What’s new in Moore College distance education

Posted on February 22, 2015
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“Moore College distance education has re-imagined and re-built from the ground up the way it delivers solid Bible teaching for 21st century learners. For the first time you will be able to find everything you need online – course notes, lectures, resources, weekly quizzes, final exams, tutor groups and personal coaches…”

– Mark Fairfull at Moore College outlines the college’s distance education offerings.

Notes from another country

Posted on February 21, 2015
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adrian-reynolds-sm2 “I’ve been leading a small Cornhill missions team this last week. We’ve been abroad somewhere hot and somewhere increasingly difficult to be a Christian. It’s probably not appropriate for me to say where (or necessary, even) because I don’t want to put believers at risk.

But, as ever, my heart has been stirred and my faith has been challenged by being with believers from a different culture. For sure, other cultures have their blind spots – and they are painfully obvious. But, more to the point, being with Christians in another culture allows us to see our own blind spots more clearly. And it’s this I want to write about this week.”

– Adrian Reynolds briefly shares some challenging observations at Proclamation Trust:

Part 1 – Preaching.
Part 2 – Salvation.
Part 3 – Prayer.
Part 4 – Colonialism.
Part 5 – Persecution.

The Bishop who walks with the cross

Posted on February 19, 2015
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“The Right Reverend Stuart Robinson will visit a number of rural centres across south western New South Wales carrying a large wood cross as Anglicans get ready to celebrate Good Friday on 3 April 2015 …

‘I meet too many people who feel overwhelmed by their pain and powerless when confronted by the suffering of the world. The Good News is that the light has overcome the darkness and life can swallow up death because Jesus died and rose again.’

– Story from the Canberra & Goulburn diocese website.

Towns on the itinerary are Holbrook, Tumbarumba, Tumut, Gundagai, Wagga Wagga, Cooma including Berridale and Snowy Mountains, Queanbeyan and Goulburn.

Photo courtesy Alex Rea at The Braidwood Times.

‘Jesus: Watch Listen Follow’ — Peter Bolt, Moore College and Creek Road

Posted on February 18, 2015
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“Rev Dr Peter Bolt, Head of Department of New Testament and Greek at Moore College, has been collaborating with Creek Road Presbyterian Church in Brisbane on a sermon series “Jesus: Watch Listen Follow”.

This sermon series is on Mark’s Gospel. A video has been produced as the first episode of the series, in which Peter takes us through the opening passage of Mark’s Gospel.”

– Check it out via the Moore College website.

‘People of the cross’ murdered by IS militants

Posted on February 17, 2015
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Anglican Church Diocese of Sydney

Media Statement February 17th, 2015

The Archbishop of Sydney, Dr Glenn Davies, says Australians should be shocked, repulsed and outraged by the slaughter of 21 Egyptian Coptic Christians, murdered for their faith in Libya.

The men, originally from Egypt, had travelled to Libya to find work. Amid instability in the region, they were kidnapped by a group linked to IS, led to a beach and beheaded.

“The filming of this evil and barbaric act was another attempt by the so-called Islamic State to strike fear into the hearts of Christians and others throughout the region.” the Archbishop said.

“The victims were singled out as ‘people of the cross’ and died for their allegiance to Jesus as martyrs have done through the centuries.”

“We pray for the Coptic Church to stand firm as it suffers such persecution. To our brothers and sisters in the Anglican Church in Egypt and throughout the Middle East, our hearts and prayers are with you.”

“For those bent on evil and violence, we pray God would turn their hearts to seek
mercy at the feet of Jesus.”

Dr Davies supported calls from the Primate of the Middle East, Presiding Bishop Mouneer Anis, for prayer that the international community would respond wisely to the attacks in the region.

The Archbishop also backed calls for diplomatic action by Australia and for special consideration to be given to the inclusion of Coptic Christians from North Africa in any humanitarian intake.

– Source: SydneyAnglicans.net

Prayers for Bishop Ian Palmer

Posted on February 17, 2015
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From the Diocese of Bathurst:

“The Anglican Bishop of Bathurst, Ian Palmer, is in Orange Base Hospital undergoing tests after experiencing chest pains while at a meeting on Saturday morning.

He has been pain-free since Saturday afternoon and is in good spirits. …

Your continuing prayers for Bishop Ian and Liz will be greatly appreciated.”

And further from their Facebook page (h/t David Ould):

“We would ask for your prayers for our Bishop Ian Palmer. Bishop Ian is recovering in Orange Base Hospital after having a stent inserted following an angiogram on Monday…”

Uganda urged to remember Janani Luwum

Posted on February 17, 2015
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“More than 20,000 people gathered in Mucwini, Kitgum, today to honour and celebrate the life, ministry, and martyrdom of Archbishop Janani Luwum, the Church of Uganda’s 2nd Ugandan Archbishop.

After arresting him on false charges, former President Idi Amin Dada assassinated him on 16th February 1977…”

– from The Church of Uganda.

Many readers will remember Bishop Festo Kivengere visiting Sydney after the assassination – and his powerful evangelistic talks and book “I love Idi Amin”.

Tribute to Barbara Darling by Archbishop Glenn Davies

Posted on February 16, 2015
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Archbishop of Sydney Glenn Davies has released this Public Statement, paying tribute to Bishop Barbara Darling –

“It was with great sadness that we heard the news of the death of Bishop Barbara Darling on Sunday 15th February, after suffering a stroke some eight days earlier.

Barbara Darling was a pioneer of extraordinary gifts and talents. Originally from Sydney, after some years spent as a teacher in NSW, Barbara moved to Melbourne and pursued theological studies at Ridley College under Dr Leon Morris. Her intellect and gracious disposition combined with both passion and giftedness for teaching were quickly recognised by Dr Morris, as she was offered a teaching contract at Ridley upon her graduation, and later became the first tenured female lecturer at Ridley College.

Barbara was a pioneer for women’s ordination, having been in the first cohort of women to be made deacon in Melbourne in 1986, and six years later among the first to be ordained priest, and then Barbara became the first woman to be consecrated bishop in the Diocese of Melbourne in 2008.

Yet Barbara never displayed a militant advocacy for the ordination of women. Her first joy was to serve her Saviour in whatever capacity he called to her to. A committed Evangelical, Barbara was able to maintain good relationships with those who held different views from her own. Winsome, godly and gracious it was always a joy to meet her and to hear of the work of God in her life and ministry. She will be sorely missed not only by the Diocese of Melbourne but by the national church as well.

‘Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of his saints’ (Ps 116:15).

Archbishop Glenn Davies.”

Source: SydneyAnglicans.net.

Australian Copts condemn barbaric slaughter of Christians in Libya

Posted on February 16, 2015
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“The Australian Coptic Movement Association (ACM) condemns in the strongest possible terms the barbaric slaughter of 21 innocent Egyptian Coptic Christians by ISIS in Libya.

This evil act of terror has sent shockwaves throughout the entire Australian Coptic community and the Coptic Christian community worldwide. For years, the ACM has been warning the international community of the plight of Libya’s Coptic community and the need for stability to be restored to this country…”

– Read it all here.

Melbourne’s Bishop Barbara Darling dies

Posted on February 15, 2015
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Very sad news in an e-mail from the office of the Archbishop of Melbourne:

“The Right Reverend Barbara Darling has died this morning at 11.20am in hospital after suffering a stroke on Saturday 7 February. Family and friends were with her when she died. …

Her sudden and untimely death has shocked and saddened all who knew her and enjoyed her loving pastoral support, friendship and encouragement, within the diocese of Melbourne, with her fellow Bishops, amongst the staff of the diocese and throughout Australian Anglicans.

We mourn her death and pray for her family and friends as they grieve her loss.”

We also hear that Bishop Darling’s funeral will be held at St. Paul’s Cathedral in Melbourne, next Sunday 22 February at 5:00pm.

Related: Melbourne’s first Anglican female bishop dies – The Age.

Living Reconciliation ‘Deeply Problematic’

Posted on February 13, 2015
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“Dr Martin Davie, a widely respected Church of England theologian, has exposed serious flaws in ‘Living Reconciliation’, a book published recently by the Anglican Communion Office to champion its ‘Continuing Indaba’ project…”

– from GAFCON. And the book in question.

50 Shades of Confusion

Posted on February 12, 2015
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“The coming days offer an extraordinary opportunity for Christian growth. As the trailer hits our screens, as the chance to buy tickets drops into our inbox, we each have a choice to make… Let’s make choices that help us – and those around us in church – grow in Christ.”

– at The Good Book blog, Helen Thorne has some much-needed advice for Christians regarding a certain film and book.

Fifty Shades of Shame — The Evolution of Pornography – Albert Mohler.

“Going to see Fifty Shades of Grey, or reading the book series, is an exercise in pornographic intent and effect. It is also an act of defiance against the goodness of the gift of sex as granted to humanity by God. Furthermore, the series is an assault upon the dignity of every human being.”

The Real Abuse at the Heart of ‘Fifty Shades of Grey’ – Relevant Magazine.

“The message is clear: by turning these same behaviors around to market them as ‘romance,’ this film effectively silences the experience of millions of victims of abuse.”

NZ church offers to exchange Fifty Shades of Grey tickets – Bible Society.

Archbishop of Sydney’s response to ‘The Forgotten Children’

Posted on February 12, 2015
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From the Anglican Church Diocese of Sydney

Media Statement February 12th, 2015

The Forgotten Children, National Inquiry into Children in Immigration Detention

The Archbishop of Sydney, Dr Glenn Davies, says the situation of children in detention ‘should concern every Australian’ and he has supported calls for an overhaul of the current system.

Salvation is all God’s doing

Posted on February 11, 2015
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“Do I contribute to my own salvation? Do I repent and believe and thus God regenerates me or is it the other way around? Is faith my contribution to the whole process – God does his bit and I add my necessary contribution?”