The authority & responsibilities of a senior leader — with Peter Jensen

Posted on October 13, 2018 
Filed under GAFCON, Sydney Diocese Comments Off on The authority & responsibilities of a senior leader — with Peter Jensen


In this week’s The Pastor’s Heart, Dominic Steele spoke with former Archbishop of Sydney Dr. Peter Jensen.

“In this revealing and frank discussion with Dominic Steele he discusses the particular responsibilities of senior leaders and the pressures that senior leaders are under.

Also … Dr Jensen outlines the ripples in world Anglicanism from the important GAFCON 2018 event and its Letter to the Churches and ponders what happens next.”

Ruddock Report: religious schools and same sex attracted students

Posted on October 13, 2018 
Filed under Australia, Culture wars Comments Off on Ruddock Report: religious schools and same sex attracted students

“A media outlet here in Australia has released what it says are the 20 recommendations made by the Expert Panel on Religious Freedom chaired by the Hon Philip Ruddock. The Report itself was delivered to the Government in May 2018, but has not officially been released. Apparently the Government is planning to release the Report at the same time as announcing its official response.

The main issue which has generated controversy during the last week, in which there was a selective leaking of some of the recommendations, were proposals dealing with the rights of religious schools to take into account the sexual orientation of students in certain areas. The changes proposed were not radical changes to the existing law, but were presented as such when first publicised.

In this post I want to briefly set these recommendations in context and offer my preliminary response. …”

– At Law and Religion Australia, Assoc. Prof. Neil Foster provides some helpful background to the media reports.

The Greek New Testament — from Tyndale House

Posted on October 13, 2018 
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“Academic heads have recently been turned by a new edition of the Greek New Testament, produced by a team of evangelical scholars, based at Tyndale House, Cambridge.

The Tyndale House Edition (THE) has a number of advantages over other editions of the Greek NT, relevant for scholars, pastors, students and any Christians keen to read the Bible in its original languages. …“

– At Church Society’s blog, Michael Dormandy reviews the new edition of the Greek New Testament from Tyndale House, Cambridge.

More information from Tyndale House.

Bowl up for the Moore College Open Day Saturday, 13 October 2018

Posted on October 12, 2018 
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Here’s a reminder about this Saturday’s Open Day at Moore College.

Details here.

The enduring vision of Albert Mohler at Southern Seminary

Posted on October 12, 2018 
Filed under Other denominations, People Comments Off on The enduring vision of Albert Mohler at Southern Seminary

Here’s an encouraging 15 minute video about the rejuvenation of The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, celebrating 25 years since Albert Mohler was appointed as its President.

It’s also a good reminder to pray for Moore College and other theological colleges, they they will remain faithful and committed to the truth of God’s Word.

The pastor in your background

Posted on October 12, 2018 
Filed under Encouragement, Resources Comments Off on The pastor in your background

“But even if we can’t bring to mind exactly what was said six weeks ago, I promise you that cumulatively your regular preachers are wearing down paths through your brain. They are having an impact on you, unseen or not. What they teach you from one Bible passage provides you with context for other passages you read, influencing the way you understand the Bible as a whole. …”

– At GoThereFor.com, editor Rachel Macdonald writes to encourage you to pray for your pastors.

Christian Writing Seminar

Posted on October 11, 2018 
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Matthias Media is holding a free Christian Writing Seminar (“Christian writing in a secular world” with Scott Monk) at Moore College on Monday 15th October.

Details here.

UK: The Transgender trend and the pressure on frontline clergy

Posted on October 11, 2018 
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“With affirmative counselling increasingly becoming a requirement for doctors, psychologists and social workers over the current transgender trend, frontline clergy are bound to come under pressure to affirm individuals’ life-style choices in pastoral conservations. …”

– Julian Mann, Vicar of Oughtibridge in South Yorkshire, is thankful the Ordinal reminds gospel ministers where their focus must lie. (He is pictured here with Archbishop Ben Kwashi.)

Destroy and kill: the command for Israel and for us

Posted on October 11, 2018 
Filed under Theology Comments Off on Destroy and kill: the command for Israel and for us

“If God didn’t want idolatry to be a snare for the people of the old covenant, how much more does he want us to kill what will turn our hearts away from single-hearted devotion to the Lord? …”

– Andrew Barry reflects on what it will mean to be genuinely holy. At The Australian Church Record.

No sexual orientation discrimination in declining to make a ‘gay cake’

Posted on October 10, 2018 
Filed under Culture wars Comments Off on No sexual orientation discrimination in declining to make a ‘gay cake’

“The UK Supreme Court has now ruled that the Ashers Bakery in Northern Ireland was not guilty of sexual orientation discrimination by politely declining to bake a cake decorated with a message in support of same sex marriage- see Lee v Ashers Baking Company Ltd [2018] UKSC 49 (10 Oct 2018).

This is an important decision illustrating the clear difference between a decision based on someone’s personal characteristics, and a refusal to support a specific message. …”

– Neil Foster at Law and Religion Australia points to the reasoning behind this latest UK decision.

That Hideous Strength — video overview

Posted on October 10, 2018 
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Here’s a short video overview of Melvin Tinker’s book That Hideous Strength.

GAFCON Chairman’s Letter — October 2018

Posted on October 10, 2018 
Filed under Anglican Communion, GAFCON Comments Off on GAFCON Chairman’s Letter — October 2018

“My dear people of God,

Last week, the Standing Committee of the Church of Nigeria (Anglican Communion) issued a communiqué in which it affirmed the unanimous decision of the House of Bishops not to attend Lambeth 2020 unless the Archbishop of Canterbury reverses his policy of inviting those who have rejected biblical teaching and not inviting those who remain faithful but have been forced to leave their traditional spiritual homes. …”

– The Chairman of the GAFCON Primates Council, Archbishop Nicholas D. Okoh, has released his pastoral letter for October 2018. As well as addressing the bigger issues of the Anglican Communion, he also writes of the double tragedy in the church of South Sudan.

Religious Freedom at Australian Universities

Posted on October 9, 2018 
Filed under Australia, Culture wars Comments Off on Religious Freedom at Australian Universities

“I presented a paper today to a seminar at the University where I work, on the topic of ‘Religious Freedom at Australian Universities’.

It explores some of the challenges facing staff and students in this area, and explores some of the ways that religious freedom is currently protected (and where there are gaps in that protection.) I use examples from the policies framed in my local context, but similar policies and legislation would be relevant at most Australian Universities.

Others involved in this area may find the paper helpful in outlining issues and options.”

– Neil Foster writes at Law and Religion Australia. His paper can be found here.

Pakistan top court hears blasphemy appeal – reserves verdict

Posted on October 9, 2018 
Filed under Global Comments Off on Pakistan top court hears blasphemy appeal – reserves verdict

“On Monday, Pakistan’s Supreme Court began the hearing of Asia Bibi’s final appeal against her 2010 death penalty.

The three-judge bench said it has reserved the verdict on the appeal, however the judges did not say when they will announce it.

If the top court upholds her death sentence, the only recourse for the 53-year-old would be to appeal to the country’s president for clemency. …”

– this report from Deutsche Welle.

A Pastor pushes forward as a Drought threatens his town and his church

Posted on October 8, 2018 
Filed under Australia, People Comments Off on A Pastor pushes forward as a Drought threatens his town and his church

“The Rev. Bernard Gabbott bumped along on a road so remote the asphalt had given way to gravel, heading out to see a farmer who had been working seven days a week, straining to keep his cattle and sheep fed.

He pointed to an empty patch of earth. The farmer had plowed it to plant as pasture for his livestock, but instead, the afternoon wind kicked up clouds of dust. …

Mr. Gabbott, who is gregarious and quick to laugh, grew up in Sydney, the son of missionaries.”

– This story in The New York Times is a good reminder to pray – not only for more rain, but for those who minister the gospel in the bush.

Photo: Wee Waa Anglican Church, Facebook.

See also:

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