University hosting church summit where same-sex partners are banned to raise ‘ethical concerns’ with archbishop
Posted on March 27, 2019
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“A university which has come under fire for hosting an Anglican summit that will exclude same-sex partners is due to meet the Archbishop of Canterbury to raise ‘significant ethical concerns’.
The University of Kent, which is hosting next year’s Lambeth Conference, faced criticism when it emerged partners of gay bishops had not been invited.
The institution has now said it will ensure accommodation is available on campus for spouses affected who wish to be in Canterbury with their partners. …”
– Report from The Independent.
Related: Lambeth 2020 Descends into Confusion.
Gafcon Networks mobilise after Cyclone hits Mozambique, Malawi, and Zimbabwe
Posted on March 27, 2019
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“Following the massive destruction brought to Mozambique, Malawi, and Zimbabwe by Cyclone Idai, Rev Dennis Tongoi who leads the Gafcon Sustainable Development Network put Gafcon leaders in touch with one another and contact was made with Mozambican Bishop Vicente Msosa, who was present at Gafcon 2018 in Jerusalem.
Mozambique is one of the areas hardest hit and Bishop Vicente shared with us the traumatic impact of this disaster on his Diocese of Niassa. …”
– GAFCON’s Membership Development Secretary, Canon Charles Raven, shares about the disaster unfolding in Africa.
See also:
Anglican Aid in Sydney has set up an emergency appeal. (Donation link at the bottom of that page. Photo via Anglican Aid.)
“Anglican Aid is providing much-needed assistance to Zimbabwe through FOCUS Zimbabwe and Honeyworld and to affected parts of Mozambique through local bishops known to us through GAFCON.”
Islands and inland seas as Southern Africa hit by flooding – SydneyAnglicans.net
“An entire community was submerged when people woke up on Saturday morning. Many have been left homeless and numerous others have either been confirmed dead or are still missing” said the urgent call to Anglican Aid from Tawanda Masango, newly returned to Zimbabwe from Sydney.
Mark Dever at Nexus 2019 — Let’s Do Evangelism Better — watch
Posted on March 25, 2019
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Mark Dever spoke at today’s Nexus 2019 Conference. The vitally important theme was “Let’s Do Evangelism Better”.
You can watch the whole thing at this link. Mark’s session began at around 59 minutes into the video.
His second session begins at 6h 44m, and there is plenty to watch in between.
The entire conference was challenging, encouraging and helpful. Do take the time to watch.
The phenomenal impact of Donald Robinson
Posted on March 24, 2019
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Last week, on The Pastor’s Heart podcast, Dominic Steele spoke with Rory Shiner about the phenomenal impact of Donald Robinson.
Rory was in Sydney for the launch of Volumes 3 and 4 of the Selected Works of Donald Robinson.
Jordan Peterson, Caroline Farrow and the death of free speech
Posted on March 24, 2019
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“There are certain values which are so foundational to our society that we take them as a given and always assume that they will remain. But when the foundations are being destroyed perhaps we need to sit up and pay attention – and strengthen what remains before it dies.…
Three events this past week in the UK serve as warnings that these basic freedoms are under threat. This threat comes not from Muslim extremists, or far right terrorists or any external political ideology. No, this threat has arisen from within.“
– David Robertson writes at The Wee Flea.
Moore College Graduation 2019 — 107 men and women sent out into the harvest field
Posted on March 21, 2019
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“On Monday 11 March, we had the great pleasure of witnessing the graduation of the 107 men and women who most recently completed their courses at Moore College, and who are now serving God in various contexts across the world. …”
– Encouraging news from Moore College.
See Simon Manchester’s address above, on Vimeo.
Tasmanian Parliamentary Year Commencement Sermon 2019
Posted on March 20, 2019
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Dr. Richard Condie, Bishop of Tasmania, preached at the Parliamentary Year Commencement Service in St. David’s Cathedral Hobart on Tuesday 19th March 2019.
“The events in the past few days remind us of the importance of the task before us, and particularly the task before the Parliament of this State of Tasmania.
The senseless act of violence and murder last Friday in the peaceful city of Christchurch, where now 50 people, one as young as 2 years of age, lie dead as a result of gun rampage.
It reminds us of the sacred trust given to governments, to work for the safety and well-being of the people whom they serve, to provide protection for the vulnerable.
There is an instruction to Christians in the New Testament about prayer for people in positions of ruling authority …”
You can read his full sermon on the diocesan website.
On the Conviction of Cardinal Pell
Posted on March 19, 2019
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“The recent conviction of Cardinal George Pell on five counts of child abuse has shaken the Roman Catholic Church in Australia and around the world.
Cardinal Pell was Australia’s most famous Roman Catholic leader – elevated to a position of high responsibility in the Vatican after a significant career in Australia, which including serving as Archbishop in Australia’s two largest cities, Sydney and Melbourne. …”
– Assoc Professor Neil Foster reflects on Cardinal Pell’s case from a Biblical and legal perspective – at The Gospel Coalition Australia.
TEC Bishop Michael Curry questions ‘gay bishop spouse ban’ at Lambeth Conference
Posted on March 18, 2019
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“Anglican bishops in the United States say they are ‘aggrieved and distressed’ by a ban on the spouses of gay bishops from attending a major Church summit next year.
The Episcopal Church (TEC) said it was ‘concerned by the use of exclusion as a means of building communion’ ahead of the 2020 Lambeth Conference, which is being hosted by the Archbishop of Canterbury. …”
– As expected. Report from Premier.
Related post: Lambeth 2020 Descends into Confusion.
Archbishop of Sydney: Further statement on Christchurch attack
Posted on March 17, 2019
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Here’s a further statement from Archbishop Glenn Davies:
Anglican Church Diocese of Sydney
Public Statement
The horror of the massacre of Muslims, praying in a Christchurch Mosque, has resonated with people of all faiths and of none around the world. That anyone, let alone an Australian, could execute such an atrocity and film it for his heinous gratification, is still hard to believe as the extent of this crime became fully known.
I have conveyed to the leaders of Sydney’s Muslim community our absolute horror and revulsion at these attacks and our determination to stand with them in condemning all acts of violence, especially racially and religiously motivated acts of inhumanity as we have seen. I have also conveyed our condolences to the New Zealand High Commissioner, Dame Annette King, indicating our solidarity with New Zealand.
In St Andrew’s Cathedral today special prayers will be offered for survivors and families of the victims, while a minute’s silence will be observed to commemorate the dead. The NZ Consul General in Sydney, Mr William Dobbie, will be in attendance for this service.
Our hearts cry out to the God of all comfort, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, in whom alone will justice and mercy be found, especially when events such as these overwhelm us.
Archbishop Glenn Davies
17 March, 2019 AD.
– via SydneyAnglicans.net.
Captivated by Scripture: A personal reflection on D. W. B. Robinson’s legacy for biblical studies
Posted on March 16, 2019
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Dr Lionel Windsor has shared the paper he gave at at the legacy day and launch of Donald Robinson Selected Works Volume 3: Biblical and Liturgical Studies & Volume 4: Historical Studies and Series Index at Moore Theological College, today, 16 March 2019.
“What made Robinson such an inspiring and influential teacher for generations of students? I’m sure there were multiple factors: many of those here today will have their own insights into this question. But one factor that I want to focus on this morning – a factor that comes through particularly clearly in his writings – is Robinson’s commitment to being captivated by Scripture.
The impression that keeps coming through in these volumes is that Robinson was so confident in the divine inspiration of Scripture, and so assured that God’s purposes are revealed to us in Scripture, that he was prepared to follow Scripture wherever it led him.
And when Scripture led Robinson on strange paths, paths that others had barely trod, on journeys where even he could not discern the destination, he enthusiastically trod those paths, knowing that wherever Scripture was leading him, it must be important. In this way, Robinson’s approach to Scripture is faithful in a deep sense: full of faith in God’s purposes revealed to us in his inscripturated word.”
– Read it all at Forget the Channel.
Prayer following the act of Terrorism in Christchurch
Posted on March 16, 2019
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The Rev. Mark Charleston has written a prayer you may wish to use – in your own prayers, or in church.
We’re grateful to Mark for sharing it.
Archbishop Glenn Davies’ statement on the Christchurch mosque attacks
Posted on March 15, 2019
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“All Christians, as well as people of faith or of none, will be shocked to learn of the mosque attacks in #Christchurch. We long for peace and freedom from violence in our streets, our homes and especially in places of prayer.
Archbishop Glenn Davies, March 15, 2019.”
(Media statement via Twitter.)
(The Archbishop has since contacted Muslim leaders in Sydney to express condolences and support for the Muslim community in Australia and NZ in the face of this atrocity.)
See also:
A statement issued by Bishop Peter Carrell on behalf of the leaders of churches in Christchurch city and Canterbury province – Scoop NZ.
Tactics, not truth, over same-sex marriages
Posted on March 14, 2019
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“It would seem that the response by the bishops of the Church of England to the latest attempt in the House of Lords to force clergy to conduct same-sex weddings was driven by tactical considerations rather than by transcendent truth.
Although the Bishop of Oxford, the Rt Revd Dr Steven Croft [pictured], resisted the amendment by Lords Faulkner and Collins to remove the CofE’s exemption from solemnising same-sex marriages, his remarks were notable for their political tone…”
– The Rev. Julian Mann discerns an attempt by the Bishop of Oxford to placate the 100+ evangelical clergy in his diocese who signed a letter ‘of grave concern’ in January.
A Christian Code of Ethics for Using Social Media
Posted on March 14, 2019
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“The following is a simple code of ethics (5 Questions) for the follower of Jesus to consider before one clicks the ‘enter’ button.
It is intended for the follower of Jesus to remember that even in cyber-space we are witnesses (either for good or for bad) for Jesus Christ modelling a life which is supposed to emulate him. …”
– Archbishop Foley Beach shares five questions to ask yourself.
What we believe
The message at the heart of Christianity is really quite simple…