GAFCON Chairman’s March 2019 Letter

Posted on March 11, 2019 
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In his March 2019 Pastoral Letter, GAFCON Chairman Archbishop Nicholas D. Okoh highlights the confusion surrounding the 2020 Lambeth Conference:

“A recent blog by Dr Josiah Idowu-Fearon, the Secretary General of the Anglican Consultative Council, had confirmed that the Archbishop of Canterbury would be inviting bishops in same sex unions to Lambeth 2020, but not their partners. The exclusion of the spouses was a break with the convention, and with Archbishop Welby’s own previous statement that all bishops’ spouses would be included.

The reason given was that their presence would not be appropriate because Lambeth Resolution I.10 of 1998, which affirmed the biblical and historic understanding of marriage, remains the position of the Anglican Communion.

But how can the same sex spouses be excluded if their partners are still invited as bishops in good standing? Both are equally committed to a sexual relationship described by Lambeth Resolution I.10 as ‘incompatible with Scripture’.

The inconsistency is obvious to all. …”

– Read it all at the GAFCON website.

What’s the point of theology? (Ephesians 1:17-18)

Posted on March 9, 2019 
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“The full name of the college I teach at is ‘Moore Theological College’.

That word ‘Theological’ says something important about who we are. It reminds us about what we’re on about: we’re training students to think theologically, not just ‘learn the Bible’.

Yes, the Bible is at the centre of everything we do. Yes, we seek to train people for ministry. Yes, we’re driven by the worldwide mission of Jesus Christ. Yes, we’re committed to learning together, and having our characters formed in loving Christian community.

But our careful study of the Bible, and our pastorally-motivated ministry and mission training, and our encouragement of one another in our community, all matter because of something more basic that connects to all of them…”

– Lionel Windsor continues his series on Ephesians. Read or listen at Forget the Channel.

Make a difference in a crisis

Posted on March 7, 2019 
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“Sunday in Inverell I gathered with people in the Town Hall to pray for rain. Council members and even a Senator joined the gathering and a personal letter from the Prime Minister was read. I was dressed like a civilian and no one knew who I was but everyone knew that people were hurting. With no control of the weather people fell to prayer. Where else does one turn but to God when hope cannot be found in ourselves?…”

– Bishop of Armidale Rick Lewers knows there is something you can do in a crisis.

Bishop Ian Palmer’s farewell address to Bathurst Synod

Posted on March 7, 2019 
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“In his Presidential Address to the Synod of Bathurst Diocese, Bishop Ian Palmer has reflected on the challenges and changes of the past six years and pointed to a more positive focus for the future. …

He reviewed the steps that Synod had taken last year that, in conjunction with decisions of the Synod of Sydney Diocese, have provided a more secure future for the Anglican Church in Central & Western NSW. …”

– We missed this story when it was published a few weeks back. We are sure that all in Bathurst Diocese would be glad of your prayers.

‘Mandating public funds to end the lives of unborn children is merciless, unjustified and simply wrong.’ Public Statement on ALP announcement on abortion funding

Posted on March 6, 2019 
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Anglican Church Diocese of Sydney Media Release

Public Statement on ALP announcement on abortion funding

“The rights of the unborn child are completely obscured by this policy.

We need to care for and support women who fall pregnant and do not wish to keep their child for whatever reason. But we must do that without jeopardising the life of the child.

A pregnancy is a life given by God. A pregnancy that is unwanted represents not a health problem but a responsibility for the whole society. Mandating public funds to end the lives of unborn children is merciless, unjustified and simply wrong.

We need policies which support the lives of children to be enhanced and nurtured so as to enrich our society.

Archbishop Glenn Davies
6 March 2019.”

– Source: Anglican Media Sydney.

Background:

Labor pledges to tie hospital funding to abortion services – Sydney Morning Herald.

“Public hospital systems would need to provide abortion services to qualify for federal funding under a wide-ranging new Labor plan… ”

Ben Kwashi: Pray for the work of Gafcon each day during Lent

Posted on March 6, 2019 
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Archbishop Ben Kwashi writes:

“Will you pray with me for the work of Gafcon each day during Lent?  

While I was in Dubai for the G19 conference last week, I was moved by the resilience of brothers and sisters who face severe suffering for the sake of Christ. These are praying people and their example reminds us that we are called to be a spiritual movement, determined not only to put the Bible but also unceasing prayer at the forefront of all we do.

During our conference, I was so pleased to witness the tremendous progress the Gafcon Prayer Network has made since it launched in Jerusalem last June.

One of the network’s projects has been to develop a Lent prayer diary which can be accessed via the website, received through daily social media posts (Facebook, Twitter, Instagram) or through the recently launched page on the PrayerMate App.

It will provide subscribers with a topic each day… through to Easter Day and beyond to fuel our prayers as we stand together in gospel partnership.”

– Even if Lent is not necessarily ‘your thing’, it is good to heed this call for unceasing prayer. (Screenshot: the GAFCON feed on PrayerMate.)

Donald Robinson’s Selected Works Book Launch

Posted on March 5, 2019 
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Coming up at Moore College on Saturday 16th March 2019.

Details and RSVP at the College website.

(Please RSVP for catering purposes by Friday 8th March.)

G19 Conference Statement

Posted on March 5, 2019 
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The GAFCON G19 Conference in Dubai released their Conference Statement: Streams in the Desert: A Letter from Churches in Restricted Situations.

Read it at the GAFCON website.

Should men competitively wrestle women?

Posted on March 5, 2019 
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In the latest issue of Albert Mohler’s The Briefing, the question of men wrestling women is considered after a male competitive wrestler forfeits, rather than wrestle a girl.

What are the implications of wrestling, or nor wrestling, and what does it say about how Christians should respond to the changes in our culture?

Little ones to him belong

Posted on March 4, 2019 
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“Over 40 years ago, Jay E Adams opened his little book, The Meaning and Mode of Baptism, with an observation that still rings true today: ‘obviously, some immersionists speak overmuch on the subject; but just as truly, most of those who disagree with them say far too little’.

The above observation might be most true amongst evangelical Anglicans. …”

– At The Australian Church Record, Peter Blair argues for clear teaching about infant baptism.

On The Road in Dubai — Closing Reflections on GAFCON 2019

Posted on March 2, 2019 
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“In a few hours I will fly home from this extraordinary gathering of Anglicans who live, witness and worship in restricted circumstances where they are often the religious minority.

Four primates, 31 bishops and “internal provincial” archbishops, 44 clergy and 59 lay leaders from twelve countries shared their humbling testimonies. Unlike the trials I have faced, these dear Anglican brothers and sisters in Christ face ongoing violence and unrest, severe restrictions on how they may share their faith, and even death over a single, false accusation. Yet they still witness in word and deed to the transforming love of Jesus Christ with whomever they can.

It was an honor to be in the presence of the suffering Church within the Anglican Communion. …”

– The American Anglican Council’s Phil Ashey writes from Dubai.

Also from The American Anglican Council: “I’m Gay, Can I Come To Your Church?”.

NEXUS19 on Monday March 25

Posted on March 1, 2019 
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Don’t forget the coming NEXUS19 Conference coming up later this month.

Mark Dever is among the speakers.

Details here.

Take Heart!

Posted on February 27, 2019 
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“You should read this book!

Matt Chandler writes clearly and honestly about the society we live in – from the challenges it presents us to the hope the gospel holds for those who live in it. …”

– At Church Society’s blog, Philip Hobbs introduces Matt Chandler’s book ‘Take Heart!’.

Anglican Diocese of Sydney: Public Statement on the verdict in the case of Cardinal Pell

Posted on February 27, 2019 
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“Like many Australians, I am shocked and appalled by this verdict. I am unable to comment on the specifics of the case as the legal process must continue to take its course.

Any abuse of a child is abhorrent and must always be condemned whenever and wherever it occurs. Churches should be at the forefront of protecting children and providing a safe and loving environment.

The Anglican Church in Sydney is committed to zero tolerance of child abuse and we are grateful for the work of the Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse which has helped churches expose and deal with this scourge in our midst.

Archbishop Glenn Davies
26 February 2019.”

– Source: SydneyAnglicans.net.

Making Bricks for Evangelical Pharaohs

Posted on February 25, 2019 
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“I worry that an awful lot of modern day ministry is about making bricks for evangelical pharaohs.  Whether those pharaohs are actual people, or whether they are systems and philosophies of ministry that have been put in place, doesn’t matter all that much; making bricks is the paradigm of much modern ministry.  And it’s leaving a trail of exhausted people in its wake. …”

– Stephen McAlpine’s observations may resonate with many in ministry.

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