Discipleship Training in the Gospels — Preaching Matters
Posted on October 18, 2016
Filed under Resources, Theology Comments Off on Discipleship Training in the Gospels — Preaching Matters
The latest “Preaching Matters” from St. Helen’s Bishopsgate has just been released with a video from William Taylor:
“What is a Gospel, and what are the Gospel authors trying to do? Can you give us some examples of how the Gospels train us? How does the authors’ structure in the Gospels help us understand what true discipleship involves? What difference will this make to the structures and strategies in our churches?
In this month’s Preaching Matters, William describes the radical differences that follow in the way we do evangelism, preach, and disciple others.”
He asks some provocative questions about the way we do evangelism.
Moore’s global vision given a new focus
Posted on October 17, 2016
Filed under Sydney Diocese Comments Off on Moore’s global vision given a new focus
“Launched at Synod tonight, Moore’s Centre for Global Mission (CGM) promotes theological reflection and practical engagement in cross-cultural mission work. The Centre provides a pathway for the rich biblical theology taught at the College to be deployed in service of those seeking to make disciples across cultural boundaries in Sydney and around the world. …”
– Report from Moore College. Related: Centre for Global Mission.
The old Absolution switcharoo
Posted on October 17, 2016
Filed under Resources, Theology Comments Off on The old Absolution switcharoo
“Almighty God, our heavenly Father,
who in his great mercy
has promised forgiveness of sins
to all those who with heartfelt repentance and true faith turn to him:
have mercy on you,
pardon and deliver you from all your sins,
confirm and strengthen you in all goodness,
and bring you to everlasting life,
through Jesus Christ our Lord.
In my earlier years as an evangelical, I would rankle when I heard the absolution delivered in this way. ‘Priestcraft!’ my mind would shout. ‘Say us! Are you not also a sinner needing forgiveness, O vicar? …”
– At Church Society’s blog, Tom Woolford has a point worth considering.
(Image: The Absolution from the AAPB, Lord’s Supper, First Order.)
‘Accusations laid bare: In defence of the Archbishop’
Posted on October 15, 2016
Filed under Australian dioceses, Opinion Comments Off on ‘Accusations laid bare: In defence of the Archbishop’
From The Australian Church Record:
“The editor of the Australian Church Record has penned a important response to a recent article by Julia Baird concerning a group of Anglican church leaders who have accused Archbishop Glenn Davies of silencing supporters of same-sex marriage.
The ACR response can be downloaded by clicking on ‘Download Special Issue’ from australianchurchrecord.net.”
Direct link to the special issue – PDF file.
Related: Same-sex marriage: Anglican Church leaders accuse Sydney Archbishop of silencing supporters – by Julia Baird, ABC News.
In other media news this week, David Ould has received an apology from The Sydney Morning Herald.
Letter to the Church of England’s College of Bishops
Posted on October 15, 2016
Filed under Church of England, Culture wars Comments Off on Letter to the Church of England’s College of Bishops
“I am publishing here, with permission, a letter that has been sent to all members of the College of Bishops prior to their next meeting to decide what proposals to bring to General Synod in February. …
First, this is not a PR exercise. Although the sending of the letter has been reported in Christian Today, it has not been circulated to media outlets, unlike some other previous letters. It is intended to be an honest communication to the bishops of the concerns of the signatories and others like them.
Secondly, it attempts to give a clear outline of the major theological reasons why this is felt to me such an important issue. …
Thirdly, it is striking that the signatories come from the whole range of the evangelical constituency, including ‘open’, ‘charismatic’ and ‘conservative’ evangelicals. These are people involved in key initiatives in the Church at the moment, and although they do not claim to represent the groups they work for, there will be many others who share these concerns. …
The Church of England is at a crossroads in her calling to bring hope and transformation to our nation. The presenting issue is that of human sexuality, in particular whether or not the Church is able to affirm sexual relationships beyond opposite sex marriage. But the tectonic issues beneath, and driving, this specific question include what it means to be faithful to our apostolic inheritance, the Church’s relationship with wider culture, and the nature of the biblical call to holiness in the 21st Century. …
We do not believe … that it is within our gift to consider human sexual relationships and what constitutes and enables our flourishing as sexual beings to be of ‘secondary importance’. What is at stake goes far beyond the immediate pastoral challenges of human bisexual and same-sex sexual behaviour: it is a choice between alternative and radically different visions of what it means to be human, to honour God in our bodies, and to order our lives in line with God’s holy will.
At this crucial juncture, as our bishops pray and discern together regarding how the Church of England should walk forward at this time, we urge them not to depart from the apostolic inheritance with which they have been entrusted. …”
The letter has now also been published at GAFCON UK’s website.
Asia Bibi’s appeal delayed
Posted on October 13, 2016
Filed under World news Comments Off on Asia Bibi’s appeal delayed
“After more than seven years in prison, the first Pakistani Christian woman to be sentenced to death for blasphemy has had her Supreme Court appeal delayed, amidst renewed Islamist calls for her to die. …”
– News from World Watch Monitor.
Photo: Barnabas Fund.
Synod approves gay marriage booklet
Posted on October 13, 2016
Filed under Australia, Culture wars, Sydney Diocese Comments Off on Synod approves gay marriage booklet
“Sydney Synod has expressed deep concern about moves to remove gender from the marriage act and has authorised the distribution of a booklet outlining the consequences of same-sex marriage for families and society.
Debate on the third night of Synod was led by Bishop Michael Stead, who chairs the Archbishop’s Plebiscite Task Force and the Dean, Kanishka Raffel. …
‘… the Task Force was convinced of the need to provide resources for Sydney Anglicans. The booklet “what has God joined together?” is the first such resource. The booklet aims to engage, equip, and embolden Sydney Anglicans to be a part of the debate on same-sex marriage.’…”
– full report from SydneyAnglicans.net.
Australian Church Record, Spring 2016
Posted on October 12, 2016
Filed under Resources Comments Off on Australian Church Record, Spring 2016
The latest issue of The Australian Church Record (Spring 2016) is now online.
From the article ‘One Man and One Woman’ by Kanishka Raffel –
“The Scriptures delight in human friendship and community. Our hyper-sexualised culture has almost forgotten about intimate non-sexual friendships. Relationships are essential for human flourishing, but marriage is not. But God’s plan and purpose in marriage … reflects his plan to bless individuals, families and society, and to display his faithfulness and love for his people in Christ.”
From the article ‘Church-Planting and Gospel Confidence’ by Simon Flinders –
“Paul’s primary strategy in seeking to make disciples was to proclaim the gospel, rather than to establish a church. That’s not to say he had no interest in the establishment of churches. Clearly he did. But it does tell us that establishing a church was not his first order of business.”
Download it from the ACR website. Direct link to the PDF file.
Chappo’s legacy lives on with Preaching Clinics
Posted on October 12, 2016
Filed under Resources, Sydney Diocese Comments Off on Chappo’s legacy lives on with Preaching Clinics
“John Chapman was a much loved and great evangelist and preacher not only in Sydney but around the world. He was also a champion of engaging expository preaching and the need to train preachers well. He regularly used to say ‘There is nothing in the world like good preaching. Mind you, there is nothing in the world like the opposite either!’ …
The Chapman Preaching Clinics are part of an integrated program to help preachers keep improving from the day they commence preaching until the end of their ministry.” – News from Moore College.
(Illustration from a Department of Evangelism videocassette cover, 1986.)
Draft Australian Same Sex Marriage legislation unveiled
Posted on October 11, 2016
Filed under Australia, Culture wars Comments Off on Draft Australian Same Sex Marriage legislation unveiled
“Today the Federal Attorney-General, Senator the Hon George Brandis QC, released an Exposure Draft of the legislation that would, if it were to pass the Federal Parliament, introduce same sex marriage to Australia- the Marriage Amendment (Same-Sex Marriage) Bill. There is a good summary of the provisions of the legislation in a press release issued by the Attorney-General. This follows the introduction on 14 September 2016 of an enabling Bill to allow a plebiscite, a popular vote, on the matter to be put to the Australian public, the Plebiscite (Same-Sex Marriage) Bill 2016. That Bill has not yet received any substantive consideration by the Parliament.
Earlier today the leader of the Australian Labour Party Opposition, Bill Shorten, announced that his Party would be voting against the enabling Plebiscite Bill when it reaches the Senate…”
– At Law and Religion Australia, Neil Foster takes a look at the draft Same Sex Marriage legislation.
Archbishop of Sydney’s Presidential Address to Synod 2016
Posted on October 10, 2016
Filed under News Comments Off on Archbishop of Sydney’s Presidential Address to Synod 2016
“Archbishop Glenn Davies, in his Presidential address opening the 2016 Synod, or Parliament, of the Anglican Church, has spoken of Sydney’s urban sprawl and efforts to establish new churches on the fringe of the city…” – Read Russell Powell’s report at SydneyAnglicans.net.
Read Archbishop Davies’ Address (PDF file).
Watch it here. Or listen here.
Archbishop of Perth ‘stands aside’
Posted on October 10, 2016
Filed under Australian dioceses Comments Off on Archbishop of Perth ‘stands aside’
The Archbishop of Perth has released this “Pastoral Letter to the Clergy and People of the Diocese of Perth”.
A world without God
Posted on October 9, 2016
Filed under Culture wars, Opinion Comments Off on A world without God
“Wow. How did this one get past the censors? It was incredible. And moving beyond words.
What am I talking about? Sally Phillips most extraordinary documentary, A World without Down’s Syndrome, which screened on the BBC this week.
Sally is well known as the TV comedy actress from TV shows like Miranda and the Bridget Jones films. She is also a Christian and her oldest son Olly has Down’s syndrome. …
I’m not ashamed to admit I wept – not just a wee cry, but sobbed. I don’t know when I last saw something so moving, profound and world revealing.”
– David Roberston (Minister of St. Peter’s Free Church in Dundee) writes at The Wee Flea. The documentary is available here.
Related: Mom of baby with Down syndrome sends remarkable letter to doctor who recommended abortion.
Stories you may have missed — 9th October 2016
Posted on October 9, 2016
Filed under News Comments Off on Stories you may have missed — 9th October 2016
Here are a few of last week’s key stories –
Statement from the Global South Primates and GAFCON Primates Council Concerning Same-sex Unions. An important statement coming out of the Global South meeting in Cairo.
Sydney mourns Dr. Bill Dumbrell.
Audio files from the 2016 ACL Synod Briefing. Get up to speed on what’s coming up at Sydney Synod this week.
Statement regarding Dr Keith Mascord – Sydney Diocese
Posted on October 9, 2016
Filed under Sydney Diocese Comments Off on Statement regarding Dr Keith Mascord – Sydney Diocese
“The Archbishop does not normally comment on applications for licences, which are the subject of private discussions and correspondence with the applicants.
However, given misrepresentations in the media, the following points are relevant…”
– The Diocese of Sydney has released this Media Statement.
What we believe
The message at the heart of Christianity is really quite simple…