Dear Pastor, Keep This in Mind When There is “Too Much to Do”
Posted on December 4, 2024
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Crossway has published this article adapted from Letters Along the Way: From a Senior Saint to a Junior Saint by D. A. Carson and John D. Woodbridge –
“I’ve been asked if I have any suggestions for sorting out how to live when there is ‘too much to do.’ With the preface in mind that the ‘preacher practiceth not what he preacheth,’ here are a few thoughts …
My father was once conversing with me about how he had lived his life. Almost poignantly, he said: ‘Son, I wish I had done fewer things better.’ I was young then, and I did not really understand what he meant. …”
– See the eight pieces of advice for those who feel overwhelmed in ministry with ‘too much to do’.
The Nativity: Fact or Fairytale?
Posted on December 3, 2024
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From Tyndale House in Cambridge:
“[Tyndale House Principal] Peter Williams has been studying the Gospels, and therefore Jesus’ birth story, for over 20 years.
Tony Watkins recently sat down with him to explore the historical and textual reliability of the Nativity, one of the world’s most popular narratives. In this engaging interview, Peter sheds light on the significance and reliability of the accounts of Jesus’ birth found in the Gospels of Matthew and Luke.
‘…what I’d say is there’s absolutely no reason why these narratives can’t be true’.”
– Watch here.
Hannah Blake reviews John Mark Comer’s ‘Practicing the Way’
Posted on December 3, 2024
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“Recently I’ve noticed a lot of discussion surrounding John Mark Comer’s latest book Practicing the Way, and more generally around discipleship and formation. Many of us are asking questions about what it really means to follow Jesus, or to be his disciple, or to ‘apprentice’ with him. What does it actually look like for you and me, today, to live the Christian life? …”
At The Australian Church Record, Hannah Blake looks at a solution she evaluates as ‘sorely misdirected’.
Britain’s new National Death Service?
Posted on December 2, 2024
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“If Labour MP Kim Leadbeater’s Terminally ill Adults (End of Life) bill ends up on the statute book, it could well be that the principal (perhaps only) achievement of Sir Keir Starmer’s government in Britain will have been the introduction of a National Death Service.
It will also signal the assisted suicide of Britain as a moral society. Indeed, Friday’s Commons debate on the issue revealed that Leadbeater herself clearly doesn’t understand what she has done because she doesn’t understand the moral distinction between killing and dying. Nor do some other MPs. …”
– British journalist and author Melanie Phillips takes a closer look at what MPs actually voted for on Friday in the House of Commons.
(Image from an interview at johnanderson.net.au. John Anderson has spoken with Melanie Phillips on a number of occasions.)
You can be certain — Luke 1:1-4
Posted on December 2, 2024
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Bishop Mark Calder begins his Advent/Christmas series for the Diocese of Bathurst: You can be certain
December 01 ADVENT 1 Why? Luke 1:1-4
December 08 ADVENT 2 John the Baptist prepared the way. Luke 1:5-25
December 15 ADVENT 3 Jesus was miraculously conceived. Luke 1:26-38
December 22 ADVENT 4 God’s eternal promises were being fulfilled. Luke 1:39-56
December 25 CHRISTMAS A Saviour was born – Messiah and Lord! Luke 2:1-21.
Watch the first talk at this link.
Encouragement for church members, and great to share.
Advent account a salutary reminder in self-centred times
Posted on December 1, 2024
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“The Prayer Book Bible readings and Collect for Advent Sunday are a powerful reminder that the Jewish Messiah who was crucified in Roman Judea will one day return to the judge the world.
The reading from Matthew’s Gospel stresses the humility of Jesus when he entered Jerusalem on a donkey in fulfilment of the Old Testament prophecy in Zechariah 9:9…”
– Julian Mann writes at The Conservative Woman.
Advent Devotionals from Prayermate
Posted on December 1, 2024
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If you use the free Prayermate app, there are a number of Advent devotionals you may find helpful.
Some are paid, some are free. See the current list – as well as links to download Prayermate – here.
2024 Synod of the Anglican Diocese of Canada
Posted on December 1, 2024
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The 2024 Synod of the Anglican Network in Canada was held November 20-22 in Burlington, Ontario.
The summary published by ANiC reveals that the decision was made to rename the ANiC as The Anglican Diocese of Canada (in the Anglican Church in North America, part of the global Gafcon movement).
The Bible Studies each day were given by Simon Manchester, drawn from the Letter to Titus. Most encouraging.
Dark day as MPs vote in favour of assisted suicide Bill
Posted on November 30, 2024
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“MPs have voted in support of the principle of Kim Leadbeater MP’s assisted suicide Bill.
The Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill intends to allow those in England and Wales deemed to be terminally ill and with less than six months to live to receive help to kill themselves. MPs have now voted by 330 to 275 in favour of legalisation.
The backbench MP’s Private Member’s Bill will now proceed to Committee Stage, where it will be considered further. …”
– Reaction from The Christian Institute to the vote in Westminster this morning Australian time.
Women in the Anglican Diocese of Armidale
Posted on November 30, 2024
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From the Diocese of Armidale:
“At the recent Synod (September 2024), the Bishop presented a position paper on the Role of Women in the Anglican Diocese of Armidale.
In the paper he seeks ‘to explore the way Christian men and women can partner together in ministry, to grow and build Christ’s church in accordance with the Scriptures’ (Bishop’s synod address, p9).
This was in preparation for employing a Diocesan Deacon for Women. Everything is now ready for the role to begin in January 2025 – the new Deacon for Women will be announced in December…”
– This page has links to Bishop Rod Chiswell’s Position Paper here and his Synod Address.
Image: The Synod of the Diocese of Armidale.
Growth and Change and Preaching
Posted on November 30, 2024
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“Recently during a week of study leave I had the privilege of reading Andrew Heard’s excellent new book, Growth and Change: The danger and necessity of a passion for church growth (Matthias Media, 2024). It receives the commendation of numerous respected pastors and scholars. D. A. Carson, reluctant to call any book the ‘best’ in its field, suggests in the Foreword that Growth and Change might serve as an exception to his rule.
Reading through it over three consecutive days, I found myself praising God for its zealous, ambitious, and what I believe to be a scripturally faithful perspective. …”
– David Burge writes at The Expository Preaching Trust. This is Part 1 of his reflections on the book.
Rejoice in the Lord — John Mason reflects on Thanksgiving
Posted on November 29, 2024
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“‘Thanksgiving’ in America is one of the delights Judith and I experienced when we moved to New York in 2001. Despite the evil events of September 11, 2001 people at our first Thanksgiving Dinner expressed their thanks for the way the Lord had used the events of 9/11 to build their trust in him.
When we think about it, thanksgiving is a theme that permeates the Bible – especially the Psalms. And while we do live in an uncertain world, there is still much for which to be thankful.
Come with me to Paul the Apostle’s Letter to the Philippians, chapter 4, verses 4 through 9…”
– As Americans celebrate Thanksgiving, the Anglican Connection’s John Mason reflects on what Scripture says on the topic.
Moore College’s “Give Praise to the Lord Appeal”
Posted on November 29, 2024
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“The good news of Jesus is still the very best news you could ever share and it changes lives. There are churches in Sydney with no full-time gospel workers. With so many living in the darkness the need for more workers for the harvest is paramount.…
Tim, and his wife Leanne, were prompted to pursue theological education when their greater Sydney church struggled for years to secure a senior minister. …”
– Moore College’s end-of-year appeal.
Sydney and Tanzania Celebrate Over a Century of Mission Work
Posted on November 29, 2024
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“This year Synod celebrated 130 years of partnership between the Anglican Diocese of Sydney and the Anglican Church of Tanzania, a fellowship that dates back to 1893. ‘We have sent about 400 missionaries to Tanzania,’ said the Rev Canon Peter Sholl, international director of the Church Missionary Society Australia, adding: ‘About 250 of those have been from NSW.’ …”
– A cause for thanksgiving – story from Tara Sing at SydneyAnglicans.net.
All the families of the earth – Genesis 11:27-12:9
Posted on November 28, 2024
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Last week, Moore College Principal Dr Mark Thompson spoke about the Promise to Abraham as the College comes to the end of the academic year.
It’s not only Moore College students who need to be reminded of God’s promises and why we’re here.
What we believe
The message at the heart of Christianity is really quite simple…