Diocese of Armidale Presidential Address Synod 2018
Posted on October 2, 2018
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The Diocese of Armidale has published the Presidential Address by Bishop Rick Lewers to their 2018 Synod.
Well worth reading, and a reminder to pray for our brothers and sisters in that diocese.
1 Corinthians 5: Why it is Necessary and Loving not to associate or eat with certain ‘Christians’
Posted on October 2, 2018
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“1 Corinthians 5 has to be one of the most confronting passages in the NT. The Corinthian church was tolerating a case of blatant sexual immorality in their midst. …”
– Moore College’s Dr Peter Orr tackles an important passage.
Send your pastor away
Posted on October 1, 2018
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“When was the last time you told your pastor to go away? Or better still … sent him away?
… that is, sent him away to a pastor’s conference?
Sure, your pastor can do this himself, but sometimes – toiling away week after week, month after month – he needs a prompt from the elders. Time away at ministry conferences and conventions play an important role in the life and work of the Christian pastor. Pastors can have their faith restored, mind sharpened and skills honed. …”
– Some encouragement from John P Wilson, Moderator-General of the Presbyterian Church of Australia.
The goodness of Christian hope
Posted on October 1, 2018
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“Do your friends know the goodness of the Christian hope? Do you?
Recently I was talking to one of my most biblically informed non-Christian friends about life, the world, human nature and God, when she told me ‘I don’t want eternal life’. …”
– Kirsten McKinlay writes at The Australian Church Record.
‘Bill Hayden explains why he decided to be baptised’
Posted on October 1, 2018
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Here’s something to start a conversation around the BBQ today.
Prayers encouraged for Police Remembrance Day
Posted on September 29, 2018
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Archbishop Glenn Davies has written a Prayer for National Police Remembrance Day – held on Day 29th September 2018.
You may wish to use it in church on Sunday 30th September, or in your own prayers.
“Our heavenly Father, we thank you for your providential care of our world and the peace and security that we enjoy in our land. We especially thank you for the Police Force of New South Wales. Despite the corruption of the human heart and the prevalence of lawlessness and sin, we thank you for these guardians of justice in our society.
We pray for the members of our Police Force as they maintain law and order in our state. Give them the courage to expose unrighteousness, wherever it is found, to pursue justice for the common good, to deal with all without fear or favour, and to act with wisdom and compassion in all their work. Protect them from danger in their duties, shield them from temptation, and enable them to be role models for all whom they serve.
We also pray for police chaplains as they minister to the spiritual and emotional needs of our Police Force members. May they act with compassion, wisdom and love as they support police officers in their line of duty.
We offer our prayer in the name of Jesus Christ, who alone brings order to the human heart, peace to a troubled world and the hope of eternal life for all who put their trust in him. Amen.”
Related: In April 2018, Keith Garner spoke with Anglicare’s NSW Police Chaplain, Rev Sarah Plummer for Wesley Impact! TV. Watch here.
Image: NSW Police Legacy.
Bishop Andy Lines responds to rejection of Welsh Bishops’ proposals
Posted on September 29, 2018
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“Gafcon UK welcomes the recent statement by the Evangelical Fellowship of the Church in Wales, which gives a pastorally sensitive and doctrinally clear summary of the biblically orthodox position on the issue of same sex relationships.
EFCW is absolutely correct to warn of the serious implications of the Welsh Bishops’ plan to push ahead with sanctioning services of blessing for same sex relationships. Such a move rejects the unambiguous teaching of the bible on God’s guidelines for human flourishing, and will indeed “lead to impaired communion with our Anglican brothers and sisters in the majority world”.
It is a serious matter when faithful Anglicans conclude that their own Bishops are departing from their commitment to promote and defend the apostolic deposit of doctrine and ethics. We will stand with EFCW and those Anglicans in Wales who take a similar view, praying for them as they consider the next step, and we urge all orthodox Anglicans around the world to do the same.
Bishop Andy Lines, Gafcon Missionary Bishop to Europe; Chairman, Gafcon UK.”
– from the GAFCON UK website, which also has the statement from the Evangelical Fellowship of the Church in Wales.
Moore College Open Day Saturday 13 October
Posted on September 29, 2018
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The next Moore College Open Day is coming up on Saturday 13 October.
The Empire Strikes Back
Posted on September 28, 2018
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“Readers of Jane Eyre will recall that the heroine was courted by two very different types of man.
On the one side was the dark and dubious Mr Rochester, a man with a mysterious past and an uncertain future. On the other was the pious and pure St John Rivers, whose path to the overseas mission field was clearly predestined.
As we know, Jane chose Mr Rochester, perhaps because she thought she could play a part in his redemption, but she remained in touch with St John and never lost her admiration for him, even if she could not see herself measuring up to his high standards. Nearly two centuries later, we can look back on that and ponder how the story unfolded after the novel ended. …“
– Church Society has posted this excerpt from Gerald Bray’s editorial in the current issue of Churchman. (Of course, they would be pleased if you subscribed!)
Love for Jesus, and the cost of bringing his Word
Posted on September 28, 2018
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You may remember this video (posted in 2011, and showing events from 16 March 2010) of the Kimyal Tribe in West Papua as they celebrate the arrival of copies of the New Testament in their heart language.
A new video, about the Dale and Masters families, gives an insight into the commitment, obedience, and the cost, of bringing the gospel to every tribe and tongue.
Loving other women: 12 disciplines of genuine love
Posted on September 27, 2018
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Dave Martin shares some wisdom for married pastors – at GoThereFor.com.
The Challenge of Feminism (2): God’s Better Solutions
Posted on September 27, 2018
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“In my last post we took a look at some different types of feminism, and also some of the gains achieved by the movement.
We also, in light of those gains, wondered whether we should be calling ourselves feminists. My preliminary response was ‘no’: God’s word gives us better diagnoses and better solutions.
In this post I’ll try to show you what I mean. …”
– Dr. Claire Smith has published Part 2 of her response to the challenge of feminism – at The Gospel Coalition Australia.
Memorising Colossians together
Posted on September 27, 2018
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At GoThereFor.com, Richard Chin is asked how and why he memorised Paul’s Letter to the Colossians.
Have we lost our way on mission?
Posted on September 25, 2018
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Nathan Walter asks the question, “Have we lost our way on mission?” in the Editorial of the current edition of the Australian Church Record’s ACR Journal (PDF file – Winter 2018).
Download the issue, if you haven’t already, and read the many encouraging articles. (Also good to share.)
US university’s complete reversal on historic Christian understanding of romance
Posted on September 25, 2018
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In the latest edition of The Briefing broadcast, Albert Mohler examines the collision of evangelical morality with the LGBTQ revolution.
Related: Trinity Western University changes ‘community covenant’ — report.
So Trinity Western University Blinked After All – Stephen McAlpine.
Two doctrines of Christian marriage? That’s OK says Uniting Church theologian.
Update:
What we believe
The message at the heart of Christianity is really quite simple…