Religious Freedom and the Federal Election

Posted on May 16, 2019 
Filed under Australia, Resources Comments Off on Religious Freedom and the Federal Election

“Australia goes to the polls in a Federal election on May 18, 2019.

It seems worthwhile to note, for those interested, some recent information about the views of the major political parties on religious freedom, and to report an important study of public opinion on the topic. …”

– A new post from Associate Professor Neil Foster at Law and Religion Australia.

The Book your Pastor wishes you would read (But is too embarrassed to ask)

Posted on May 16, 2019 
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“While there are thousands of books meant to teach pastors how to serve their churches, this is the only book I know of created specifically to teach churches how to serve their pastors. In a sense it’s the most obvious topic in the world, yet one that remains largely unexplored, at least as far as I know. …”

– Tim Challies provides a brief review of Christopher Ash’s new book The Book Your Pastor Wishes You Would Read (But Is Too Embarrassed to Ask).

News update George Whitefield College

Posted on May 16, 2019 
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“The first quarter of the year has seen much progress for the College, both here in Muizenberg as well outside of South Africa. Locally speaking, our larger than usual group of first years have shown great desire to knuckle down and do all that is required of them. Outside the country, our Explore team (of which I was a part) visited Accra in Ghana and spent a week there engaging almost 50 people in facilitator training. …”

– Dr Mark Dickson at George Whitefield College in Capetown writes in their latest newsletter (PDF). Fuel for prayer.

Thanksgiving for Richard Bewes 1934-2019

Posted on May 15, 2019 
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The Rev. Richard Bewes, OBE, former Rector of All Souls Church, Langham Place, in London, has received his homeward call at the age of 84.

All Souls Church has posted several tributes here – as has GAFCON, of which Richard had served as a member of their Board of Trustees.

Canon Chris Sugden has published this tribute in the Church of England Newspaper (via Anglican Mainstream):

“Christian leaders from across the world responded with warm tributes to the news of Prebendary Richard Bewes’ peaceful release from months of suffering from cancer at 6.25pm on Friday 10 May at his home in Virginia Water, surrounded by Timothy, Wendy, Stephen and his wife Pam.

A child of the East African Revival in the 1930s, he treasured his African roots and was the UK chairman of African Enterprise for 32 years. The son of missionary parents, Canon Cecil and Mrs Sylvia Bewes, he was born in 1934 in Nairobi…”

Are your church structures undermining the gospel?

Posted on May 15, 2019 
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“Many churches seek to reach specific groups of people by engineering services to suit each group. I remember as a teenager going to a ‘Hawaiian’ themed service, not trying to reach Hawaiians, but people that preferred a relaxed island environment with music played on an ukulele. While many of our churches aren’t so specific about the affinity groups they seek to reach, they are clearly divided on demographic and interest lines.

For example, one church I was previously a member of operated something like this …”

– Moore College’s Chase Kuhn asks some simple questions you might not have considered. At the Gospel Coalition Australia.

Dapto mourns Senior Minister

Posted on May 13, 2019 
Filed under People, Sydney Diocese Comments Off on Dapto mourns Senior Minister

Members of the parish of Dapto are mourning today after their Senior Minister, the Rev. Stephen Semenchuk, was called home to be with Christ after a short illness, on Sunday 12th May.

There will be a funeral and public celebration of Stephen’s life on Thursday 16th May.

All can give thanks for Stephen’s love for Jesus, and his desire for all to be saved (which included his work in the wider diocese).

Please uphold Stephen’s family and the entire congregation in prayer in these days.

Standing with Israel Folau and religious freedom

Posted on May 12, 2019 
Filed under Australia, Culture wars Comments Off on Standing with Israel Folau and religious freedom

“Archbishop Glenn Davies and the chair of the Religious Freedom Reference Committee, Bishop Michael Stead, have been pushing for assurances on religious freedom as the election campaign enters its final stages.

Concern about the issue has been heightened by the actions of Rugby Australia in sacking star player Israel Folau for a Christian message on Instagram.

Bishop Stead first raised concern soon after the controversy began when he told The Australian newspaper last month ‘If a rugby player can be sacked by doing nothing more than posting on his social media page what is essentially a summary of the Bible then it’s a signal to the rest of us that we better keep our mouths shut.’…”

– Read the full story from SydneyAnglicans.net. (SBS image.)

See also this SBS report.

Israel Folau decision may set a course for the future

Posted on May 12, 2019 
Filed under Australia, Culture wars Comments Off on Israel Folau decision may set a course for the future

“Christians across Australia have been given a message, ‘don’t commit social blasphemy’ and ‘be careful if you choose to use the Bible’. …

Lest we conclude that this story will soon be forgotten as a blip on the cultural radar, Rugby Australia’s stance may well soon find legislative legs. The Australian Labor Party (as the Greens have already done) have announced that they are considering expanding ‘anti-discrimination legislation to shield gay and transgender ­people from harmful speech if elected, in a move that has alarmed lawyers and free-speech advocates.’…”

– Murray Campbell writes about what seems to be coming – and how Christian believers should respond.

Workplace Laws “a Test of Faith”

Posted on May 11, 2019 
Filed under Australia, Culture wars Comments Off on Workplace Laws “a Test of Faith”

“Christian leaders have warned that workplace codes of conduct could force Australians to leave their faith ‘at home’, after Bill Shorten and Scott Morrison hid behind employment law in their comments on rugby union star ­Israel Folau.

Michael Stead, chair of the religious freedom reference group for the Anglican Diocese of Sydney, said he was frustrated that Mr Morrison and Mr Shorten characterised the dispute between Folau and Rugby Australia during Wednesday’s leaders debate in Canberra as a matter of workplace law. …”

– Story from The Australian. (Subscription)

Related:

Israel Folau’s case prompts Australian religious leaders to pen letters to Scott Morrison, Bill Shorten – ABC News.

Nick Farr-Jones on Folau: The ban is a ‘trainwreck’

Posted on May 9, 2019 
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“Wallabies legend and devout Christian Nick Farr-Jones has threatened to boycott the upcoming Rugby World Cup. He says Rugby Australia’s move to ban star Israel Folau for posting that ‘hell awaited homosexuals’ is a ‘trainwreck’. He spoke to Folau before coming on The Bolt Report.”

– Watch on YouTube. Image: Sky News Australia.

Asia Bibi begins new life in Canada – but her ordeal may not be over

Posted on May 9, 2019 
Filed under World news Comments Off on Asia Bibi begins new life in Canada – but her ordeal may not be over

“Asia Bibi has arrived in Canada hoping to start a new life after her years on death row. But although there is huge relief among campaigners for religious freedom that she is out of Pakistan, her ordeal may not be over.

Islamic extremists have pledged to pursue the Christian woman and kill her for the act of blasphemy of which she was accused and later acquitted. …”

– Story from The Guardian.

Nungalinya – Sydney tour

Posted on May 9, 2019 
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Next week (May 12 – 19, 2019), Ben van Gelderen, the newly-installed Principal of Nungalinya College in Darwin, is visiting Sydney to share about the College.

A great chance to hear about this key ministry in the Top End.

Click the image for a flier, or see their website.

Are you on the same team as Israel Folau? — Phillip Jensen speaks at Moore College Chapel

Posted on May 8, 2019 
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Phillip Jensen spoke on 1 Corinthians 6:9-11 as a guest preacher at Moore College Chapel last Friday, 3rd May 2019.

This is well worth hearing and sharing. (File photo.)

The heart of GAFCON and the future of the Anglican Church

Posted on May 8, 2019 
Filed under Anglican Communion, Encouragement, GAFCON Comments Off on The heart of GAFCON and the future of the Anglican Church

In a special edition of The Pastor’s Heart, Dominic Steele spoke with GAFCON’s new leaders Archbishops Foley Beach and Benjamin Kwashi.

Among other things, they speak of a new orthodox diocese in New Zealand.

Watch or listen here, and catch the vision of GAFCON.

A dangerous precedent for religious freedom in Australia

Posted on May 8, 2019 
Filed under Australia, Culture wars Comments Off on A dangerous precedent for religious freedom in Australia

Here’s a media release from the Australian Christian Lobby:

Israel Folau Has Done Nothing Wrong 

The Australian Christian Lobby continues to stand with Israel Folau and maintains that he has a right to express his beliefs.  

“The decision by Rugby Australia means that quoting a bible verse is now considered a high-level breach against their code of conduct,” said ACL managing director Martyn Iles.

“This is a dangerous precedent for religious freedom in Australia.”

“According to RA, the very act of quoting a bible verse, which is believed by millions of Australians who profess a Christian faith and attend church regularly, is incompatible with being a rugby player.”

“This marginalises and silences a large portion of Australians who believe that sin is real, hell is real, and salvation in Jesus Christ is the equal answer for all, regardless of our identity or background.”

“All Australians should know that they are free to express their beliefs which form part of their identity without fear of being unfairly censored or discriminated against.”

Mr Iles said Israel Folau’s case clearly highlights the importance of religious freedom in Australia.

“We have been seeing the creep of compelled speech and slow removal of freedom for people of faith for some time now. It will fall to the next government to make sure that millions of Australians are allowed to continue to live out their beliefs without fear of discrimination.”

The Australian Christian Lobby will shortly launch a campaign to ensure the rights of millions of Australians for whom religious conviction is fundamental to their identity are protected.

– Source. Photo: Players Voice.

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