‘Stoush over NSW public school enrolment forms’
Posted on June 5, 2015
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“Accusations that Rev Nile asked for the ethics changes in exchange for his support of the government’s power privatisation plans have also emerged, and have been denied by Rev Nile and the Christian Democrats.
While the media has focused on Rev Nile’s request to take ethics classes off the enrolment form, there has been barely a mention that the same request has been made unanimously by faith groups offering Special Religious Education in NSW schools…”
– helpful background from Bible Society Australia to a story that’s in the news.
Do you love me? Putting the carriage before the horse in the same-sex marriage debate
Posted on June 5, 2015
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“It’s important that we get our heads around the nature of this debate otherwise we’ll just continually be responding to the wrong point, nor will we be in any position to helpfully reflect back to our wider society just what is going on and, perhaps, get them to reconsider…”
– David Ould considers the nature of love and marriage. Check it out.
Words of encouragement from Gordon and Ruth Russell
Posted on June 5, 2015
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Moore College has posted four brief, but very encouraging, videos with College graduates Gordon and Ruth Russell.
Take the time to watch. At around three minutes each, the videos are ideal for screening in mid-week meetings or on Sundays.
2. Why Moore, and what’s next for you?
CMS-UK calls for prayer and fasting for ‘creation care’
Posted on June 4, 2015
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“On Sunday 7 June, members of the Church Mission Society are switching off their gadgets to write, pray and act for climate justice.
The CMS community invites people to join them for this day of action on creation care – the Anglican Communion fifth Mark of Mission – as they disconnect their electronic devices and contemplate lifestyle changes that can be made for the environment…”
– Report from the Anglican Communion News Service.
Related:
Matthew 28:18-20, 1 Corinthians 1:20-25.
Stage Two exile – are you ready for it?
Posted on June 4, 2015
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“The Western church is about to enter stage two of its exile from the mainstream culture and the public square. And it will not be an easy time.
In case you missed it, Exile Stage One began a few decades or so ago, budding in the sexual revolution of the sixties before building up a head of steam some 20 years ago. Finally some Christians sat down to talk about it 15 or so years ago, and that set the ball, and the publishing companies rolling…”
– at The Gospel Coalition Australia, Steve McAlpine, Associate Pastor at Providence Church in Perth, calls Christians to be prepared for what is coming.
Sydney Diocese appoints Domestic Violence task force
Posted on June 4, 2015
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“The Standing committee of the Diocese of Sydney has voted to appoint a taskforce to develop a diocesan response to domestic violence. …
The taskforce includes a chaplain, a professional counsellor, the Archdeacon for women, Kara Hartley and several other members. …”
– from SydneyAnglicans.net. (Photo of Archdeacon Kara Hartley by Sam Law.)
Northwest Network June 2015
Posted on June 4, 2015
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The Diocese of North West Australia has issued their latest newsletter. Check it out – and pray for the churches of the North West – 900kb PDF file.
Christ amongst the ‘gods’
Posted on June 4, 2015
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“Today, Australia is visibly a religiously plural society. Christianity is no longer the ‘normal’ religion. Religious diversity is the new normal. And we experience that diversity daily. … This is the first of three articles about responding to religious plurality in Australia…”
– the Gospel, Society and Culture Committee of the Presbyterian Church of NSW is helping Australian Christians to think through the issues of living in a multifaith society. You can download the PDF file here.
A sexual ponzi scheme?
Posted on June 3, 2015
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“An article in the Washington Post last week (“How to break free from monogamy without destroying marriage”) described the dynamics of an open marriage and the various “apps” now available for facilitating extramarital relations.
The amorality might have been shocking twenty years ago but today such well-traveled territory likely provokes little more than a yawn. Yet the article is still instructive for what the author’s analysis (or lack thereof) tells us about contemporary culture…”
– Carl Trueman writes at First Things. (h/t Tim Challies.)
This is the God who Saves – new EP from Michael Morrow
Posted on June 2, 2015
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“Michael Morrow is a UK based Australian musician who has produced songs with EMU Music and on his own.
You might remember him from songs like This Life I Live, Nothing But The Blood, and Come Hear The Angels Sing.
He’s just released a four song EP that takes its name with the first track, This Is The God Who Saves…”
– thanks to Gary Ware for spotting this.
Call for coalition to vote as one on marriage
Posted on June 2, 2015
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Here’s a media release from the Australian Christian Lobby –
“The Australian Christian Lobby today renewed its call on the Liberal party to stand by its principled policy on marriage by continuing to vote as one on the issue…” – Read it all on their website.
David Cook on Preaching Galatians
Posted on June 1, 2015
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“Why is the Gospel so momentous? Is the work of Christ sufficient to bring us into relationship with God, or do we need to make some additive? What place is there for the law in the lives of Christians already saved by grace through faith?
David Cook explains why it is so important to preach Galatians properly. The law will not justify us, but neither will the law sanctify us. The law is no help in causing us to grow in godliness or in maintaining our relationship with God. The work of Christ doesn’t need supplementing by anything we may attempt to do.”
– Check out the latest Preaching Matters video from St. Helen’s Bishopsgate.
Bishop Peter Lin consecrated
Posted on May 30, 2015
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“The Rev Peter Lin was consecrated as Bishop of the George’s River Region by Archbishop Glenn Davies, at St Andrew’s Cathedral on Saturday 30th May.
Mr Lin is one of the youngest bishops in the history of the Diocese and only the second of Chinese descent in Australia…”
– Russell Powell has the story at SydneyAnglicans.net.
Related:
SBS News reports on the consecration, and also the appointment of Kanishka Raffel as Dean of Sydney. (video expires 06 June 2015.)
What is ECUSA Spending on Lawsuits? (Updated for General Convention 2015)
Posted on May 30, 2015
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“When one adds in the estimated additional amounts spent by individual dioceses on such litigation, the total amount exceeds Sixty Million Dollars…”
– Anglican lawyer and blogger A S Haley updates his annual list.
Churches defend traditional meaning of marriage — NSW Council of Churches
Posted on May 29, 2015
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“Changing the meaning of marriage would be a vast, risky social experiment. Children have the right to know and be cared for by their natural parents. The law should reflect and promote best practice.
Amid the emotion and hype, principled arguments in favour of retaining the current definition of marriage in Australian law deserve the consideration of every federal politician…”
– Dr Ross Clifford, President of the NSW Council of Churches in a media release.
What we believe
The message at the heart of Christianity is really quite simple…