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
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“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
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“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
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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.
The phenomenal impact of Donald Robinson
Posted on March 24, 2019
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Last week, on The Pastor’s Heart podcast, Dominic Steele spoke with Rory Shiner about the phenomenal impact of Donald Robinson.
Rory was in Sydney for the launch of Volumes 3 and 4 of the Selected Works of Donald Robinson.
Jordan Peterson, Caroline Farrow and the death of free speech
Posted on March 24, 2019
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“There are certain values which are so foundational to our society that we take them as a given and always assume that they will remain. But when the foundations are being destroyed perhaps we need to sit up and pay attention – and strengthen what remains before it dies.…
Three events this past week in the UK serve as warnings that these basic freedoms are under threat. This threat comes not from Muslim extremists, or far right terrorists or any external political ideology. No, this threat has arisen from within.“
– David Robertson writes at The Wee Flea.
Moore College Graduation 2019 — 107 men and women sent out into the harvest field
Posted on March 21, 2019
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“On Monday 11 March, we had the great pleasure of witnessing the graduation of the 107 men and women who most recently completed their courses at Moore College, and who are now serving God in various contexts across the world. …”
– Encouraging news from Moore College.
See Simon Manchester’s address above, on Vimeo.
Tasmanian Parliamentary Year Commencement Sermon 2019
Posted on March 20, 2019
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Dr. Richard Condie, Bishop of Tasmania, preached at the Parliamentary Year Commencement Service in St. David’s Cathedral Hobart on Tuesday 19th March 2019.
“The events in the past few days remind us of the importance of the task before us, and particularly the task before the Parliament of this State of Tasmania.
The senseless act of violence and murder last Friday in the peaceful city of Christchurch, where now 50 people, one as young as 2 years of age, lie dead as a result of gun rampage.
It reminds us of the sacred trust given to governments, to work for the safety and well-being of the people whom they serve, to provide protection for the vulnerable.
There is an instruction to Christians in the New Testament about prayer for people in positions of ruling authority …”
You can read his full sermon on the diocesan website.
On the Conviction of Cardinal Pell
Posted on March 19, 2019
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“The recent conviction of Cardinal George Pell on five counts of child abuse has shaken the Roman Catholic Church in Australia and around the world.
Cardinal Pell was Australia’s most famous Roman Catholic leader – elevated to a position of high responsibility in the Vatican after a significant career in Australia, which including serving as Archbishop in Australia’s two largest cities, Sydney and Melbourne. …”
– Assoc Professor Neil Foster reflects on Cardinal Pell’s case from a Biblical and legal perspective – at The Gospel Coalition Australia.
What we believe
The message at the heart of Christianity is really quite simple…