The minister drought and what to do about it? – with Phillip Jensen
Posted on July 10, 2020
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From Dominic Steele:
“The minister drought and what to do about it? – with Phillip Jensen
There’s been an across the board drop in people stepping up to serve in full time ministry roles whether as senior pastors, assistant pastors or people putting themselves forward to study at theological college.
We had the Principal of Moore Theological College, Mark Thompson on The Pastor’s Heart a few months ago and he said that enrolments are down for theological colleges across the western world.
It’s very different to twenty years ago, when all the talk at Moore College was of continued growth.
Humanly speaking Phillip Jensen was the person in Sydney used by God most significantly to prompt the explosion in gospel workers.
We ask Phillip what are the factors that have contributed to the slump, and what needs to be done?”
– Watch or listen at The Pastor’s Heart.
Related:
Where are all the senior ministers? – Bishop Peter Lin.
CMS NSW/ACT gives thanks for response to Lasting Hope Appeal
Posted on July 9, 2020
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From the CMS NSW and ACT branch:
“Praise God that we have exceeded our $1.6 million target, to support CMS missionaries as they share the hope of Jesus! Thank you to all those who have been praying for the appeal – and for everyone who gave in support.
You will know that CMS has faced significant financial challenges amidst the COVID-19 period. It is a great joy and encouragement to know that our Fellowship is responding to these challenges together, as we trust in the God who provides for all of our needs.
But our work is not finished yet. During COVID-19, our branch faced a number of unexpected expenses – the high cost of airfares at short notice, loss of income from the CMS Conference Centre, and additional housing for missionaries who were unable to leave or needed to return to Australia – these are just a few examples. …”
Bible-touring bishop to hang up his boots
Posted on July 7, 2020
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“There’s a wistful note in Bishop Paul Barnett’s voice when he says that, after 30 years, his tour-leading days with his wife Anita are done. …
The 84-year-old historian and author has loved bringing the Bible to life for people, enjoying their fellowship and making deep friendships with their ‘much loved’ travel guides.”
– The Barnetts’ tours have been such a blessing to many. Judy Adamson at SydneyAnglicans.net has the story.
A Glimpse of a Disciplined Life
Posted on July 5, 2020
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“One thing that always fascinates me when I read biographies is learning of other people’s habits. That’s especially true when the subject is extremely disciplined.
Tim Chester’s Stott on the Christian Life is not quite a biography of John Stott, but it’s not far off. He gives an interesting glimpse of Stott’s normal, well-disciplined routines. Here is what his life looked like…”
– Encouragement from Challies.com.
(Photo: Langham Partnership.)
Hidden behind the bannered slogan
Posted on July 5, 2020
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“Being truthful makes a person or a group trustworthy. To be trusted, an openness and honesty is required. To present a truism but then hide other agendas may attract listeners at first, but when what is hidden is exposed, trust will be lost, cynicism will grow, and the community will be wounded.
As a church leader I should know. I have felt betrayed by the hidden evils perpetrated by the groomers and paedophiles that have haunted the darker corners of church history.
Perhaps, naïvely, I thought such evil could not exist where Christian slogans were so righteous. While the slogan may be right and good, life offers evidence of the insidious nature of those who hide behind slogans with ulterior motives. …”
– Bishop of Armidale Rick Lewers cautions against naïvety.
Psalm 136 and The bread and butter Christian
Posted on July 5, 2020
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“How much is thankfulness part of your life as a follower of Jesus? How much, in our current situation, are you tempted to grumble? How much do you focus on the negative and lose sight of the positive?
These questions are significant because giving thanks to God is the mark of a follower of Jesus. Or conversely, the mark of a pagan mind is a lack of thankfulness. See what Paul says in Romans 1:21a: ‘For although they knew God, they did not honour him as God or give thanks to him….’
It is for this reason that I think Psalm 136 is such important teaching in our current climate…”
– Encouragement from Ben George at The Australian Church Record.
Nothing takes God by surprise
Posted on July 4, 2020
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“Nothing takes God by surprise and the ministry he has entrusted to his people remains the same: ‘this gospel of the kingdom will be preached in the whole world’. …”
– Dean of Sydney, Kanishka Raffel, is praying for a Corona harvest.
Have No Fear by John Lennox – review by Ed Loane
Posted on July 3, 2020
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“This little book has been produced to help Christians have the confidence and tools to witness to those around them about Jesus Christ. Lennox, as a leading apologist, has written a simple and clear account of the why and how of personal evangelism. …”
– At Church Society’s blog, Dr Ed Loane provides a brief and encouraging review of Have No Fear by John Lennox.
Plus, Alex Keen reviews Sharing the Gospel with a Jehovah’s Witness by Tony Brown.
(Both books are available from Reformers Bookshop and The Wandering Bookseller.)
Are we there yet?
Posted on July 2, 2020
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“The latest changes to the Public Health Orders for Places of Worship have plunged churches into a further round of calculation and cleaning as the COVID-19 restrictions continue to ease.
The changes are being brought in amid continuing concern about the situation in Victoria where another wave of community transmission is emerging. …”
– The latest COVID-19 update from the Diocese of Sydney includes videos from Bishop Gary Koo (Chair of the diocesan COVID taskforce) and Youthworks’ Ed Springer.
GAFCON devotions with Bp Michael Nazir Ali
Posted on July 2, 2020
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For the month of July 2020, Bishop Michael Nazir-Ali is writing and recording daily devotions (“Lift up your hearts”) for GAFCON.
Read/listen or subscribe here.
Theology or Evangelism?
Posted on July 2, 2020
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“James Denney, the late 19th, and early 20th-century Scottish theologian is quoted as saying, ‘The church is healthiest when its evangelists are its theologians and its theologians are its evangelists’.
In my lifetime I have known two evangelists who were effective evangelists because they were able theologians. One was John Chapman …”
– Encouragement from David Cook.
Shepherding: The Work and Character of a Pastor
Posted on July 1, 2020
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9Marks Journal editor Jonathan Leeman writes,
“We’ve been publishing the 9Marks Journal for over a decade, yet we’ve never done one focused on the pastor – his work and character. So let’s call this Journal irresponsibly overdue. While editing it, I found myself, first, convicted; second, encouraged; and third, well supplied with tweet after tweet of wisdom. I’m confident you’ll enjoy and benefit from it.
The pastor has to wear lots of hats in the course of his work: program-director, administrator, counselor, evangelist, and, at the top of the list, preacher and teacher. Yet in all of this, he is a shepherd. He watches over sheep, principally by concerning himself with their understanding of God’s Word and how it applies to their life together and with outsiders.”
A new culture of one-to-one ministry under lockdown
Posted on July 1, 2020
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“How can we stick resolutely to our marching orders, now that proper ‘churching’ in person is impossible?”
Like every other church, we asked numerous such questions as the global pandemic gathered its eerie pace in what now seems almost another age, barely three months ago. …
rather than attempting to maintain familiar structures via an unfamiliar online medium, we resolved to set up a brand new ministry structure with every current and fringe church member assigned a place.
– Stephen Anderson shares an encouraging approach from the parish of Oatley West. At The Australian Church Record.
Churches and COVID-19 in NSW — Public Health Order No 4 released
Posted on June 30, 2020
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“Following earlier announcements by the Premier of NSW, the rules regarding public gatherings in the State have been amended with effect from 1 July 2020, in the Public Health (COVID-19 Restrictions on Gathering and Movement) Order (No 4) 2020 (“PHO No 4”). This post comments on matters that relate to churches and other religious bodies. …
Limits on public gatherings for religious services, weddings and funerals have now been changed. Limits on the use of premises are also affected.”
– At Law and Religion Australia, Neil Foster unpacks the latest COVID-19 related rules for churches in NSW.
GAFCON Chairman’s letter June 2020
Posted on June 30, 2020
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“Earlier this month, I chaired a meeting of the Gafcon Primates Council. Although we could not meet face to face, there was a remarkable joy in our time together and a strong sense that God is building his kingdom as our Churches seek to proclaim Christ faithfully to the nations. …”
What we believe
The message at the heart of Christianity is really quite simple…