A Royal Funeral with a message for everyone

Posted on April 19, 2021 
Filed under Resources Comments Off on A Royal Funeral with a message for everyone

“Kings, Queens and Princes, the great and the small, the young and old, will all meet death and face the judge of the earth. As the writer to the Hebrews explains, ‘people are destined to die once, and after that to face judgment’ (Hebrews 9:27). …”

– Murray Campbell in Melbourne gets to the clear message from the royal funeral.

See also: The Order of Service.(PDF)

Image: Royal.uk

More than 1,000 vicars vow to defy any vaccine passport plans for churches

Posted on April 19, 2021 
Filed under Church of England, COVID19, Scotland Comments Off on More than 1,000 vicars vow to defy any vaccine passport plans for churches

“In an open letter to the [British] Prime Minister concerning vaccine passport proposals, the church leaders said: ‘To deny people entry to hear this life-giving message and to receive this life-giving ministry would be a fundamental betrayal of Christ and the Gospel.‘…”

– Story from The Telegraph (via MSN).

And from the Letter:

Open Letter from Christian Leaders to the Prime Minister Concerning Vaccine Passport Proposals

“Dear Prime Minister,

As Christian leaders across a range of denominations, we continue to pray at this time for your government ‘and all in high positions, so that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and dignity’ (1 Timothy 2:2).

However, we write to you concerning an area of the most serious concern, namely the potential introduction into our society of so-called ‘vaccine passports’ which have also been referred to as ‘COVID-status certificates’ and ‘freedom passes’. We are wholly opposed to this suggestion and wish to make three points about the potential consideration of any scheme of this type. …“

– Read the full letter here. It is signed by a number of UK Christians leaders who would be known to our readers.

Luther and the Diet of Worms @ 500

Posted on April 17, 2021 
Filed under History Comments Off on Luther and the Diet of Worms @ 500

“On April 18, 1521, Martin Luther—age 37—gave his famous “Here I Stand” speech at the Diet of Worms.

On April 17, 1521, Luther arrived in Worms after completing his 15-day, 300-mile journey from Wittenberg. …”

– At The Gospel Coalition, Justin Taylor reminds us of this key moment in history.

Related:

From Article VI of The Thirty Nine Articles:

Of the Sufficiency of the holy Scriptures for salvation

“Holy Scripture containeth all things necessary to salvation: so that whatsoever is not read therein, nor may be proved thereby, is not to be required of any man, that it should be believed as an article of the Faith, or be thought requisite or necessary to salvation.”

Wrong Paradigm, Wrong Diagnosis, Wrong Solution

Posted on April 16, 2021 
Filed under Opinion, Theology Comments Off on Wrong Paradigm, Wrong Diagnosis, Wrong Solution

“Our response to the world needs to embrace more than lament, but a deep malaise has descended upon contemporary Western society.

There is a hardness of heart, but a softness in the head; a trivialisation of life, yet a lack of humour; and a coarsened culture but a distorted sensitivity concerning giving offence.

Any example would do as an illustration, but the recent moral outrage at the sexual misbehaviour of parliamentary staffers in Canberra is clear enough. …”

– Dr Peter Barnes, Moderator-General of the Presbyterian Church of Australia, makes the case that if the diagnosis is wrong, the solution will evade you.

Dr. Stephen Chavura on the history of Western civilisation

Posted on April 16, 2021 
Filed under History, Opinion Comments Off on Dr. Stephen Chavura on the history of Western civilisation

In his latest Conversations video, John Anderson speaks with historian Dr. Stephen Chavura on the history of Western civilisation, Western thought and the historical roots of freedom, democracy and the rule of law.

Timings from the video on YouTube –

00:00 – Intro
2:02 – Why history?
4:16 – Western civilisation
12:01 – Slavery & racism
23:32 – The American Revolution
26:25 – The Enlightenment
28:34 – Nietzsche
33:57 – Created equal
49:24 – Enlightened thinking?
52:15 – Australian history.

Peter Jensen on pure speech

Posted on April 16, 2021 
Filed under Encouragement, Resources Comments Off on Peter Jensen on pure speech

In his editorial in The Global Anglican 135/1, Peter Jensen reflects on the power of words.

Via Ros Clarke comes this excerpt on the Church Society blog:

“Bad doctrine, which is a travesty of the gospel, is doing much harm. But just as harmful is the careless or self-serving language by which other believers are traduced either secretly or publicly.

To repel Satan in his assault on you, is to put on the whole armour of God, especially to buckle on the belt of truth (Eph 6:14). And it is to commit yourself to pure speech:

Not the speech which follows the world in foul language and in blasphemy. So frequent has this become in entertainment, let alone the marketplace, that it is fatally easy to allow our minds to become infested with obscenities and to begin to use them ourselves. …”

– Read the excerpt here, Or start a subscription.

Jesus’ Post-Easter Priority

Posted on April 15, 2021 
Filed under Encouragement, Resources Comments Off on Jesus’ Post-Easter Priority

“Is Jesus Smart? We often think of Jesus as loving, kind, and selfless, but have you ever considered him smart? If we are honest, we must conclude that he is. He is the ‘author of life’ (Act 3:15) who came in the flesh! And since he is smart, he wasn’t ‘winging it’ when he met with his disciples in a locked room that first Sunday evening.

As a thoughtful and intelligent person, Jesus would have been very intentional about his first words to them and to us, and we find them in John 20:19-21…”

– Mark Eldredge at The American Anglican Council has a challenge for churches.

Stories from Moore College Mission 2021: learning and partnership

Posted on April 13, 2021 
Filed under Encouragement, Evangelism Comments Off on Stories from Moore College Mission 2021: learning and partnership

“This year’s Moore College Mission was, thankfully, able to take place face-to-face in partnership with churches, a refreshing contrast to the circumstances of our hurriedly ‘re-imagined’ online mission of 2020 which took place in lockdown in the early throes of the pandemic.

Mission has always been part of the makeup of Moore College…”

– At The Australian Church Record, Ben George shares encouragement from this year’s Moore College Mission.

Martyn Iles, Q and A and what it tells us about Australia today

Posted on April 12, 2021 
Filed under Culture wars, Opinion Comments Off on Martyn Iles, Q and A and what it tells us about Australia today

“The Sydney Morning Herald thought this week’s Q and A was a significant cultural moment – so who are we to disagree?!  They compared it with another one in 2008 where the shibboleth question for our culture, that of homosexuality, came up. It was indeed a revealing programme – telling us a great deal about where Australian culture, politics and religion are at – and where we are heading. …

It was the appearance of Martyn Iles that was too much for some people – even before he had been on the show. …”

– David Robertson writes at AP (the national Journal of the Presbyterian Church of Australia) and gives thanks for Martyn Iles.

Related:

Excerpts from the programme may be seen here. Or the whole thing on the Q and A website (9th April 2021).

Romans Crash Course

Posted on April 12, 2021 
Filed under Resources, Theology Comments Off on Romans Crash Course

From Lionel Windsor at Moore College:

“This is a 75 minute video course in Paul’s letter to the Romans designed for small group leaders, children’s leaders, and anyone else who wants to get a handle on this incredibly rich biblical letter.”

– Watch here.

Fred Nile to retire from NSW Parliament — names Lyle Shelton as successor

Posted on April 12, 2021 
Filed under People Comments Off on Fred Nile to retire from NSW Parliament — names Lyle Shelton as successor

From a Christian Democratic Party Media Release, April 11, 2021:

“Christian Democratic Party Founder, the Reverend Honourable Fred Nile MLC today announced that after 40 years in the NSW Parliament, he will retire this November from the Legislative Council.

Rev Nile has recommended to the CDP’s State Board, and it has unanimously agreed, that Lyle Shelton, former Managing Director of the Australian Christian Lobby, will be his successor subject to the agreement of the CDP’s State Council.…”

– Full media release (PDF file).

Cults pursue online converts

Posted on April 12, 2021 
Filed under Resources Comments Off on Cults pursue online converts

“You get an Instagram message from someone you don’t know who seems keen to make Christian friends.

You receive a Facebook request to ‘like’ a group that looks Christian and posts Bible verses; people you know have ‘liked’ it, so you do the same. …

Seems harmless, right? It might be so, of course, but…”

– Here’s a very interesting article from Judy Adamson at SydneyAnglicans.net.

PM and Premier join in prayer for the Royal Family

Posted on April 11, 2021 
Filed under Sydney Diocese Comments Off on PM and Premier join in prayer for the Royal Family

“It was to have been a normal Sunday at St Andrew’s Cathedral, but then news broke, late on Friday night, of the death of His Royal Highness, the Duke of Edinburgh.

The service was expanded, not as a memorial service, but as an opportunity to pray for the Royal Family and express sympathy, love and respect on the Duke’s passing…”

– At SydneyAnglicans.net, Russell Powell reports on this morning’s service at the Cathedral.

Photo: Bianca De Marchi, NCA Newswire via SydneyAnglicans.net

Positive persuasive evangelistic campaigns

Posted on April 11, 2021 
Filed under Resources Comments Off on Positive persuasive evangelistic campaigns

From Dominic Steele at The Pastor’s Heart:

“What makes an effective evangelistic campaign? What messages will engage non Christian audiences with the truth of the gospel? This week we speak with three key evangelists about the best way to reach the lost.

We discuss positive evangelism, maximising mission opportunities, integrating online and offline campaigns, and ideas for a large scale campaign.”

– Watch or listen here.

Mourning Prince Philip (updated)

Posted on April 9, 2021 
Filed under People, Sydney Diocese Comments Off on Mourning Prince Philip (updated)

From SydneyAnglicans.net –

The Commonwealth is in mourning after the death of His Royal Highness, the Duke of Edinburgh.

“The passing of His Royal Highness, the Duke of Edinburgh is an immense sadness and our thoughts immediately turn to Her Majesty, the Queen and the Royal Family in their grief,” said Bishop Peter Hayward, the Administrator of Sydney Diocese, in a statement soon after the news was announced.

“A marriage of over 70 years standing and a life of service to the Commonwealth through war and peace, is a testament to Prince Philip’s loving care and strong sense of duty. We are praying for Her Majesty, the Queen and her family, that they may know the comfort of Christ at this difficult time. He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty. Ps 91:1”

An official memorial service is not likely until funeral arrangements have been finalised in London. However, the Governor-General, the Prime Minster and the Premier will be attending St Andrew’s Cathedral in Sydney tomorrow morning, taking the opportunity to pray for Her Majesty, the Queen, and the Royal family.

Photo: The condolence book and portrait standing in the Cathedral.

The service will be livestreamed from the cathedral and will be led by the Dean of Sydney, Kanishka Raffel and Bishop Hayward will preach.

Update:

The Dean of Sydney, Kanishka Raffel, has written these prayers which you may wish to use in church tomorrow. (PDF file via SydneyAnglicans.net)

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