Call to help Aboriginal church leaders thrive
Posted on February 23, 2016
Filed under Australian dioceses Comments Off on Call to help Aboriginal church leaders thrive
“The Anglican Bishop of the Northern Territory is calling for up to 50 mature Christians to move to Arnhem Land to disciple up-and-coming Aboriginal church leaders on a long-term basis.
Dr Greg Anderson, a former CMS missionary to the NT who returned to Darwin as bishop a year ago, sees the need for ‘an ongoing, possibly permanent partnership’ between mature Christians and Aboriginal churches in Arnhem Land.
‘We have local, ordained leaders but some of them are old, well past ‘whitefella’ retirement age, and there’s a younger generation we’re looking for to come up behind them and there are some signs of those people coming forward, but those people need [cultural] scaffolding.’…”
– Story from Bible Society Australia.
Related: Diocese of The Northern Territory.
‘Newcastle Anglican Bishop … concerns about a breakaway conservative movement’
Posted on February 23, 2016
Filed under Australian dioceses Comments Off on ‘Newcastle Anglican Bishop … concerns about a breakaway conservative movement’
“Fractures in the Australian Anglican Church on the issue of gay clergy are set to boil over at a national meeting of bishops in early March, prompting Newcastle Anglican Bishop Greg Thompson to miss the event and accuse Sydney diocese of leading a breakaway conservative movement.
The emergence of a ‘para Anglican Communion’” was underway, Bishop Thompson said in a letter to Anglican Primate Archbishop Philip Freier in December, in which he declined to attend the annual bishops conference in South Australia from March 6 because it would give the impression of a united church that conflicted with reality.
He accused Sydney diocese of demanding other dioceses sign up to Anglican protocols on homosexuality, or Sydney would not attend any further national bishops’ conferences…”
– Story from The Newcastle Herald via SydneyAnglicans.net.
At his blog, David Ould shares some thoughts on the article.
Update: Newcastle Anglican Bishop Greg Thompson “could not simply stand by” as Sydney diocese acted against two bishops – The Newcastle Herald.
‘Safe Schools’ program to face Government review
Posted on February 23, 2016
Filed under Australia Comments Off on ‘Safe Schools’ program to face Government review
“The Federal Government will review the Safe Schools anti-bullying program that is designed to provide a safe environment for same-sex students.
Backbencher Cory Bernardi, who has accused the program of having a “radical agenda”, raised the issue in the Coalition party-room this morning and says there was widespread support.”
– Report and image from ABC News.
Related:
Local pastor stands up to ‘shocking’ school program – Australian Christian Lobby.
Sydney school to allow male students to wear female uniforms – ABC News.
Mohler: The Secularization of the West and the Rise of a New Morality
Posted on February 23, 2016
Filed under History, Opinion Comments Off on Mohler: The Secularization of the West and the Rise of a New Morality
“The claim that humanity can only come into its own and overcome various invidious forms of discrimination by secular liberation is not new, but it is now mainstream. It is now so common to the cultures of Western societies that it need not be announced, and often is not noticed. Those born into the cultures of late modernity simply breathe these assumptions as they breathe the atmosphere, and their worldviews are radically realigned, even if their language retains elements of the old worldview…”
– Albert Mohler publishes Part 2 of a four part series on Secularisation and the Sexual Revolution. See also Part 1.
Anglican Church of NZ report proposes rites for blessing same-sex marriages
Posted on February 23, 2016
Filed under New Zealand Comments Off on Anglican Church of NZ report proposes rites for blessing same-sex marriages
“The long-awaited report of the Way Forward Working Group has been released.
Today’s publication comes almost 18 months since the 13-member group began its work – and it proposes two new liturgies to be considered by May’s General Synod.
These liturgies have been designed to allow for the blessing of couples who have been married in a civil ceremony … [and] also create a pathway for the people in such relationships to become ordained.
Civil marriages between a man and a woman have long been recognised in law in both New Zealand and in those Pacific Island nations. In New Zealand’s case, of course, an amendment to marriage law came into effect in August 2013 – which allows same-sex couples to legally marry…”
– Report from Anglican Taonga.
Related:
Once were Anglicans (July 2014)
Statement from the Bishops of the Anglican Church of Southern Africa:
“The bishops again discussed and worked over their draft Pastoral Guidelines in response to Civil Unions within the wider contexts of Marriage and Human Sexuality in readiness for decision at Provincial Synod. These reaffirm our assurance that all baptised‚ believing and faithful persons‚ regardless of sexual orientation‚ are full members of the Body of Christ. However‚ they they do not change our current policy‚ which is that the Province ‘cannot advise the legitimising or blessing of same sex unions nor ordaining those involved in same gender unions’ (Resolution 1:10 of the Lambeth Conference of 1998).”
Tony George to be new Head of Kings
Posted on February 22, 2016
Filed under Sydney Diocese Comments Off on Tony George to be new Head of Kings
“The Council of The King’s School has announced the appointment of Tony George as the 20th Headmaster of the School.
After a rigorous international and national search process, the council said it had appointed Mr George to succeed Dr Timothy Hawkes from 1 July 2017…”
– News from SydneyAnglicans.net.
Tony is well known to many of our readers. Here’s his Linkedin profile. (Image source.)
Why evangelistic courses are like a good joke
Posted on February 21, 2016
Filed under Opinion, Resources Comments Off on Why evangelistic courses are like a good joke
Stephen Liggins writes to encourage you to continue to run evangelistic courses.
Here’s why he reckons it’s worth it – at GoThereFor.
The future of liberalism
Posted on February 21, 2016
Filed under History Comments Off on The future of liberalism
“Does Liberalism have a future? Or is it only parasitic on the real life of the church? What are the respective fruits of Liberalism and Evangelicalism?
Whilst we might instinctively feel we know the answers to such questions it is highly insightful to see if history corresponds to theory. And it does!
In this highly interesting and informative article, Barry Shucksmith traces the historical development of Liberalism in the Church and the decline of Church life that resulted from it alongside the story of Victorian Evangelicalism with a particular focus on the 1857-1860 revival in Great Britain.…”
– Rob Brewis writes on Church Society’s blog.
Same-sex marriage activist returns to Wangaratta Diocese church
Posted on February 21, 2016
Filed under Australian dioceses Comments Off on Same-sex marriage activist returns to Wangaratta Diocese church
“In yet another move in the Diocese of Wangaratta to push forward the Same-Sex Marriage agenda … the outspoken Archdeacon Peter Macleod-Miller has invited prominent campaigner Rodney Croome to speak at St Matthew’s Albury as part of their Easter and Lent 2016 lecture series. Last year’s lecture was part of the 9am Eucharist service…”
– David Ould has the story.
The Revolution eats one of its own Midwives
Posted on February 20, 2016
Filed under Opinion Comments Off on The Revolution eats one of its own Midwives
“I do not often find myself in sympathy with gay rights campaigner Peter Tatchell. Indeed, I still remember as a teenager being delighted and relieved at his defeat in the 1983 Bermondsey by-election. It symbolized so well how the new Left, with its preoccupation with gay rights, was of marginal interest to the poor and the working class. Still, it is hard not to have some sneaking admiration for a man who has tried to arrest Robert Mugabe not once but twice.
Yet this veteran human rights campaigner now finds himself on the receiving end of the latest campus malice and silliness …”
– At First Things, Dr Carl Trueman comments on one of last week’s big stories in the UK.
Special Synod session called to decide on proposed ARV — Anglicare merger
Posted on February 19, 2016
Filed under Sydney Diocese Comments Off on Special Synod session called to decide on proposed ARV — Anglicare merger
“A special session of [Sydney] Synod has been called for late March to decide on the proposed merger of Anglicare and Anglican Retirement Villages. … an extra session will now be held on the evening of Thursday 31 March 2016, solely to consider the merger.”
– Story at SydneyAnglicans.net.
Earlier: Merger proposal for Anglicare and ARV.
Archbishops’ response to LGBTI activist is a ‘missed opportunity’
Posted on February 19, 2016
Filed under Church of England, Opinion Comments Off on Archbishops’ response to LGBTI activist is a ‘missed opportunity’
“The Church of England has published a reply, dated 12 February, to a letter from Jayne Ozanne, Director of LGBTI campaign group Accepting Evangelicals, and co-signatories.
The letter, which was written by the Archbishop of York on behalf of himself and the Archbishop of Canterbury, responds to Ms Ozanne’s claim that the Church of England has failed its ‘duty of care’ to LGBTI members of the Anglican Church.
Andrea Williams, chief executive of Christian Concern and a member of the General Synod, has issued the following response …
‘This letter was another opportunity for the Archbishops to demonstrate appropriate leadership by reaffirming and promoting God’s clear vision for marriage. Instead the letter suggests that the fundamental issue is an ‘ongoing conversation’ as yet unresolved, implicitly suggesting that God has been unclear.
The role of the Archbishops is not to facilitate conversation but to teach the truth, refute error and discipline those who depart from God’s pattern in either teaching or lifestyle.’…”
– Read the full statement here. Read the Letter from the Archbishop of York here (450kb OCR PDF, originally from the Archbishop of York’s website).
Related: (Canadian) Primate listens to concerns of LGBTQ Anglicans
“‘All of us belong to God,’ said Canon Douglas Graydon to Archbishop Fred Hiltz, primate of the Anglican Church of Canada, at a gathering held to discuss same-sex marriage in the Canadian church. ‘The question is whether we belong to the church.’
It was a question many LGBTQ Anglicans brought forward in a question and answer session that took place after a talk Hiltz gave following the ‘queer Eucharist’ service hosted monthly at the Anglican Church of St. John’s West Toronto”
TEC will go to the ACC meeting in Lusaka and they will vote, ACC chairman says
Posted on February 19, 2016
Filed under Anglican Communion, GAFCON Comments Off on TEC will go to the ACC meeting in Lusaka and they will vote, ACC chairman says
“The Episcopal Church “cannot be kicked out of the Anglican Communion and will never be kicked out of the Anglican Communion,” the chairman of the Anglican Consultative Council told a seminary audience last week…”
– Report from Anglican Ink via GAFCON.
GAFCON Chairman’s Pastoral Letter February 2016
Posted on February 18, 2016
Filed under Anglican Communion, GAFCON Comments Off on GAFCON Chairman’s Pastoral Letter February 2016
“Some of you are asking what GAFCON’s approach will be during the three years that TEC are subject to sanctions and what will happen at the end of that time, given that TEC appear to have moved well beyond the possibility of changing course.
At our Primates Council in April, we will take counsel together on these matters, but I can say that all of us in the GAFCON movement need to set our faces to go to Jerusalem. While we honour Canterbury as the mother See of the Anglican Communion, it was at Jerusalem that we placed our hope for the future in Jesus and the truth of the Bible…”
– Read all of Archbishop Eliud Wabukala’s letter here.
Protecting free speech in the Same Sex Marriage Plebiscite debate
Posted on February 17, 2016
Filed under Australia, Opinion Comments Off on Protecting free speech in the Same Sex Marriage Plebiscite debate
“An article in the The Guardian today, ‘Override hate speech laws to allow marriage equality debate, urges Christian lobby’ reports that Lyle Shelton, managing director of the Australian Christian Lobby, has made proposals urging greater protection of free speech for those opposed to the introduction of same sex marriage in the forthcoming Australian plebiscite on the topic.
Of course, the reader will see that the Guardian headline and my summary of the proposals seem quite different. In its support for same sex marriage, the Guardian and those it quotes describe the ACL proposals as follows: the ACL wants to ‘permanently override anti-discrimination laws’ …
I think the Guardian has slanted the ACL views unfairly. (Even more unfairly, the Sydney Morning Herald report on the story features a cartoon of an ACL representative complaining that they can’t be expected to make their case ‘without expressing hatred and bigotry’.) Let me suggest reasons why the ACL proposal, so far as can be ascertained from these press reports, sounds limited, moderate and sensible. …”
– Neil Foster, Associate Professor on Law at Newcastle, adds some clarity to reporting on those opposed to the introduction of same-sex marriage in Australia.
Update: See Part 2 here.
What we believe
The message at the heart of Christianity is really quite simple…