Discussing The Nicene Creed
Posted on May 30, 2025
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Mark Gilbert and Leonardo Di Chirico chat about their new book The Nicene Creed – The nature of Christian unity and the meaning of gospel words, published this month by Matthias Media.
This 17 minute video is a terrific introduction to understanding the key differences between Romans Catholics and Protestants, so that we can love our Catholic friends from a position of better understanding.
It may also make you want to get the book! (If so, click the image for details.)
Towards the end of the video, Mark mentions The Reformanda Initiative. where there are additional resources.
How to face dying with joy and confidence — rather than fear and dread
Posted on May 29, 2025
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Bishop of Bathurst Mark Calder shares this message in his HOPE25 series.
He speaks from John 11:17-45. He also mentions Titus 3:5.
Good to watch, even better to share.
Anglican Heroes: Richard Hooker — Church Society podcast
Posted on May 29, 2025
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In the latest Church Society podcast, Dr Ros Clarke speaks with Nigel Atkinson about Richard Hooker (1554 – 1600).
Why should we know about Richard Hooker today – and how has he been misrepresented (by Cardinal Newman, for example)?
Did he really turn his back on the Reformation? (Answer: No.)
This may be a revelation to many Anglicans.
More interesting than any Dan Brown novel — The Council of Nicaea
Posted on May 28, 2025
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“This year, in May to be specific, marks 1700 years since the start of the Council of Nicaea. The town is now known as Iznik, in modern Turkey. From this Council’s determinations sprang the core content of what Christians now know, and regularly recite, as the Nicene Creed.
Why does the anniversary of such an old statement matter? It’s not ultimately about philosophical theology, or winning a debate, let alone the intersection of religion and politics, as some suggest.
Ultimately, it’s about worshipping God properly, as he truly is, and not just as we imagine or find convenient.
In particular, it was about honouring Jesus not just as perfect man, but truly as God.…”
– At the Cathedral website, Sandy Grant, Dean of St. Andrew’s Cathedral in Sydney, explains the significance of the Council of Nicaea.
He reminds us, “the background story is more interesting than any Dan Brown novel conspiracy theory. And the theology is more important” – so take the time to read (and also see the resources he links).
Richard Coekin: ‘Pious Passivity’ vs ‘Strategic Intentionality’
Posted on May 28, 2025
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From The Pastor’s Heart:
“What happens when churches move beyond ‘pious passivity’ to strategic intentionality in reaching the lost?
Richard Coekin – founding pastor of Dundonald Church in London and director of Reach UK – joins Dominic Steele to unpack the revolutionary approach transforming churches across Australia and the United Kingdom.
Following on from Reach UK and Reach Australia in May, Richard candidly shares his journey from skepticism about ‘Pentagon language’ and structured frameworks to embracing these tools as valuable expressions of pastoral care and evangelistic intentionality.
‘If you don’t aim at anything, nothing will happen,’ he explains, challenging the notion that strategic thinking somehow diminishes reliance on God’s sovereignty.
We look at the biblical foundations for strategic ministry, with Richard pointing to Acts 6 as a model where the apostles prioritized preaching and prayer, built ministry teams for delegation, and ensured the church’s practical needs were met.
Plus we discuss measuring spiritual fruit.
Whether you’re skeptical of strategic approaches to ministry or already embracing them, this conversation offers fresh insights on leading churches that are both faithful to Scripture and effective in mission.”
Man in the Garden
Posted on May 27, 2025
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From Phillip Jensen:
“One of the high points, if not the high point, of Genesis 1 is the creation of man, both male and female, in the image of God. There we are told of our responsibility to govern the earth, to multiply and to fill it. When we turn to chapter 2 of Genesis we are again told of the creation of man. This time it is in much more detail, and yet it still gives the same prominence and importance of man in God’s creation.
Today’s podcast is a discussion of the movement of Genesis 1 to Gen 2 where we look at man in the garden.”
Moore Matters Winter 2025
Posted on May 27, 2025
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The latest edition of Moore Matters – Winter 2025 – is now available on the College website.
If you can’t find a printed copy at your church, be sure to download a digital version.
There’s a great deal of encouragement in this edition – much of it linked to the theme of Faith.
Ministry mentor takes on training role
Posted on May 26, 2025
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“Archbishop Kanishka Raffel has announced that the Rev Mat Yeo will be the new Director of Ministry Training and Development, starting in 2026.
‘I’m delighted that Mat has accepted my invitation,’ Archbishop Raffel said. ‘Mat has been involved with recently ordained clergy as a Ministry Mentor and has a passion for seeing people recruited, equipped and supported in local church ministry in our Sydney Anglican fellowship.
‘He has been a fruitful and much-loved pastor at Hurstville Grove for over twenty-two years and will bring to this role a wealth of experience in training and equipping people for ministry.’ …
In paying tribute to MT& D Director Gary O’Brien, who retires at the end of the year, the Archbishop said ‘I’m deeply thankful to the Lord for the work that has been done by Gary O’Brien over the last 11 years.’…”
– Story from Russell Powell at SydneyAnglicans.net.
Did Melbourne just see a sign?
Posted on May 26, 2025
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Murray Campbell at Mentone Baptist Church in Melbourne reflects on events in Melbourne, including the election on Saturday of Bishop Ric Thorpe as the next Anglican Archbishop –
“Melbourne needs more churches. Melbourne needs 100s more Christ-centred, Gospel-believing and preaching, people-loving churches.
I’m not an Anglican so feel free to take my observations with the same volume of water found in a baptismal font (bad joke). My Melbourne Anglican friends are overwhelmingly encouraged and thankful for all candidates and the outcome, even as the Diocese looks over troubled waters. Like all our Christian denominations, much deep work of theological and spiritual reform needs to take place. Theological liberalism and moral progressivism is like sand in the car after a day at the beach …”
What It Means To Be Protestant — Book review
Posted on May 26, 2025
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“Gavin Ortlund, not to be confused with his brother Dane Ortlund who wrote Gentle and Lowly (Crossway, 2020), is one of Protestantism’s foremost ‘accidental’ apologists. This is because, as Ortlund himself says in the introduction, he didn’t set out to become this but instead responded to a need he identified on social media.
Ortlund’s YouTube channel Truth Unites has become immensely popular and he is known for discussing various Biblical topics in a clear, historically insightful but most irenic way. This is also the case with What It Means To Be Protestant (Crossway, 2024) which I think is something of a model for how inter-faith dialogue – especially with Roman Catholics and Eastern Orthodox – should be done.
Due to the nature of the topic, this could easily become abrasive or overly hostile. However, Ortlund does a masterful job at maintaining a respectful and engaging tone.…”
– At AP, the Australian Presbyterian journal, Mark Powell reviews What It Means To Be Protestant.
Bishop Ric Thorpe from London elected Archbishop of Melbourne
Posted on May 24, 2025
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News from The Melbourne Anglican:
“The Anglican Diocese of Melbourne has today announced the election of the Right Reverend Dr Richard (Ric) Thorpe.
The Administrator Bishop Genieve Blackwell was pleased to announce the decision following the deliberations of the Archbishop Election Synod. The synod, comprising approximately 760 people of the diocese, consisting of clergy and lay parish representatives, began its work on Friday 23 May.
Archbishop-elect Ric, currently serves in a special episcopal role as Bishop of Islington in the Diocese of London. It encompasses diocesan, national and international responsibilities, held together within the Gregory Centre for Church Multiplication with a focus on church planting.
Ordained in the Diocese of London, Bishop Ric did his undergraduate theological studies at Wycliffe Hall, Oxford University and his doctorate through Asbury Theological Seminary, Kentucky United States.
Archbishop-elect Ric says, ‘We have come to love Melbourne over the years, as we have served and ministered in the diocese, in other denominations, and across the nation.’
Dr Thorpe’s passion is ‘seeing the whole Church of God thrive, enabling churches to be healthy, new congregations planted, and struggling churches revitalised.’
The Chair of the Board of Nominators, Dr Jenny George, described Archbishop-elect Ric as ‘an experienced and visionary leader. Ric has been personally involved in revitalising small or shrinking parishes and planting new churches. His commitment to developing future leaders is seen in his local and global training of church planters and other leaders.’
He will succeed Archbishop Philip Freier who retired in February after serving 18 years in office, once it completes some internal processes to confirm his election.
Bishop Thorpe will be installed as Archbishop in St Paul’s Cathedral later in the year at a date to be advised. Bishop Blackwell will continue to serve as Administrator until that time.
The Right Reverend Genieve Blackwell
Administrator of the Melbourne Diocese.”
– Source.
Here’s some background from The Diocese of London.
And a video by Bishop Thorpe from The Gregory Centre for Church Multiplication. (Above image from the video.)
From 2015: New church plant bishop will be Rev Ric Thorpe – by Ruth Gledhill gives some more background.
Please pray that the outcome of this election will be that the churches of Melbourne will be greatly encouraged to lovingly and clearly proclaim Christ across that city, and the Lord will be glorified as men and women turn to him.
Gordon J. Wenham (1943–2025)
Posted on May 24, 2025
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“Old Testament scholar Gordon Wenham, best known for his commentaries on the Pentateuch and the Psalms, died in Cheltenham, England, on Tuesday, May 13, 2025, at the age of 81.
Gordon John Wenham was born in Cambridge, England, in May of 1943, the oldest of four sons to John and Grace Wenham. …
After finishing school and gaining a science scholarship to Pembroke College, Cambridge, Gordon felt called to study Theology, and spent time before going up to university studying Hebrew under Alec Motyer …”
– Justin Taylor at The Gospel Coalition has published this obituary written on behalf of Gordon Wenham’s family.
Multisite Churches: What works and what doesn’t?
Posted on May 24, 2025
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From The Pastor’s Heart — an extra edition from the Reach Australia Conference:
“Multisite was a buzz seven years ago. Today, with thousands of campuses launched in the United States—and many hard lessons learned—the mood is more measured. What’s changed? What’s endured? And what can church leaders here learn today from the American experience?
Live from the sidelines at the Reach Australia Conference on the Central Coast of New South Wales, we sit down with Wade Burnett from McLean Bible Church in Washington DC and Derek Hanna, Reach Australia’s church planting and multisite specialist, for a fresh look at the multisite church model. …”
Prayer reminder: Diocese of Melbourne Election Synod begins tonight
Posted on May 23, 2025
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Here’s a reminder to uphold in prayer the members of the Melbourne Synod as they meet tonight (Friday), tomorrow – and longer if necessary – to elect the next Archbishop of Melbourne.
They value and seek your prayers.
We will aim to post any public news on our website as it becomes available.
Joint statement on the NSW floods
Posted on May 23, 2025
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Joint statement on the NSW floods
Our hearts ache for the people of the Mid-North, Hunter and other areas of New South Wales suffering in the current flood crisis.
We pray for the tireless work of emergency workers and first responders as they guard and save lives. May God give them strength and endurance. We cry out to God for families grieving the loss of loved ones, homes and businesses. May they find comfort and hope.
We give thanks for the countless acts of neighbourliness, kindness and help, and for the resilience of these communities.
As Anglicare, Samaritans and local churches gear up for the recovery operation ahead, may God bless their efforts to share the love and compassion of Christ with a hurting community.
May those who suffer cling to the hope of restoration through the God who makes all things new.
The Most Reverend Kanishka Raffel, Archbishop of Sydney and Metropolitan of NSW
The Right Reverend Dr Peter Stuart, Bishop of Newcastle
The Right Reverend Dr Murray Harvey, Bishop of Grafton
23 May 2025.
– via SydneyAnglicans.net
What we believe
The message at the heart of Christianity is really quite simple…