Preparing for death
Posted on January 6, 2017
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“…you won’t find a shelf labelled ‘death’ at your local Christian bookstore. Have a look, and tell me if I’m wrong. My guess is that you’ll find shelves marked ‘marriage’ and ‘prayer’, but probably not a section on dying.
Your local Puritan bookstore (if there was such a thing) would have been different.”
– At GoThereFor.com, Jean Williams has a book recommendation. (“Despite the topic, it’s not dreary or depressing, but joyful and uplifting.”)
GAFCON Chairman’s New Year Message for 2017
Posted on January 4, 2017
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“As you will have seen from our end of year review, GAFCON is increasingly active. We are extending our reach, growing in influence, standing with the marginalised, strengthening our organisation and equipping key leaders, but all these things are the outworking of faithful prayer in the power of the Spirit. We are a spiritual movement in a spiritual battle and at the heart of the struggle is the challenge to the Word of God.
This is nothing new. Right at the beginning of bible history, the serpent says ‘Did God really say?’ (Genesis 3:1) and this is the question the traditional leadership of the Communion seems unwilling or unable to resolve. For instance…”
– Read Archbishop Okoh’s New Year message for 2017.
Death, the New Year and the Hope of Christ
Posted on January 3, 2017
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“2016 was a sobering year for our celebrity-driven culture.
A recent CNN article reminded us of the many well known individuals that we lost over the course of the last year. More names have been added just in this past week. More than usual, it seems that many of these celebrities and artists lost in 2016 were icons of culture–a part of people’s personal identities and memories.
Social media has provided an unprecedented forum for shared grief and lament. …
From a biblical perspective, these social laments don’t go far enough; and, sadly they seem to miss the point altogether.”
– At Reformation21, Matt Foreman reflects on the only hope there is.
Religious Freedom, transgender issues and abortion – overruling the US Health Department
Posted on January 2, 2017
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“The recent (31 Dec 2016) decision of US Federal District Court Judge O’Connor in Franciscan Alliance Inc v Burwell (ND TX, Case 7:16-cv-00108-O; Dec. 31, 2016) (thanks to “Religion Clause” for the report and information) is a significant one.
In short, the Obama administration had used the prohibition on ‘sex discrimination’ in US Federal law to enact an administrative regulation requiring Christian health care providers (and some State governments) to provide transgender ‘transition’ procedures, and abortions, to all patients, arguing that denying this coverage amounted to sex discrimination.
This highly questionable interpretation has now been overturned by this very significant decision…”
– Neil Foster, at Law and Religion Australia, reports on developments in the United States.
Is GAFCON the problem?
Posted on January 2, 2017
Filed under Anglican Communion, GAFCON, Opinion Comments Off on Is GAFCON the problem?
“An interview with the Secretary General of the Anglican Communion, Archbishop Josiah Idowu-Fearon, was recently published as an article in the Church of Ireland Gazette. The newspaper’s website carried the audio of the interview in full here.
For a self-confessed Ambassador and reconciler, Archbishop Josiah Fearon uses some undiplomatic language. The frank expression of his views on the Anglican Communion and the sexuality debate, and his sweeping dismissal of GAFCON and African church leaders have caused considerable dismay. However they reveal the thinking of the Anglican Communion Office and presumably those who endorse its leadership…”
– Archbishop Dr Peter Jensen, GAFCON General Secretary, responds to strong criticism of GAFCON, and what that criticism appears to say about the senior leadership of the Anglican Communion. Well worth taking the time to read. (link fixed)
God will meet all your needs — you can be sure of it
Posted on December 31, 2016
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“What can we be sure of for 2017?
I can send you a New Year’s card with the most sincere expression of goodwill: wishing you the happiest year, seeking better outcomes for you and hoping for improved health. But can we, in any way, be sure of such things? Can we be sure that this year will be any better than last? Can we be sure of anything?
It’s the uncertainties of life that are certain. What remains true is that in terms of happiness, better outcomes and good health: 2017 is a complete unknown. BUT, what we can be sure of is that the Apostle Paul is right when he says: ‘God will meet all your needs according to his glorious riches in Christ Jesus.’
What remains absolutely true is Paul’s testimony in Philippians 4:19. …”
– Presbyterian Church of Australia Moderator-General John P Wilson has released this God-honouring New Year’s message.
Seventeen years closer to Eternity
Posted on December 31, 2016
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Seventeen years ago, Sydney celebrated the beginning of 2000 by displaying on the Harbour Bridge the word Eternity in the iconic copperplate handwriting of Arthur Stace.
A lot of water has passed under the bridge (literally) since then, and in many ways the world has changed. But the basic need of men and women is the same – to hear the gospel and be saved.
In 2017, be encouraged to continue to trust Christ, and to live in the light of eternity. Read the story of Arthur Stace in our Resources section.
(Keep in mind the evangelistic opportunities which could come with the 50th anniversary of the death of Arthur Stace.)
GAFCON Review of 2016
Posted on December 31, 2016
Filed under GAFCON, Resources Comments Off on GAFCON Review of 2016
GAFCON General Secretary, Dr Peter Jensen, writes,
“As 2016 draws to a close we thought you might like to join us in reflecting on some key moments in the Gafcon year. You can find a short review of 2016 here. [PDF file.]
Archbishop Nicholas Okoh says in his introduction ‘we give great thanks to God for his grace at work in us’.
Please, therefore, use the review to fuel your prayers of thanksgiving and praise.”
We need to talk about church scheduling
Posted on December 31, 2016
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“Depending on the kind of church you’re involved in, next year’s calendar is already full—or soon will be. Typical decisions include: What will the Sunday teaching program be? When will small groups happen? What will happen in them? Will there be a weekend away? A youth camp? An ESL class?
We often fill in next year’s calendar much like we filled last year’s. But before we do, we need to stop and think. …”
– At GoThereFor.com, Rory Shiner has some very sensible questions to ask about your church’s programme.
Update on 2016 Law and Religion issues and preview for 2017
Posted on December 30, 2016
Filed under Australia, Culture wars Comments Off on Update on 2016 Law and Religion issues and preview for 2017
“It seems a good time of the year to take stock of the current status of some important Law and Religion issues discussed this year, and to flag some upcoming issues for the New Year.”
– At Law and Religion Australia, Neil Foster provides a concise summary of some of the key issues in 2016, plus a heads-up on another Parliamentary Inquiry, this one into “the status of the human right to freedom of religion or belief“.
ACR interview with Vaughan Roberts
Posted on December 30, 2016
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The Australian Church Record has published a recent interview conducted by Mark Earngey with Vaughan Roberts of St. Ebbe’s in Oxford.
Mark began by asking Vaughan about the relationship between UK and Australian evangelicalism in his own ministry.
– Read the brief, but encouraging, interview at The Australian Church Record.
Preparing young people for the challenges of secular tertiary education
Posted on December 30, 2016
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From a recent edition of The White Horse Inn Broadcast:
“Are today’s churches doing enough to prepare young people to face the challenges they will encounter on a secular college campus? What kinds of things should pastors and parents do as they prepare teens for college, and how should churches or campus ministries serve students in a university setting?”
Of particular importance is the anti-intellectual culture pervading the West – hence the issues described above are not isolated to North America.
Michael Horton and Justin Holcomb and guests discuss the challenges. 28 minutes.
GAFCON 2018 ‘To free our churches’
Posted on December 29, 2016
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“GAFCON has confirmed the dates for its third international conference. Between 17-22 June 2018 it will return to Jerusalem, the venue of the first Global Anglican Future Conference in 2008 (from which the movement takes its name).
The GAFCON announcement explains that ‘The city stands as a constant reminder of the birth of the gospel and the movement’s determination to remain true to the teachings of our Lord and his Word’ and so, to appreciate the significance of the 2018 conference, it is worth recalling how it all began. …”
– Charles Raven writes at Evangelicals Now, via Anglican Mainstream.
God will give you something to say
Posted on December 28, 2016
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“During the eight months when I jog outside in Minnesota, I regularly carry booklets and Gospels of John in my pocket. I pray for guidance for someone to talk to about Jesus, and for the help of the Holy Spirit in what to say.
It is usually quite early in the morning, and I am running in what most people would call ‘the inner city.’ If I find a guy standing alone, I may stop and say, ‘Good morning! My name’s John. I run through the neighborhood and pray for people. Is there something I can pray about for you?’ From this point on, it is unpredictable. …”
– John Piper shares some encouragement at Desiring God.
With thanks for Broughton Knox on the Centenary of his birth
Posted on December 26, 2016
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David Broughton Knox was born on Boxing Day, 1916.
Today is a good day to give thanks to the Lord he loved. Here are two tributes, written at the time of his death in 1994, by two men who knew him well:
David Broughton Knox – What we owe to him – by Archbishop Donald Robinson.
Turn Your Eyes Upon Jesus – tribute to Broughton Knox – by Archbishop Sir Marcus Loane.
See also:
- Propositional Revelation, the Only Revelation – by Canon D.B. Knox
- Kept by the Power of God – by Canon D.B. Knox
What we believe
The message at the heart of Christianity is really quite simple…