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.
ACR website updated
Posted on November 15, 2016
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The Australian Church Record’s website has been updated —
“Since 1880 The ACR has communicated with its readers via a newspaper, or newspaper-like, medium. With over 2300 issues produced, The ACR has a rich history on paper – a history we now continue online. Not only do we have a new website, we’ve also restructured how our publications fit together. So here’s what’s new from The ACR:
The ACR Online
The ACR Online is the new blog of The ACR. Here you’ll find a regular stream of short, sharp articles by an array of writers. These articles will cover a variety of topics and issues, each aiming to leave you more convicted of the gospel, keener to serve Christ and more confident on how to do so. In many ways these articles will not be too different from the encouraging and thought-provoking pieces previously found in our newspapers. They will just be more regular!
The ACR Journal
Of course, not everything can be said in a short blog piece. This is where The ACR Journal comes in. Some issues are complex and are best dealt with in more detail. In our journal you’ll find lengthy discussions on relevant and current theological matters within evangelicalism. The ACR Journal will also be used to help inform and educate Sydney Synod members on upcoming Synod meetings.
The ACR Archives
One of the most exciting components of our new website is The ACR Archives. With over 135 years of publication, The ACR has a rich heritage and is an invaluable historical resource. With more than 2300 issues there is a wealth of historical material, such as ordination lists, parish information, and Anglican news, along with thousands of theological articles written by the likes of D. B. Knox, T. C. Hammond, Donald Robinson, Leon Morris, J. I. Packer, Marcus Loane, Graeme Goldsworthy, John Chapman, and many more. We will also be re-releasing many of these articles through The ACR Online via the ‘From the vault’ segment.
In light of these changes, here’s what’s stayed the same …”
See Him Face to Face
Posted on November 14, 2016
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From Michael Morrow: “…as part of the Co-Mission network of churches in London I have produced a live worship album, called ’See Him Face to Face’.”
You can preview (and buy, if you wish) the album at Bandcamp. (Many will know Michael as the composer of This Life I Live.)
The heart of GAFCON
Posted on November 13, 2016
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“At the heart of GAFCON is communion.
When I became Archbishop of Sydney in 2001, I had a lot to learn. Even though I had been ordained for over thirty years by then, had lived in England for three years and had been the Principal of a theological College with students from many places in the world, there was so much that I did not know.
Two of the many things I had to discover through experience may sound strange and you may wonder where I had been all my life. But I suspect that many of us are in the same position…”
– GAFCON General Secretary, Dr. Peter Jensen, on The heart of GAFCON.
Bishop Greg Venables is new Primate of South America
Posted on November 12, 2016
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“The Bishop of Argentina, Greg Venables, has been re-elected as the new Primate of the Anglican Church of South America. …”
– Report from the Anglican Communion News Service.
‘Worship in the woods’
Posted on November 11, 2016
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“Churches destroyed a year ago by Islamic extremists and police in Aceh Singkil – a rural ‘regency’ in Indonesia’s only Sharia-ruled province – have still not been rebuilt because of discrimination against Christians by local authorities, say church leaders. However, despite the troubles, church membership is climbing. …”
– This report from World Watch Monitor.
(By complete contrast: Nature’s dome is Church of the Wood’s only chapel, Episcopal News Service.)
GAFCON website updated
Posted on November 11, 2016
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GAFCON has a revamped website.
Cornhill Sydney moves to Moore
Posted on November 10, 2016
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“In what is great news for the training of preachers and Bible teachers in Sydney and beyond, Cornhill Sydney will relocate to the Newtown campus of Moore College from the start of 2017. This new location will facilitate closer partnership, with the common goal of better equipping men and women in Bible exposition, and especially those who are charged with the critical role of preaching…” – More good news from Moore College.
Understanding the electoral forces behind a stunning victory
Posted on November 9, 2016
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In his daily broadcast, The Briefing, Albert Mohler turns to the news of the day – the election of Donald Trump as US President.
How Cornhill began
Posted on November 9, 2016
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From The Proclamation Trust:
“Over the next few days we’ll be posting video highlights from the service of thanksgiving for the 25th anniversary of the Cornhill Training Course, held last week.
First, here’s a brief interview with Dick Lucas on how it all began.”
What we believe
The message at the heart of Christianity is really quite simple…