Bishop of Bathurst’s newsletter — Synod 2024
Posted on October 16, 2024
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The Bishop of Bathurst, Mark Calder, has released his latest newsletter.
Food for your prayers and a great way to catch up with what is happening across the diocese.
Rejoicing at what Gafcon is doing in Europe
Posted on October 16, 2024
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From The Anglican Network in Europe:
“On 15th October 2024 Gafcon inaugurated a third diocese for the Anglican Network in Europe [ANiE]. The Anglican Missionary Congregations (Europe) [AMC] has grown from a single Nigerian diaspora congregation in Manchester to 39 congregations all over the UK and in some parts of Europe, served by 54 mainly self-supporting clergy.
Joining in partnership for mission to Europe is a beautiful expression of the Lord gathering people from every tribe, language, people and nation to proclaim Christ faithfully to a needy continent. AMC will bring their significant energy and experience of church planting to ANiE.
Archbishop Laurent Mbanda, Chair of the Gafcon Primates’ Council, inaugurated the diocese and then consecrated Dr Gideon Illechukwu before Presiding Bishop Andy Lines installed him as their first bishop. In a service with a vibrant Nigerian flavour, people from all over the Network celebrated their unity in the global Anglican family of Gafcon for gospel mission under the clear authority of scripture.
The Archbishop said, ‘This is what Gafcon has done and will continue to do; not only contending for the gospel but providing an ecclesial home for those determined to proclaim God’s unchanging truth in a changing world.’
Newly consecrated Bishop Gideon Illeechukwu said, ‘Praise God for a day like this, that we are joining the Anglican Network in Europe as their third diocese. I am grateful to the Lord for calling me to serve as the diocesan bishop of the Anglican Missionary Congregations (Europe) and pray that together we shall expand the kingdom of God in Europe and beyond through Gafcon.’ ”
– via e-mail.
Earlier:
Background – ANiE.
Meanwhile, back in the Church of England –
Martyn Snow, lead bishop for the ‘Living and Love and Faith’ process, presents an 8 minute video where he outlines what happens next with the LLF steamroller, arguing that the Church of England was born in disagreement, and hoping that people won’t leave.
Lausanne – with Mark Thompson and Chris Edwards
Posted on October 16, 2024
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From The Pastor’s Heart:
“5,000 believers gathered from more than 200 nations last month in South Korea.
It is 50 years since Billy Graham and John Stott first launched the Lausanne movement in Switzerland.
Anglican Bishop of North Sydney Chris Edwards has described the congress as like an all you can eat buffet – ‘where some parts tasted amazing / fantastic and I kept wanting more and yet other parts even a mouthful made me feel nauseous’.
Principal of Sydney’s Moore Theological College Mark Thompson says there were some great highlights including a presentation by Vaughan Roberts on sexuality but also areas of concern.”
Related:
The photo of Billy Graham and Jack Dain mentioned in the conversation can be seen here on the Lausanne website.
Read the original Lausanne Covenant here.
Update:
The challenges of mid-life – a spiritual buffet for a 50-year-old – Bishop Chris Edwards at SydneyAnglicans.net.
Ridley’s Principal to deliver farewell lecture
Posted on October 15, 2024
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“The Reverend Brian Rosner will deliver a public farewell lecture at Ridley College on Wednesday, 16 October, marking the conclusion of his more than 12 years as principal.
The lecture, titled Strengthened by the Gospel: The Purpose of Romans and the Future of Ridley College, will focus on the enduring role of the gospel in Christian life and ministry. …”
– Report and photo from The Melbourne Anglican.
And a good reminder to also pray for the College and for Rhys Bezzant as he takes up the reins in January.
Anglican Aid CEO Statement: Responding to the ongoing conflict in the Middle East
Posted on October 15, 2024
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“When the terrible violence erupted in Israel and Gaza in October last year, I was genuinely appalled and saddened. At the time, I wrote a prayer pleading for God’s protection of the innocent and urging Anglican Aid supporters to pray. Now, one year on, I continue to grieve over this devastating conflict, which has now also spread to Lebanon.
As this conflict continues to escalate, Anglican Aid supporters may understandably want to give to provide aid to those who have been caught up in the crossfire. However, at this stage we are not launching an emergency appeal for Lebanon (or for Israel and Gaza), for two main reasons…”
– CEO of The Archbishop Of Sydney’s Anglican Aid, Canon Tim Swan, explains the current situation and asks for your prayers for peace.
Latest news from the Northern Territory
Posted on October 15, 2024
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The latest issue of Top Centre magazine (issue 24.2) from the Diocese of the Northern Territory is available on their website.
The Good News in the Original Meaning of “Catholic”
Posted on October 14, 2024
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“From within seventy years of Jesus’ death early documents show that his followers were keen to call themselves catholic. According to the Vatican in 2021 1.3 billion people called themselves Roman Catholic.
There is a significant difference between what the work originally meant and what it means today. There is good news in rediscovering its original meaning. …”
– At The Gospel Coalition Australia, Mark Gilbert reminds us what being “catholic” is all about.
New Moore College Lecturer in Ministry and Dean of Students
Posted on October 13, 2024
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“Rev Malcolm York, currently Rector of St Andrew’s Roseville, has been nominated as Lecturer in Ministry and Dean of Students for Moore College starting in January 2025.
With a depth of experience in parish ministry Mal has the heart and the skills needed for this important teaching and pastoral role. …”
– Announcement from Moore College.
2024 Melbourne Synod wrap-up
Posted on October 12, 2024
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The Synod of the Diocese of Melbourne has been held the last few days.
The Melbourne Anglican has several stories, as well as the text of Archbishop Philip Freier’s last Synod Presidential Address before his retirement.
Photo by Jenan Taylor / The Melbourne Anglican.
Moore College’s Annual Report 2024
Posted on October 12, 2024
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Moore College’s Annual Report for 2024 is now available to read online or download from their website.
A good reminder to pray for the College.
Where is our mission confidence?
Posted on October 11, 2024
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“Last week, I enjoyed Xiao Long Bao with the family in a restaurant just behind Bourke Street in Melbourne City. On our way back to the car, we walked past two billboards casting their messages onto the famous Swanston and Flinders Street intersection.
The first billboard was hilarious; it advertised Melbourne’s Fringe Festival by emulating Paris’ Olympic Opening Ceremony with a Last Supper mock-up. Melbourne’s creatives apparently have the comedic and artistic flair of the inside of a vacuum: ‘Let stupidity repeat itself’! (no I’m not offended, except by the boorishness).
The second billboard stands outside St Paul’s Cathedral. This gothic lookalike sits on the busiest intersection in Melbourne’s CBD. It is a favourite spot for news reporters, city workers, protesters, and more. In every direction a tram is clicketing with passengers heading to the MCG or to theatre shows and the symphony.
With this kind of amazing frontage, which is probably unbeatable anywhere else in all of Melbourne, what message would you like to convey to the 100,000s people who pass by every day?…”
– Murray Campbell in Melbourne has some important observations for all churches.
Here’s another message, posted by private individuals, across from St. Paul’s Cathedral several years ago:
Masterful exploration of New Testament context
Posted on October 11, 2024
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“For several decades, Dr Paul Barnett delivered lectures on the background to the New Testament to first-year students at Moore College. Generations of future ministers have thereby been exposed to his masterful examination of the geopolitical context in which the New Testament came into being.
Now, with the publication of his latest book, The Trials of Jesus: Evidence, Conclusions, and Aftermath, the fruit of his study of the sociopolitical background to the trials and subsequent crucifixion of Jesus is available for all. …”
– Bishop Glenn Davies reviews Paul Barnett’s latest book – at SydneyAnglicans.net. Anything Paul Barnett publishes is worth reading.
Bishop Darrell Parker’s Presidential Address to the Diocese of North West Australia
Posted on October 10, 2024
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“The life saving and life transforming ministry of our Lord Jesus Christ continues steadily across the North West of Western Australia.
I’m deeply conscious that first and foremost, before we say anything concerning the details of that ministry, we must thank God for his mercies in what has been achieved. He surely is the one who makes this happen and empowers it by his Spirit, so it’s in sincere thanks, gratitude, and praise that I begin this Presidential Report to our Diocesan Synod.
If we together have achieved anything of eternal significance in this last year, our first instinct must be to humble ourselves before our Creator, Saviour, and King, and say ‘thank you’. I say this because ‘our’ works in gospel ministry are firstly ’The Lord’s’ works in gospel ministry. Our gospel acts of service belong to him well and truly before we undertake or even conceive of them. Paul reminds us of this truth in Ephesians 2:10,
…. For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.
This address is classified into three parts:
(1) Our Ministry Environment
(2) Diocesan Ministry Initiatives and Change
(3) Some Episcopal Observations …”
– Read it all here. A great reminder to pray for ministry in the North West.
Recovering our larger story helps know ourselves and our place in God’s world
Posted on October 9, 2024
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From The Pastor’s Heart:
“Historical literacy is a critical tool for Christians, deepening faith and enhancing evangelism and discipleship.
Sarah Irving Stonebreaker says we’ve forgotten how to engage well with the past, we don’t know why the past might be relevant to us today, and we have missed out on being part of a larger story. …”
Dr Tony Payne to Lecture in Christian Thought at Moore College
Posted on October 8, 2024
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“The College is thrilled to announce the appointment of Rev Dr Tony Payne as Lecturer in Christian Thought (Ethics) from November 2024.
Currently serving at Campus Bible Study (CBS) in the University of New South Wales as a ministry trainer, Tony has previously served the College in a part-time capacity (2014–2019) as Director of the Centre for Christian Living.
For more than three decades, mainly through his work with Matthias Media, Tony has been regularly sharing reflections on what it means to live the Christian life through books, articles, podcasts and lectures. …”
– Read the news at the Moore College website.
What we believe
The message at the heart of Christianity is really quite simple…