COVID-19: Thanksgiving Service for Bishop Ivan Lee cancelled

Posted on March 18, 2020 
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Archbishop Glenn Davies has written to Western Sydney churches with the sad news that the Thanksgiving Service planned for Bishop Ivan Lee on Saturday March 28 has had to be cancelled due to the COVID-19 virus. He also asks all to continue to uphold Virginia and her family in prayer.

Related:

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

“We have lost a great champion for the gospel” – SydneyAnglicans.net.

Leading your church through the COVID-19 crisis – with the pastor, doctor & bishop

Posted on March 17, 2020 
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On today’s interview from The Pastor’s Heart:

Leading your church in the corona era with Pastor Eugene Hor, Bishop Gary Koo and Dr Irmgard Pascoe –

What do we make of the virus?

Posted on March 17, 2020 
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David Cook shares a Biblical perspective through the lens of the Book of Proverbs:

“We embrace humanity with love, we seek to relieve, be surprisingly creative in our acts of kindness, but our greatest purpose is to call on people to listen, repent and believe and so through Jesus have hope of a new creation to come.”

Read below:

Today I returned from overseas and I am self isolating for 14 days.

What do we make of this coronavirus?

I have been preparing a series on Proverbs and Solomon has much to say about what is going on.

The Bible’s wisdom writers are concerned to show us how we are to harmonise with reality.

Dick Lucas says that the aim of Proverbs is to help the young to keep from making fools of themselves in life, another preacher says that Proverbs is a directory of godly conduct.

In Chapter 1, King Solomon introduces the book by telling us in v.1-7, what the book will do for us; who it is for; and how to enter it, by ‘fearing the Lord’.

Then in v.8-19, he tells us there are always two voices in life, the voice of reality and the voice of deceit. In this case the realist is the parent urging the son not to join his peer group, ‘my son do not walk in the way with them’, v.15, and the voice of deceit, is that of the criminal gang, ‘come with us, let us lie in wait for blood’, v.11.

At v. 20-33, Solomon tells us history’s biggest lesson. There are always two voices in life, the voice of God and the voice of the serpent, the voice of reality and the voice of deceit.

The great lesson of history is that whenever God speaks, and is ignored, catastrophe results! It’s a lesson as old as Adam.

Proverbs 1:31 records this passive judgement of God on our deafness, ‘they shall eat the fruit of their way and have their fill of their own schemes’. This judgement is now being revealed, according to Paul, in Romans 1, God gives them over to the fruit of their schemes in Romans 1:24,26,28.

The world we live in is the world into which Adam and Eve were expelled, the world of pain, frustration and death, and is the fruit of their failure to listen to God.

This virus is part of that world and is God’s judgement on us all, and my isolation is a part of that judgement and a reminder of human stubbornness.

In Proverbs 1, Wisdom cries out, raises her voice and speaks and she does so in the main streets and malls. She is freely available, yet humanity refuses to listen, ignores and does not heed.

God personally teaches us this lesson, see His use of the third person pronoun, ‘they hated knowledge… they shall eat the fruit’, v.29-31.

God’s wisdom is our greatest treasure and yet we have become too cool, too self assured, too sophisticated to hear it. Many will be addressed but only some will listen and they will ‘dwell secure and be at ease without dread of disaster’, v.33.

This period of isolation, this pandemic, is a further clarion call to us to harmonise with the reality of our greatest treasure, the God and Father of our Lord Jesus and his word of wisdom.

We embrace humanity with love, we seek to relieve, be surprisingly creative in our acts of kindness, but our greatest purpose is to call on people to listen, repent and believe and so through Jesus have hope of a new creation to come.

‘For the simple are killed by their turning away, and the complacency of fools destroys them; but whoever listens to me will dwell secure and will be at ease, without dread of disaster’. Proverbs 1:32-33.

(David Cook has served as Principal of SMBC and also as Moderator-General of the Presbyterian Church of Australia as well as in parish ministry. Photo courtesy St. Helen’s Bishopsgate.)

One concrete thing all churches should be doing right now

Posted on March 17, 2020 
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“At this moment, we are – understandably – being flooded with information and reflections about the coronavirus. There is much helpful stuff for Christians to read, but I fear that one of the most obvious and critical things has not yet gotten much attention. …

If coronavirus is particularly dangerous to older people …”

– Tim Patrick, Principal of the Bible College of South Australia, makes a very important point which should not be overlooked.

Sydney Diocese COVID-19 Update Tuesday 17 March

Posted on March 17, 2020 
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“Archbishop Glenn Davies has warned of the seriousness of the situation facing Sydney Diocese in coming months, saying further advice will be forthcoming from the Diocese’s COVID-19 Task Force. …

Bishop Gary Koo, the Bishop of Western Sydney who formerly practised as a doctor, is chairing the COVID-19 Task Force for the diocese.”

– from SydneyAnglicans.net.

A New Normal that isn’t Normal at all: The COVID-19 Pandemic and the Humbling of a Civilization

Posted on March 16, 2020 
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In his daily Briefing, Albert Mohler speaks about what is happening in the USA and around the world with the COVID-19 Pandemic.

He also references this:

“Therefore, CDC, in accordance with its guidance for large events and mass gatherings, recommends that for the next 8 weeks, organizers (whether groups or individuals) cancel or postpone in-person events that consist of 50 people or more throughout the United States.” – Center of Disease Control and Prevention, USA.

This essay by Dr Mohler has now been published:

The Humbling of Civilization: Praying for the Mercy of God.

Related:

Coronavirus (COVID-19) in Australia – current data.

Coronavirus (COVID-19) health alert – Australian Department of Health.

Dick Lucas and The Proclamation Trust

Posted on March 16, 2020 
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Here’s an encouraging and enlightening video about the origins of The Proclamation Trust.

Nexus Conference 2020 postponed

Posted on March 16, 2020 
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Here’s an e-mail from the organisers of the Nexus Conference:

Dear Nexus friends

It will perhaps not come as a surprise to you that we have decided to postpone next Monday’s Nexus Conference (set down for March 23).

Our committee has been talking and praying about the issue over the past week, and keeping a close eye on the developing situation. In view of the government’s latest advice and requirements about non-essential gatherings, we feel that postponing the conference is the best way forward in the circumstances.

We have tentatively rescheduled the 2020 Nexus conference for Monday, September 14 or 21. We are still working to finalise the exact date, timing and venue, and will be back in touch very soon with those details.

For those who have already registered for Nexus20, there are two options available:

We are disappointed of course not to be able to proceed with Nexus next Monday, as I’m sure you are. But we are only engaged in gospel ministry (including running conferences like this) because we believe in the infinite goodness and power of God, and in his unstoppable purposes in Jesus Christ. We know he will work for the good of those who love him in all things, including the current chaotic circumstances.

With warmest regards in Christ

The Nexus Committee

(Tony Payne, Adrian Russell, Sarah Vigar, Dominic Steele, Carl Matthei, Chris Braga)

Thinking about live-streaming church services on the cheap?

Posted on March 16, 2020 
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Here’s one simple resource.

Here’s another page with further ideas.

And another.

(Of course, ministers may prefer to pre-record sermons, rather than livestream a sermon in an almost-empty building.)

See also:

Christian: speak the gospel… online – Lionel Windsor.

Finding security in an insecure world

Posted on March 15, 2020 
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“A year ago today, the brutal terror attacks on a Christchurch Mosque gave rise to shock, fear, and deep insecurity in our world.

One year later, as efforts to contain the COVID-19 pandemic ramp up, we are yet again faced with the reality of how fragile and uncertain our lives and communities are. And we are, yet again, faced with the question of security.

I wrote the following reflection on security following the Christchurch shootings, but it is equally relevant to our current situation. …”

– Dr Lionel Windsor at Moore College calls Christians to know the rock-solid security they have in Christ.

Prayer for the Coronavirus response

Posted on March 15, 2020 
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The Dean of Sydney, Kanishka Raffel, has written a prayer you may find helpful:

Sovereign Lord, you are the hope and healer of your people and have promised a world where there is no more sickness or crying or death.

By your death and resurrection you have set your people free from the penalty of sin and death.

We pray your kingdom come, your will be done on earth as it is in heaven.

Please prosper the work of those who are seeking a vaccine for the coronavirus, please strengthen those who are treating the sick, please comfort those who are mourning the loss of loved ones or living in fear of this disease.

Please give to governing authorities wisdom in their management of this crisis, and give to your people your peace beyond understanding, generous and wise hearts and a renewed trust in your sovereign goodness and glory.

Turn the hearts of many now experiencing fear and anxiety that they they may find that peace which is the fruit of the death and resurrection of your Son, Jesus Christ our Lord, in whose name we pray, Amen.

Thanks to SydneyAnglicans.net for publishing this in a post about advice to churches.

Joy

Posted on March 15, 2020 
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Joy may seem to be a strange idea when so many are feeling uncertainty and fear.

Incoming Principal of Mary Andrews College, Rev Dr Katy Smith, writes one of Church Society’s Lent devotions:

“Walking onto the veranda of our church building, I see Kay standing by the entrance door smiling with genuine interest as she talks to another beside her. I smile to both ladies as I head towards the door, but Kay stops me to ask for a brief update about a particular ministry matter. I see a brightness and keenness as she listens and then responds, ‘I’ll continue praying.’

There is nothing extraordinary about this meeting, except that as I walk into the hall, I find myself thankful for her, with tears in my eyes. …”

– Read it here.

There are other contributions from Australian friends (some already published, some still to come – including Claire Smith and Kanishka Raffel) listed on the Church Society’s ‘The Blessed Life’ page.

Men Meeting the Challenge Conference postponed

Posted on March 14, 2020 
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Richard Bolton, Convenor of the Men Meeting the Challenge Conference, has announced the postponement of this year’s conference –

“As you will be aware the Prime Minister and the Chief Medical Officer have made announcements regarding responses to the COVID19 pandemic. 

In response, the Men Meeting the Challenge conference committee has met this afternoon, and following prayerful consideration, and out of loving Christian concern for our community, we have made the difficult decision to not proceed with the Men Meeting the Challenge Conference as scheduled for 28 March 2020.

We wanted to get this information to you as soon as possible. We will make a further announcement next week about rescheduling and refund requests for pre purchased tickets.”

In the meantime, talks from previous years are available on their website.

Love in the Time of Coronavirus — A guide for Christian leaders

Posted on March 14, 2020 
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“At this extraordinary moment, local leaders — people who lead groups of 10 to 1,000 people — have perhaps the greatest opportunity to shape culture in the United States that they have ever had. This is a guide for those of us who are Christian leaders at this moment. …

The recommendations that follow are the result of about a month’s worth of intensive study of the medical and public health information about COVID-19 that has been available to the public. I have no specialist-level insight, nor any non-public sources. But my calling as a journalist, which was my profession for 15 years, is to make complicated things clear, quickly. (The length of this essay shows just how complicated the current moment is.) …

This essay has four parts. Feel free to skip to the one that is most relevant for you:

  1. What is happening? An overview of the most important things for Christian leaders, anywhere in the United States, to know about SARS-CoV-2 and COVID-19.
  2. What should we communicate? A list of the most helpful messages others can hear from us — and the most harmful messages as well.
  3. What decisions should we make? Recommendations for decisions about large gatherings, medium-size gatherings for Christian worship, and small groups meeting in households.
  4. What can we hope for? A few reflections on the genuine possibility that our decisions in the next few weeks could reshape the practice of Christian faith in our nation and, God being merciful, lead to a revival of the church of Jesus Christ in America.”

– While written for an American context, there is much that is helpful here.

Australian Primate’s Election Deadlocked — report

Posted on March 14, 2020 
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David Ould reports that the electors for the new Australian Primate were unable to reach a consensus.

“The electoral panel adjourned and agreed to meet again before 30 June 2020.”

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