Evangelical Anglicans on the Fault Line in New Zealand

Posted on November 23, 2019 
Filed under GAFCON, New Zealand Comments Off on Evangelical Anglicans on the Fault Line in New Zealand

“I have been privileged to visit New Zealand twice this year. On my first visit in May I had time to explore a little of this beautiful land from alpine mountains to the lush forests bordering restless volcanic lakes, but I am still haunted by the sight of the ruined Christchurch Cathedral, its west end still open to the elements after the spire collapsed in the 2011 earthquake.

My second visit in mid-October was for the consecration of the Revd Jay Behan as the first bishop of the new Church of Confessing Anglicans Aotearoa, New Zealand …”

– GAFCON’s Charles Raven reflects on what’s happening in New Zealand.

Attending to the National Soul: Book launch Thursday 12 December

Posted on November 23, 2019 
Filed under Australia, History, Sydney Diocese Comments Off on Attending to the National Soul: Book launch Thursday 12 December

Here’s an invitation to all ACL members and others interested in Australian history:

Attending to the National Soul – Evangelical Christians in Australian History 1914 – 2014 by Stuart Piggin and Robert D. Linder follows the highly awarded book The Fountain of Public Prosperity – Evangelical Christians in Australian History 1740–1914, which was published in 2018.

Both volumes are the result of thirty years’ research and writing. Read more

Mark Calder consecrated as Bishop of Bathurst

Posted on November 22, 2019 
Filed under Australian dioceses, People Comments Off on Mark Calder consecrated as Bishop of Bathurst

“The Bishop-elect of Bathurst, Mark Calder, has been consecrated in Sydney prior to his installation as the new Bishop in the Central West of New South Wales two days later.

Assisted by a large contingent of visiting bishops,  the bishop-elect was consecrated by the Metropolitan of New South Wales Archbishop Glenn Davies at St Andrew’s Cathedral in Sydney on Thursday, 21 November. …”

– Story and photos by Russell Powell at SydneyAnglicans.net.

(Photo: Mark and Susan Calder after the service.)

Australian Bishops issue Communiqué: “testing times”

Posted on November 21, 2019 
Filed under Australian dioceses Comments Off on Australian Bishops issue Communiqué: “testing times”

“The Bishops of the Anglican Church of Australia met this week in Melbourne to discuss the growing crisis in the national church precipitated by the decision of the synods of Wangaratta and Newcastle to legislate for a liturgy of blessing for those in same-sex marriage.

At the conclusion of their meeting they issued the following communiqué …”

– Read it via davidould.net.

Did Jesus speak Greek?

Posted on November 21, 2019 
Filed under Resources Comments Off on Did Jesus speak Greek?

“I have recently been converted, not from unbelief to faith, but in my understanding of the languages Jesus spoke. …”

– Bishop Paul Barnett writes in the latest issue of CASE (CASE Quarterly 55, November 2019).

Droughts, Fires and Other Disasters

Posted on November 20, 2019 
Filed under Opinion, Theology Comments Off on Droughts, Fires and Other Disasters

“what is the Christian to make of what we call natural disasters?”

– Presbyterian Moderator-General Peter Barnes offers a Christian perspective.

The gospel and marriage part 1: Wives (Ephesians 5:22–24)

Posted on November 20, 2019 
Filed under Encouragement, Theology Comments Off on The gospel and marriage part 1: Wives (Ephesians 5:22–24)

“What Paul says in Ephesians about Christian wives and submission only makes sense in light of what he’s already said about the gospel of Jesus Christ.”

Lionel Windsor reaches Ephesians 5:22–24 in his journey through Ephesians.

Read or listen at Forget The Channel.

Responding to Victorian government moves to ban preaching on Romans 1 and 1 Corinthians 6

Posted on November 19, 2019 
Filed under Culture wars Comments Off on Responding to Victorian government moves to ban preaching on Romans 1 and 1 Corinthians 6

In today’s episode of The Pastor’s Heart, Dominic Steele speaks with Murray Campbell, Pastor of Mentone Baptist Church, on how Christians should respond to moves by the Government of Victoria which would restrict Christian freedom.

This could well include restrictions on teaching from passages such as Romans 1 and 1 Corinthians 6.

“A new definition of Conversion Therapy proposed to the Victorian Government defines teaching Classical Christianity as harmful.”

Watch or listen here.

The relevant discussion begins 7:20 into the programme.

The Rev Gary Koo announced as next Bishop of Western Sydney

Posted on November 19, 2019 
Filed under People, Sydney Diocese Comments Off on The Rev Gary Koo announced as next Bishop of Western Sydney

“The Archbishop of Sydney, Dr Glenn Davies, has announced he has appointed the Rev Gary Koo to be the next Bishop of Western Sydney.

Currently the Senior Minister at St Paul’s, Carlingford & North Rocks, Bishop-designate Koo has extensive experience in multi-congregational churches and in Chinese ministry in the west of Sydney.

The son of Malaysian migrants, Mr Koo was raised an atheist until he decided to follow Jesus while studying medicine at the University of New South Wales. …”

– Read the full media release at SydneyAnglicans.net.

Archbishop calls for compassion for bushfire victims

Posted on November 18, 2019 
Filed under Australia, Sydney Diocese Comments Off on Archbishop calls for compassion for bushfire victims

In a tweet today, Archbishop Glenn Davies has urged all Christians to continue to show compassion for bushfire victims, and to pray for the threat to ease.

He refers to Luke 13:1-5, where Jesus warns against ascribing a particular tragedy as a direct judgment of God.

Related:

Media Release from The Australian Christian Lobby:

The Australian Christian Lobby is responding to requests from the media to comment on Israel Folau’s recent sermon.

“Sermons don’t lend themselves to quick soundbites, and the media’s attempts to paraphrase a sermon has caused some unnecessary angst,” said ACL Managing Director, Martyn Iles, “For one thing, Israel did not claim to know that the current bushfires are God’s direct judgement for same-sex marriage.”

“Nobody knows God’s mind, nor do they understand ultimately why bad things happen,” Mr Iles added, “We do know that the Bible says God is sovereign over everything, and He is ‘our ever-present help in times of trouble.’ (Ps 46:1)”

“A call to turn our minds and hearts to God in challenging days such as these is supported by all Christians,” Mr Iles confirmed, “Churches across Australia are not only offering practical support to victims, firefighters, and communities, but are also praying for rain, for repentance, and for God’s plan in people’s lives to be strengthened even through difficulty.”

“Not all Australians will resonate with these beliefs, but the many who do shouldn’t be threatened or lose their freedoms,” Mr Iles urged.

The Australian Christian Lobby calls on Australians to pray for our nation, and to help those who are doing it tough, including victims, firefighters and their communities.

ENDS.

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.

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