Four Life Lessons from the Funeral of Cliff Barrows
Posted on November 24, 2016
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“This morning, I was at Cliff Barrows’ funeral.
In ways I did not expect, the service moved me. Surprisingly, it was not because of the music (although it was amazing), but because of the life that was celebrated. …”
– Ed Stetzer shares examples of godliness, at Christianity Today.
What God is Like — Articulate #1 from the ACR
Posted on November 23, 2016
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“Welcome to the first in our Articulate series where we open the vault on an extraordinary series of articles from The ACR.
From 1955 until his death in 1961, T. C. Hammond wrote for The ACR on each of the 39 Articles (well, Articles 1-28 to be precise, sadly he died before the series was completed).
Over the coming months we’ll be releasing these articles – T.C. Hammond’s thoughts and reflections – without further comment, for your encouragement. And, as we’ll see, he is a most insightful tour guide for these rich Christian truths. …”
– Read it all – and Archdeacon Hammond’s article – at The Australian Church Record.
The Lambeth I:10 Briefing: Process and Motive, Truth and Love
Posted on November 23, 2016
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“We have received inquiries about the way the Lambeth I.10 briefing was developed, the reasons behind why it was created, and its accuracy. Below is some more information about each topic …”
– Earlier this month, GAFCON UK released a briefing paper for GAFCON Primates. Its release has been criticised in some quarters. Here’s the GAFCON UK response.
Theology does matter
Posted on November 22, 2016
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“Although recent attendance figures from the Church of England seem to indicate relentless decline, new research from a team of Canadian secular social scientists could offer hope if we recognise a truth that is all-too-often avoided. As George Orwell once observed, to see what is in front of one’s nose needs a constant struggle.
Respected new research published this week from Wilfrid Laurier University claims to have discovered that the ‘secret ingredient’ for church growth is clergy and congregations committed to the historic truths of the Christian faith as a revealed religion, while a liberal approach to belief is consistently a predictor of decline. …”
– Rod Thomas, Bishop of Maidstone (and former Chairman of Reform) responds to some recent research. Via GAFCON (Originally here – PDF file.)
John Chapman, Mark Twain and the Twenty Minute Sermon
Posted on November 22, 2016
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“John Chapman and Mark Twain both had much and little in common.
Both were great communicators and raconteurs with a razor-sharp wit. But Chappo loved his golf while Twain is thought to have said that golf was a good walk ruined. Chappo’s spirituality was biblical and evangelical. Twain’s was anything but.
However, when it came to preaching, they had something very much in common. They had little patience for preaching that was unnecessarily long – or even longer than twenty minutes. …”
– At SydneyAnglicans.net, David Mansfield would love to hear better preaching.
Legal problems with Victoria’s new birth certificate gender laws
Posted on November 21, 2016
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“The Victorian Government has introduced a Bill, the Births Deaths and Marriages Registration Amendment Bill 2016, to amend its law on birth certificates to allow changing the gender on the certificate to be made easier. (The Bill was approved by the Lower House on 15 Sept 2016 and is awaiting consideration by the Legislative Council.)
There are many problems with the policy represented by this legislation … But what I want to focus on here is the interaction of the new law with the law on marriage. In my view the law will create a host of legal uncertainties at best …”
– At Law and Religion Australia, Neil Foster shares some ideas on complications which could arise from the proposed legislation.
Priscilla & Aquila Centre Annual Conference 2017
Posted on November 21, 2016
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William Taylor, Rector of St. Helen’s Bishopsgate, is the main speaker at the Priscilla & Aquila Centre Annual Conference on Monday 30th January.
The theme: “Luke’s women, and a ministry that builds the church.”
Some excellent ideas for Christmas
Posted on November 19, 2016
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Ian Carmichael has some good ideas for connecting with visitors to your church this Christmas.
Salvation Army ‘supports Safe Schools Initiative’
Posted on November 19, 2016
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“The Salvation Army supports the Safe Schools Coalition Victoria in its initiative designed to reduce homophobic and transphobic behaviour and create safe learning environments for all students. …”
– A somewhat surprising press release from The Salvation Army (15 November 2016).
Democracy Trumps Meritocracy
Posted on November 17, 2016
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“In 2016 the sleeping giant of democracy has awakened. In the rise of minor parties in many Western democracies, in the UK Brexit vote, and now in the USA Presidential election – we have witnessed the power of people rejecting the power of the elite who rule over them. This is democracy in action.
However, this kind of democracy has shocked and rattled the complacency of the elite who have ruled unchallenged for most of this generation. The pollsters and pundits as well as the media and markets, have failed comprehensively to predict or even understand what has happened. The big guns were wheeled in to oppose the popular sentiment but it has not worked. In the polling station, in the privacy of the voting booth, the people have voted in ways they weren’t supposed to…”
– Phillip Jensen reflects on democracy, and how Christians should understand it.
2016 Sydney Synod Dinner report
Posted on November 17, 2016
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On 10 October 2016, more than 220 people enjoyed the annual Anglican Church League Synod dinner in the Chapter House of St. Andrew’s Cathedral, Sydney.
The Dean of St. Andrew’s Cathedral, The Very Rev. Kanishka Raffel, shared his experiences of gospel ministry in Perth. He spoke of the many opportunities for evangelism which exist, both within and outside the church. He also spoke of the difficulties in deciding when and how to speak the gospel in a mixed diocese.
We were encouraged to stand firm for the gospel of Jesus Christ and were reminded that the work of the Anglican Church League in defending gospel truth and supporting gospel growth is both important and ongoing.
(Click the image for a larger version.)
GAFCON Jerusalem 2018 dates announced
Posted on November 16, 2016
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GAFCON has announced that the Jerusalem 2018 Conference will be held 17th – 22nd June 2018.
Read the prayer bulletin here.
Statement from Billy Graham on the death of Cliff Barrows
Posted on November 16, 2016
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Billy Graham has released this statement:
“MONTREAT, N.C., Nov. 15, 2016. Cliff Barrows was one of the closest friends my wife Ruth and I ever had. Along with his wife Billie, and Grady Wilson and George Beverly Shea, our original team was just like a family as we traveled and worked together.
Cliff directed all the music and programming of our meetings, and our television and radio. Sometimes he could just step up and preach a lot better sermon than me because God gave him the gift — not only of organization and music, but also of preaching and teaching. We have a little conference center near my home where I would go to hear him when he was there and he certainly was a powerful speaker.
Cliff and I were together more than 60 years and in all that time we never had an argument. We had a few disagreements, but I can’t even remember those. It’s been a wonderful fellowship in our whole organization. There wouldn’t be a Billy Graham Evangelistic Association in the way it is today without him. He was used of the Lord more than anyone else to keep us together with his strength, energy, devotion and love for the Lord.
Cliff set an example and was a role model of what a Christian ought to be. His contribution to my ministry cannot be measured in human terms. He is the fifth member of our original team to be called to heaven – along with his wife Billie, my wife Ruth, Grady Wilson and George Beverly Shea. The BGEA family is going to miss him as one of the spiritual leaders of our organization, but we are looking forward to that glorious day when we will all be together again.”
Cliff Barrows
Posted on November 16, 2016
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“Cliff Barrows, the longtime music and program director for the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association, has died at age 93.
Barrows son, Bill Barrows, told WYFF News 4 that his father was suffering the complications associated with aging. He was in hospice care in Charlotte.
Family members said he died Tuesday…”
– News from WYFF Channel 4, in Greenville, South Carolina.
See also: Press release from The Billy Graham Evangelistic Association.
“Cliff Barrows, 93, of Marvin, N.C., music and program director of the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association (BGEA), passed away today at Carolinas Medical Center-Pineville, following a brief illness.
As longtime director of music programming, and later television and radio programming, for Billy Graham Crusades, Barrows traveled the world with Billy Graham since the first Crusade in Grand Rapids, Mich., in 1947. Barrows hosted the weekly Hour of Decision radio program, heard around the world, for more than 60 years.
Barrows and Graham met in 1945 while Barrows was on his honeymoon. The two men soon formed the first team of what was to later become the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association…”
(Photo courtesy BillyGraham.org.)
The Church of England and Lambeth 1:10
Posted on November 15, 2016
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“This paper was recently presented as a briefing to the GAFCON Primates on the situation in the Church of England regarding attitudes, teaching and practice on sexual ethics, official and unofficial.
It argues that the Church of England has already ‘crossed the line’ by allowing a culture to develop where violations of Lambeth Resolution 1:10 are increasingly prevalent. It is published with permission…”
The topics covered are:
What is Lambeth 1.10?
The History of Lambeth 1.10 in the West
The Situation in England
- Clergy have officiated over same-sex unions and marriages and remained in office
- Clergy have entered into same-sex marriages and remained in office
- The Blessing of Gay Pride Parades
– from GAFCON UK.
What we believe
The message at the heart of Christianity is really quite simple…