Church of Ireland clergy object to conservative bishop’s appointment

Posted on November 18, 2019 
Filed under Anglican Communion, GAFCON Comments Off on Church of Ireland clergy object to conservative bishop’s appointment

“Thirty-six senior Church of Ireland clergy have put their names to an open letter objecting to the appointment of the newly elected Bishop of Down and Dromore due to his involvement with a conservative Anglican group [GAFCON]. …”

– Story from The Irish Times.

Photo of David McClay via the Diocese of Down and Dromore, where it is reported:

The Most Revd Dr Richard Clarke, Archbishop of Armagh and Primate of All Ireland, said: “I wish to congratulate David McClay on his election as Bishop of Down and Dromore. An experienced parish clergyperson and archdeacon, he has a strong reputation as someone with a heart for the dispossessed and lonely, and I would wish him and his family God’s blessing and every fulfilment in his future ministry.”

Moore College End of Academic Year Community Chapel 2019

Posted on November 15, 2019 
Filed under Encouragement, Resources, Sydney Diocese Comments Off on Moore College End of Academic Year Community Chapel 2019


Moore College held its End of the Academic Year Community Chapel this morning.

For your edification, you can watch it here.

Growing Christian Communities in Melbourne

Posted on November 15, 2019 
Filed under Australian dioceses, Encouragement Comments Off on Growing Christian Communities in Melbourne

Here’s an encouraging video giving some insight into church planting in the Anglican Diocese of Melbourne.

Submitting to one another (Ephesians 5:21)

Posted on November 14, 2019 
Filed under Resources, Theology Comments Off on Submitting to one another (Ephesians 5:21)

“Let’s face it: I’m a 21st century Westerner. More than that, I’m an Australian. So naturally, I have a deeply ingrained, culturally conditioned reaction against authority and ordered relationships.

This anti-authoritarian reflex is part of my cultural heritage. The generation before mine was a generation of social revolutionaries, overturning all kinds of social norms in the name of justice, liberty, and equality. Going back a few centuries, my cultural ancestors were convicts – underdogs chained up and transported here by the British Empire for all sorts of misdemeanours: political insurrection, stealing handkerchiefs, etc., etc.

This heritage has made a deep impact on me. Instinctively, I don’t like ordered relationships. I want to sit in the front seat of a taxi next to the driver, not in the back like Lord Muck as if I’ve got tickets on myself. I’m uncomfortable with people making something of me just because of my position or status. I run away screaming when people use titles like ‘Reverend‘ and ‘Doctor’ (well, not literally, but at least this is what I’m doing on the inside). I feel the Aussie reflex to cut down the ‘tall poppies’, to make sure everyone’s on the same level. …”

– The Rev. Dr. Lionel Windsor helps unpack Ephesians 5:21. Take the time to read or listen – at Forget the Channel.

Apple and Google Play reject Christian gospel app

Posted on November 13, 2019 
Filed under Encouragement Comments Off on Apple and Google Play reject Christian gospel app

“Recently a smartphone app developed for the Georges River Region’s John 3:16 Mission next year was rejected by both the Google Play Store and the Apple App Store. It simply helps people share the gospel using John 3:16.

We appealed to both stores. Google eventually allowed the app, but Apple wouldn’t, rejecting us three times, with three different reasons. The last, ironically, was that it had ‘no lasting value’ (as opposed to apps like the Candy Crush game). …”

– Bishop Peter Lin writes to encourage you to speak about Jesus.
At SydneyAnglicans.net.

2019 Sydney Synod Summary

Posted on November 13, 2019 
Filed under Sydney Diocese Comments Off on 2019 Sydney Synod Summary

The Sydney Diocesan Secretary, Daniel Glynn, has sent Rectors, Synod representatives, wardens and parish councillors a very helpful summary of what happened at Sydney Synod in 2019.

The Summary is available as a PDF file from the Sydney Diocesan Services website.

Urgent prayer for our country

Posted on November 11, 2019 
Filed under Australia, Sydney Diocese Comments Off on Urgent prayer for our country

The Archbishop of Sydney, Dr Glenn Davies, has announced the opening of a bushfire appeal as one million hectares of land has been burned already this fire season. Tuesday, Nov 12, has been declared a day of catastrophic fire danger.

Archbishop Davies has appealed for Anglicans and other Christians to pray fervently in light of the danger facing New South Wales, Queensland and other parts of the country.

Dr Davies has written a prayer, which reads:

A prayer for Our Country, in drought and fire.

Our heavenly Father, creator of all things and especially the creator of this land and its original peoples, we call out to you in these desperate times as we see the first catastrophic fire warnings for New South Wales, as fires have already swept across several parts of our land.

Our hearts cry out to you in desperation for those whose properties are affected by ravaging fires and whose very lives are in danger.

Father we pray, in your mercy, restrain the forces of nature from creating catastrophic damage; in your mercy protect human life.

Guard those who selflessly step into the breach to fight these fires. Guide police and authorities who help evacuate and shelter those who are displaced.  Bring comfort and healing to all who suffer loss.

Remembering that long ago you extended your hand through your servant Moses to stop the waters and then to return the waters to their normal course, so we pray for rain. 

In your mercy, we pray for drenching rain. 

We pray that despite the forecasts, in your miraculous power you would bring forth rain to quench these fires and to bring life back into the earth, so that crops may grow and farmers may bring forth the harvest of the land again.

We bring these requests before your throne, in the name of your Son, who died and rose again for our deliverance,

Amen.

The Archbishop of Sydney’s Anglican Aid appeal page can be found here.

– Source: SydneyAnglicans.net.

Further, the Archbishop has written to all Rectors, Assistant Ministers and Chaplains:

“I have announced a special appeal by the Archbishop of Sydney’s Anglican Aid to raise tax-deductible funds for those affected.

Funds raised from this appeal will help those who miss out on NSW government emergency assistance. I encourage you to circulate the details of the appeal and encourage your congregation to support it https://www.anglicanaid.org.au/nsw-bushfire-appeal or please telephone (02) 9284 1406.  More importantly, funds from this appeal will come with prayer and human connection. Our donations are a tangible symbol of God’s grace to us all.  Donations for this appeal are tax deductible.

Sadly, there are fires burning right now in the Anglican Dioceses of Grafton, Armidale, Newcastle, Bathurst, Brisbane and Sydney, but we can rejoice that there are established churches on the ground in the places most seriously affected, providing an existing network of prayer and the delivery of financial assistance.

All funds donated to the Archbishop of Sydney’s Anglican Aid appeal will go to Anglican churches in the affected areas, so that specific distributions can be made to those most affected within their communities.”

Could you explain the gospel?

Posted on November 11, 2019 
Filed under Resources Comments Off on Could you explain the gospel?


One way to discern if someone really understands the gospel is to ask them to outline the main points. To articulate it.

In the light of a recent report on the decline of the Anglican Church of Canada, The Anglican Samizdat has posted audio of a former Primate of the Anglican Church of Canada being asked to articulate the gospel.

For all of us, the Two Ways to Live outline is one very helpful way to learn, remember, and articulate, the gospel.

See also: Matthias Media – Two Ways to Live resources.

Thank God for ordinary pastors

Posted on November 9, 2019 
Filed under Encouragement, Theology Comments Off on Thank God for ordinary pastors

“The noble task of the ordinary Christian minister is essential for the future health of the churches which make up the Anglican Diocese of Sydney. Yet challenges to the ordinary Christian ministry abound!

The world around us seems to be spinning away from its Christian moorings at a rapid rate, the frailty of the flesh and the failure of leaders in the church saddens us all too regularly, and the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, as he has always done – crouching even at the rectory door. …”

– Moore College’s Dr. Mark Earngey writes to encourage us to be thankful for ordinary pastors – and to pray for more of them. At The Australian Church Record.

Newcastle Synod Decision a “Stitch-Up”

Posted on November 8, 2019 
Filed under Australian dioceses, Culture wars Comments Off on Newcastle Synod Decision a “Stitch-Up”

Last week the Synod of the Diocese of Newcastle approved two controversial bills relating to human sexuality.

Davidould.net reports on some concerns and unhappiness as to how the bills came to the synod.

(Photo: Diocese of Newcastle.)

George Whitefield College gives thanks for 30 years

Posted on November 8, 2019 
Filed under Encouragement, News Comments Off on George Whitefield College gives thanks for 30 years

George Whitefield College in Capetown is giving thanks to the Lord for thirty years of ministry.

Earlier this year they produced a six-minute video overview of the college’s history. Watch, be encouraged, and pray for the college:

And their Spring 2019 Newsletter, which includes some reminiscences, can be downloaded at this link.

“George Whitefield College was founded in 1989 when, at CESA’s request, Rev. Dr. David Broughton Knox came to Cape Town from Sydney, Australia to establish the college.”

Go Without For The Drought

Posted on November 7, 2019 
Filed under Australia, Resources Comments Off on Go Without For The Drought

Learn about the Anglicare initiative to assist drought-affected communities.

(And see the photo sequence which brings home the impact of the drought.)

Planning a Remembrance Day service?

Posted on November 7, 2019 
Filed under Resources Comments Off on Planning a Remembrance Day service?

Next Monday, 11th November 2019, it will be 101 years since the end of The Great War.

If you are planning a special service for the day, or perhaps intend to include something appropriate in your Sunday gatherings, these resources from Defence Anglicans may be a help.

Christian singing: Why and how? (Ephesians 5:19–20)

Posted on November 6, 2019 
Filed under Encouragement, Resources, Theology Comments Off on Christian singing: Why and how? (Ephesians 5:19–20)

“Christian music is one of the most powerful and enduring ways to teach theology. Singing gets under our skin and into our souls. So the words really matter, at a detailed level. We repeat those words again and again and learn to love them. …”

– Lionel Windsor continues on his journey through Ephesians and encourages us to think about what we are doing (and not doing) when we sing in church. Read or listen at Forget the Channel.

The vulnerable pastor — with Peter Adam

Posted on November 6, 2019 
Filed under People, Resources Comments Off on The vulnerable pastor — with Peter Adam

In the latest Pastors Heart video, Dominic Steele speaks with Peter Adam in a very personal and encouraging interview. Watch or listen here.

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