A Biblical Response to Transgender Theory
Posted on November 20, 2025
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From The Gospel Coalition –
“If gender is constructed, it can be deconstructed. If we built it, we can tear it down.
Now you know why some activists have been so determined to convince us that gender is something we assign, rather than something we receive. If we assign it, then we can reassign it as we wish. We don’t receive our bodies. We can remake our bodies.
No doubt you’ve observed the rise of transgender theory in Western culture. It’s the denial that the sexed body reveals and determines the gendered self. That’s the helpful summary we find in the excellent new book The Body God Gives: A Biblical Response to Transgender Theory, written by Rob Smith.”
– Hear Rob Smith interviewed by Colin Hansen. Programme starts 2 minutes into the audio file.
A very helpful insight into the whole field of research and debate.
Video of the State Funeral for John Laws CBE
Posted on November 19, 2025
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The State Funeral for John Laws was held at St. Andrew’s Cathedral in Sydney this afternoon (19 November 2025).
Watch the full service at this link – or click on the video above to jump to the sermon preached by The Rev Dr Michael Jensen. (Good to watch – good to share.)
See also:
The man with the golden microphone – Murray Campbell.
How to revolutionise your church towards a 5% conversion target
Posted on November 19, 2025
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From The Pastor’s Heart –
“How to turn around evangelistic stagnation in your church — or how to start pursuing a 5% goal?
Across Australian Evangelicalism there is a bold goal — growing our churches by 5% per year through conversion growth.
But some pastors are asking: “We haven’t seen anyone become a Christian here in years… where do we even start?”
We talk:
• Should we even have an evangelism target?
• What are the theological issues?
• How do you start when conversions have been rare?
• What cultural changes actually make a difference?
• Funnels, programs and “conversion engines.”
• And how to build momentum with stories, prayer and team alignment.
Three pastors who are right at the beginning of the journey, Brett Middleton (St Luke’s Miranda), Ben Molyneux (St Faith’s Narrabeen) and Dan Au (Cornerstone Kogarah) — We set an evangelism target – Now what?”
The Question for Joggers: Why are you Running?
Posted on November 18, 2025
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From Phillip Jensen:
“Last week’s episode of Two Ways News was very dark and gloomy.
This week, we are looking at the same passage, but turning our attention to the light of salvation that is caught in the rainbow covenant of God as we read of the saving of Noah and his family.”
– Hear Peter and Phillip Jensen in (theological) conversation at Two Ways News.
Among other things, Peter shares what happened the day he came to Christ – as well as the topic of Billy Graham’s sermon. Phillip recalls that same day.
More importantly, Peter appeals to everyone listening to take the opportunity to repent today – before it is too late.
Related:
Two Ways to Live – the choice we all face.
Renewal at St Alban’s Leura
Posted on November 18, 2025
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The Australian Church Record speaks with James Delanty, Rector of St Alban’s Leura, about how God has brought renewal and joy to this historic Blue Mountains parish—and how a vision centred on being “overflowing with joy in Jesus” is shaping both church life and community outreach.
“When I arrived, the church had been without a rector for 18 months and was struggling through the lockdowns. On my first Sunday, there were 18 people meeting every second week, alternating with Zoom. But over time, through preaching God’s word and making the liturgy accessible, we’ve seen remarkable renewal—both in joy and maturity. …”
Why Euthanasia Feels Intuitive
Posted on November 18, 2025
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“Canada has gained a lot of attention in recent years due to its commitment to Medical Assistance in Dying (MAiD), its preferred idiom for euthanasia. Some honor Canada as groundbreaking in its commitment to bringing dignity to death, while others abhor it as taking advantage of the weak, the elderly, and the vulnerable. Already euthanasia is responsible for more than 5% of deaths in Canada and the rates are rising fast.
Behind every death by euthanasia is a story, and the stories are tragic. Elderly people who live in care homes will have breakfast with a friend in the morning, then learn at lunchtime that they were euthanized shortly thereafter. Grown children are being asked to attend a celebration of life service for parents who are still alive but intend to die shortly thereafter. People who want to live but cannot get access to sufficient medical care are taking their own lives rather than continue suffering. …”
– Tim Challies writes about the tragedy of medically assisted suicide. And it’s not just his homeland of Canada.
First Ordination for Diocese of the Southern Cross
Posted on November 18, 2025
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A Prayer Update from Gafcon:
“We give thanks to God for a joyful milestone in the life of the Diocese of the Southern Cross, as the Rt Revd Dr Glenn Davies, Interim Bishop, and Gafcon Guarantor and Primates’ Council Advisor, presided over the first ordination of a deacon in the diocese.
Congratulations to the Revd Mekyal Keira, ordained as a Deacon in the Church of God and appointed Pastor of Kush Southern Cross Anglican Church in Western Australia, the eighth congregation in this growing diocese, launched this weekend.
We also rejoice that Alezabeth Kurundi was authorised as a Lay Minister in this new church. Praise God for His faithfulness in raising up new leaders to guard His gospel and serve His people across Australia.”
– Source.
See also:
Kush Southern Cross Anglican Church Facebook page.
“We’re an English-Arabic speaking church in the Diocese of the Southern Cross in Perth, Western Australia.” (They meet at 160 Dampier Avenue, Kallaroo WA 6025.)
“For 67 years she served her Lord and his church alongside her husband”
Posted on November 17, 2025
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“Mrs Pam Goodhew, the wife of former Archbishop Harry Goodhew, has died of cancer.
Mrs Goodhew, who was 90, passed away on Friday 15th November while in palliative care at Piper House in Dapto. …”
– Russell Powell shares the news at SydneyAnglicans.net.
We join many in thanking the Lord for Pam Goodhew.
Annette Anderson to be Anglican Dean at Nungalinya College, Darwin
Posted on November 17, 2025
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“We are delighted to share that Annette Anderson will be taking up the position of Anglican Dean at Nungalinya College from Monday 10 November 2025.
Annette faithfully served as a CMS missionary from 1995 -2006 in both Darwin and Numbulwar and is no stranger to Nungalinya College, having worked there as a valued teacher since 2015. The 11 years she has dedicated to the college has provided Annette with a deep knowledge of the courses, students, and churches they come from.
Annette will serve all the remote Aboriginal Anglican parishes in the Northern Territory, facilitating the next generation of Church Leaders and Lay people to travel to Nungalinya where she will continue to support them during their studies.
Annette is married to Bishop Greg Anderson and has four children.
Please join us in congratulating Mrs Annette Anderson and upholding her in our prayers.”
– From the Diocese of the Northern Territory.
And a good reminder to give thanks for, and to pray for, the ministry of Nungalinya College.
When the Lights Came On: An Appreciation of Graeme Goldsworthy
Posted on November 16, 2025
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Scott Polender in the USA writes to share his deep appreciation for Graeme Goldsworthy and his unfolding of Biblical Theology:
“Many of us can remember the moment when the lights came on. We were already believers, familiar with the stories, the commandments, and the promises, but suddenly everything connected. The many pieces of Scripture formed a single picture centered on Jesus Christ. It was nothing less than a revolution in how we saw the Bible and, in a sense, how we saw everything else. Once the story, like a jigsaw puzzle, lay in pieces, all edges and fragments. Then someone flipped the box over, and the picture on the package brought it all together. Once you’ve seen it, you can’t go back. …
For many years, Graeme Goldsworthy taught Old Testament, Biblical Theology, and Hermeneutics at Moore Theological College in Sydney. Building on the foundations laid by Broughton Knox and Donald Robinson, and working alongside contemporaries such as William Dumbrell and Barry Webb, he gave biblical theology a distinctive voice and a reach that stretched across the globe.
In the years since his retirement, he has continued to write, mentor younger pastors and Christians, and to preach and lecture.”
– Read the whole article at Christ Over All.
Very encouraging, and a good opportunity to recommend Graeme Goldsworthy’s books to a new generation.
Related:
Graeme Goldsworthy on Biblical Theology – with Nancy Guthrie, podcast at The Gospel Coalition.
Base photo: Graeme Goldsworthy speaking at City On A Hill Brisbane, February 2018.
Southern Cross November-December 2025
Posted on November 15, 2025
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The latest copy of Southern Cross magazine from the Diocese of Sydney is now available.
If you don’t see a copy in your local church, you can read it online.
State Funeral for John Laws
Posted on November 15, 2025
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The State Funeral for John Laws CBE will be held at St. Andrew’s Cathedral on Wednesday 19th November at 1:30pm.
Good to keep all involved in your prayers.
Living and Speaking of Christ in a Secular Age
Posted on November 14, 2025
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From Moore College:
“If you have ever felt like your life is a set of non-overlapping bubbles, work here, sport there, church on Sundays, neighbours somewhere else, you are not alone. Josh and Susannah Apieczonek reflected that this kind of compartmentalisation has become sadly normal in Western life. It is not how we were made to live, but it has quietly shaped how we see the world. This is one reason many Christians feel held back from sharing the gospel: our worlds rarely intersect, our schedules are full, and our instincts are shaped by a culture that prizes the here and now over the eternal. …”
– Sarah Bingham shares highlights from a talk by Josh & Susannah Apieczonek.
She explains,
“Josh and Susannah Apieczonek have long been connected to Moore College. Josh, now the incoming Head of Mission and Lecturer in Mission, completed a Bachelor of Divinity and Diploma of Ministry in 2004, and Susannah studied at the College in 2008. Before moving to France, Josh taught Christian Studies and served as a chaplain at St Andrew’s Cathedral School, Sydney.
Together, they have spent the past decade serving with CMS in Lyon, France, in student and church ministry, particularly among university students and in church planting. …”
J. C. Ryle, “the Prince of Tract Writers”
Posted on November 13, 2025
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“John Charles Ryle (1816–1900) was one of the most popular theological writers of the Victorian period, and the most prominent evangelical clergyman in the Church of England.
His ministry almost exactly spanned the reign of Queen Victoria – he was converted to Christ in 1837, just a few months after the young Queen’s accession to the British throne, and died at the dawn of the new century in 1900, just a few months before the monarch’s own death. …”
– Crossway has published this article adapted from Andrew Atherstone’s Ryle on the Christian Life: Growing in Grace.
Riding the young adult revival
Posted on November 12, 2025
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From The Pastor’s heart –
“Something is happening. In England the data shows a quiet revival. In France a new evangelical church is opening every ten days. But what about here in Australia?
Among young adults we’re hearing stories of renewed interest in Jesus, fresh conversions and surprising openness. Is this a cultural phenomenon or is it something deeper? And how do we ride the wave?
We talk about ground level experiences, the big picture, the influence of politics, and the five percent conversion growth goal for Sydney Anglican churches.
We’re joined by three frontline evangelists:
• Dave Jensen from Sydney Anglican Evangelism and New Churches
• Sam Mahdavi from Wollongong Baptist Church
• Pre Shunmugam from MBM Rooty Hill in multicultural Western Sydney.”
– Watch here.
Very helpful discussion, including opinions on how much the church should link into politics and current events, such as the murder of Charlie Kirk. Take the time to listen.
Related:
What we believe
The message at the heart of Christianity is really quite simple…