Three Aussies in Galilee
Posted on July 2, 2018
Filed under Encouragement, GAFCON Comments Off on Three Aussies in Galilee
Last week, on The Pastor’s Heart, Dominic Steele spoke with Kanishka Raffel (St. Andrew’s Cathedral) and Ray Galea (MBM Rooty Hill) about their reactions to GAFCON 2018.
Coming up on Tuesday 3rd July at 2:00pm AEST:
“On ThePastorsHeart.net we are talking about and with the minister who loses it all, when the diocese moves into apostasy, leaving you and your people as faithful followers of Christ Jesus, but without denominational support and sometimes stripped of your church building and house.
Next week on The Pastor’s Heart we will get back to our regular format of a live discussion and you asking questions, but this week we are still dealing with issues raised by the #Gafcon2018 Conference in Jerusalem a few weeks ago.”
A turning point in the history of Anglicanism — must read
Posted on July 2, 2018
Filed under Anglican Communion, GAFCON Comments Off on A turning point in the history of Anglicanism — must read
“Almost 1700 years ago, on 20 June 325AD, 318 bishops concluded a very significant meeting. They had gathered in Nicaea because errors had arisen in the church which were so profound that they undermined the very foundation of the Christian message. Those bishops renounced the heresies and upheld orthodox Christian doctrine which had been revealed by God through the Scriptures.
On 22 June 2018, 316 bishops (along with 669 other clergy and 965 laity), concluded another very significant meeting. They gathered in Jerusalem because errors have arisen in the church which were so profound that they undermined the very foundation of the Christian message. Those delegates renounced the heresies and upheld orthodox Christian doctrine which had been revealed by God through the Scriptures.
Those in Jerusalem were gathered from around the Anglican communion and represented the majority of that fellowship. But as this was the third GAFCON that has been held, a justifiable question is whether this conference will make any lasting difference in the way the conference at Nicaea did?…
In order to answer that question, it is worth understanding the context in which this movement has arisen.”
– Here’s a must read article from Dr. Ed Loane – published at SydneyAnglicans.net.
(Photo: Moore Theological College.)
Prayers urged for Archbishop Ben Kwashi and Nigeria
Posted on July 1, 2018
Filed under GAFCON, People Comments Off on Prayers urged for Archbishop Ben Kwashi and Nigeria
“The premises of the Archbishop of Jos was breached overnight by suspected Fulani Herdsmen days after he was appointed General Secretary of GAFCON for the Anglican Church worldwide.
Archbishop Ben Kwashi who was named GS just this week after a meeting in Israel attended by hundreds of Anglican leaders from around the world is believed to have recently returned to Nigeria only for this attack to occur.
The esteemed clergyman posted on his Facebook page decrying attacks and insecurity inspite of a curfew announced following last weekend’s massacre of at least 238 people …
Archbishop Benjamin Kwashi also lamented the death of a driver during last night’s attack…”
– Troubling news from Plateau State in Nigeria.
(Photo: Archbishop Kwashi with Archbishop Foley Beach during GAFCON 2018.)
Related: Christians Slaughtered. Yawn.
Church of Ireland Bishop gives thanks for GAFCON
Posted on June 30, 2018
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Bishop Harold Miller, of the Diocese of Down and Dromore in the Church of Ireland, attended GAFCON 2018 in Jerusalem:
“I have just returned from the third Global Anglican Futures Conference (GAFCON) in Jerusalem, which took place from 18–22 June. It was a wonderful experience to be with so many Anglicans from all over the world and I wanted to share some reflections and observations. …”
– Most encouraging. Read it at the Diocese of Down and Dromore website.
Diocese of Wangaratta pushes ahead with Same-Sex Blessings
Posted on June 29, 2018
Filed under Australian dioceses, Culture wars Comments Off on Diocese of Wangaratta pushes ahead with Same-Sex Blessings
“The Diocese of Wangaratta, at its recent synod, passed the following motion,
That this Synod:
… commends the pastoral value of the Bishop authorising a Form of Blessing [of same-sex couples] for optional use in the Diocese of Wangaratta … and …
requests that the Bishop of Wangaratta ensure opportunity for the clergy and laity of the Diocese to engage in further discussion as part of the process leading to the potential Diocesan provision for blessing of civil marriages. …
It is hard to see [Bishop Parkes’] actions here as anything other than a direct challenge to the position that the Anglican Church of Australia has established both at a national synodical level and also amongst his fellow bishops.”
– Read the post at DavidOuld.net for more.
Two GAFCON summary videos you could show this Sunday
Posted on June 29, 2018
Filed under GAFCON, Resources Comments Off on Two GAFCON summary videos you could show this Sunday
Earlier, we posted a link to “GAFCON 2018 in 90 seconds” from SydneyAnglicans.net, which you might like to download and show in church.
Thanks to GAFCON and Dominic Steele, above is another, which runs for 3:27.
You can also see the assembly on the Temple steps in this video.
Freedom for Faith Conference 2018 audio available
Posted on June 28, 2018
Filed under Culture wars, Resources Comments Off on Freedom for Faith Conference 2018 audio available
Thanks to the team at Freedom for Faith, you can now hear the audio from their recent conference, Freedom18, on the limits of religious freedom.
Speakers and topics were:
Dr. Alex Deagon: A Christian Framework for Religious Diversity in Political Discourse.
Senator the Hon. Jacinta Collins: Building Constructive Partnerships in Politics.
Dr. Joel Harrison: What is Religious Liberty For?
Hon. John Anderson AO: How Do We Now Understand Freedom?
Prof. Patrick Parkinson AM: The Limits on the Freedom of Religious Organisations to Select Staff Consistent with Their Ethos.
Emeritus Prof. Rosalind Croucher AM: The Role of the Australian Human Rights Commission as the National Human Rights Body in Promoting and Protecting Rights.
Hear the talks at Freedom for Faith.
Abp Ben Kwashi is GAFCON’s new general secretary. Meet Ben and Gloria Kwashi.
Posted on June 27, 2018
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“Archbishop Ben Kwashi of Jos, Nigeria will replace current General Secretary, Archbishop Peter Jensen of Australia, who has served Gafcon in the role since its inception 10 years ago.
This leadership transition will be graduated over the next several months as Kwashi’s and Jensen’s terms overlap in a period of planning. Kwashi will fully take over in January 2019.”
That’s me, 34th from the right
Posted on June 27, 2018
Filed under GAFCON, Opinion Comments Off on That’s me, 34th from the right
“I am a 2008er. That is, I was probably one of the first Australians to know about the Global Anglican Future Conference and one of the first to register in 2008.
I went to the London leadership conference in 2012, GAFCON II in Nairobi in 2013 and I have just returned from GAFCON III in Jerusalem. As a member of the media team at all three GAFCONS, I have been privileged to see things up close.
I have never been prouder to be an Aussie – given the way my brothers and sisters from Anglican churches across Australia got stuck in to help in Jerusalem. …”
– Russell Powell (who is only 4th from the right in the photo above) shares his reflections on GAFCON 2018 at SydneyAnglicans.net.
Photo: GAFCON Media.
“Letter to the Churches” encapsulates authentic Christianity with clarity, firmness and grace
Posted on June 27, 2018
Filed under Anglican Communion, GAFCON, Opinion Comments Off on “Letter to the Churches” encapsulates authentic Christianity with clarity, firmness and grace
“The Conference in Jerusalem which has just ended was an extraordinarily rich experience. Not just the dynamic worship, outstanding teaching, and cross-cultural fellowship in small groups and one to one.
A huge amount of information has been presented formally from up front and informally in the form of interviews and blogs. Much of this will be lost in time; the life-changing experience of delegates may fade, but what remains is the Conference Statement. …”
– At Anglican Mainstream, the Rev. Andrew Symes provides some initial reflections on GAFCON’s ‘Letter to the Churches’.
GAFCON Announces New Leadership
Posted on June 26, 2018
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“As the 2018 Gafcon Jerusalem conference came to a close on Friday, the Primates’ Council announced the election of Archbishop Benjamin Kwashi, Province of Jos (Nigeria), as the next General Secretary, and Archbishop Foley Beach, primate of the Anglican Church in North America, as the next Chairman of the movement. The announcement was received with roaring applause from the nearly 2,000 delegates in attendance.
Kwashi will replace current General Secretary, Archbishop Peter Jensen of Australia, who has served Gafcon in the role since its inception 10 years ago. After the announcement, Jensen was recognized by the conference in an emotional moment including a presentation culminating with a standing ovation. …”
– Story and photo from GAFCON.
See also: GAFCON Leadership transition announced.
Undivided – An Open Letter to Vicky Beeching
Posted on June 26, 2018
Filed under Culture wars, Opinion, Theology Comments Off on Undivided – An Open Letter to Vicky Beeching
“Vicky Beeching is a relatively well-known Christian singer songwriter who is now better known for being gay and an advocate of the LGBT agenda within the church.
When she came out as gay she knew that her career on the American Christian music scene was over, but she now has a new career as a darling of the regressive establishment, as they continue their ‘redefinition’ of the Christian faith.
Her new career has resulted in numerous media appearances, an award from the Archbishop of Canterbury and a new book. ‘Undivided’ has just been published to a mixed reception. This is my review in the form of an open letter.”
– At his blog, The Wee Flea, David Robertson has published a very thoughtful open letter. Do take the time to read.
GAFCON 2018 in 90 seconds
Posted on June 26, 2018
Filed under GAFCON, Resources Comments Off on GAFCON 2018 in 90 seconds
From SydneyAnglicans.net: A slideshow designed for churches to show during services as a way of informing people about GAFCON 2018. Download here.
Canberra & Goulburn Episcopal Election Nominations Committee proceeds to next stage
Posted on June 26, 2018
Filed under Australian dioceses Comments Off on Canberra & Goulburn Episcopal Election Nominations Committee proceeds to next stage
“The Episcopal Election Nominations Committee… has now completed the consultation phase and the Diocesan Profile and Episcopal Selection Criteria. …
On 2 July 2018 we will be inviting Members of Synod to propose the names of persons for consideration as Prospective Nominees.”
– The Diocese of Canberra & Goulburn Nominations Committee is continuing their work, with an Election Synod scheduled for November. Do continue to pray for the churches of the diocese, and for those who will be proposed.
Letter to GAFCON Primates from Anglican Consultative Council Secretary General
Posted on June 25, 2018
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George Conger at Anglican Ink has published the letter from Dr Josiah Idowu-Fearon, Secretary General of the Anglican Consultative Council, to the GAFCON Primates – dated 13th June 2018.
“I am persuaded to write to you all, as members of the Primates’ Meeting and therefore and one of the four instruments that make up the smooth running of our Communion of Churches, about this month’s letter from the Chairman of GAFCON. …”
– The full letter may be read here (PDF), courtesy of Anglican Ink.
Related:
- GAFCON Chairman’s June 2018 Letter – GAFCON.
- Response to the ACC Secretary General’s Criticism of Gafcon’s Ministry Networks – 21 June 2018.
- Which is the Real Josiah Fearon? – David Ould.
What we believe
The message at the heart of Christianity is really quite simple…