#Metoo for unborn girls?
Posted on August 13, 2018
Filed under Culture wars Comments Off on #Metoo for unborn girls?
“Today at Church we celebrated the birth of a little girl. The parents gave thanks to God for her, and we as a congregation prayed for them. It was a joyous occasion, because life is so precious and wonderful, and every new life is beautiful.
As I was preparing for the infant dedication service earlier this morning, I came across this upsetting article in today’s The Age …”
– Murray Campbell in Melbourne asks, “Is there a correlation between a society that leaves Christianity behind, and a society that dehumanises others?”
Being salty in a secular world: An interview with Os Guinness
Posted on August 13, 2018
Filed under Culture wars, Resources Comments Off on Being salty in a secular world: An interview with Os Guinness
When Os Guinness was in Sydney recently, Steve Tong spoke with him for The Australian Church Record.
Os spoke about the need to connect evangelism and apologetics, and the responsibility of Christians to engage with our world by holding out the light of the gospel.
Read it at The Australian Church Record.
Morning Star Publishing joins Bible Society Australia Publishing Arm
Posted on August 13, 2018
Filed under Australia Comments Off on Morning Star Publishing joins Bible Society Australia Publishing Arm
From a Bible Society Australia press release:
“Morning Star’s list joins Acorn Press and the Centre for Public Christianity as imprints of Bible Society Australia Publishing.”
– Full press release here. And the Morning Star Publishing website.
Simon Manchester on Getting the Message Across
Posted on August 13, 2018
Filed under Encouragement, Resources Comments Off on Simon Manchester on Getting the Message Across
Late last year, Nancy Guthrie spoke with Simon Manchester about how to engage listeners.
Mark Jones ‘meet the author’ at Reformers Bookshop
Posted on August 12, 2018
Filed under Resources Comments Off on Mark Jones ‘meet the author’ at Reformers Bookshop
Mark Jones, author of several books, including the well regarded Christian’s Pocket Guide to Jesus Christ: An Introduction to Christology, is visiting Reformer’s Bookshop in Stanmore next week (Thursday 16th August) for a ‘Meet the Author’ event.
In other news from Reformers, they have recently introduced four Pastors Packs which may be of interest to our readers.
Reformers also has some copies of Reformation Worship, edited by Jonathan Gibson and Mark Earngey, at their reduced price. (Use this link. Click through to the checkout to get the 30% discount, while available.)
Jonathan Edwards: Safe beneath his Sovereign God
Posted on August 12, 2018
Filed under Encouragement, People, Theology Comments Off on Jonathan Edwards: Safe beneath his Sovereign God
“In the spring of 1750, the central discussion at Northampton Church in southern Massachusetts was not how to honor their faithful pastor for almost a quarter century of diligent labors among them. Rather, it was how to most expeditiously get rid of him.
In late June, the church held a series of meetings, and they summarily fired their pastor by a vote of 10 to 1 – of the 253 voting members, 230 voted for him to be dismissed, and 23 for him to stay.
Why were the people pointing fingers instead of offering warm handshakes to their pastor, Jonathan Edwards?…”
– At Desiring God, Dane Ortlund brings godly encouragement from the life of Jonathan Edwards.
Related: Johnathan Edwards’ The Religious Affections is the free Audiobook from Christian Audio for August 2018.
GAFCON announces plans for additional Conference for 2019
Posted on August 11, 2018
Filed under GAFCON Comments Off on GAFCON announces plans for additional Conference for 2019
The Chairman of the GAFCON Primates Council, Archbishop Nicholas Okoh, has announced that GAFCON will hold a conference in 2019 for those excluded from attending the recent global gathering in Jerusalem.
“…we were saddened by the fact that there were some from Africa and the Middle East who wanted to join us but were prevented from doing so due to visa issues. We are determined that they should experience the same sense of awe and joy and we have therefore decided to organise a conference specifically tailored for them.”
– Source: GAFCON.
‘Church in Hard Places 2018’ videos now available
Posted on August 11, 2018
Filed under Resources Comments Off on ‘Church in Hard Places 2018’ videos now available
Andrew Beddoe has shared this news from the recent Church in Hard Places 2018 workshops:
“If you missed the Church in Hard Places 2018 workshops this year you might be interested to view the sessions …
These videos will not only help those ministering in socially deprived areas but those seeking to bring the hope of Jesus to any community that does not know Him.”
Response to Ely Cathedral’s Support of Pride Festival
Posted on August 10, 2018
Filed under Church of England Comments Off on Response to Ely Cathedral’s Support of Pride Festival
Here’s a response to Ely Cathedral’s support of their local Pride Festival, from Lee Gatiss, Director of Church Society. He comments on an item on a Cambridge local news website:
“Why is a Church of England cathedral promoting what is described as “primarily a lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender celebration”?
They are not naive, and know what they are doing. The flag will no doubt be a rainbow, but in reality it is a white flag, signalling their surrender of Christianity in favour of a completely different gospel, which is divisive in the church and endangering to the soul.
There are better ways of rejoicing in the diversity of humanity — by proclaiming the joyful news of eternal life for every one of us who repents, turns away from our sin and turns to Jesus instead. Bring back the cross, the symbol of his kingdom. That is the banner under which Christians gather. But God says, ‘pride comes before destruction.’”
– from Church Society.
Have we lost evangelism? with Phil Colgan and Craig Schafer
Posted on August 10, 2018
Filed under Resources, Sydney Diocese Comments Off on Have we lost evangelism? with Phil Colgan and Craig Schafer
“A good friend tells you when you have something stuck between your teeth just before the photograph is taken.
Scotland’s David Andrew Robertson was a guest on The Pastor’s Heart a few months ago and is a good friend.
In an interview with Australian Church Record, having spent three months in Sydney, he’s had some significant things to say about the Sydney Anglican Church and asks have we gone off the boil on seeking the lost saved? …”
– Take the time to watch Phil Colgan and Craig Schafer discuss the state of evangelism with Dominic Steele at The Pastor’s Heart.
And a response from David Robertson:
“This is a fascinating discussion about evangelism in Sydney – in response to this interview I gave to the Sydney Anglican magazine. This is from an excellent podcast called The Pastors Heart. hosted by Dominic Steele. I found it very encouraging to hear pastors and church leaders take seriously this issue.
I contrast these Sydney Anglican brothers with what I hear from Anglicans here (Rico Tice resigning from the Archbishops commission on evangelism, Kelvin Holdsworth complaining about the roads being closed for a cycle race in Glasgow, the Leeds diocese facing bankruptcy, or the endless attempts to impose LGBT ideology upon the church), and I am heartened by what I hear. (at a personal level it was good to have people take one seriously and not just shrug their shoulders or shake their heads!).
Those of us who are not Sydney Anglicans (or even Australians!) could learn a great deal from this conversation – I loved the line ‘You can’t convert the public square, you can only see people converted’. …”
Recorded: Canadian hospital staff urging patient to die
Posted on August 9, 2018
Filed under Culture wars Comments Off on Recorded: Canadian hospital staff urging patient to die
“A Canadian man suffering from an incurable disease claims that despite asking for home care, the medical team at an Ontario hospital would offer him only medically assisted suicide…”
– A disturbing story from The Society for the Protection of Unborn Children.
How I talk to people about the Trinity
Posted on August 9, 2018
Filed under Resources, Theology Comments Off on How I talk to people about the Trinity
“It was the first evangelistic course that I had ever run. I had just finished my presentation on the authority of Jesus in Mark 1-2 and opened up for question time. The first question, right off the bat, was…
‘So, what’s the deal with the Trinity?’
Since then I have found that of all the questions I get asked, this is the most common one. …”
– Maybe you’ve had similar experiences to Tom Habib, who writes at The Australian Church Record.
Six Benefits of Studying Church History
Posted on August 8, 2018
Filed under Resources Comments Off on Six Benefits of Studying Church History
“Many of us may struggle with the feeling that the church is already too old-fashioned. If so, why should we study church history? Shouldn’t we stop looking backward to the 16th century and start living in the 21st century?
Contrary to our concerns, the church has always realized that a forward-looking church is also a backward looking church. Likewise, well-balanced, progressive Christians will be students of church history. …”
– Meet the Puritans wants to encourage you to study church history.
Alight for the Lord
Posted on August 7, 2018
Filed under Resources, Sydney Diocese Comments Off on Alight for the Lord
“With an eye to spreading the blessings God has given, CityAlight – the music ministry of St Paul’s, Castle Hill – has created a series of videos about their most popular songs.
The idea behind this is twofold, explains CityAlight’s music director Tiarne Kleyn. …”
– Encouragement from SydneyAnglicans.net.
Edinburgh church votes to split from the Scottish Episcopal Church
Posted on August 6, 2018
Filed under Anglican Communion, Culture wars, Scotland Comments Off on Edinburgh church votes to split from the Scottish Episcopal Church
“One of the largest churches in Edinburgh has voted to split from the Scottish Episcopal Church amid tensions over its decision to become the first Anglican body in the UK to endorse gay marriage. …
The Rev David McCarthy, Rector at St Thomas’ told The Sunday Telegraph the decision had been a “very painful” one. …
‘… it is the Episcopal Church who are leaving us. They are leaving orthodoxy.’…”
– Report from The Sunday Telegraph.
(Photo of David McCarthy via GAFCON.)
See also: St. Thomas’, Corstorphine, Edinburgh.
What we believe
The message at the heart of Christianity is really quite simple…