Melbourne Anglicans mourn former Archbishop of Melbourne Keith Rayner
Posted on January 13, 2025
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“Australian Anglicans are mourning the death of a former Melbourne archbishop and pivotal figure in the ordination of women in the Church.
Bishop Keith Rayner died peacefully on 12 January 2025, almost eight weeks after his 95th birthday. …”
– From The Melbourne Anglican.
Photo: Stpeters-cathedral, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Archbishop of Sydney’s Statement on further Antisemitic attacks — 13 January 2025
Posted on January 13, 2025
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Here is a Media Release from the Diocese of Sydney:
“Media release
Anglican Diocese of Sydney
Archbishop’s Public Statement
More antisemitic attacksFor the second time in two months, I am taking the step of expressing the dismay of many Sydneysiders at grotesque acts of antisemitism in our city.
The recent attacks on the Allawah and Newtown synagogues, which follow attacks on private homes and property, are reprehensible and utterly unacceptable.
Any attack on a place of worship is an attack on the principles of freedom of religion, association and conscience which are foundational for our multicultural and cohesive community. Such attacks must be comprehensively rejected.
Beyond that essential principle we also recognise that antisemitism has a particular history and shape, played out across the world. Over the centuries, this has included antisemitism perpetrated by professing Christians. The Christian scriptures give no warrant whatsoever for such hateful acts. Rather, Jesus commanded his followers to love our neighbours as ourselves.
Sydney Anglicans welcome and affirm the presence and contribution of Jewish Australians for whom Sydney is the home we share and whose peace, prosperity and harmony is our common commitment.
Archbishop Kanishka Raffel
13 January 2025.”
– Source: SydneyAnglicans.net. Also as a PDF file.
“100 Ministry Stories from Moore College” — Peter Sholl
Posted on January 13, 2025
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Moore College is featuring this brief video from Peter Sholl, International Director of CMS Australia as part of its “100 Ministry Stories”:
“God used Peter’s time at College to equip him with a solid foundation in theological thinking and a heart for mission, preparing him for service as a CMS missionary.
Now serving as the International Director of CMS Australia, Peter supports missionaries around the world, encouraging gospel work across cultures.
Peter’s story attests to how God uses theological training to prepare men and women for global ministry.”
Anglican Aid’s 2025 Prayer Diary
Posted on January 13, 2025
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Anglican Aid have published their 2025 Prayer Diary as a PDF file on their website.
If you don’t receive a printed copy at church, this is a great alternative.
And don’t forget that you can also subscribe to Anglican Aid’s feed in the PrayerMate app for the content from the Prayer Diary.
Australian College of Theology to become the Australian University of Theology
Posted on January 13, 2025
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“The Australian College of Theology (ACT) is pleased that it has been registered as an Australian University by the Tertiary Education Quality and Standards Agency (TEQSA). As a result, the ACT is changing its name to become the Australian University of Theology (AUT). The University has a specialised focus in the field of religious studies. The ACT was previously registered as a University College.
ACT Board Chair, the Reverend Dr Roger Lewis, explains, ‘A basic principle of what distinguishes an Australian University from other higher education institutions is that it undertakes research at world standard. We are delighted that ACT has been recognised for its world standard research in theology.’…”
– The latest developments in Australian theological education.
See also:
TEQSA registers Australian College of Theology as an Australian University.
Justin Welby: a professional obituary
Posted on January 12, 2025
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“Monday 6 January marked the last working day of Justin Welby as Archbishop Canterbury.
His resignation was forced on him after his failure to act competently in the oversight of a devastating sexual abuse scandal. But it would be unfair to take that single act of incompetence and use it as a lens to judge his entire performance as Archbishop. Tragic though the end of his tenure was, we need to look at the other elements of the way he held office in order to assess it fairly. …”
– Gavin Ashenden – former Anglo-Catholic bishop and now member of the Roman Catholic Church – shares his personal evaluation of Justin Welby’s tenure as Archbishop of Canterbury. At Christian Today.
Photo: Archbishop of Canterbury’s website.
Major fire destroys parts of St Hilary’s Kew
Posted on January 12, 2025
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“The Anglican community was distressed to hear that there was a major fire at St Hilary’s Kew (on the corner of John and Rowland Streets) in the early hours of Friday 10 January. …
Thanks to the quick action of the fire fighters, they were able to save the church and the hall (both original buildings on the site). …
Offices, the main kitchen, and other spaces were significantly affected. The church has sustained some smoke and water damage”
– Story at The Melbourne Anglican.
Photo via The Melbourne Anglican.
Dyslexia-Friendly Bibles now available in ESV & CSB
Posted on January 11, 2025
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This video from Tim Wildsmith (who makes videos about Bible design) highlights the arrival of “Dyslexia-Friendly Bibles”.
These are typeset by 2K/DENMARK, who are well-known for their experience in Bible typesetting.
Here’s a promotional video from Crossway about their ESV Holy Bible: Dyslexia-Friendly Edition, due to be published in March 2025. (It can be pre-ordered from Reformers in Sydney, and, doubtless, other Christian bookshops.)
From Crossway:
“Approximately 17 percent of the global population has dyslexia, yet many do not have the proper resources to easily read God’s Word. The ESV Holy Bible: Dyslexia-Friendly Edition features a specialized typeface and typesetting to help those with dyslexia read the Bible with more clarity and comfort.”
(No, this is not an advertisement. Many people will benefit from these Bibles.)
‘The Woke Will Regroup’ — Albert Mohler interviewed on Dual Citizens
Posted on January 10, 2025
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In the latest Dual Citizens podcast from David Ould and Stephen McAlpine –
“Steve and Dave speak with Dr. Albert Mohler to explore the implications of Trump’s re-election on American Christianity. He candidly shares his evolving stance on Trump, the persistence of ‘woke’ ideology, and the role of American evangelicals during a time of societal upheaval. He navigates the complexities of faith in a politically charged era, offering a beacon for Evangelicals in a changing landscape.
Dr. Mohler also engages with Christian nationalism, examining how faith and national identity can coexist without overshadowing the Gospel’s universal message. He invites us to ponder our dual citizenship, emphasising the eternal over the temporal.”
Growth and Change and Preaching (Part 2)
Posted on January 10, 2025
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“Heard raises a valid concern—that a ‘just be faithful’ ministry mindset for preachers and church leaders might excuse some preachers for sermons that are poorly prepared and regularly fail to connect with the lives, hearts and wills of their congregations.
To address this in ministry more broadly, Heard points to the creational norms expressed in wisdom literature which operate outside and inside the church. For example…”
– The Expository Preaching Trust has published Part 2 of David Burge’s reflections from Andrew Heard’s book Growth and Change (Matthias Media, 2024).
See Part 1 here.
2025 Summer Reading Guide
Posted on January 10, 2025
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From SydneyAnglicans.net –
“Sunshine, salty air and waves crashing – we’re diving into summer! Here’s a list of books we’ve reviewed over the past year you could read on those lazy days by the water (or hot afternoons hiding inside with air conditioning!). …”
Reflections on Preaching at a funeral
Posted on January 9, 2025
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“In 2024 I attended some evangelical Christian funeral services; an unevangelical Christian funeral service; a Greek Orthodox funeral service; a secular funeral service.
There is no doubt that the blessings of our faith are most obvious at our funeral services.
In a previous blog I have written about planning for one’s own funeral, but now I want to address the subject of the funeral sermon. …”
– Here’s some help and encouragement from David Cook at The Expository Preaching Trust.
(Photo: Funeral procession in Queen Street, Chippendale, late 19th Century.)
Cross-cultural ministry that seeks to connect
Posted on January 9, 2025
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“In our part of Sydney, Chinese migrants come from very diverse backgrounds. Their occupations range from working on construction sites as builders, to running their own businesses, to working in offices as white-collar workers. There is a real mix of people in Lidcombe since it is now an important transport hub in Sydney, and it attracts many Chinese migrants who settle here. …”
– At the Moore College website, Danny Au Yeung, Rector of Lidcombe Anglican Church, shares some points for prayer in a strategic part of Sydney.
Abortion was the leading cause of death worldwide in 2024. And it wasn’t even close
Posted on January 8, 2025
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“Throughout 2024, the mainstream press woke up to a brutal reality: Despite decades of sinister fearmongering about ‘overpopulation,’ the world is experiencing a critical shortage of babies that will threaten our way of life in every way imaginable.
… abortion was the leading cause of death globally in 2024, ‘with a record 45 million unborn babies killed in the womb, according to data provided by Worldometer.’ The numbers are excruciating and impossible to fathom: As of 12 p.m. on December 31, 2024, an estimated 45.1 million abortions were perpetrated throughout the year. For context, Canada’s entire population is 40.1 million. …”
– Very sobering article from The Bridgehead, via Anglican Mainstream.
Alistair Begg: Honesty, Humour and Hope
Posted on January 7, 2025
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From The Pastor’s Heart:
“We speak to Alistair Begg about pastors, suffering, humility and surviving long term in ministry. Alistair Begg is in Sydney this week speaking at the Church Missionary Society conference in the Blue Mountains, west of Sydney.
Alistair has served the people of Cleveland Ohio for 42 years at Parkside Church and has a global impact through the influential Truth for Life Ministry.
We go backstage with Alistair to discuss: His teaching on 1 Peter, focussing on suffering, perseverance, trials, humility and standing firm in God’s grace. Reflections on 40+ years of pastoral ministry and lessons learned along the way. Insights into global mission and the long-term commitment of missionaries. His upcoming transition after more than four decades of leadership. The impact of Australia on his ministry in the US, including his close friendship with former Moore College Principal John Woodhouse. Insights into preparing for life after pastoral leadership as he approaches his final months as senior pastor.”
What we believe
The message at the heart of Christianity is really quite simple…