Thinking about Moore College for 2015?
Posted on September 23, 2014
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Moore College would like you to think about studying next year.
Undergraduate? Postgraduate? Distance learning? See what the college has to offer and apply by November 30 to avoid extra admin fees. Details here.
The worst media Christian bashing this year?
Posted on September 22, 2014
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“There’s probably no point waiting to the end of the year to award the prize for the worst media monstering of a Christian for 2014. Because the Sydney Morning Herald has published such an egregious story on Dean Phillip Jensen… that any other winning entry is unlikely.”
– Phillip Jensen has been criticised by the media before, and John Sandeman catalogues yet another example.
See also the article in question – The truth behind ISIL – by the Dean.
Bathurst’s Anglican synod grapples with $24m debt
Posted on September 22, 2014
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“The gravity of the financial situation facing the Bathurst Diocese of the Anglican Church hit home this weekend for members of the 47th Synod. …”
– report from The Western Advocate.
CESA Presiding Bishop Desmond Inglesby to retire
Posted on September 21, 2014
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P
residing Bishop of REACH South Africa (formerly known as CESA), Bishop Desmond Inglesby announced his early retirement –
“It is with great sadness that I need to inform you that, for medical reasons, I have decided to retire early. This means that I will be stepping down as Presiding Bishop with effect from the end of September.”
Read more at the REACH-South Africa website – and please pray for Bishop Inglesby and for the work of the gospel in South Africa.
Leaders need wisdom, diplomacy and resolve to find the way of peace
Posted on September 21, 2014
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“Any sensible person wants peace, but the way of peace is not as easy to find as the way of war. The Prime Minister calls Australia a carefree nation yet we have to confront the Islamic State overseas and, it seems, at home.
I would not want my words twisted again in public debate so let me be perfectly clear. Our leaders need our prayers for wisdom, diplomacy and resolve as they seek to find the way of peace. The evil deeds of recent weeks cannot be left unanswered, but what is the best way to protect innocent people on the other side of the world? …”
– Dean of Sydney Phillip Jensen writes in The Daily Telegraph.
The War of the Cross
Posted on September 21, 2014
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“When ISIS changed its name in June from ‘the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant’ (ISIL, or the Arabic acronym ISIS) to simply ‘the Islamic State’, this was a shift of enormous theological and eschatological significance. …
The Islamic State sees itself … playing a key role in the End Times in fulfilment of many prophecies, when all the enemies of Islam (particularly Christians) will be defeated.”
– Dr Patrick Sookhdeo, International Director of Barnabas Fund, writes that the theology and eschatology of ISIS explains a great deal about their actions. (Photo: Barnabas Fund.)
GAFCON Chairman to assist at investuture of ACNA Archbishop
Posted on September 19, 2014
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‘It has been announced that the Chairman of GAFCON, Archbishop Eliud Wabukala, will assist at the Service of Investiture for the new ACNA Archbishop.
The service will take place on October 9, to formally mark the beginning of the Most Rev. Dr. Foley Beach’s [pictured] ministry as Archbishop of the Anglican Church in North America (ACNA), a denomination of more than 112,000 members spanning Canada, the United States and Mexico.
The historic transition is the first for the new denomination, as its founding leader, The Most Rev. Robert Duncan, retired in June 2014 at the conclusion of a five-year term.
Dr Wabukala, who is also Archbishop of Kenya, has been invited to help lead the service, which will take place at 7:00 p.m. on Oct 9th at the Church of the Apostles in Atlanta, Georgia and will be attended by 8 global archbishops representing more than 50 million Anglicans.”
– from GAFCON.
Archbishop Davies welcomes new Roman Catholic leader
Posted on September 19, 2014
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“The Archbishop of Sydney issued a statement of welcome to Bishop Anthony Fisher, named as the successor to Cardinal George Pell as Roman Catholic Archbishop of Sydney.”
– read Archbishop Davies’ statement here.
(Photo credit.)
Cranmer the evangelist
Posted on September 18, 2014
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“The language of The Book of Common Prayer may be over 400 years old, but captured within it is a clear evangelistic structure, based on scripture: a recognition of personal sin, repentance, forgiveness and praise at God’s goodness.
We may not use BCP liturgies directly, but let us use the truths of scripture contained within for our own good, the good of our families, our church and our nation, and ultimately for the glory of God. This article is worth reading not just for its look at the BCP services, but also as a reminder that the structure of our services can be evangelistic, not just our preaching.”
– At Church Society’s blog, Chris Kilgour recommends Samuel Leuenberger’s 1992 Churchman article, “Archbishop Cranmer’s Immortal Bequest: The Book of Common Prayer of the Church of England: An Evangelistic Liturgy” (PDF file).
Loving Muslim neighbours with the gospel
Posted on September 18, 2014
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Samuel Green’s “Engaging with Islam Training Course” is an invaluable resource.
“The Engaging with Islam course is designed to give Christians a practical introduction to the history and teaching of Islam and a foundation for answering common questions.
The course can be done individually, in a small group or as part of leadership training. Anyone can lead this course as no previous knowledge of Islam is required and leader’s notes are provided. The course is a mix of preparation material, group discussion and a video presentation.”
New Director for Moore College’s Centre for Christian Living
Posted on September 17, 2014
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“Rev Tony Payne has been appointed the director of Moore College’s Centre for Christian Living. The centre, established in 2010 to resource Christians to live as disciples of Christ and to tackle the hard issues of the twenty-first century, will be ‘rebooted’ in early 2015…”
– News from Moore Theological College.
Also at SydneyAnglicans.net.
‘Gay rector faces backlash in pews’
Posted on September 17, 2014
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“An Anglican clergyman is facing opposition from parishioners over a service in his local church to bless his same-sex civil partnership.
The Rev Dominic McClean, the Rector of 13 parishes around the village of Market Bosworth in Leicestershire, invited parishioners to the special service this weekend to mark his civil union with his partner…” – Story from The Telegraph. (h/t SydneyAnglicans.net) Photo: Market Bosworth Benefice.
Book for the ACL Synod Dinner
Posted on September 16, 2014
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Get the details and book here for the ACL Synod Dinner on Monday 13th October.
(Only limited spaces left!)
Archbishop Davies calls for increased humanitarian refugee intake
Posted on September 15, 2014
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“The Anglican Archbishop of Sydney has written to Prime Minister Tony Abbott, asking for Australia’s humanitarian intake to be lifted to 20,000.
Dr Glenn Davies again expressed concern about the wave of persecution in Iraq and Syria, saying Christians and other religious minorities have been ‘persecuted, threatened, dispossessed and in many cases, killed for their beliefs. Those who have survived are in transit camps with few possessions and little hope. Some are not yet safe as it is reported that there are ‘hidden cells’ of terrorists who may be activated and pose a further threat to Christians who have fled the north.’…”
– story from SydneyAnglicans.net.
Update: Abbott urged to lift refugee intake – The Australian.
“Bill Shorten is considering proposals to boost the refugee intake, amid Left faction unrest over military intervention in Iraq. The Opposition Leader’s move came as the Anglican Archbishop of Sydney, Glenn Davies, appealed to Tony Abbott…”
New commentary on Matthew
Posted on September 14, 2014
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Peter Bolt’s new commentary, Matthew: A Great Light Dawns, was laucnhed last week at Moore College’s of School of Theology.
Read about it here – and order a copy here.
(Photo: Executive Director of Youthworks Media Marshall Ballantine-Jones and Peter Bolt.)
What we believe
The message at the heart of Christianity is really quite simple…