Malawi: A graduate’s holistic ministry

Posted on May 7, 2025 
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“Visiting Anglican Aid projects at the end of last year was a joy! I witnessed how God is working through your support to grow and strengthen his church in some of the world’s poorest nations. I could see how our long-term partnerships in the gospel were bearing fruit.

I was encouraged to meet Rev. David Mponda, Pastor of Thyolo Parish in the Anglican Diocese of Southern Malawi …”

– Canon Tim Swan shares great encouragement from Malawi.

What’s really going on in the faith lives of young Australians?

Posted on May 7, 2025 
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From The Pastor’s Heart:

“We explore the findings of the Your Story Research Report — a significant national study that listens to the voices of more than 400 young people as they reflect on their spiritual journeys.

We find out who and what has, and is, shaping young people’s faith from their childhood, though to adolescence, to right now.

There are insights into the eight “faith journeys” —from Embracing to Reconstructing to Disengaging— highlighting the importance of relationships, trust, and belonging in shaping faith over time.

Plus advice for churches, families, and schools on how to nurture young people in ways that are both personal and sustainable.

Graham Stanton is Director of the Centre for Children’s and Youth Ministry. He lectures in Practical Theology at Melbourne’s Ridley College.”

– Watch or listen here.

In Praise of Mothers

Posted on May 6, 2025 
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From Phillip Jensen:

“Motherhood and apple pie is no longer the foundation of Western civilisation. Apple pie is still pretty important, but motherhood has now been challenged. Peter and I had the privilege of the same mother, whom we loved and admired, and remember with great fondness. Yet the kind of family life in which we were raised has undergone considerable change during our lifetime. Mother’s Day brings us to reconsider family life.”

– Phillip and Peter Jensen discuss mothers and family life in the latest Two Ways News podcast.

Broken plates illuminate gospel message

Posted on May 6, 2025 
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“Broken plates transformed with gold helped participants explore Easter’s redemption story at a workshop hosted by St Jude’s Parkville last month.

More than 40 people attended the kintsugi workshop where they repaired cracked plates while reflecting on how Christ’s sacrifice mends human brokenness. …”

– At The Melbourne Anglican, Hannah Felsbourg shares news of an innovative way of sharing the gospel.

“The whole church is called to pray…”

Posted on May 5, 2025 
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“An impassioned Archbishop Raffel has led the diocesan fellowship in prayer at a large meeting in St Andrew’s Cathedral as well as in parish churches.

Morning church services across Sydney and the Illawarra either saw a video of the Archbishop leading in prayer or read the text of his prayer for the spread of the gospel across the Diocese.

Later, representatives from all regions of the Diocese gathered in the Cathedral. …”

– Report by Russell Powell on yesterday’s prayer focus across Sydney.

Image thanks to Anglican Media Sydney.

Bathurst Diocese celebrates Bicentennary of Holy Trinity Kelso

Posted on May 5, 2025 
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Holy Trinity Kelso is the oldest parish west of the Blue Mountains, this year marking its bicentennary.

On Saturday, Archbishop Kanishka Raffel was in Kelso as part of the celebrations. Above, he is pictured with Mark Calder, Bishop of Bathurst.

Photos via the diocesan Facebook page.

Also see Archbishop Raffel’s sermon on 1 Peter 2:4-10 at the anniversary service.

From Obscurity to Influence: The Legacy of A. W. Pink

Posted on May 5, 2025 
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“Few figures in modern Reformed history are as paradoxical – or as vital – as Arthur W. Pink. During his lifetime (1886–1952), Pink lived largely in obscurity, often isolated and out of step with the ecclesiastical landscape of his day. Yet after his death, his writings sparked a widespread retrieval of historic Calvinism across the English-speaking world. His works, particularly The Sovereignty of God, still nourish those who hunger for robust, God-centred theology.

One hundred years ago this year, in 1925, Pink arrived in Australia, pastoring briefly in Sydney before retreating into the quieter, itinerant years of his life. His sojourn here, though short, lasting only three years, reminds us that his theological voice was already crossing continents long before it found wider acclaim.

Pink’s theological influence is hard to overstate. …”

– At AP, the Presbyterian journal, Brett Lee-Price has this reminder of A. W. Pink.

Photo via The Banner of Truth.

Moore College Open Events May 2025

Posted on May 4, 2025 
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Here are several opportunities to investigate study at Moore College.

Details at the College website.

Archbishop of Adelaide and Primate Geoffrey Smith announces resignation

Posted on May 3, 2025 
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“Adelaide’s Anglican Archbishop Geoffrey Smith has announced he will resign as Archbishop on November 8 and as Primate… of the Anglican church of Australia effective October 8th.

This will bring on the separate election process for both positions.

‘The time is right for Lynn and I to reconnect with family and friends by moving back to Queensland. Lyn and I will move to the Sunshine Coast, where we will settle and look forward to becoming involved with the local church and community,’ Smith writes in a letter to Adelaide clergy. …”

– John Sandeman at The Other Cheek has the news.

Photo: Diocese of Adelaide.

A Prayer for the people of Sydney and the Illawarra

Posted on May 3, 2025 
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As Sunday’s Day of Prayer for the Spread of the Gospel (including a prayer gathering in the Cathedral on Sunday afternoon) approaches, Archbishop Kanisha Raffel has written this prayer which you may wish to use –

A Prayer for the Spread of the Gospel in Sydney and the Illawarra

Dear heavenly Father

We praise and thank you for sending into the world, your Son, our Lord Jesus Christ to be the world’s redeemer.

Thank you that by his death and resurrection you have opened the way to life abundant and life eternal through the forgiveness of ours sins. Thank you that by repentance and faith, we are adopted by grace into your family, and given the gift of your Holy Spirit who assures us that we are your children, and enables us to call you Father, not because of anything we have done, but because of your great mercy and love.

Gracious God, we pray for Sydney and the Illawarra, from the Hawkesbury to the mountains, from the new growth corridors to the coastal suburbs and the inner city, from the southern highlands to Wollongong and the towns and villages of the south Coast – would you pour out your Spirit to bring many of our neighbours, friends, families and colleagues to saving knowledge of your Son.

Would you equip all your people, in our families, churches, schools, agencies and organisations, in every community across our diocesan fellowship to fulfil the works that you have prepared in advance for us to do so that in every way we make known the excellencies of your Son, who called us out of darkness into his wonderful light.

Dear Lord, hear our prayer for all those who do not know you, and do not know your love for them in the gospel of your Son. Please open blind eyes, please soften hard hearts, please lift the veil from those blinded by the god of this age so that all may see the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.

Dear heavenly Father, by the proclamation of your gospel, by our ready answer for the hope that we have,  by our lives and in our fellowship, bearing witness to the transforming power of the risen Lord, would you make known the truth, beauty, majesty and mercy of your Son and call many from death to life, from darkness into his wonderful light, from slavery to sin and death, into the Kingdom of the Son whom you love.

Even as you have been merciful to us, pour out your mercy in the gospel of your Son and bring many more we pray to repentance and faith in him; build your church from every tribe and people and language and nation, to the praise and glory of the Lamb who was slain, who by his blood purchased a people for himself, who alone is worthy of all praise and honour and glory and blessing forever and ever, Amen.

Praying for the Australian Federal Election

Posted on May 2, 2025 
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As Australians cast their ballots tomorrow, continue to pray for those in authority, those who aspire to be, and for our nation.

These words from 1 Timothy 2:1-4 are relevant:

“First of all, then, I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for all people, for kings and all who are in high positions, that we may lead a peaceful and quiet life, godly and dignified in every way.

This is good, and it is pleasing in the sight of God our Saviour, who desires all people to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth.” – ESV.

The latest North West Network

Posted on May 2, 2025 
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The most recent issue of North West Network (March 2025) is now up on the website of the Diocese of Northwest Australia.

– Download your copy for your encouragement and for food for prayer. (PDF file – linked from this page.)

Veronica Hoyt’s hopes for the Priscilla and Aquila Centre at Moore College

Posted on May 2, 2025 
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“Dr Veronica Hoyt loves the ministry of Moore College’s Priscilla and Aquila Centre so much that, when she lived in New Zealand, she travelled to Sydney two years in a row for P&A Centre’s annual conference. So, it’s a delight for her to now become director of a place that focusses on encouraging the ministries of women, particularly as they partner with men in gospel work. …”

– Judy Adamson writes at Sydney Anglicans.net.

Remembering Anzac Day — What is it we’re remembering?

Posted on May 1, 2025 
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From Phillip Jensen:

“For Australians, Anzac Day is the great national day. But what is it we’re remembering? And should we celebrate Anzac Day? In particular, should Christians be remembering or celebrating a military battle of the First World War? Does Anzac Day glorify war? Is it an alternative religion for Australians?

I hope you will enjoy our discussion as Peter and I try and grapple with the history and purpose of Anzac Day observances.”

– Listen to the latest Two Ways News podcast with Peter and Phillip Jensen.

Was Pope Francis a ‘gospel man’?

Posted on April 30, 2025 
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“Throughout my life, and during my ministry as a priest and bishop, I have always entrusted myself to the Mother of Our Lord, the Blessed Virgin Mary. … I wish my final earthly journey to end precisely in this ancient Marian sanctuary, where I would always stop to pray at the beginning and end of every Apostolic Journey, confidently entrusting my intentions to the Immaculate Mother, and giving thanks for her gentle and maternal care.” (Santa Marta, Vatican City, 29 June 2022)

These are the words contained in Pope Francis’ testament where he outlines his last wishes. His deep devotion to Mary is pervasive and profound.

On one hand, there is no surprise …

– At The Australian Church Record, Leonardo De Chirico takes a look at what Pope Francis said was most important to him.

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