The evil be ever mingled with the good
Posted on June 6, 2014
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“‘In the visible church, the evil be ever mingled with the good.’
This is a phrase which comes from Article 26 of the Thirty-nine Articles – which considers the ‘unworthiness of the ministers, which hinders not the effect of the sacraments.’
… But the throwaway line about the presence of evil within the visible church of Christ is what grabbed my attention.…”
– For Church Society’s Formulary Friday, Simon Scott sees the application for today’s church. Related: The Thirty-Nine Articles.
‘One of the finest Biblical commentaries’
Posted on June 6, 2014
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Job: The Wisdom of the Cross – a new Commentary by Christopher Ash – is receiving an enthusiastic reception.
“This is one of the finest Biblical commentaries I have had the privilege to read, and certainly the best I know on the wonderful but perplexing book of Job.” writes John Woodhouse.
Other reactions at Between Two Worlds.
‘When we get it wrong’ — Southern Cross
Posted on June 5, 2014
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“Some months ago, the team at Southern Cross started planning to do a cover story on prayer.
They say everybody talks about the weather but nobody does anything about it. With prayer, we don’t talk much about it and do it even less (myself included).
Article complete, we went about trying to illustrate it. It seemed ‘knee fitness’ might be catchy and contemporary. Because we don’t have the funds to stage our own photography, we used a stock image of a woman in fitness gear.
In an effort to focus on the knees to make the theme work, the cover unhelpfully drew attention to other parts of her body and cut off her head, depersonalising the image.
Let me be clear. This was a mistake. With the best of intentions we actually did the opposite of what we were trying to do. …”
– Russell Powell, CEO of Anglican Media Sydney, issues an apology. An exemplary way for Christians to respond.
And you can now download the updated version of Southern Cross – with lots of great content – here as a 5.3MB PDF file.
Prayers urged for Bishop of Gippsland, John McIntyre
Posted on June 5, 2014
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We’ve heard from several sources (among them. BCA on FaceBook, and David Ould’s website) that the Bishop of Gippsland, John McIntyre, is very ill. Please be encouraged to uphold John and his family in prayer at this time.
Sad news: VCC Mourns Bishop John McIntyre.
One-to-One Bible Reading
Posted on June 5, 2014
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“There is something to be said for evangelism strategies and discipleship programs. My guess is that most churches have some way to introduce unbelievers to the Christian faith and to mature those who are new to the faith. I would guess as well that most churches keep an eye on the various new offerings, looking for what is original, what is interesting, what promises results.
But what if we’ve made it all too complicated? What if both evangelism and discipleship can be as simple as reading the Bible?”
– Tim Challies looks at One-to-One Bible Reading by David Helm.
Committed to actually reading the Bible?
Posted on June 4, 2014
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In an article at SydneyAnglicans.net, Archbishop Glenn Davies observes,
“It is a strange phenomenon that we Sydney Anglicans, who are so devoted to our commitment to the teaching of the Bible, do not appear to be as devoted to our personal reading of the Bible…”
– Read his article, and then check out these resources –
- Two-Year reading plan from The Gospel Coalition.
- Many other Bible-reading resources via Justin Taylor.
- For the Love of God – Online version. Printed volumes.
- Reap Journal from Anglican Youthworks.
- Matthias Media resources.
- YouVersion Bible apps.
Lasting hope — at Munguishi Bible College
Posted on June 2, 2014
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To help promote their Lasting Hope appeal, CMS Australia has posted several videos you could use in church or in small groups. The latest video features testimony from the Rev Nicholaus Charles, who has been studying at Munguishi Bible College in Tanzania.
There are also an encouragement from Archbishop Glenn Davies, and other recent videos here. Take the time to see them.
Emotional Preaching — Andrew Sach
Posted on June 2, 2014
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In the latest ‘Preaching Matters’ from St. Helen’s Bishopsgate in London, Andrew Sach speaks about preaching on a passage which is truly horrible.
Vale Margaret Rodgers
Posted on May 31, 2014
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Readers will be saddened to hear of the death of Deaconess Margaret Rodgers early this morning (31 May 2014).
Margaret was a well-known figure in Sydney Diocese over many years.
Most notably, she served as Principal of Deaconess House (now Mary Andrews College) 1975–85. As well, she was Research Officer, General Synod, 1985–1993, CEO of the Anglican Media Council 1994–2003 and the Archbishop of Sydney’s Media Officer 2004–2007.
Margaret also served on a variety of key boards and committees within and outside Sydney Diocese.
In the 2014 Australia Day Honours List, Deaconess Rodgers was appointed a Member of the Order of Australia (AM).
Kara Hartley, Archdeacon for Women in Sydney Diocese, writes:
“Margaret was passionate for women to be mobilised for ministry. As Principal of Deaconess House, and through her involvement in the Diocese and national church, she was tireless in her support & encouragement of women seeking to serve The Lord. The deaconesses have lost a dear friend and sister.”
Moore College Principal Dr Mark Thompson writes:
“Moore College owes a considerable debt to Deaconess Rodgers who, as Principal of Deaconess House, gave lectures in church history and participated in the life of the faculty, and of the College more generally, in a variety of ways. The College has lost a very dear friend.”
Archbishop Dr Glenn Davies writes:
“A warrior for Christ, not ashamed of the gospel and not afraid to confront those with whom she disagreed, but always with a winsome smile and a heartfelt desire to see Christ honoured in all areas of life. She will long be remembered, but greatly missed.” (More here.)
Jane Tooher, Director of The Priscilla & Aquila Centre at Moore College, adds:
“I last spoke to Margaret a couple of months ago when I invited her to speak at a conference. Although she was unable to be involved because of her precarious health, the conversation with her was remarkable. She encouraged me and her wonderful sense of humour left me in hysterical laughter at points. All who knew her, and especially those of us at Moore College, have very good reasons to thank God for the life of this faithful servant.”
John Sandeman of Eternity Newspaper has this tribute:
“Most Australian Christians will complain about how the mass media deals with their church, or Christianity itself. It’s rare to see someone set out to deal with this problem and even rarer to see someone succeed, not just once but many times. Margaret Rodgers, who ran media relations for the Sydney Anglicans for a decade and a half, fitted the third category exactly.”
In 2007, Margaret was farewelled on her retirement. “Media Officer’s brilliant career.”
In 2011, the Synod of the Diocese of Sydney took time to specially thank Margaret.
(Photo: Mary Andrews College.)
Permanence before experience — the wisdom of marriage
Posted on May 31, 2014
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“Rightly understood, marriage is all about permanence. In a world of transitory experiences, events, and commitments, marriage is intransigent. It simply is what it is – a permanent commitment made by a man and a woman who commit themselves to live faithfully unto one another until the parting of death. …”
– Albert Mohler writes at Southern Seminary’s blog on the wisdom of marriage.
Why Creeds?
Posted on May 30, 2014
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“In every major service in the Prayer Book, the congregation recite one of three Creeds, helpfully laid out for us in Article VIII: ‘Of the Three Creeds’.
The Three Creeds, Nicene Creed, Athanasius’s Creed, and that which is commonly called the Apostles’ Creed, ought thoroughly to be received and believed: for they may be proved by most certain warrants of holy Scripture. …”
– At Church Society’s blog, Mark Smith writes to encourage saying of the Creeds.
ChristChurch Cathedral to be ‘deconstructed’
Posted on May 30, 2014
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“An order preventing deconstruction of ChristChurch Cathedral has just been lifted by the High Court…”
– Report from The NZ Herald. (Photo: The Cathedral before the earthquake.)
Asylum seekers
Posted on May 30, 2014
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“I don’t want to be too controversial in this column but I think the time has come to write something about asylum seekers…”
– Presbyterian Moderator-General David Cook challenges not only the government but also the churches and individual Christians in his latest (29 May 2014) Pastoral Letter.
(Image: St. Helen’s Bishopsgate.)
NZ Vicar leaves Anglican Church over same-sex blessings
Posted on May 29, 2014
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Charlie Hughes, the Vicar of St Michael’s Henderson, in West Auckland, has left the Anglican Church over its decision to move to bless same-sex relationships.
“Two-thirds of St Michael’s board had also resigned as had half the staff…”, according to this report from the New Zealand Herald. (Photo: St Michael’s Henderson.)
Condemned Christian woman gives birth
Posted on May 28, 2014
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“Meriam Ibrahim, a Christian woman who was sentenced to death in Sudan for apostasy, has given birth to a daughter…”
– Report from Barnabas Fund.
What we believe
The message at the heart of Christianity is really quite simple…