who is at the centre of an ongoing legal case for ‘hate speech’. …

The charges related to the tweet, to her comments in a radio debate, and to a church pamphlet published in 2004. The co-publisher of the pamphlet, Bishop Juhana Pohjola, was also charged. …

Both Räsänen and Pohjola were acquitted of all charges in 2022 and again in 2023. However the prosecutor has appealed yet again, taking the case to the Supreme Court, which is set to hear oral arguments on 30 October.”

– Report from Christian Today.

The God We Love (Nicene Creed)

Posted on August 29, 2025 
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Here’s a new song from CityAlight – The God We Love (Nicene Creed) – featuring Matt Rodman.

Of course, 2025 is the 1700th anniversary of the Nicene Creed.

A global response to a big idea: Translating the Epistles with words children can actually understand

Posted on August 29, 2025 
Filed under Good News, Resources Comments Off on A global response to a big idea: Translating the Epistles with words children can actually understand

At The Australian Church Record, Kirsten McKinlay speaks with Matt Dodd about his long-term project to translate the Epistles into language that is accessible for kids.

A wonderful project. Learn more at The Open Word.

And see the endorsements from many people you will know.

“This is the best thing I’ve seen in 40 years.”
– Bruce Linton, CMS NSW & ACT Co-ordinator for Youth and Children’s Ministry.

Image: Matt Dodd and Thom Bransdon with artwork for The Epistles for Kids – from their promotional video:

Training for body and soul

Posted on August 28, 2025 
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“The Apostle Paul was probably a sports fan. He often used sporting illustrations… Fight the good fight of faith. Run the race. Wrestle in prayer. …”

– With the Sydney Marathon coming up this weekend, Dean of Sydney Sandy Grant reflects on the training that’s important for eternity.

Image: The thin blue line laid down for the Marathon during the Sydney Olympics in 2000 (at Sydney Road, North Strathfield).

How does Truth and Authority work for Catholics? — Certainty4Eternity

Posted on August 27, 2025 
Filed under Apologetics, Resources, Theology Comments Off on How does Truth and Authority work for Catholics? — Certainty4Eternity

In the latest video from Certainty4Eternity –

“Where does true authority come from: the Church, tradition, or God’s Word?

In this episode, Mark and Rayne unpack the Catholic understanding of power, authority, and truth compared to the Protestant conviction that the Bible alone is our ultimate authority.”

– Watch here.

How to keep going when the knives are out at church?

Posted on August 27, 2025 
Filed under Encouragement, Resources Comments Off on How to keep going when the knives are out at church?

From The Pastor’s Heart this week –

“The call to ministry is a call to lay down your life for others, but how do we create a well-thought-out roadmap toward pastoral perseverance – when there are external and/or internal difficulties?

How do we approach congregational conflict, criticism, unrealistic expectations or personal health, financial and family stress?

Why is pastoral friendship not optional, but essential?

Today on The Pastor’s Heart, there’s advice for pastors who feel isolated and are feeling like quitting.

Brian Croft leads Practical Shepherding in Louisville Kentucky.

Matthew Spandler Davison also lives in Louisville, serves with Practical Shepherding, and as an executive director of 20 Schemes, Church in Hard Places in Scotland as well as the preaching pastor for Redeemer Fellowship in Bardstown, Kentucky.”

– Watch or listen here.

Evangelism and Ministry Partnerships moves to next stage

Posted on August 26, 2025 
Filed under Sydney Diocese Comments Off on Evangelism and Ministry Partnerships moves to next stage

“A move to bring together the ministries of Evangelism and New Churches, Ministry Training and Development, and Anglican Media has taken a step forward with the announcement of an interim director.

The provisional board of the new Evangelism and Ministry Partnerships (EMP) group has announced that the rector of St George North, the Rev Canon Phil Colgan (pictured above), will begin as its interim head on September 1. …”

– Report and photo from Russell Powell at SydneyAnglicans.net.

Anglican Diocese of North Queensland enters receivership

Posted on August 26, 2025 
Filed under Australian dioceses Comments Off on Anglican Diocese of North Queensland enters receivership

“A church diocese covering a third of Queensland has entered receivership to help fund ongoing compensation payments to victims of child sex abuse.

The Anglican Diocese of North Queensland covers 75 congregations, from the Torres Strait to Mackay and west to Mount Isa. …”

– Report from ABC News.

(The ABC report does not outline how this move will affect parishes, but notes that “schools and aged care service providers” will not be directly impacted.)

Image derived from the North Queensland Diocese website.

The Necessity of Sin

Posted on August 26, 2025 
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From Phillip Jensen:

“As we come to Genesis 3, we come to one of the most distinctive and controversial teachings of the Bible: namely, sin.

It is surprising how deeply our society misunderstands and/or rejects the doctrine of sin. Surprising because we see sin all around us.

I would like to say I hope you enjoy this episode, but the necessity of sin is not enjoyable, even though the Bible speaks of its fleeting pleasures.”

– In this week’s discussion, Phillip and Peter turn to Genesis 3:1-7.
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