Challenges and opportunities in rural NSW
Posted on January 4, 2021
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In the Summer 2020 edition of Moore College’s Moore Matters, Mark Calder, Bishop of Bathurst, shares:
“… I am surprised and delighted and sometimes terrified to find myself in a new role in the Diocese of Bathurst. It is an extraordinary privilege. Having been here a year (on 23rd November) – and a very unique and challenging year at that – I know that I am only just beginning.
My oft repeated line, when asked how things are going, has been ‘the challenges are great, but so too are the opportunities’. So let me tell you a little about both. …”
– Read, be encouraged, pray – and – perhaps – go!
‘New Year’
Posted on January 3, 2021
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“2020 has been a troubling, turbulent year – one to which we could apply Her Majesty, the Queen’s apt and pithy comment in 1992: annus horribilis.
While commentators and historians will analyze the events of the year for some time, in many ways it has been God’s wake up call to the reality that, despite what we might like to think, there are significant events in life beyond our control.
Indeed, unexpected events suggest that there’s another dimension to life which we should not ignore – especially as we move into the new year. …”
– Encouragement from John Mason at The Anglican Connection.
Another look at the reliability of the Scriptures
Posted on January 3, 2021
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“The reliability of the Bible is such an important question that it needs to be revisited time and again. Since Christians claim that the Bible is God’s word, we need to give a defence or – to use the old terminology – an apology to the world for this claim.…”
– At GoThereFor.com, David Martin gives a reminder of why we can trust the Bible.
Mandatory masks in latest COVID changes
Posted on January 2, 2021
Filed under COVID19, Sydney Diocese Comments Off on Mandatory masks in latest COVID changes
“New restrictions have been announced for indoor venues, including churches, as a result of COVID-19 transmission on the Northern Beaches and across Greater Sydney.
The measures take effect from Sunday, 3rd January, for Greater Sydney including Wollongong, Central Coast and the Blue Mountains.
Face masks are mandatory for shopping, indoor entertainment, public transport and places of worship…”
– Story from Russell Powell at SydneyAnglicans.net.
See also the Diocesan COVID-19 FAQ page for church workers.
Review of ‘Peter Akinola: Who Blinks First? Biblical Fidelty Against the Gay Agenda in the Global Anglican Community’
Posted on January 1, 2021
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“In the early 2000s, Nigerian Anglican Archbishop Peter Akinola was twice recognized by Time magazine as one of the “100 Most Influential People” on earth. He had distinguished himself as the leader of the Global South’s revolt against the normalization of homosexuality by the Global North’s contingent within the worldwide Anglican Communion.
As the decennial Lambeth Conference loomed in the summer of 2020, Nigerian journalist and media consultant Gbenga Gbesan was enlisted to tell the story of Akinola’s campaign, which spanned his decade of service as archbishop, 2000-2010. …”
– At Books at a Glance, Mark Coppenger reviews Peter Akinola: Who Blinks First? Biblical Fidelty Against the Gay Agenda in the Global Anglican Community.
Our New Year’s resolution – humility?
Posted on January 1, 2021
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“If 2020 has taught us anything, it is surely that things are not always as they seem. We are generally more fragile than we like to admit. And with a sudden realisation of fragility there often comes frustration, anger, a claustrophobic feeling perhaps – and definitely a lack of tolerance. …”
– At The Australian Church Record, Ben George proposes a New Year’s resolution.
Bible Reading Plans for 2021
Posted on December 31, 2020
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Here are some Bible Reading Plans to help you read the Bible more consistently in 2021:
The Bible Reading Plan I Recommend for 2021 – challies.com
2021 Bible Reading Plans – Ligonier Ministries.
See also:
Want to Read Your Bible Well in 2021? Don’t do it Alone – The Gospel Coalition.
My year in the Bible with My Conversation Partners – Dave McDonald.
One Big Idea: The Pilot Episode
Posted on December 30, 2020
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From The American Anglican Council:
“The American Anglican Council is happy to begin sharing with you One Big Idea, a new video series with thoughts from Canon Phil Ashey to help leaders at every level view the church and culture from a biblical lens. This is the pilot episode!”
– Watch here.
Lift Your Eyes free resource — How it works
Posted on December 29, 2020
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In this video, Lionel Windsor at Moore College introduces his free online resource, Lift Your Eyes: Reflections on Ephesians.
“Lift Your Eyes is a series of reflections in both text and audio podcast format covering every sentence in Paul’s letter to the Ephesians.”
Amazing Place: The place of ‘Place’ – with Matthew Sleeman
Posted on December 28, 2020
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From The Pastor’s Heart:
“What is a biblical theology of place?
Matthew Sleeman is a lecturer in New Testament at Oak Hill Theological College in London. …
Matthew says place is more than point on a map. Place contributes to making us who we are. And we contribute to making the place what it is. We are shaped by our places and we paint ourselves onto places.
Places are locations for ministries, discipleship and living for Jesus.”
Also from The Pastor’s Heart this week, a very sobering topic:
Processing the Ravi Zacharias sexual abuse scandal – with Dan Paterson.
Heaven — Rejoicing in Future Glory
Posted on December 25, 2020
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The latest 9Marks Journal is out, with a focus on Heaven.
Plenty of encouraging and stimulating reading.
John Anderson speaks with John Lennox
Posted on December 24, 2020
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John Anderson speaks with Professor John Lennox in Oxford.
They discuss Christ’s birth and life as one of historical truth, the Christian foundations of the modern scientific method, and the current religious climate.
Christmas video message from Archbishop Foley Beach
Posted on December 24, 2020
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From GAFCON.
Church in Wales issues draft Bill for same-sex blessings
Posted on December 24, 2020
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“The Bishops of the Church in Wales have published their proposals to authorise formal blessings in church of same-sex partnerships and marriages.
A draft Bill that would permit the blessing in parish churches of same-sex couples after a civil partnership or civil wedding has been circulated to members of the Church’s Governing Body ahead of a debate in April. …”
– Report from The Church Times.
Image: Archbishop of Wales John Davies, from his 2020 Christmas Message.
See also:
A Bill to authorise experimental use of proposed revisions of the Book of Common Prayer (service of Blessing following a Civil Partnership or Marriage between two people of the same sex) – Church in Wales website.
Christmas is not cancelled, just different
Posted on December 23, 2020
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“The latest outbreak of COVID-19, centred on the Northern Beaches, has wrought havoc with Christmas plans but churches have been working frantically to adapt. …”
– Here’s the very latest from SydneyAnglicans.net.
What we believe
The message at the heart of Christianity is really quite simple…