Gafcon: G26 Bursaries Needed
Posted on January 11, 2026
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A prayer request from Gafcon:
“As we look ahead to the G26 Bishops Conference in Abuja, Nigeria in March, let us commit ourselves afresh to prayer for God’s financial provision. Pray that the Lord would supply the resources needed to fund additional bursaries, so that bishops are not prevented from attending because of cost.
Pray especially for bishops from the Global South, many of whom are deeply committed to biblical faithfulness but lack the means to fund their travel. Ask that no voice is missing from this historic gathering due to limited finances.
Pray that God would stir generosity among his people—individuals, churches, and partners—to give sacrificially and joyfully. Give thanks for what has already been provided, and ask that the remaining need would be met in full, for the strengthening of Christ’s Church worldwide.
Please give at www.gafcon.org/G26Bursary.”
Source: Gafcon.
Hillsong: mega church in mega property deal
Posted on January 10, 2026
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“Hillsong’s sprawling campus in NorWest Sydney is being made to pay its way as a proposal for a huge $1bn development is lodged.
Some 900 units are planned for the site, plus commercial buildings are planned for the site, which benefits from being opposite the Norwest metro station.…’’
– Thanks to John Sandeman for the story.
Image: OpenStreetMap.
China’s crackdown on underground churches intensifies with new arrests
Posted on January 9, 2026
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“An influential Protestant church in China says prominent leaders have been arrested in what appears to be a growing crackdown on the underground church movement.
Nine people were detained on Tuesday after police raided their homes and the church office in Chengdu, in central China, the Early Rain Covenant Church said. Five had been released by Wednesday.
More than 1,000 miles away in Wenzhou, authorities began demolishing the Yayang Church building…”
– Report from BBC News.
Illustration: Autograph book entry, probably by a student studying at SMBC.
Andrew and Anne Campbell — 100 Ministry Stories from Moore College
Posted on January 8, 2026
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From Moore Theological College, here is the latest in their “100 Ministry Stories’ videos.
This interview with Andrew and Anne Campbell is a real cause for thanksgiving to the Lord. Andrew was called home late last year.
“Andrew Campbell, a long time Presbyterian minister, trained at Moore College from 1975 – 1977. Andrew, now in glory with our Lord and Saviour, has left both an example and a legacy of service.
Together with his wife Anne, the Campbells shared their love of Christ and the gift of grace in a variety of parishes.
In the earlier days their mission to the youth of Sydney was a focus and passion, but from Mt Druitt God took them to regional Australia where they have served together until late in 2025.
Please pray for the churches of Gyra and Glen Innes where the Campbells have been serving most recently. Please pray that God will raise up willing workers for the harvest to serve remote regional centres, to look after God’s people in the country. That was Andrew’s heart, a reflection of the heart of our Lord and Saviour.
This interview was recorded when Andrew and Anne visited Moore College for their 50th Alumni Reunion in mid-2025.”
– Watch here – and to be moved to give thanks and to pray.
Archbishop of Sydney supports calls for a national inquiry into the Bondi Massacre
Posted on January 7, 2026
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Here’s a Media Statement from the Archbishop of Sydney:
Media Statement
“This act of evil … deserves the most thorough investigation and response”
The terrorist attack on Jewish Australians celebrating Chanukah at Bondi Beach on 14 December 2025, has produced an outpouring of grief, prayer and support for our fellow Australians in the Jewish community.
This act of evil is an extraordinary event in our history, which has ongoing impacts for all Australians, and therefore deserves the most thorough investigation and response.
Since the attack, the solidarity of communities of faith with the Australian Jewish community has demonstrated our unanimity that all Australians, whatever their faith or cultural background, are entitled to live free from the threat of violence. Our own Christian response is informed by the biblical commands to ‘live peaceably with all, as far as it depends on you’ and to ‘overcome evil with good’ (Romans 12:18, 21).
I commend the State and Federal governments for their actions so far, including the announcement of the Richardson Review into the performance of Australia’s federal intelligence and law enforcement agencies. It will be important to identify any gaps or obstacles to the effective discharge of their duties that may exist.
However, we must go further. I urge our national government to acknowledge the voice of those directly impacted – the families of the victims and the survivors of the attack – and to heed their calls for a national inquiry.
The attack at Bondi represents the culmination of a period of rising antisemitism across the nation, including the firebombing of places of worship, education and commerce, as well graffiti attacks, and destruction of property including in residential areas.
Antisemitism, with its long, tragic and unique history is a threat to all Australians because it suggests that one part of the community is less entitled to the safety and respect that should be enjoyed by all and protected by all.
A national inquiry is an appropriate and essential part of a comprehensive response and recognises the singular and ignominious place that this horrific event now holds in our national life. The lives of 15 innocent Australians demand nothing less.
Archbishop Kanishka Raffel
7 January 2026.
– Source: SydneyAnglicans.net
Image: Archbishop Raffel at the Great Synagogue in Sydney, 18 December 2025.
Church’s net zero crackdown forces parish to rip out new boilers
Posted on January 6, 2026
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“The Church of England has ordered a parish to rip out new gas boilers because they are not ‘sustainable’.
Christ Church Chineham, in Basingstoke, Hants, spent £18,200 last year replacing two failing gas boilers, with the new ones expected to last for at least two decades.
But the parish will now be forced to remove the system and pay for an eco-friendly replacement after a church court ruled it had not ‘adequately explored more sustainable options’ before installing them. …”
– Report from The Telegraph, via Anglican Mainstream.
God is Not Needy — He upholds the Universe
Posted on January 6, 2026
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From Phillip Jensen –
“Our second episode of our summer series on Paul’s evangelism in Athens points to the enormously important doctrine of God’s sufficiency and our dependence.
I hope during this holiday time, for our Southern Hemisphere subscribers, you are having a great time to reflect on God’s goodness. For our Northern Hemisphere subscribers, we wish you well as you lurch into winter.”
– Peter and Phillip turn to one of the passages Peter really loves and unpack some of the implications of Paul’s words at the Areopagus in Acts 17.
Photo: Moore College’s Lionel Windsor at The Areopagus.
A Change of Subject — Peter Jensen’s Global Anglican editorials
Posted on January 5, 2026
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From Church Society: “Featuring a selection of editorials, articles and reviews from the 2024 issues of The Global Anglican, this digital digest is free to download.”
This Digital Digest includes a number of book reviews, several articles, and no less than four Editorials by former Archbishop of Sydney Peter Jensen. Here’s the start of one of them –
“In the midst of a huge crisis for the Church of England and for the rest of the Anglican Communion, it may be thought that an editorial in The Global Anglican would address itself to the topic. But so much is being spoken and written about these matters, that I considered that a totally different subject may be refreshing, one that addresses the ordinary business of ministry wherever in the world it is conducted.
Thus, it will be an oddly personal editorial and I hope that readers will forgive me for it. I have been reflecting on my ordained ministry experience of fifty-five years and thought that it may interest some at least if I make some observations about what the Lord has taught me in that time. I make no claim to uniqueness or comprehensiveness or profundity, but for all that my thoughts may be helpful to some, whether in ministry or contemplating ministry, or gazing at ministry from the outside.
I offer ten aphorisms in no particular order, with an explanation for each one as I proceed.…”
– A generous gift from Church Society which, no doubt, will encourage you to think about subscribing to digital or print editions of The Global Anglican.
Image from The Pastor’s Heart.
Hope in 2026!
Posted on January 4, 2026
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“It is that time of year when hope springs eternal.
Australian political and community leaders greeted the new year with words of hope. A common sentiment went like this: ‘There are stormy waters ahead, but there is also great hope for this great nation of ours’.
Really?
The signs are of increasing pessimism in Australia. Many of us expect to be personally worse off over time and expect the same for the nation. …”
– In a New Year message, Presbyterian Moderator-General David Burke explains that “the Christian faith has a tension between pessimism and hope”.
Patricia Weerakoon — God has equipped me to serve His Church at this Cultural Moment
Posted on January 4, 2026
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The Gospel Coalition Australia asks Christian writer Patricia Weerakoon to share something of her story –
“How does a socially and theologically conservative Sri Lankan Tamil Christian end up a sexologist writer and speaker in Australia?
I was born in the tea plantations of Sri Lanka during the dying days of British imperial rule. My Christian parents brought me up to be a good traditional housewife. But they also valued education so they sent me to a Christian boarding school in the capital city Colombo and encouraged me to pursue a medical degree in university, which laid the foundation for my secular career and Christian ministry. …”
Mission in mind with housing purchase
Posted on January 3, 2026
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“So, why did [CMS Australia] invest millions to buy and renovate a block of apartments?
Those who serve with CMS give up leases, sell furniture, cars and more before heading on to the mission field. So, in many ways, they don’t have a home to return to for the six months in every three years they live locally to visit partner churches, spend time among family and friends, and – hopefully – get some rest. …”
– At SydneyAnglicans.net, Judy Adamson shares the thinking behind a strategic move by CMS.
Learn more at the CMS website.
We have Smartphones — Why memorise Scripture?
Posted on January 2, 2026
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“When Jesus was tempted by the devil in the wilderness, he answered each temptation by reciting a passage from Deuteronomy (Matthew 4:1–11). He clearly had these verses memorized, for lugging the scroll around in the desert would have been impossible.
But modern minds might ask, ‘If I can access any verse anytime I want with the touch of a finger on a six-ounce phone, why memorize?’ Has the marvel of digital technology made memorization obsolete?
My answer to this question is ‘Absolutely not!’…”
– Follow Andrew Davis’ argument at Desiring God. (Link via challies.com.)
New Year’s Resolutions and Lasting Change
Posted on December 31, 2025
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From Moore College –
“As we step into 2026, it is natural to think about change; about what we hope will be different, more faithful, or more shaped by Christ in the year ahead. The Moore College Archives hold a rich collection of sermons and talks on New Year’s resolutions, reminding us that this is not a modern concern, nor one to be approached lightly.
Across these reflections from Christmas sermons that expose our loves and priorities to New Year messages calling for renewed obedience, prayer, and trust, a consistent theme emerges. At its root, the word Resolution comes from the Latin resolutio, meaning to loosen, release, or settle. In everyday use, especially with New Year’s resolutions, it refers to a commitment to change behaviour, habits, or priorities.
In a Christian sense, a resolution is not merely an act of willpower, but a settled intention to live faithfully in response to God’s grace, depending on him rather than on self-effort alone. Christian resolutions are not just about self-improvement, but about reorienting our lives toward Christ.
In a series of talks and sermon texts from the Moore Digital Archives, voices from across generations, including T.C. Hammond, D.B. Knox, Luke Tattersall and Jodie McNeill, challenge us to ask better questions.”
– See the article with the links here.
Bible Reading Plans for 2026
Posted on December 31, 2025
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A new year brings opportunities to grow in knowledge and godliness. Ligonier Ministries have some resources you could use –
“To grow in the knowledge of God and to live in light of His truth, it’s important that we set aside focused time to study His Word.
As you consider your Bible study plans for the year ahead, explore more than 20 reading plans that can help you meditate on the Scriptures often. …”
– See the available plans here.
In addition, there are many phone apps to help you keep track of your Bible reading.
One such app, available for iPhones and recent Macs, is ReadingPlan. Though the interface is slightly outdated, you can download a variety or reading plans and it helps you keep track of your progress.
There are others which do the same thing, and today might be a good day to find one for the next year.
MPs tell incoming archbishop to halt £100 Million reparations plan
Posted on December 30, 2025
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“A cross-party group of 27 Members of Parliament and peers have called on the Archbishop-designate of Canterbury, the Rt. Rev. & Rt. Hon. Sarah Mullally, to intervene and halt the Church of England’s proposed £100 million slavery reparations fund.
In a letter first reported by The Sunday Times of London (28 Dec. 2025), the parliamentarians warn that the plan—known as ‘Project Spire’—risks setting a ‘worrying precedent’ by encouraging other institutions to divert charitable resources to political or symbolic causes. …”
What we believe
The message at the heart of Christianity is really quite simple…