Getting the word right

Posted on March 14, 2024 
Filed under Encouragement, People, Resources

From SydneyAnglicans.net:

“Dr Peter Ryan was a missionary with Pioneers in Namibia teaching at NETS (the Namibia Evangelical Theological Seminary). He and his wife Paula returned to Australia in 2017.

Peter has completed his doctoral studies in Mark’s Gospel at Moore College and now serves as the (very able) director of Cornhill: a ‘Bible handling’ course to help people prepare for ministry – especially in communicating God’s word.

Cornhill has two centres – one at Moore College on a Tuesday and one in Rooty Hill on a Thursday. Peter and his wife Paula have two children. He talks to Simon Manchester, who is also one of Cornhill’s visiting teachers.…”

Read here.

Photo: Peter Ryan.

NSW Conversion Practices Ban Bill — Freedom for Faith calls for clarity

Posted on March 13, 2024 
Filed under Australia

“The NSW Government has introduced its Conversion Practices Ban Bill into Parliament on Wednesday March 13.

This legislation is a genuine attempt by the NSW Government to keep its promises to faith communities. However, there are still concerns about the breadth of behaviours that the bill covers.

In the lead up to the NSW election, Chris Minns made clear commitments that any legislation to ban ‘conversion practices’ would protect religious freedom, including prayer, teaching and consensual requests for support. These commitments were repeated by many Labor MPs and candidates at forums across the State.

This legislation represents a genuine effort by the Government to keep those promises. The legislation does protect against the most extreme violations of religious freedom that have been seen in the Victorian legislation and replicated in previous proposals in NSW. It also exempts medical practitioners, allowing them to continue doing what is in the best interest of the patient. Finally, the bill provides an exemption for parents to talk to their children, although unfortunately this does not extend to important family relationships such as grandparents.

However, the bill is weakened by the problematic use of the vague term ‘suppression’. Due to the breadth and uncertainty around what is a suppression practice, it remains unclear exactly what conduct would be in the scope of the bill. In other jurisdictions, simply encouraging a person to remain celibate outside of heterosexual marriage is considered ‘suppression’. This uncertainty risks breading fear in faith communities as to what is allowed.

We call on the Government to give greater clarity as to what is and is not a ‘suppression’ practice.”

– Freedom for Faith has published a webpage with the latest on the NSW Government’s proposed Conversion Practices Ban Bill.

You can also sign up for e-mail updates.

Nationwide evangelistic collaboration: Meet Jesus and the power of prayer

Posted on March 13, 2024 
Filed under Australia, Evangelism

From The Pastor’s Heart:

“The old saying is ‘A rising tide lifts all boats.’  But could the spark of story telling, and celebrating faith increase evangelism in churches and on university campuses everywhere?

National Director of the Australian Fellowship of Evangelical Students Richard Chin is emphasising the importance of prayer, through what he calls a ‘two-for-two’ model, and asks churches to join him in consistent branding in a nationwide push to introduce people to Jesus.

We discuss practical steps to integrate evangelism into the church’s DNA, champion the role of head, heart, and hand in fostering a consistent culture of outreach.

Rory Shiner is senior pastor of Providence Church, Perth and Chair of the Gospel Coalition Australia.

Baden Stace leads the ministry team at St Stephens Normanhurst in Sydney’s north.

Elliot Temple is missions pastor at Christ Church St Ives also in Sydney’s north.”

Watch or listen here.

Technology in a post-truth world — CCL podcast with Lionel Windsor

Posted on March 13, 2024 
Filed under Moore College, Resources, Theology

From Moore College’s Centre for Christian Living:

“In our last episode, we heard from Lionel Windsor, who talked about his new book, ‘Truth Be Told: Living truthfully in a post-truth world’.

In this episode, we’re going to focus in on one chapter in Lionel’s book, looking at how, as Christians, we can live truthful, godly lives in a world that is becoming more and more technologically complex.

Technology is not all bad; you listen to this podcast through a variety of technologies. But it’s hard to know how to live in such a technologically complex world. Lionel helps us think through some of the core issues that are vital for us to grasp in a world like ours.”

Listen to Peter Orr speak with Lionel Windsor.

Very helpful – especially for all social media users.

Queensland – new proposed discrimination law

Posted on March 12, 2024 
Filed under Australia, Culture wars, Resources

“The Queensland government has released a draft of a proposed new discrimination law for public comment.

The proposed Anti-Discrimination Bill 2024 will make some radical changes to Queensland law, and of interest here is that it will seriously impact religious freedom in that State.

One of the ways that religious freedom is protected in Australia is through the inclusion in discrimination laws of ‘balancing clauses’ (provisions that balance the right not to be discriminated against, with the important right of religious freedom). But the new Bill will dramatically narrow those clauses.

I am pleased to present a guest blog post commenting on some religious freedom impacts of the draft Bill, from Dr Alex Deagon, an Associate Professor in the School of Law at QUT, and an internationally recognised researcher in religious freedom. …”

– See the guest post by Dr Alex Deagon at Associate Professor Neil Foster’s Law and Religion Australia blog.

Anglicans – We Have a Problem

Posted on March 11, 2024 
Filed under Anglican Communion

“An old classic movie that sits amongst my DVD collection is a movie entitled Apollo 13. It is a movie based on a disaster that took place during the Apollo 13 mission to the moon. A key line in the movie (which was also spoken in the real event, upon which the move is based) is the line, ‘Houston, we have a problem’.

The problem originates with one of the ship’s oxygen tanks which was faulty and when the order was given to stir the tanks, it  exploded. The ship suffered a catastrophic failure and the crew had to move to another part of the ship, and work hard not only to to return to Earth, but to stay alive.

This famous line from the movie reminds me of a problem that faces the Anglican church, a problem of such magnitude that it needs to be said:

‘Anglicans, we have a problem’. …”

– At Anglican.ink, an anonymous contributor writes about an unidentified Anglican province. It all sounds very close to home.

Photo: The real Mission Control in Houston works the problem during Apollo 13. The stakes are even higher in the Anglican Communion.

Encouragement from Kununurra

Posted on March 10, 2024 
Filed under Australian dioceses

“St James Kununurra is supporting the Kununurra Peoples Church to reach Aboriginal children with the hope of Jesus.

Each Thursday up to 50 children aged 5 to 14 come to Bethel Bible Study, where they enjoy a simple meal followed by Bible study and games. …”

– “Shining light in the darkness” – Encouragement and food for prayer from the Diocese of North West Australia.

30 Days of Prayer for the Muslim World 2024

Posted on March 9, 2024 
Filed under Resources

As Ramadan begins (March 10th – April 8th, 2024) it’s an opportune time to pray that many Muslim people will come to know the love of the Lord Jesus.

Praying for others is a mark of genuine love – so be encouraged for pray for Muslim friends, and for Muslim people near and far.

pray30days.org has resources, including their 2024 prayer guides which you can purchase and download as PDF files.

“This year, the prayer focus for 30 Days of Prayer invites Christians to pray for Muslims here, there & everywhere in their historic birthplaces, in migrant communities, on dangerous journeys to new places, and in all the corners of the world.

When this prayer guide began, over 30 years ago, it largely directed readers to pray for Muslims who were present in their homelands. Today, however, growing Muslim communities from every ethnic background, can be found anywhere outside of their traditional places of origin as immigrants, refugees, migrant workers and students – from every nation to every nation.” – 30 Days of Prayer.

Why Gafcon? A Global Fellowship in the Word

Posted on March 8, 2024 
Filed under GAFCON

The second Global Anglican Podcast has been released by Gafcon.

General Secretary, Bishop Paul Donison continues his conversation with Chairman of the Gafcon Primates Council, Archbishop Laurent Mbanda.

This time they speak about the redemptive power of Biblically orthodox mission in Archbishop Mbanda’s home country of Rwanda.

Listen here.

The end of an era — BCA House Broken Hill

Posted on March 8, 2024 
Filed under Australian dioceses, History

“As he took down the sign outside BCA House in Broken Hill in mid-January 2024, Indigenous Ministry Officer Neville Naden rightly said it was the end of an era.

The planning for a facility to serve the people of Broken Hill and beyond was first flagged in the December 1949 issue of The Real Australian

BCA House was officially opened on 6 March 1950 by the Archbishop of Sydney, the Bishop of Riverina, the Rector of Broken Hill and BCA missioners.

The Hostel, a converted old home set on a large block, was originally built as a Stock and Station Agency and was able to provide accommodation for up to 30 children. …”

– From The Bush Church Aid Society.

Gambling and Coveting

Posted on March 7, 2024 
Filed under Australian dioceses, Resources, Theology

“I know that Aussies love to have a ‘punt on the ponies’ but it’s becoming a massive community problem that can’t be ignored. For example, in the state where I currently live, the Anglican Church of Tasmania has published an excellent report which makes for sobering reading.

Here’s a quick snapshot of what their research found …”

– Mark Powell writes at AP, the national journal of the Presbyterian Church of Australia.

Related:

Other posts on our website on gambling (there are quite a few).

Latest issue of North West Network

Posted on March 6, 2024 
Filed under Australian dioceses, Encouragement

The latest North West Network from the Diocese of North West Australia is now up on their website.

It’s the February 2024 issue, and is an encouraging glimpse into what’s happening in the North West.

(Copy available here.)

The Application Revolution – with Paul Grimmond

Posted on March 6, 2024 
Filed under Encouragement, Resources

From The Pastor’s Heart:

“It’s like they got the exegesis spot on, then closed their eyes, fired an arrow randomly into the air, opened their eyes to see where it landed and said, ‘That looks like a good place to do application!’” – Theological College lecturer on student sermon application.

But are those of us who have graduated from theological college much better? For after all the students are just imitating what we have modelled.

Dean of Students at Sydney’s Moore Theological College Paul Grimmond has just completed a doctor of ministry project on improving application in evangelical preaching.

Watch or listen here.

Armidale Next Phase Conference 2024

Posted on March 5, 2024 
Filed under Australian dioceses, Resources

Armidale Diocese is running its Next Phase Conference for 2024 on May 3 and 4 at St. Peter’s Cathedral.

“How can we stay faithful and fruitful as followers of Christ as we move into the next phase of our lives?

This year, we are looking forward to having Rev. Simon Manchester open the bible with us over four talks and help us to see how we can stay vibrant in our faith and ministries as we age.

We will also be joined by Dr. Patricia Weerakoon who will be interviewed during Friday dinner and run two seminars for us on Saturday.”

Details and a short video from Bishop Rod Chiswell at this link.

France moves to enshrine Abortion in its Constitution

Posted on March 4, 2024 
Filed under News

In his latest edition of The Briefing podcast (Monday 4th March 2024), Albert Mohler speaks further on the Culture of Death – including the French Parliament meeting to enshrine abortion in their Constitution.

The ‘dark logic’ is not confined to France.

Listen here.

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