A trial that should shame all Anglicans

Posted on March 8, 2020 
Filed under TEC Comments Off on A trial that should shame all Anglicans

“Remember that lovely, smiley American bishop who spoke at the wedding of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle a couple of years ago?

And do you recall how he spoke so inspiringly, in the opinion of many, about love?

Yes, how the words of Michael Curry, presiding bishop of the US Episcopal Church, soared with poetry in the chapel at Windsor Castle as he declared: ‘When love is the way, there’s plenty good room – plenty good room – for all of God’s children.’…”

– At Christian Today, David Baker reminds us of the kind of ‘love’ shown to anyone who dares obey Christ instead of the leadership of The Episcopal Church.

Related posts on our site:

TEC Bishop directs his clergy not to use General Convention trial Marriage Rites – November 12, 2018.

Bishop William Love addresses the Albany Diocesan Convention – June 21, 2019.

Disciplinary hearing ahead for Albany Episcopal bishop– September 23, 2019.

 

Are we living out Romans 1?

Posted on March 7, 2020 
Filed under Culture wars, Theology Comments Off on Are we living out Romans 1?

“Practicing homosexuals — of which I was once one — may not be conscious of the larger, biblical meaning of their sin as outlined in Romans 1, but it would be to their betterment if they were. …”

– Rosaria Champagne Butterfield gives some very insightful comments at Desiring God.

Related:

An Atheist and a Pastor on Same-Sex Relations and the Image of the Self – Justin Taylor.

The Culture of Death Reclaims Ground in Germany: A Renewed Threat to Human Life

Posted on March 7, 2020 
Filed under Culture wars, History Comments Off on The Culture of Death Reclaims Ground in Germany: A Renewed Threat to Human Life

“When suicide becomes an option, it will not just be one option among others. We can easily see the deathly logic inherent in the loss of human dignity as a pillar of society. The most vulnerable and aging will be told, at some point, ‘You have simply become too expensive. Healthcare resources are wasted on you because you have no hope of recovery. You need to get out of the way in order to free up needed medical funds and resources for others.’

It won’t be said exactly in those words – that would be too intellectually honest for this worldview. But make no mistake, that is indeed the internal reasoning of a worldview system that utterly rejects human dignity and the sanctity of life. …”

– Albert Mohler writes bluntly about the past and the future of the Culture of Death. Well worth reading.

Urgent Prayer needed for Kenya’s Targeted Christians

Posted on March 6, 2020 
Filed under GAFCON, Resources Comments Off on Urgent Prayer needed for Kenya’s Targeted Christians

“Today we start looking at some specific situations of brothers and sisters in Christ who are being persecuted and threatened with even more persecution. We start with Kenya because of very disturbing news that has come out of northeastern Kenya. I would ask you to pray as you read, and throughout the weekend. Please share this news about what Christians in northern and eastern Kenya are facing with the rest of your church family, and hold this persecuted part of our global church family up for prayer in your Sunday services. …”

– An urgent prayer request from GAFCON.

Thanksgiving Service for Bishop Ivan Lee planned for Saturday 28th March

Posted on March 6, 2020 
Filed under People, Sydney Diocese Comments Off on Thanksgiving Service for Bishop Ivan Lee planned for Saturday 28th March

It’s been announced that a Thanksgiving Service for Bishop Ivan Lee will be held at St. Andrew’s Cathedral in Sydney on Saturday 28th March 2020 at 10:00am, followed by refreshments.

Bishop Lee was called home to be with the Lord on Wednesday evening.

(2015 photo courtesy Anglican Media Sydney.)

Coronavirus precautions for churches updated

Posted on March 6, 2020 
Filed under Resources, Sydney Diocese Comments Off on Coronavirus precautions for churches updated

“Archbishop Glenn Davies has issued new recommendations for the Diocese of Sydney on procedures for ministry in the light of the spread of Coronavirus (COVID-19).

The advice updates the initial circular to churches in late January. It covers Holy Communion, Children’s ministry and food service, as well as general advice for personal interactions at church. …”

– The latest from SydneyAnglicans.net.

With thanksgiving for Bishop Ivan Lee. ACL President’s tribute

Posted on March 5, 2020 
Filed under People, Sydney Diocese Comments Off on With thanksgiving for Bishop Ivan Lee. ACL President’s tribute

The Anglican Church League notes with sadness the passing of Bishop Ivan Lee last night and will continue to uphold Virginia and the family in prayer for the consolation that can only come from our great shepherd Jesus in this difficult time.

Ivan was elected an Emeritus Vice President of the ACL due to his longstanding commitment to gospel work and the Evangelical cause within the Diocese of Sydney. His passion for reaching out to the lost, including his willingness to try new means of connecting with those outside the churches, was evident in every conversation with him.

Personally, having served on a number of committees with Ivan, I can testify that he could always be relied on to bring a considered and unique perspective to any issue, a perspective that caused us to reflect upon whether we had understood the challenges correctly and whether there were other more creative options open to us to progress the task at hand.

Ivan’s commitment to ‘be at work in his Master’s field’ during the difficult times of his illness was a great encouragement to those who worked with him, and was a reflection of his passion for the gospel and indeed the network of the Diocese of Sydney as a key and effective means of reaching the lost for Christ.

He will be greatly missed – but he is with our Lord, which is better by far.

Andrew Bruce
President of the Anglican Church League.

(Photo: Bishop Ivan Lee at Sydney Synod, October 2019. Courtesy Anglican Media Sydney.)

“We have lost a great champion for the gospel”

Posted on March 5, 2020 
Filed under People, Sydney Diocese Comments Off on “We have lost a great champion for the gospel”

“Long-serving Sydney Bishop, Ivan Lee, has passed away more than four years after being diagnosed with Pancreatic Cancer.

Bishop Lee died last night (4th March) at Greenwich Hospital, where he had been receiving palliative care. …”

– Members of the Anglican Church League (of which Bishop Lee was a Vice-President) are deeply saddened to receive this news, but rejoice that Ivan is now with Christ.

Archbishop Glenn Davies writes:

“Our hearts ache for Virginia and her three daughters in their grief. They have cared for him so well and for so long, and since he entered hospital at the end of January, he has never been alone. May God comfort them in their sorrow.”

And in an e-mail today, Archbishop Davies writes,

“Sad news, yet we do not grieve as others do, who have no hope.
Ps 116:15.”

There will be a private funeral next week, followed by a public memorial service at St Andrew’s Cathedral on a date to be announced.

It pays to hold your nerve in the Transgender Debate

Posted on March 4, 2020 
Filed under Culture wars, Opinion Comments Off on It pays to hold your nerve in the Transgender Debate

“As Douglas Murray observes in his book The Madness of Crowds, we’re making long term decisions about people’s sexual and mental health based on untested ideas that have been around for the past twenty minutes.  And now people are starting to take a reality check. …”

– Stephen McAlpine sees signs that the tide beginning to turn. Image: BBC.

Does the Bible produce bigots?

Posted on March 3, 2020 
Filed under Evangelism, Resources Comments Off on Does the Bible produce bigots?

“Mardi Gras is upon us in Sydney. When thinking about the tension in society around the issue of same-sex attraction, it’s easy to wonder if you might actually be a bigot – because you’re a Christian. …”

– At The Australian Church Record, Ben George argues that the Bible produces not bigots, but forgiven rebels.

Archbishop Stephen Kaziimba enthroned as 9th Archbishop of Uganda

Posted on March 2, 2020 
Filed under Anglican Communion Comments Off on Archbishop Stephen Kaziimba enthroned as 9th Archbishop of Uganda

“The Most Rev. Stephen Kaziimba Mugalu was enthroned as the 9th Archbishop of the Church of Uganda on Sunday, 1st March 2020, at St. Paul’s Cathedral, Namirembe.

More than 3,000 people attended the colourful ceremony, including His Excellency the President, political leaders, the Nnabagereka and Katikkiro of Buganda and other cultural leaders, business leaders, and all the Bishops of the Church of Uganda. …

Greetings were brought by Anglican representatives from global regions – The Most Rev. and Rt. Hon. Justin Welby, Archbishop of Canterbury and Primate of All England, brought greetings from England, the UK and Europe. …

The Rt. Rev. Malcolm Richards from Sydney Diocese, Australia, brought greetings from Asia and Oceania. …”

– from The Church of Uganda.

Speaking with a Pastor in Italy’s Coronavirus “Hot Zone”

Posted on March 1, 2020 
Filed under People Comments Off on Speaking with a Pastor in Italy’s Coronavirus “Hot Zone”

“Over the past few years I’ve had a number of opportunities to interact with Pastor Andrea Artioli who pastors Chiesa Sola Grazia in Mantua, Italy.

His recent newsletter told that he lives in the ‘hot zone’ of the coronavirus outbreak in Northern Italy. He told as well that his church has been instructed by local authorities that it may not meet for at least the next two weeks. …”

– Tim Challies asked Pastor Andrea Artioli to share something of what is happening in his church in northern Italy. (Photo source.)

Christ Church Cathedral Vancouver commemorates ‘the life and teachings of Jesus from an Islamic perspective’

Posted on February 29, 2020 
Filed under Anglican Church of Canada Comments Off on Christ Church Cathedral Vancouver commemorates ‘the life and teachings of Jesus from an Islamic perspective’

“The Muslim community of BC joined with Christ Church Cathedral to commemorate the life and teachings of Jesus from an Islamic perspective, who is considered one of the Mightiest Messengers of God in Islam. …”

– Topic (magazine of the Diocese of New Westminster), March 2020.

The Anglican Samizdat draws attention to an event at the Cathedral church of the Diocese of New Westminster in Canada. See the story on page 13 of Topic  – a 3MB PDF file.

The Topic report says the

“open exhibition on Jesus from an Islamic perspective was set up in the Cathedral’s parish hall, where members of the Muslim community engaged with the congregation and shared their belief and love for Jesus. Imams from Vancouver Mosque were also available for any detailed questions.”

and

“Islamic Call to Prayer was made from the Cathedral pulpit at 12:30pm with an English explanation.”

The Anglican Samizdat notes that this was

“An odd choice considering that Islam teaches that Jesus did not die on the cross, was not resurrected, was not the Son of God and did not make atonement for the sins of the world.”

To say the least.

I gave my life to Jesus – Glen Scrivener

Posted on February 29, 2020 
Filed under Encouragement, Resources, Theology Comments Off on I gave my life to Jesus – Glen Scrivener

In his latest video, Glen Scrivener points us away from ourselves and our efforts – to the Lord Jesus.

Quite a challenge to a lot of preaching. 7 minutes.

Building a Culture of Evangelism takes time

Posted on February 29, 2020 
Filed under Encouragement, Resources Comments Off on Building a Culture of Evangelism takes time

“Evangelism isn’t just for the ‘professionals‘ – pastors, ministers, Bible teachers, and all the rest. Instead, the New Testament teaches that evangelism is the whole church’s job.

But asserting the ‘whole church’ does evangelism can be a bit confusing. What does that mean? Is there some special evangelism program hidden somewhere in the pages of the New Testament? Furthermore, what, if any, relationship exists between our personal evangelism and our church’s outreach ministry?…”

– An encouraging article from 9Marks. Read it, and be sure to watch ‘The Gospel Blimp’ if you haven’t seen it before.

Related:

One to One vs Course Evangelism – Sam Hilton & Tony Wright on what’s best for your church – The Pastor’s Heart.

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