South Africa: Joy and hope in a pair of shoes!

Posted on December 7, 2025 
Filed under Encouragement Comments Off on South Africa: Joy and hope in a pair of shoes!

“Jesslyn, a Grade 5 student at Kuyga Primary School, would begin each day with quiet determination. Leaving the small metal home where she lives with her mother and brother, she would start the 30-minute walk to school along a dusty, dirt path.

But very quickly, she would grow weary. Her shoes were worn out …”

– Here’s some encouragement to not grow weary in doing good (Galatians 6:9) from The Archbishop of Sydney’s Anglican Aid.

The Idols of the Eyes

Posted on December 6, 2025 
Filed under Resources, Theology Comments Off on The Idols of the Eyes

Phillip Jensen’s website is featuring two talks from the Queen’s Birthday Conference 2019.

The topic? The Idols of the Eyes.

Challenging.

A Prayer for Australia

Posted on December 6, 2025 
Filed under Australia, Evangelism, for your prayers Comments Off on A Prayer for Australia

“You may have heard around the place talk of ‘doubling the number’ of gospel-centred Christians in Australia, or the idea of praying for and working toward an annual ‘five percent conversion growth’ goal. It’s showing up all over the place.

In June of 2025 TGCA gathered a group of Christian leaders to pray and work on what we might do together. We prayed, heard a bunch of papers, discussed and debated various proposals.

Following on from that day, a small group worked on refining the statement, and the Council returned to it for a final endorsement. Here’s what we came up with:

We acknowledge God works out all things according to the counsel of his will and in his mercy saves his people through the faithful preaching of the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ.

For the glory of God, as a movement of Reformed evangelicals in Australia, we commit to pray for and work toward a doubling (at least) of the number of gospel-centred Christians in our country over the next fifteen years.

We will pray for and work toward:

I find it in turn exciting, daunting, galvanising, and inspiring. I hope you do too. I trust a little commentary will be helpful. …”

– Rory Shiner, Chair of the TGC Australia Council, writes to encourage us to to fall to prayer.

Latest ministry opportunities in the Diocese of Bathurst

Posted on December 5, 2025 
Filed under Australian dioceses, for your prayers Comments Off on Latest ministry opportunities in the Diocese of Bathurst

From the Diocese of Bathurst:

“Precious opportunities await! Please pray for the 12/28 of our parishes without clergy (down from 14!!)

1. Condobolin
2. Trundle
3. Warren
4. Bourke-Brewarrina
5. Coonamble
6. West Wyalong (locum here until Easter)
7. Wellington (locum here)
8. Coonabarabran
9. Cumnock
10. Blayney (from April 2026)

Currently we have amazing lay people in the following parishes, but would also welcome enquiries for clergy to serve part time in:

11. Coolah-Dunedoo
12. Nyngan.”

– Via the diocesan Facebook page.

Adelaide Election Synod this weekend

Posted on December 5, 2025 
Filed under Australian dioceses Comments Off on Adelaide Election Synod this weekend

The members of the Synod of the Diocese of Adelaide meet this weekend to elect a new Archbishop.

Doubtless, they would crave your prayers for godly wisdom. Pray that they will elect someone who loves the Lord Jesus, holds to the authority of God’s Word, and who can help and encourage members of the churches of Adelaide to live for Christ and to reach out to their city.

The gathering begins with a Synod Service on Friday evening, with the business sessions on Saturday morning and afternoon and (if required) Sunday afternoon. (Summons here.)

MOCLAM: Mission to the world

Posted on December 3, 2025 
Filed under for your prayers, Moore College Comments Off on MOCLAM: Mission to the world

For the love of Christ compels us, since we have reached this conclusion, that one died for all, and therefore all died. And he died for all so that those who live should no longer live for themselves, but for the one who died for them and was raised. (2 Cor 5:14-15)

“Today, 20 per cent of Latin Americans identify as evangelical, compared to only 3 per cent in the 1960s. Growth has been fast, and leaders have emerged with admirable enthusiasm, a sincere desire to reach the lost and a deep love for God’s people.

However, while this statistic sounds impressive, only a very small percentage of pastors have been given the opportunity to undergo formal theological training. …”

– At the Moore College website, Adrian and Anita Lovell, CMS Missionaries in Bolivia, share something of the impact and potential of MOCLAM.

Ethics with AI and Preaching

Posted on December 3, 2025 
Filed under Resources Comments Off on Ethics with AI and Preaching

From The Pastor’s Heart:

“What are the dangers when pastors let AI assist… or sometimes author? …

Stephen Driscoll works in Campus Ministry in Canberra.  He’s the author of Made in Our Image: God, artificial intelligence and you.

Stephen argues that writing is thinking, and when we automate the writing we risk automating away the deep thinking and wrestling with God’s word that forms the preacher’s heart. …”

– Watch here.

Related:

John Piper asks ChatGPT to write a Prayer.

The Man of Promise — In whom do you trust?

Posted on December 2, 2025 
Filed under Resources, Theology Comments Off on The Man of Promise — In whom do you trust?

From Phillip Jensen:

“Dear friends,

We come to the last of our series in the opening chapters of Genesis. We have certainly enjoyed rethinking the great themes that these chapters contain and hope that you have similarly enjoyed our discussions.

As we’re coming towards the end of the year, we are thinking about next year’s programmes. We would love to hear of any part of the Bible you would want us to work through, or any particular issues you would like us to address. …”

– Hear Philip Jensen and Peter Jensen at Two Ways News.

Expository Preaching Trust Calendar 2026

Posted on December 2, 2025 
Filed under Resources Comments Off on Expository Preaching Trust Calendar 2026

The Expository Preaching Trust has published their Calendar for 2026.

There are many opportunities for preachers to find help and encouragement,

Speakers include Simon Manchester and David Cook.

Details here.

‘I will be a witness to the resurrection’: Archbishop Thorpe

Posted on December 1, 2025 
Filed under Australian dioceses, for your prayers, People Comments Off on ‘I will be a witness to the resurrection’: Archbishop Thorpe

From The Melbourne Anglican:

“Let me state it plainly. I will proclaim the good news of Jesus Christ, crucified and risen, as long as God gives me breath…”

“Melbourne’s new Anglican archbishop has been installed, beginning a new season for the church and diocese.

Archbishop Ric Thorpe became Melbourne’s 14th leader on Advent Sunday, succeeding Philip Freier who retired in February after 18 years of service. …”

– See the full report by Jenan Taylor.

Watch Archbishop Thorpe’s sermon at this link.

Photo of Archbishop Ric Thorpe greeting Archbishop Kanishka Raffel by Janine Eastgate, The Melbourne Anglican.

How new laws could impact believers

Posted on November 30, 2025 
Filed under Australia, Culture wars Comments Off on How new laws could impact believers

“A new podcast from the Freedom for Faith group aims to keep believers informed of looming threats to religious freedom in Australia.

Freedom Matters features Bishop Michael Stead, the chairman of Freedom for Faith and diocesan spokesman on religious freedom in conversation with Monica Doumit, the director of public affairs and engagement for the Catholic Archdiocese of Sydney and a fellow board member of Freedom for Faith. …”

– At SydneyAnglicans.net, Russell Powell highlights an important new podcast.

Watch the podcast at Freedom for Faith.

Repeat the Sounding Joy: Advent devotionals with Christopher Ash — Part 1

Posted on November 30, 2025 
Filed under Resources, Theology Comments Off on Repeat the Sounding Joy: Advent devotionals with Christopher Ash — Part 1

From Tyndale House, Cambridge:

“In this four-part series for Advent, Tony Watkins talks to Christopher Ash, Writer in Residence at Tyndale House, Cambridge, about Luke chapters 1 and 2. These chapters are the focus of Christopher’s book of Advent devotions, Repeat the Sounding Joy (pub. Good Book Company).

In this first episode, Christopher and Tony discuss the birth of John the Baptist.…”

– Watch here.

Advent account a salutary reminder in self-centred times

Posted on November 30, 2025 
Filed under Resources Comments Off on Advent account a salutary reminder in self-centred times

“The Prayer Book Bible readings and Collect for Advent Sunday are a powerful reminder that the Jewish Messiah who was crucified in Roman Judea will one day return to the judge the world.

The reading from Matthew’s Gospel stresses the humility of Jesus when he entered Jerusalem on a donkey in fulfilment of the Old Testament prophecy in Zechariah 9:9…”

– Julian Mann writes at The Conservative Woman. (Published in 2024.)

500 Years of Books — at Moore College

Posted on November 28, 2025 
Filed under History, Moore College Comments Off on 500 Years of Books — at Moore College

“During Sydney Rare Book Week, the Donald Robinson Library hosted ‘500 Years of Books,’ an evening that allowed attendees to handle and closely examine significant works from the library’s rare books collection.

The response in the room was remarkable. As each volume was introduced, guests leaned forward, eager to see the fine details, bindings, illustrations, marginal notes, early type, and the physical evidence of centuries of use. Many found themselves leaving their seats repeatedly, drawn toward the tables to observe the craftsmanship up close. …”

– Erin Mollenhauer Senior Archivist & Special Collections Librarian at Moore Theological College shares highlights of the event.

Bathurst Diocese Newsletter for Advent 2025

Posted on November 27, 2025 
Filed under Australian dioceses, Encouragement Comments Off on Bathurst Diocese Newsletter for Advent 2025

Bishop of Bathurst Mark Calder has published the Bathurst Newsletter for Advent.

Please be encouraged to use it to inform your prayers: for the churches of the diocese, that they may be strengthened and encouraged – and also for the people of this large region of NSW, that many may hear the words of eternal life this Christmas, and find salvation in Christ.

Bishop Calder writes with much encouragement in the newsletter:

“Dear friends,

As we prepare to observe Advent again, I wanted to share a few thoughts. It is a time in our church calendar which has been misunderstood AND come under increasing secular influence. Advent reminds us that Christians are people who wait. We live with the reality that the world is not as it should be BUT we cling to the promise of Jesus’ return when everything will be put right. Advent doesn’t ask us to be cheerful or sentimental. It asks us to watch, to pray, and to recognise our deep need for the One who will come again.

We look around and see conflict, sorrow, failures, and tragedies. Advent puts to us that we can face these things without despair. It invites us to hold them before God, trusting that he has not forgotten his promises. Jesus will come with justice and mercy. He will heal, restore, judge and renew. That is our hope — not a vague wish, but a sure and certain expectation.

And so, Advent urges us not to be anxious or frantic. But steady. Prayerful. Grateful for every anticipation of all that Jesus’ return will mean.

Only at the end of Advent do we turn to Christmas. And when we do, we are reminded that our Advent hope is not hope against hope but is gloriously grounded in the historical reality that Jesus has already come among us as a real human being. The child of Bethlehem is the Lord of glory who will return. His first coming assures us of his second.

May this Advent renew your hope and steady your heart as you wait for him.

Mark.”

– Read it all here. (Looking for a pre-loved car? The newsletter might contain the answer.)

← Previous Page — Next Page →