EFAC Press Release – 02 May 2019

Posted on May 2, 2019 
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THE EVANGELICAL FELLOWSHIP IN THE ANGLICAN COMMUNION
PRESS RELEASE BY THE TRUSTEES

The Trustees of the Evangelical Fellowship in the Anglican Communion (EFAC) have read reports of the address by Archbishop Josiah Idowu-Fearon, the General Secretary of the Anglican Communion, to the Anglican Consultative Council currently meeting in Hong Kong in which he attributed the crisis in the Anglican Communion to “largely autocratic Primates and bishops in the Global South who do not behave as Anglicans” and asked the questions, “’How should we respond to GAFCON?” – the Global Anglican Fellowship of conservative Provinces that has been acting increasingly independently in recent years, after a split over sexuality. ‘How do we handle this to prevent schism in our Communion?’”

The Trustees have written to Archbishop Josiah stating that we will want to unpack with him in due course his criticism of GAFCON in circumstances where it is not disputed that the crisis within the Anglican Communion was started by the Episcopal Church acting independently over the consecration of Bishop Gene Robinson and has been driven ever since by the independent actions of the Episcopal Church and other liberal provinces, acting against the advice of the Instruments of Communion.

In his address, Archbishop Josiah also suggested that, for a solution to the present crisis, one should look to the example of EFAC “which, in the 1960s, had deliberated breaking away to form an independent Evangelical Church, but had been dissuaded by the late Revd Dr John Stott”. In our communication with Archbishop Josiah, the Trustees of EFAC have stated that this is an inapt and unhelpful analogy, even if it were correct in fact (which it is not). The current crisis in the Anglican Communion is caused by a different issue, same-sex marriage and partnerships, an issue on which the views of the Revd Dr John Stott were clear:

“If you want me to stick my neck out, I think I would say that if the Church were officially to approve homosexual partnerships as a legitimate alternative to heterosexual marriage, this so far diverges from biblical sexual ethics that I would find it exceedingly difficult to stay. I might want to stay on and fight a few more years, but if they persisted, I would have to leave.” (John Stott, Balanced Christianity, p. 63)

This is also an issue on which EFAC is clear. EFAC’s constitution provides expressly, inter alia, as follows:

“We acknowledge God’s creation of humankind as male and female and the unchangeable standard of Christian marriage between one man and one woman as the proper place for sexual intimacy and the basis of the family. We repent of our failures to maintain this standard and call for a renewed commitment to lifelong fidelity in marriage and abstinence for those who are not married.”

There is no division between EFAC and GAFCON on issues of human sexuality and any attempt to create division will be resisted prayerfully and strenuously.

We have asked Archbishop Josiah publicly to correct the false analogy (in the same way as he has corrected his perceived critique of the Roman Catholic Church).

Bishop Keith Sinclair (Chairman)
Stephen Hofmeyr QC
Revd Canon Dr Chris Sugden
Carl Hughes.

Received by e-mail. Text extracted from this PDF file.

File image: Anglican Communion crest.

Father gagged, found guilty of ‘Family Violence’ for calling his Trans daughter a ‘She’

Posted on May 2, 2019 
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“Last week, Justice Francesca Marzari of the Supreme Court of British Columbia, Canada, declared a father guilty of ‘family violence’ against his 14-year-old daughter on the sole basis that he had engaged in ‘expressions of rejection of [her] gender identity.’ These ‘expressions’ revolved entirely around his polite refusal to refer to his daughter as a boy in private, and his steady choice to affirm that she is a girl in public. …”

– Report from The Federalist.

Albert Mohler speaks about the case in The Briefing for 1st May 2019.

Book Review: Gay Girl, Good God by Jackie Hill Perry

Posted on May 1, 2019 
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“This is a deeply personal story of a life that leads to God. In among the muck; the violence, abuse, sadness, depression, and struggle Jackie’s story is also a story of hope, transformation, love, encouragement, inspiration, and challenge.

From the very beginning of her book Jackie tells the story of her life in two particular parts. The story of who she was and the story of who she is becoming. …”

– At The Gospel Coalition Australia, Jon Coombs in Melbourne has a review of ‘Gay Girl, Good God’.

The drawing power of our loving Saviour

Posted on May 1, 2019 
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“A magnet draws iron to itself. You’ve seen a great magnet held over a little box of sawdust and iron filings? As it comes within a certain range, the air seems electric and the little particles of iron become restless. A movement passes through them … they vibrate and tremble. There’s some strange power possessing them and attracting them. Quite suddenly, they cling together, spring up and attach themselves to the magnet.

A magnet irresistibly draws iron to itself. While the effect is indisputable, the cause remains hidden. The sun draws earth’s moisture upwards into clouds. While the resultant rain is obvious, the way it works is invisible. So Christ draws his people to himself with unmistakable effect, but by all sorts of inexplicable means. Referring to his crucifixion, Jesus said: ‘When I am lifted up from the earth, I will draw all men to myself’ (John 12).

What drew you to Christ? I’d love to hear your story.

I ‘knew’ a man who had quite a past. He was not the sort of bloke you’d expect to come to faith in Christ. He was only 30, but he’d seen so much of the world and had lived such a wild life. …”

– Moderator-General of the Presbyterian Church of Australia, John P Wilson, shares some strong encouragement.

Launching UniChurch Belfast: An interview with Dave Jensen

Posted on April 30, 2019 
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“Ministry here has some strong similarities with Sydney, and some distinct differences. The gospel is the gospel, sin is sin, and the solution to sin is the gospel no matter where you are! So whether in evangelism or general church ministry, we have that same mission to see lives transformed through Christ.

Although on a surface level Australia and Northern Ireland are culturally similar, beneath the surface they are completely different. …”

– At The Australian Church Record, Dave Jensen shares what’s happening with UniChurch in Belfast.

The critics are wrong: religion has a place in the classroom

Posted on April 29, 2019 
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“There is much misinformation about special religious education, or SRE, in NSW public schools, propagated primarily by those who are anti-religion and have an ideological agenda to force their views onto the majority of Australians.

Yes, the majority. Despite Australians becoming less religious, the latest census data tells us that 70 per cent of Australians still identify with a religious faith. …”

– Murray Norman (CEO of Christian SRE) writes in The Sydney Morning Herald.

(Photo: ICCOREIS.)

Foley Beach on Canterbury’s invitation to ACNA to observe Lambeth 2020

Posted on April 28, 2019 
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“Yesterday I received a letter from Archbishop Justin just moments before the invitation was reported online. I read the online report first and was disappointed to see that the original ‘news’ source had furthered a partisan, divisive, and false narrative by wrongly asserting that I left the Anglican Communion. I have never left the Anglican Communion, and have no intention of doing so. …”

– Via Anglican Ink, Archbishop Foley Beach (who is currently in Sydney, and will succeed Archbishop Nicholas Okoh as Chairman of GAFCON on Tuesday) responds to an invitation from the Archbishop of Canterbury.

Related:

Welby: British law prevents ACC from debating his decision to exclude same-sex spouses from Lambeth – Episcopal News Service.

Lambeth 2020 Descends into Confusion (20 February 2019).

Lambeth Hypocrisy: Disinviting the Spouses – Dr. Stephen Noll (17 February 2019).

‘Sri Lanka is dear to us all and these attacks have wounded us all’

Posted on April 27, 2019 
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“Three Christian leaders from across denominations came together with the Sri Lankan community in Sydney for a Service of Commemoration for those affected by the bombings in Sri Lanka.

‘Sri Lanka is dear to us all and these attacks have wounded us all,’ said Dean Kanishka Raffel, his voice breaking with emotion as he introduced the service on Saturday 27th April at St Andrew’s Cathedral. …”

– Story and image from SydneyAnglicans.net.

Pray for Sri Lanka: Gospel Coalition Australia speaks with Kanishka Raffel

Posted on April 27, 2019 
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“We know people here who have lost family members. People are distressed and even those not directly affected by the deaths and injuries are deeply concerned about the wider political implications of these attacks. …”

– Dean of Sydney Kanishka Raffel speaks with The Gospel Coalition Australia.

(Photo: SydneyAnglicans.net)

Book Review: Why I Love the Apostle Paul, by John Piper

Posted on April 26, 2019 
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“If you visit Desiring God online you’ll find over 110 books written by or with attributions from John Piper. Humorously, in a 1999 message Piper confessed, ‘I only have one thing to say. I say to people, “You want to buy a Piper book? Just get one, you don’t need the rest. I say the same thing in every book.”’ For decades John Piper and Desiring God have promoted a single message: ‘God is most glorified in us when we are most satisfied in him.’

In many respects, Piper continues to say the same thing in this book. At the same time, this book also stands out among Piper’s other writings and deserves a pastor’s attention. Here are a few reasons why. …”

– A brief book review by Nathan Loudin at 9Marks.

“The Christian Life” — Dr. Joel Beeke speaking in Sydney, Friday 12 July

Posted on April 26, 2019 
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Reformers Bookshop and Reformation Heritage Books are hosting an evening with Dr. Joel Beeke – in Stanmore, from 6:30pm, on Friday July 12, 2019.

Dr. Beeke will be giving two talks –

Calvin’s Life: Practical Lessons
The Puritan Life: Joyful or Joyless

It’s a free event, but registration is required. Details at Reformers’ blog.

A Statement from Archbishop Ben Kwashi, following the Easter Sunday atrocities in Sri Lanka

Posted on April 24, 2019 
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“Greetings to you in Peace.

Yesterday suicide bombers unleashed death and destruction as unsuspecting Sri Lankan Christians gathered to celebrate the Resurrection of Jesus. Together with those killed in hotels, the death toll has reached 310, with many more injured, and our hearts go out in prayer for all who have been caught up in these deeply traumatic events.

News of this atrocity came through just before I preached at All Souls Langham Place and let me repeat what I said then,

‘The resurrection of Jesus is a total defeat of death and of those who would want to use death to scare people off from faith in Jesus. His resurrection has made death powerless against all who believe in Jesus Christ.’

At our recent conference in Dubai, Gafcon resolved to stand with the Suffering Church and this will be a leading agenda item for our Primates Council as it meets in Sydney next week.

Meanwhile, in this Easter week let us remember that the one who drew alongside two sad and discouraged disciples on the Emmaus road was the Risen Christ who yet still bore the wounds of the cross. By death he has destroyed death and he will be with us until the very end in the power of the Holy Spirit.

The Risen Lord be with you!

Archbishop Ben Kwashi,
Gafcon General Secretary.”

– from GAFCON, 22 April 2019.

Five Ways to Pray for Sri Lanka — Ajith Fernando

Posted on April 23, 2019 
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“While it may seem foolish to spend time praying when there is a crisis around us, this is the most powerful thing God’s people can do in a national crisis (2 Kings 19). We need to mobilize individual and corporate prayer among Christians. …”

– At Desiring God, Ajith Fernando shares five ways to pray for Sri Lanka.

Praying for Sri Lanka at St. Andrew’s Cathedral, Sydney

Posted on April 23, 2019 
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From St. Andrew’s Cathedral, Sydney:

“St Andrew’s Cathedral mourns the loss of so many lives in the attacks on churches and hotels in Sri Lanka. A Service of Commemoration will take place in the Cathedral on Saturday 27 April at 11am. All are invited to this Service.”

More from SydneyAnglicans.net –

“The service will be addressed by the Dean of Sydney, the Very Reverend Kanishka Raffel, who is of Sri Lankan heritage, and will be attended by the State Moderator of the Presbyterian Church, the Reverend Kamal Weerakoon, who was born in Sri Lanka…”

Call to pray for Australia

Posted on April 23, 2019 
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The Bishop of South Sydney, Dr. Michael Stead, has written to all Senior Ministers in Sydney diocese, asking them to encourage their congregations to pray for our nation, especially for the 21 days leading up to the Federal election on May 18 –

“Christians across a wide range of denominations are joining in 21 days of prayer, commencing this Sunday (28 April). Each denomination will do this in their own way. …

In particular, people are being encouraged to pray for the following 4 things.

  1. Pray that God would rule over this election that righteous leaders would be elected to govern this nation in truth and justice because, “When the righteous are in authority the people rejoice.” Proverbs 29:2.
  2. Pray God’s blessing upon all our current parliamentarians and leaders, including their families and all the candidates of all the parties standing for this federal election. 1 Timothy 2:1-3.
  3. Pray for a multiplication of prayer and unity across the Body of Christ in Australia that people will wake up to the dangers facing our nation and respond in prayer. Ephesians 5:14.
  4. Pray for a Spiritual Awakening for Australia, Revival and Transformation for our nation and the proclamation of the Gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ. John 3:16.

The organisation behind the Canberra Declaration have prepared 21 daily devotionals, for optional use. People who wish to can register to receive a daily email here – https://canberradeclaration.org.au/prayer/election-2019.”

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