Church under Coronavirus: Bathurst Diocese

Posted on June 7, 2020 
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“Why was there no special gathering to mark the 150th anniversary of the Diocese of Bathurst on 5 May 2020? Was there much to celebrate anyway?

Consider the state of the Diocese. Spasmodic rainfall has not broken an extended drought in the region. In recent decades the church has been impoverished. Successfully sued for a multi-million dollar debt, it had to sell much church property. Griefs for these losses endure. Only the generosity of Sydney Diocese keeps things going.

More property still must be sold to help redress wrongs done to victims of sexual abuse. The Diocese is clouded with sadness for those ‘scarred and forever damaged’, as Mark Calder, Bishop of Bathurst, recently described the victims. …”

– In The Australian Church Record, ACL Emeritus Vice President Allan Blanch writes of much encouragement in Bathurst Diocese, despite much stress.

(Allan is the author of From Strength to Strength – A Life of Marcus Loane and A Pioneering Pastor: Thomas Sharpe of Norfolk Island and Bathurst.)

Paul Harrington at the ReLaunch Australia Conference

Posted on June 5, 2020 
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Paul Harrington spoke from Adelaide to the ReLaunch Australia Conference last week.

How should we move forward as churches re-open? He urges pastoral patience, and careful thinking to build ‘gospel capacity’.

Very helpful, with plenty to think about. A number of others also spoke at the conference, with a panel discussion.

Watch his address at the link.

Ridley College gives thanks to God for Maurice Betteridge

Posted on June 5, 2020 
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Maurice Betteridge, Principal of Ridley College in Melbourne from 1979-1992, has been called home.

“His death this week will be grieved by many Christian leaders in different parts of the globe.

Maurice was a New Zealander, the second to be appointed as Principal of Ridley with Stuart Barton Babbage the first. …

He had studied at the General Theological Seminary in New York City, served as Chaplain to the University of New England, and based in Sydney was General Secretary of the Church Missionary Society from 1973-1978.”

– Rhys Bezzant at Ridley College pays tribute to Maurice Betteridge.

CMS Australia also pays tribute. Image credit: Ridley College.

Pray for America

Posted on June 4, 2020 
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Anglican Church, Diocese of Sydney

Public Statement

Most Australians have watched with horror the video of a policeman crushing the airways of George Floyd as he died on the streets of Minneapolis. The anger pouring forth on the streets of every major city of the USA is evidence of deep-seated racial tension and inequity in that country. While the street violence and looting of shops is to be deplored, the needless death of George Floyd is an outrage and an injustice that needs to be addressed. I echo the call of the Primate of the Anglican Church of North America, Archbishop Foley Beach, for Christians to come together for reconciliation and peace across North America. May God have mercy on the United States, that the authorities will heed the outcry for justice, not only for George Floyd but for all African Americans who suffer oppression and inequality.

As we pray for the situation in the United States, we must also continue to pray for our own country, because the underlying racial tensions and inequalities are just as serious.  Tragically, the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander imprisonment rate is more than 17 times the national average, and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people account for almost 30% of those in prison.  There have been more than 400 Indigenous deaths in custody in the past 30 years. We have our own shameful history of police and prison brutality against Indigenous people, which sadly re-emerged this past week, marring National Reconciliation Week.? I recognise that many Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people are feeling overwhelmed and saddened, longing for true justice to be done. I share your sadness and concern for justice, and on behalf of Anglicans across NSW, I extend my sympathy to you.

As Christians, we know that all people are made in the image of God, and deeply loved by him. In the gospel, race has no bearing – we are one in Christ. Racism and violence are grievous evils, which Christians must speak out against. I urge us all to pray for, and make every effort to further, a deep and lasting reconciliation between Indigenous and non-indigenous Australians.

Archbishop Glenn Davies,

June 4, 2020

Source: SydneyAnglicans.net.

“Eternity to be proclaimed above Sydney Harbour” — Friday 5th June

Posted on June 4, 2020 
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Here’s a media release relating to a planned documentary on Arthur Stace:

“20 years after ETERNITY was shared with the world at the Sydney Millennium Fireworks and in the opening ceremony of the 2000 Sydney Olympic Games, the one-word sermon will appear above the Sydney Harbour Bridge on Friday 5 June at 8.30am. (and again at 3:00pm)

Read more

‘Resuming public gatherings’ – with Michael Stead

Posted on June 3, 2020 
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New guidelines have been released for churches in NSW. But they have been changed since the original ones we discussed on The Pastor’s Heart with Bishop Michael Stead a fortnight ago. …

Bishop Michael Stead is back for an extra discussion…. On social distancing and implementing the health department guidelines.”

– The latest from The Pastor’s Heart.

Supporting Moore College in Challenging Times

Posted on June 2, 2020 
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“There is nothing quite like a crisis to help us assess the deep desires of our hearts. COVID-19 has certainly led me to ask the question: in what do I trust most in life? If one good thing could come from this terrible pandemic, may it be that all Christians would ask this simple question. And may we honestly assess what our answers tell us about the things in which we trust. …”

– Trevor Cairney, at the Moore College Foundation, writes to encourage you to pray for and partner with Moore College.

June 2020 Southern Cross now online

Posted on June 2, 2020 
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Southern Cross, the monthly magazine from the Diocese of Sydney, is being published online while churches are not meeting in person.

You can read – and download – this month’s issue here.

Queen’s Birthday Conference 2020 — free livestream — Monday 8th June

Posted on June 1, 2020 
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From Two Ways Ministries:

‘2020’ usually speaks of clear vision but this year ‘2020’ speaks of cancelled plans and a very uncertain vision for our future.

The self-assured confidence of our wealthy culture has been dealt a body blow that has finally raised big questions of life which have been ignored for generations.

The social isolation of staying at home forces society to slow down, spend time in family or long-term relationships, even make friends with neighbours and reach out electronically to old friends and distant relatives. We are forced to think about our lives.

We do not know what life post coronavirus will be like – but it will be different, and we want to make it different.

Resilient people always turn a crisis into an opportunity.

Queen’s Birthday Conference gives Christians an opportunity to think through the implications of this present crisis.

What is God’s part in this crisis?
How should we respond to the crisis?
What are the lessons Christians should learn from the crisis?
What can and should we say to our society?
How can we take this opportunity to proclaim Christ to His rebellious world?

Monday 8th June 2020, 2:00 pm – 4:30 pm.

Talks and Q&A with Phillip Jensen.

To receive the link for the livestream, register with Two Ways Ministries. Please note that registrations to receive the livestream link will close at 8pm on Sunday night.

GAFCON Chairman’s Letter Pentecost 2020

Posted on May 31, 2020 
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“Beloved in Christ Jesus: Greetings in the name of our Risen Lord and Savior Jesus Christ!

At Pentecost we rejoice that we are indeed ‘not left as orphans’ (John 14:18), but through the crucified, risen and ascended Lord Jesus, the Holy Spirit is poured out upon us in fulfilment of God’s promise.

It is by the Spirit of Jesus in our hearts that we are able to cry ‘Abba! Father! (Galatians 4:6) and even though many of us may not be able to able to sing the praises of God together in this time of pandemic, may our hearts nonetheless overflow with praise and adoration to God who so wonderfully restores us through his Son in the power of the Holy Spirit!…”

– Chairman of the GAFCON Primates Council, Archbishop Foley Beach, has released this letter for Pentecost 2020.

Guidance released on NSW COVID-19 laws and churches

Posted on May 31, 2020 
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“This is a brief update to my previous post on recently announced changes to restrictions on gathering and movement in NSW (now, in fact, dealing with ‘gatherings’ rather than movement) as they affect churches.

The NSW Government has now (as of 31 May) put up online guidance on how ‘Places of Worship’ should be managed. This contains a link to what is called a ‘COVID-19 Safety Plan’ for churches…”

– From Neil Foster at Law and Religion Australia.

The future of singing in church – with Rob Smith, Curtis Smith & Dr Charlotte Hespe

Posted on May 31, 2020 
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“In New South Wales, Australia churches are permitted to gather for meetings of 50 from Monday, but are not permitted to have communal singing.  Rob Smith, Curtis Smith & Dr Charlotte Hespe discuss. …”

– Very helpful episode of The Pastor’s Heart.

Worship in Coronavirus time — the latest NSW rules

Posted on May 31, 2020 
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“I have previously commented on the rules concerning movement from home, gatherings in public places and opening of public premises which have been applied in Australia while we deal with the COVID-19 crisis.

The NSW Minister for Health has just released the Public Health (COVID-19 Restrictions on Gathering and Movement) Order (No 3) 2020 (“RGM Order No 3”), which commences operation on Monday 1 June 2020 and repeals and replaces the previous orders. In this post I want to outline what the new rules will be in their effect on churches. …”

– Neil Foster, at Law and Religion Australia, takes a look at the latest COVID-19 restrictions affecting churches meeting in NSW.

COVID-19 Church Worker Frequently Asked Questions updated

Posted on May 30, 2020 
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The Diocese of Sydney has updated its COVID-19 Church Worker Frequently Asked Questions.

There’s important information there for churches weighing returning to gathering.

An invaluable resource for all in the Diocese of Sydney.

The biblical meaning of righteousness and justification Part 1, with Chris Thomson @ Moore College

Posted on May 30, 2020 
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“Martin Luther famously wrote about justification by faith: ‘if this article stands, the church stands; if this article collapses, the church collapses’ (Luther’s Works 40/3.352.3).

Justification matters. Why? Because it is caught up with our status before God, our assurance of eternal life, and our freedom to live the Christian life in love for others and without fear.

But what does the Bible actually say about justification? Luther and Calvin recognised that we need to come to grips with the precise meaning of the key biblical terms – ‘righteousness’ and ‘justification’ – in order to grasp the biblical doctrine. But in modern New Testament scholarship, there is often a lack of clarity about these terms.

In this 3-part series, I speak with my colleague Chris Thomson, lecturer in Old Testament at Moore College, who has engaged in detailed research in this area as well as scholarly discussions with others, including N. T. Wright.

We talk about what the terms mean, what other people are saying today about the terms, why righteousness is different from justification, why it’s both shocking and deeply comforting that God is the one who justifies the ungodly, and why it matters for us today.”

– More very helpful input from Lionel Windsor at Moore College.

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