Religious faith, medical procedures and minors
Posted on February 3, 2025
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“One of the most difficult areas to navigate in the intersection between law and religion is the dilemma that is faced by a court when asked to adjudicate on differing opinions about medical treatment of young people, when objections to medical treatment are based on religious views. This is an area where a court, when asked to adjudicate, will have to weigh up different interests of the minor- bodily health, and being able to make decisions in accordance wth their faith.
Many such cases have arisen in based on objections to blood transfusions by Jehovah’s Witnesses. But in this post I want to note a careful decision on the issues which was handed down early last year, where the young person involved was from a ‘mainstream’ Protestant church, and was strongly of the view that they had been healed miraculously and that no further treatment was needed. …”
– Associate Professor Neil Foster writes at Law and Religion Australia.
Back to school in East Africa
Posted on February 2, 2025
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“As kids are heading back to school in Australia, the school year is also beginning in East Africa where there are over 2000 children in schools and education programs supported by Anglican Aid.
We praise God that Tarime Girls Secondary School in Tanzania is due to open this week. …”
– Anglican Aid has this news for your encouragement and prayers.
Bishop of Bathurst’s HOPE25 Newsletter
Posted on February 1, 2025
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The Bishop of Bathurst, Mark Calder, has released his HOPE25 Newsletter.
Many churches around Australia are planning to take part in the HOPE25 “intentional season of sharing hope in Jesus” between Easter and Pentecost.
Find your copy here – food for your prayers.
Crucifixion Historicity
Posted on February 1, 2025
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“Friends in Christ, on Monday as I left the Cathedral to go home, my exit was impeded by a Muslim man praying right outside our office door on the landing. I had to excuse myself and step over and around him. But something, presumably the Holy Spirit, then prompted me to pause and pray for his salvation for as long as it took him to finish his set prayers.
I then explained that he should not pray so as to block a doorway. It could impede people in an emergency. He did apologise but his excuse was to say it was a house of God. I said, it was a Christian house of God. He then claimed we all worship the same God.
However as we talked a little further, it emerged that we disagreed over whether Jesus died on the cross. …”
– Dean of Sydney Sandy Grant reminds us of the solid historical attestation for the Crucifixion. From the Cathedral newsletter 16 January 2025.
Three Recommendations for Parents
Posted on February 1, 2025
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“Being a parent is a joyful struggle. In my mind, it’s pure, undistilled hospitality: ‘Hey there! Make yourself at home … forever.’
As with any act of hospitality, there can be so much joy—there’s a new perspective on the world to discover and appreciate as it forms and matures; a new heart to embrace with all its loves and dreams and fears.
But as with any act of hospitality, there can also be struggles. This new perspective doesn’t know your way of doing things; their ways may irk you. This new heart may love different things, dream in different directions, or fear peculiar things—all of which makes everyday tasks more complicated, like breakfast, shopping, or going to the toilet.
Unlike other acts of hospitality, there is a pressure and constancy with parenting that can make it more difficult. Even change itself is constant, such that raising children often feels like we’re always playing catchup.
So here are three very different resources I’ve found particularly helpful as I navigate this parental calling. …”
– Callan Pritchard shares “three very different resources” at The Australian Church Record.
Equipped to serve
Posted on January 31, 2025
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Archie Poulos interviews Dave Morgan – at the Moore College website.
“Archie Poulos, Head of Ministry and Director for the Centre for Ministry Development at Moore Theological College, interviews Dave Morgan, Team Leader of Athletes in Action in the South Island of New Zealand, about his ministry journey since graduating from Moore College in 2005.
Dave talks a little bit about his experience of studying at Moore, having not previously completed a university degree; he explains how his training at Moore equipped him for serving at the University of New England in Armidale; he recalls what it was like to minister to the people of Christchurch in the aftermath of the 2010 and 2011 earthquakes; and he tells us about his current role and why he’s passionate about working with athletes.”
MAID Canada Or KILL Canada? The Power of Words in Our National Conversation
Posted on January 31, 2025
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“I propose that we who are opposed to MAID [Medical assistance in dying] stop using that acronym and start using KILL. Many people would like the government to provide free maid service; no one wants the government to kill them. The acronym KILL stands for ‘Killing Innocent Lives Legally.’ Many people still love Canada, so who can be in favour of KILL Canada?
One moment, how does KILL Canada help? Don’t people already know what MAID stands for?
Let me explain further. …”
– At The Gospel Coalition Canada, George Sinclair, one of the first ministers to join the Anglican Network in Canada, points out what MAID is really all about – and calls Christians to speak the truth.
Gafcon: Welcome to the Newest Primates
Posted on January 30, 2025
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“It has been an honour to gather this month with leaders of the Anglican Communion to celebrate the installation of the Most Rev. Enrique Lago Zugadi as new Primate of Chile, and the Most Rev. Vicente Msosa as new Primate of Mozambique and Angola.
The Lord is raising up leaders who long to see the Bible at the heart of the Anglican Communion, and who seek to lead their provinces in faithful obedience to God’s word…”
– Read more from Gafcon General Secretary Paul Donison.
Photo: Archbishop Vicente Msosa, Primate of Mozambique and Angola, with Gafcon General Secretary Bishop Paul Donison.
‘Your Word’ — updated arrangement from Emu Music
Posted on January 30, 2025
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First published in 2017, “Your Word”, a beautiful song about Scripture, has just been re-released in a new arrangement for Emu Music’s 25th anniversary.
In an e-mail to supporters, they explain what the song is about –
“Your Word was written to fill the gap in congregational music of songs about the Bible, not just from the Bible.
So what does the Bible say about itself? We opened up the Psalms and spent time reading and reflecting on Psalms 19 and 119. We hoped to capture David’s delight in and dependence on God’s law, particularly in the passages quoted below.*
The chorus centres on the well-known verse from Psalm 119: ‘Your word is a lamp for my feet and a light on my path’.
The bridge of the song took a different direction as we began to explore the implications of a perfect, powerful, timeless, enduring word for us today.
As the Bible comes under attack in our society, we want to affirm that it’s not just ink on paper or old stories, but that it is life-giving, powerful, and the greatest love story ever told. Ultimately, God’s word is not only the creating Word (his breath into dust creating man) but the Creator Word (Jesus!).
We hope and pray that this song helps you and your churches to delight in God’s word, but more than that, to love and obey the one to whom it testifies. For a Sunday service, we think it works really well as a pre-Bible reading song!”
* The Bible passages mentioned are –
Psalm 19:7-11, Psalm 119:89-92, John 1:1-3, 14.
Watch a recording of Your Word here.
Audio tracks and sheet music are available to purchase from their website.
A song which could be a real blessing to your church!
An interview with Veronica Hoyt
Posted on January 30, 2025
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From The Australian Church Record:
“Last week, Dr Veronica Hoyt joined the faculty at Moore College, as Lecturer in Ministry and Director of the Priscilla and Aquila Centre.
Veronica has kindly spoken to the ACR to tell us about life before this new role, as well as her hopes for the forthcoming P&A conference.”
Latest Issue of Australian Journal of Law and Religion
Posted on January 30, 2025
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“I’m very pleased to note that the latest online issue of the Australian Journal of Law and Religion (2024, vol 5) has just become available (free to download) …”
– Neil Foster at Law and Religion Australia writes , and draws attention to two articles in the current issue.
The Gender Revolution — a new blog to go with the book
Posted on January 29, 2025
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The authors of the book The Gender Revolution, Patricia Weerakoon, Rob Smith, and Kamal Weerakoon, have started a blog to discuss related topics.
The first post, Every Body Has Authority, by Kamal Weerakoon, is now online.
The book is published by Matthias Media. (It’s also on special at the moment!)
“There are times when I receive a new book and find myself saying ‘I don’t think we need a new book on that.’ …
Yet sometimes I receive a new book and find myself saying, ‘I’m so glad someone has written a book on that!’ …
The Gender Revolution falls squarely in the second category. This is a book that has been written to provide a biblical, biological, and compassionate response to the modern day gender ideology that has been flooding our world and sweeping away so many victims.”
Image: Matthias Media.
The Trumpet Gives an Unclear Sound
Posted on January 29, 2025
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“ ‘Again, if the trumpet does not sound a clear call, who will get ready for battle?’ (1 Corinthians 14:8)
The reaction to the bishop of Washington’s sermon at the President’s inauguration tells us as much about the confusion in the Western Church today, as did the reaction to bishop Curry’s sermon at the royal wedding. …”
– At AP, David Robertson examines some of the reactions to the recent ‘sermon’ by the Bishop of Washington.
Image: Bishop of Washington Mariann Edgar Budde.
California drops all charges in Planned Parenthood undercover videos case
Posted on January 29, 2025
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“California has agreed to drop all charges against David Daleiden and Sandra Merritt, following years of legal battles over the pro-life activists’ release of undercover videos showing abortion providers discussing the procurement and selling of aborted babies’ body parts. …
Daleiden was quoted in the announcement as saying that the settlement was ‘a huge victory for my investigative reporting and for the public’s right to know the truth about Planned Parenthood’s sale of aborted baby body parts.’…”
– Report from The Christian Post. This saga has dragged on for almost ten years.
Image: A 2022 billboard paid for by the Government of California.
Godliness vs Effectiveness — the Both/And Dilemma
Posted on January 29, 2025
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From The Pastor’s Heart:
“Godliness vs Effectiveness
Theology vs Pragmatics
People centered vs Organisationally minded
Leading from the front vs Serving others
Courage to take a stand vs Quick to submit
Others know I am one of them vs I am set apart to lead
I lead patiently vs I lead with a sense of urgencyMost Christians at some point do start to wonder if they are the real deal. What God asks of us is so far reaching, so all encompassing, that when we come up short, we start to ask ourselves “Am I an imposter?” “Should I really be a leader?” and perhaps/Am even a Christian at all?’”
What we believe
The message at the heart of Christianity is really quite simple…