Religious Free Speech after Ruddock
Posted on April 6, 2019
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Neil Foster at Law and Religion Australia writes:
“I am presenting a paper at the ‘Religious Freedom After Ruddock’ conference being held at the University of Queensland on Saturday April 6.
The paper is “‘Religious Free Speech After Ruddock: Implications for Blasphemy and Religious Vilification Laws’.”
The Puzzle of Secularism
Posted on April 4, 2019
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“…the funny thing is that I, and all my generation, could have sworn that puritanism was a church disease. With the decline of church influence, then the old stiff and bossy rectitude would collapse. And, indeed, it has, if we are talking about Christian concerns about alcohol, gambling, pornography, promiscuity and the like.
But the tolerant society we were promised by secularists has not emerged – far from it. It is just that a new set of commandments, inspired by autonomy and an optimistic individualistic anthropology, has arrived with a vengeance.”
– Church Society has published on its website an excerpt from Archbishop Peter Jensen’s editorial in the latest issue of Churchman. (Peter is now the Editor of Churchman.)
Standing with the Suffering
Posted on April 4, 2019
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“At the end of February, Gafcon held a conference hosted by Bishop Michael Nazir Ali and Bishop Azad Marshall of Pakistan which, though much smaller than last year’s Jerusalem Conference, will undoubtedly have a lasting impact on all those who attended and the wider Anglican Communion.
From 25th February to 1st March, 138 delegates, including four Primates and 31 bishops and archbishops, gathered in Dubai for ‘G19’. The conference was designed for those who had been unable to attend Gafcon 2018 in Jerusalem for political reasons and many came from contexts where there are severe restrictions on Christian witness.
In his opening address, Gafcon Chairman Archbishop Okoh of Nigeria set the tone of the conference…”
– GAFCON’s Membership Development Secretary, Canon Charles Raven, wrote this article for Evangelicals Now.
In defence of Lent
Posted on April 2, 2019
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“It was Ash Wednesday when I first preached at our church’s Wednesday service. And truth be told, I’d never given Lent much thought before.
So what were my options? Should I ignore it? Call them all popish fiends? Or should I try to articulate a Reformed, Anglican understanding of the season?
Well, I aimed to do the latter, and here is how I tried. …”
– ACL Council member Dan McKinlay writes at The Australian Church Record.
(Image from the 1552 Prayer Book.)
New Bishop of Canberra & Goulburn to be consecrated on Saturday (6th April)
Posted on April 2, 2019
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Dr. Mark Short, elected last November as Bishop of the Diocese of Canberra and Goulburn, will be consecrated and installed at St. Saviour’s Cathedral in Goulburn on Saturday 6th April.
Please do pray for Mark and the continued progress of the gospel in that area.
Related:
Dr Mark Short to be installed as Canberra/Goulburn Bishop – Goulburn Post.
“Dr Short said he was surprised to be approached to consider the role. But in many ways it was a ‘coming home’ to the diocese and the cathedral in which he was ordained a priest and a minister.
Born in Sydney, he lived in the Riverina until age five before his family moved to Sydney’s western suburbs. He attended Saint Andrew’s Anglican School where several teachers inspired him to follow Jesus. …”
Good Friday – not just good, but glorious
Posted on April 1, 2019
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“Childhood impressions linger, don’t they? I’m so grateful for (most of) them. My earliest memory of 1950s church life is full of happy thoughts, good people and full Sundays. Sunday mornings, afternoons and evenings – there was always something engaging and purposeful to do (yes, Sunday afternoons: Christian Endeavour).
As helpful as all that was, there are someone boyhood memories that need tweaking or straightening out later.
Each year, our evangelical Baptist church gave huge attention to Palm Sunday, followed five days later by a much more sombre Friday morning service. Even without specific instruction, this pattern taught me to celebrate the joy of Palm Sunday but to tone it down on Good Friday. This was the order of things, from glory to gloom: after the glory of the triumphal march into Jerusalem we must move to the gloom of the Cross. Which prompted, of course, that perennial childhood question: “Dad, why is Good Friday good? Isn’t it bad, what they did to Jesus?”
Reflecting on this glory to gloom transition, I now wonder if it needs correction. …”
– Presbyterian Moderator-General, John P Wilson, reflects on why Good Friday is glorious.
Love for a full life
Posted on April 1, 2019
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“Life in three words doesn’t sound like much of a life unless the words are faith, hope and love. Big words for a full life.
Woodstock was in 1969 and I was 11 and still sent to Sunday School by parents who prided themselves on being good rather than being thankful for being forgiven. It was one year off the 70’s and one year off my teenage rampages which were tame by comparison to those of teens today. It was the era of music and for so many of us, love.
Of course Woodstock was more than a concert on a farm hill. It proved to be a revolution for a world bent in on itself. …”
– Bishop of Armidale Rick Lewers writes about love.
Prayer for the election of a Bishop of Bathurst
Posted on March 31, 2019
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According to the timeline published in the December 2018 edition of Anglican eNews, the steps to elect a new Bishop of the Diocese of Bathurst include:
“Synod Members to be invited to propose names of prospective nominees: late February.
Nominations Open: 1 March.
Nominations Close: 31 March.
Interviews, Due-Dilligence and Discernment: April.
Election and Announcement: May.”
Doubtless, all in the diocese would be glad of your continued prayers during this time.
Related:
Sydney helps Bathurst – SydneyAnglicans.net
Fellowship of Confessing Anglicans New Zealand calls for Nominations for their first Bishop
Posted on March 30, 2019
Filed under GAFCON, New Zealand Comments Off on Fellowship of Confessing Anglicans New Zealand calls for Nominations for their first Bishop
“The Fellowship of Confessing Anglicans Aotearoa/New Zealand is a new Diocese in New Zealand.
Because of the rejection of the authority of Scripture by the Anglican Church of Aotearoa, New Zealand and Polynesia at the 2018 General Synod, a number of parishes and individuals have chosen to disaffiliate from ACANZP and gather together in 12 parishes to form a new expression of Anglicanism.
As a Christ-centred church in the historic Anglican faith and order, we are calling for nominations for our first Bishop. We are seeking a person who has a desire to serve as our Bishop…”
– News from The Fellowship of Confessing Anglicans Aotearoa/New Zealand.
Toronto bishops issue statement in support of Kevin Robertson and same-sex spouse
Posted on March 30, 2019
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“The same-sex spouse of Kevin Robertson, area bishop of York-Scarborough in the diocese of Toronto, will go to England at the time of the Lambeth Conference in 2020, though it’s as yet unclear to what extent any of the spouses of Toronto bishops will participate, the diocese’s College of Bishops said in a joint statement released March 25. …”
– Report from Anglican Journal, Canada.
Related: Lambeth 2020 Descends into Confusion.
30 Days of Prayer 2019
Posted on March 29, 2019
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The 2019 Australian edition of the 30 Days of Prayer for the Muslim World booklet is now available for order from OM Australia.
“Ramadan [May 6 – June 4, 2019], a key month of religious observation on the Islamic calendar, gives us, the Body of Christ, a prayer focus for compassion, understanding and respect for our Muslim neighbours, in the hope that they will be touched by God.
30 Days of Prayer for the Muslim World booklet is a great practical guide to help Christians engage. The booklet is a collection of articles, photos and prayer points from around the world. It will help you pray for Muslim families and learn more about them as you pray.”
– Details here.
The Apostles’ Creed: Discovering Authentic Christianity in an Age of Counterfeits
Posted on March 29, 2019
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“It began as an assignment. It ended as a milestone in my Christian life. My church history professor assigned the class to memorize the Apostles’ Creed. Obediently, I began to memorize this historic affirmation of the Christian faith word by word, phrase by phrase, truth by truth. Within a few hours I had committed the Apostles’ Creed to memory, ready when called upon in class to recite it. But even at that time I knew that something else had happened. …
It was the most important class assignment I ever had. …”
– Albert Mohler has shared this excerpt from his about-to-be-published book, The Apostles’ Creed: Discovering Authentic Christianity in an Age of Counterfeits.
University hosting church summit where same-sex partners are banned to raise ‘ethical concerns’ with archbishop
Posted on March 27, 2019
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“A university which has come under fire for hosting an Anglican summit that will exclude same-sex partners is due to meet the Archbishop of Canterbury to raise ‘significant ethical concerns’.
The University of Kent, which is hosting next year’s Lambeth Conference, faced criticism when it emerged partners of gay bishops had not been invited.
The institution has now said it will ensure accommodation is available on campus for spouses affected who wish to be in Canterbury with their partners. …”
– Report from The Independent.
Related: Lambeth 2020 Descends into Confusion.
Gafcon Networks mobilise after Cyclone hits Mozambique, Malawi, and Zimbabwe
Posted on March 27, 2019
Filed under GAFCON, World news Comments Off on Gafcon Networks mobilise after Cyclone hits Mozambique, Malawi, and Zimbabwe
“Following the massive destruction brought to Mozambique, Malawi, and Zimbabwe by Cyclone Idai, Rev Dennis Tongoi who leads the Gafcon Sustainable Development Network put Gafcon leaders in touch with one another and contact was made with Mozambican Bishop Vicente Msosa, who was present at Gafcon 2018 in Jerusalem.
Mozambique is one of the areas hardest hit and Bishop Vicente shared with us the traumatic impact of this disaster on his Diocese of Niassa. …”
– GAFCON’s Membership Development Secretary, Canon Charles Raven, shares about the disaster unfolding in Africa.
See also:
Anglican Aid in Sydney has set up an emergency appeal. (Donation link at the bottom of that page. Photo via Anglican Aid.)
“Anglican Aid is providing much-needed assistance to Zimbabwe through FOCUS Zimbabwe and Honeyworld and to affected parts of Mozambique through local bishops known to us through GAFCON.”
Islands and inland seas as Southern Africa hit by flooding – SydneyAnglicans.net
“An entire community was submerged when people woke up on Saturday morning. Many have been left homeless and numerous others have either been confirmed dead or are still missing” said the urgent call to Anglican Aid from Tawanda Masango, newly returned to Zimbabwe from Sydney.
Mark Dever at Nexus 2019 — Let’s Do Evangelism Better — watch
Posted on March 25, 2019
Filed under Encouragement, Resources Comments Off on Mark Dever at Nexus 2019 — Let’s Do Evangelism Better — watch
Mark Dever spoke at today’s Nexus 2019 Conference. The vitally important theme was “Let’s Do Evangelism Better”.
You can watch the whole thing at this link. Mark’s session began at around 59 minutes into the video.
His second session begins at 6h 44m, and there is plenty to watch in between.
The entire conference was challenging, encouraging and helpful. Do take the time to watch.
What we believe
The message at the heart of Christianity is really quite simple…