Do you proclaim the gospel on Sundays?
Posted on November 28, 2014
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“How do our church meetings proclaim the gospel story? Of course we want all our words to point to Christ. But what about the shape of the gathering, the liturgy?
If the famous dictum, ‘the medium is the message,’ carries any truth then we would do well to reflect not only on the words spoken, but also the structures and shapes to our times together. How do our church meetings proclaim the gospel story?…”
– On the Church Society blog, John Percival quotes from an article by Graham O’Brien in Churchman.
Related: Paul Helm reflects on a church service he attended recently at an Abbey.
“I was at a service at an Abbey last Sunday, an unfamiliar venue for me. When I am at a service in an strange place, such as the service in this gaunt but undoubtedly beautiful building, being a visitor I tend to try to adopt the outlook of a visitor. What impression does what goes on in the great venues of English religion give to someone, who, like me on this occasion, joins the service as a one-off?”
Aasia Bibi files appeal in Pakistan’s top Court
Posted on November 27, 2014
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“The Christian mother of five children, sentenced to death for “blasphemy” in Pakistan, has filed an appeal to the country’s top court on 24 November. After the High Court in Lahore upheld Aasia Bibi’s conviction on 16 October, this appeal is her last recourse in the Pakistani judicial system…”
– Barnabas Fund has the latest for your prayers.
GAFCON Chairman’s Advent Letter 2014
Posted on November 27, 2014
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“Despite these challenges, I am confident that our efforts are not in vain.
The crucial contribution of GAFCON to the future is that in an increasingly confused Communion it has a clear confessional basis in the Jerusalem Statement and Declaration which keeps the gospel at its heart. And where the gospel is, there will be life.”
– Chairman of the GAFCON Primates Council, Archbishop Eliud Wabukala, writes this in response to very great challenges. Read his whole Pastoral Letter for Advent 2014 on the GAFCON website.
ECUSA denied Leave to Appeal in Quincy Case
Posted on November 27, 2014
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“Today the Illinois Supreme Court posted twenty-eight pages of its recent dispositions of requests made by losing parties for leave to appeal their decision to that Court. On page twelve, at the very top, appears this brief notation:
No. 118186 – The Diocese of Quincy et al., respondents, v. The Episcopal Church et al., petitioners. Leave to appeal, Appellate Court, Fourth District. (4-13-0901)
Petition for leave to appeal denied.
What this means is that the highest court of a State has now ruled that there is no provision in the governing documents of the Episcopal Church (USA) that keeps a Diocese from withdrawing its membership in that organization…”
– Lawyer A.S. Haley is following the twists and turns of The Episcopal Church’s attempts to stop dioceses leaving.
Canon Andrew White ‘ordered back to UK’
Posted on November 26, 2014
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Canon Andrew White, Vicar of Baghdad’, is returning to the UK, at least for now, according to ‘Cranmer’ (h/t Anglican Mainstream.).
See also ‘Canon Andrew White is Interviewed by The Huffington Post’.
Greg Anderson Consecration to be streamed live from Darwin
Posted on November 25, 2014
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Dr. Greg Anderson will be consecrated as the next Bishop of the Northern Territory this Saturday, 29th November 2014, at 9:00am CST (GMT + 9.5 hours, i.e. 10:30am AEDT), in Christ Church Cathedral in Darwin.
Phil Zamagias in Darwin writes:
“Non-Darwin friends, if you would like to watch the Consecration service on Saturday morning I am going to attempt a live stream. It will be a basic, single camera broadcast but it should be a good way to virtually ‘be there’ for Greg and his family.
You will need to visit this link and create a free account so that you can view the live stream.
Be sure to click the ‘Follow’ button if you would like to get a notification when the stream begins.
Please feel free to pass this info on to anyone who may be interested and pray that it all works on the day!”
Northwest Network December 2014
Posted on November 25, 2014
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The latest edition of Northwest Network, the newsletter of the Diocese of North West Australia, is hot off the press.
Download your copy (750kb PDF file) to inform your prayers for our brothers and sisters – and for those with whom they long to share the gospel.
“It has been a challenging few months. After our 7,500 km safari around the diocese Christine and I returned home for the School of Theology, followed by Synod. Then there’s the pressing issues which have required attention, including the finding of locums or new ministers. But in the midst of it all God’s faithfulness keeps returning, especially in those times when the pressure is intense, or the difficulties seem insurmountable. One of God’s blessings has been Peter Grice and his family – Peter will begin as the new dean of the cathedral in late January, 2015…”
– Bishop Gary Nelson.
Saying yes and no: a Briefing farewell
Posted on November 25, 2014
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“I’m an avid reader, and social media brings an endless flood of articles my way—often very interesting, sometimes useful, occasionally mind-changing! So with that flood it’s hard to be sure, but I think the article that’s had the single biggest impact on my life and ministry was not published in The Briefing magazine. But that article by Ben Patterson explains why The Briefing has had more influence in shaping my Christian mind (and hopefully practice) than any book has ever done — apart from the Bible!…”
– Sandy Grant looks back with gratitude to some of the things he has learned through The Briefing.
Mark Dever interviewed
Posted on November 23, 2014
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Marvin Olansky at World Magazine recently interviewed Mark Dever – about all sorts of things.
Watch it here (YouTube, 64 minutes including question time) – and read the accompanying article here.
Life and Ministry with Peter Jensen
Posted on November 22, 2014
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Geoff Robson has conducted a “sweeping conversation with Peter Jensen, former Archbishop of Sydney, about life and ministry – including his favourite book of all-time, how he became a Christian, why he wanted to be a stand-up comedian, why he tries to emulate Billy Graham, and how he has found spiritual refreshment for the last five decades.”
– Take the time to read it here – and please remember to pray for Peter as he continues to serve Christ.
Victorian state election: threat to religious freedom
Posted on November 20, 2014
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Melbourne pastor Mark Durie speaks out on the implications for religious freedom of an Opposition win in the Victorian elections – at the Australian Christian Lobby.
We are so grateful for GAFCON
Posted on November 20, 2014
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“Speaking to Anglican TV in Ottawa shortly after his investiture on 6th November as Moderator of the Anglican Network in Canada (ANiC), Bishop Charlie Masters emphasized the importance of GAFCON for his Canadian congregations…”
– from the GAFCON website.
Related: Bishop Masters’ Call to the ANiC Synod – via Anglican TV.
“We want your thoughts on the next Anglican Communion Secretary General”
Posted on November 20, 2014
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“Anglicans and Episcopalians from Communion provinces worldwide are being invited to share their thoughts on the ministry priorities and qualities of the next Secretary General of the Anglican Communion. …”
– Any thoughts? The deadline is 27 November 2014.
Is God a Religious Pluralist?
Posted on November 19, 2014
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In a recent issue of The White Horse Inn broadcast, apologetics specialist Greg Koukl spoke on ‘How are we to deal with the exclusive claims of Jesus in our pluralistic age?’.
Woman speaks out at Muslim prayer service in Washington National Cathedral
Posted on November 18, 2014
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“It was supposed to be a shining moment for proponents of the interfaith movement.
The Islamic “jummah,” or Friday call to prayer, would be held on America’s grandest Christian stage – the National Cathedral in Washington, D.C.
It was a bold move that had never been tried. Leaders of the Episcopal cathedral said sending prayers up to Allah from a Christian church would show the world that two religions at odds with each other for centuries could “approach the same God” as one body of believers.
The stage was set. The prayer rugs were neatly arranged facing Mecca. The lights shone down on the imam for his opening remarks.
Not so fast…”
– Christian booted from National Cathedral speaks out.
See also:
- About the Muslim Friday Services (Jumu’ah) at the Episcopal Cathedral.
- Watch the service (minus the interjection) here. (Can be slow to load.)
Image from the video feed.
What we believe
The message at the heart of Christianity is really quite simple…