Jesus was not born in a stable—and it really does matter!
Posted on November 28, 2024
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From Ian Paul at Psephizo –
“What do you find most irritating about this time of year? The drawing in of dark and cold nights? The hideous adoption of that consumerist import ‘Black Friday’? People putting up Christmas trees when we have only just started Advent? Being urged to spend more money by means of schmaltzy human interest mini-dramas?
For me, it is the repeated but ill-founded claim that Jesus was born in a stable, alone and isolated, with his family ostracised by the community—despite the complete lack of evidence for this reconstruction. It will be repeated in pulpits, real and virtual, up and down the land, so I do not apologise for reposting once more this annual feature. …”
A wonderful gospel resource you might not have seen
Posted on November 27, 2024
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We first posted this in 2022, but it’s worth revisiting since so few people seem to know about this valuable (free) resource:
“Have you ever been in a situation where you would love to leave a gospel message with someone but had nothing with you to give? Or the person didn’t read English and that’s the only language you have available?
Global Recordings Network has a unique solution to this dilemma: 5fish! …
The International Orality Network tells us that 4 out of 5 people in the world communicate primarily or exclusively through oral, not textual means. This means that only 1 out of 5 people are happy when you give them something to read – regardless of whether it is a book, magazine, or tract. Everyone else wants to listen or watch!
The Australian Bureau of Statistics conducted a survey in 2006 that informs us that approximately 7 million (46%) Australians aged 15 to 74 years did not reach the minimum standard required for individuals to meet the complex demands of everyday life and work in the emerging knowledge-based economy. Almost half of the Australian population would struggle to read and understand the Bible if you handed them one.”
– At AP (The Australian Presbyterian), Global Recordings Network’s Christine Platt makes a case for 5fish.
Watch the 75 second video below to see how 5fish works.
Consider sharing the video, and links to 5fish, with members of your church.
(We understand the app will soon be updated to add even more functionality.)
Rico Tice comments on the Makin Report
Posted on November 27, 2024
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“My heart aches for all the victims of John Smyth, some of whom I know personally. I remember them as people who were enormously kind to me as a schoolboy, at a difficult time in my life. It’s devastating to discover that people who showed me such compassion were victims of Smyth’s cruel abuse.
These victims have a right to the truth about what happened. I also know that media attention on this issue will be intensely painful to some, and that in speaking about it I have a responsibility to consider both of these things. I hope that in sharing what I know with The Times earlier this week, and again here, I am honouring them. That is certainly my intention. …”
– Rico Tice writes at Honest Evangelism.
See also:
‘I didn’t leave the Church of England. It left me’ – Premier Christianity.
(Thanks to Anglican Mainstream for the links.)
Being more intentional in discipleship
Posted on November 26, 2024
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From The Pastor’s Heart this week:
“How do we encourage our staff teams and members to be more intentional in Jesus’ mission of making disciples?
Disciple making is entering into relationships to help people trust and follow Jesus – the whole journey from conversion through maturing and multiplication.
There’s a formal teaching component. But there’s so much more.
Peter Mayrick, from Partners in Ministry, says he wants us to be more intentional.”
Dr Veronica Hoyt joins the Moore College Faculty
Posted on November 25, 2024
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“On Friday evening the Governing Board approved the Principal’s nomination of Dr Veronica Hoyt to become a member of the Moore College Faculty. Veronica will take up the post of Lecturer in Ministry and Director of the Priscilla and Aquila Centre.
Veronica and her husband Berwyn are members of St Thomas’ North Sydney where she has been the Women’s Minister. …”
Men Meeting the Challenge conference 2025
Posted on November 25, 2024
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The “Men Meeting the Challenge Conference” 2025 is set for Saturday 29th March at The King’s School.
Rory Shiner and Dave Jensen are speaking. Details here.
I am so grateful my husband ignored those who would have assisted his dying
Posted on November 24, 2024
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“In 2011 my husband was diagnosed with Progressive Supranuclear Palsy. This is one of those illnesses for which people such as Anne Turner, whose death was portrayed in a BBC documentary, have sought assisted suicide.
It never entered my husband’s head that he would like to die early. To the contrary, he set about doing all the things he could possibly do to live as long as possible and I helped him. We had a young daughter, we loved each other very much and we wanted to be together for as long as possible, come what may. It never entered either of our minds.
But a point came when that changed. …”
– At The Conservative Woman, Gabriella Dunn shares her story – and that of her husband.
It’s written in light of the British Parliament’s upcoming vote this week on the Assisted Dying Bill. Important reading, even here in Australia where similar laws are already in place.
Related:
Britain’s religious leaders unite against assisted dying in major intervention – Telegraph via Anglican Mainstream.
150 at meeting in Oxford Diocese to consider Alliance Agenda
Posted on November 23, 2024
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“Contrary to the views of some, there are far more than a minority of clergy and congregations in Oxford Diocese who hold to a clearly biblical view of the Christian doctrine of marriage and the limitations of sexual relations to a man and woman in lifelong marriage. The attendance bore out the editorial in this week’s Church of England Newspaper that ‘the episcopate is liberal, the flock is not’.
Over 150 clergy and senior lay people gathered at St Andrew’s Church Oxford to hear Rev Dr Andrew Goddard give a masterly and detailed narrative of the current state of the debate on sexuality in the Church of England and why we are where we are at the moment. The slides of his talk are attached.
Rev John Dunnett spoke on behalf of ‘the Alliance’ of orthodox Anglicans who are firmly requesting a parallel province, a de facto structure, not a formal one, for those who adhere to the classical Church of England doctrine. When he is asked about a ‘third province’ he responds ‘you mean for those with liberal views’.…”
– Report at Anglican Mainstream.
The Increasing Value of Christian Testimonies
Posted on November 23, 2024
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“Traditionally, apologetics has been concerned with defending and commending the truth claims of the Christian faith. In the 1990s Christian apologist Alister McGrath, in response to changing social attitudes, suggested that apologetics should not just be interested in establishing the truth of the Christian faith, but also its relevance. People wanted to know whether the Christian message had any impact on their lives.
Today, the world has moved on again and we find ourselves needing to address a new situation: the view that Christianity is harmful. We now need to commend the Christian faith in terms of its truth, relevance and its goodness. …”
– At The Gospel Coalition Australia, Stephen Liggins has a helpful suggestion for our own personal interactions – and for church gatherings.
Some of our favourite Christmas resources
Posted on November 22, 2024
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From Kirsten McKinlay at The Australian Church Record:
“Some of the ACR team share their favourite resources that have helped keep their eyes on Jesus in the busy Christmas season…”
Statement from Lambeth Palace about the Archbishop of Canterbury
Posted on November 21, 2024
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“Today (November 20), Lambeth Palace have issued a statement that following his resignation announcement, the Archbishop of Canterbury intends to complete his official duties by the upcoming Feast of Epiphany (6th January).
It reads: ‘Following the announcement last week of his resignation as the Archbishop of Canterbury, Archbishop Justin intends to complete his official duties by the upcoming Feast of Epiphany (6th January). Archbishop Justin intends very little public-facing activity between now and Epiphany, but plans to honour a small number of remaining commitments. At Epiphany, the Archbishop of Canterbury’s official functions will be delegated to the Archbishop of York – more details will be provided on this in due course. The date on which Archbishop Justin formally ceases to hold office will be set in agreement with the Privy Council.’ ”
– From The Anglican Communion News Service.
The Anglicans Behind the Bonhoeffer Movie
Posted on November 21, 2024
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“When Gafcon emerged to ignite the global Anglican realignment, Emmanuel and Camille Kampouris enthusiastically joined. Recognizing the unique courage of leaders like Peter Akinola, Bob Duncan, and Peter Jensen, they supported the movement every way they could, with Emmanuel taking on a key leadership role.
Around the same time, they also began working on a second passion project, an idea for a movie on Dietrich Bonhoeffer. …”
– From The Anglican Church in North America.
Commitment to Christ
Posted on November 21, 2024
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Bishop Keith Sinclair opened Church Society’s 2024 Junior Anglican Evangelical Conference in August. His topic? “Commitment to Christ”.
– Listen here. Most encouraging.
What is the JAEC?
“Established by John Richardson in 2011, Church Society has hosted this conference since 2014. It is specifically for those who are ‘junior’, that is anyone considering ministry in the Church of England, lay or ordained, through training, curacy and the first few years of incumbency or the equivalent. The conference aims to help anyone in that category be more effective as an Anglican Evangelical, making the most of every opportunity to reach the lost for Jesus, build up the church through his word, and send workers into God’s harvest field.”
Photo: Church Society.
Make the Most of Sunday Mornings — Two Simple Changes
Posted on November 21, 2024
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“Ah, Sunday. That majestic morning when my children awake to the aroma of eggs and bacon and fresh-squeezed orange juice. When they bound down the stairs, Bibles in hand and a song in their hearts. When I lead them in family worship over breakfast, and my wife plays the piano as we prepare our hearts for meeting with the people of God.
The only downside when we finish is that we still have time to kill. Oh well. At least we’ll be super early to church — again!
If you’re smirking, it’s because you know this is not reality. …“
– At Desiring God, Matt Smethurst has a couple of suggestions to help you (and others) at church – because, as he says, “Christianity is not a spectator sport”.
Photo: Christ Church Cathedral, Darwin, via the Diocese of the Northern Territory.
Ministry in the Later Stage of Life
Posted on November 20, 2024
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Earlier this month, Phillip Jensen spoke at a Prime Time event at Croydon Park.
He speaks to retirees (or those hoping to be): “We have the gift of a decade.”
What we believe
The message at the heart of Christianity is really quite simple…