The Sydney Family Album — 9, T. C. Hammond
Posted on November 2, 2013
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“One of the most important of Howard Mowll’s many influential appointments was that of Thomas Chatterton (T. C.) Hammond as principal of Moore College.
Appointed at a time when the College seemed to be shifting its theological position, Hammond, who already had a worldwide reputation as an evangelical preacher, teacher and apologist, would be, it was hoped, precisely the kind of leader who would strengthen the College and set its course firmly in the mainstream of evangelical Anglican theology. He would meet all of these expectations and surpass them. …”
– Moore College Principal Dr. Mark Thompson makes a welcome addition to his series on those who, under God, shaped Sydney Diocese.
See the earlier posts in this series at Theological Theology.
MAF Pilot attempts 140 takeoffs to raise money for second East Timor plane
Posted on November 2, 2013
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“An Australian pilot is today attempting to complete a record number of takeoffs in one day to raise enough money to buy aid agencies in East Timor their second plane.
Since the withdrawal of the United Nations last year, aid agencies in East Timor have only one plane left to do their work. The plane is used by 30 non-government organisations working in the developing country.
Which is why, at Parkes in the central west of New South Wales today, pilot Ron Watts will attempt to take off 140 times to set a new Australian record.”
– from ABC News. Watch the MAF video on Vimeo. Donation page.
Background: A little on the church in Timor Leste – via APWM.
Phillip Jensen & Kel Richards in The Chat Room — The Bible, Old & New Testaments
Posted on November 1, 2013
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In the latest edition of The Chat Room, Phillip Jensen & Kel Richards talk about the Big Picture of the Bible, and the perils of reading it without seeing that bigger picture.
33 minutes. Well worth showing in small Bible Study groups, for example.
Related: At The Proclamation Trust, Adrian Reynolds has been blogging about “The New Testament Use of the Old” – Part 1, Part 2, Part 3, Part 4, Part 5.
Church Society report on GAFCON
Posted on November 1, 2013
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“Last week I had the privilege to attend the Global Anglican Futures Conference in Nairobi, Kenya. My experience of this conference of over 1300 bishops, clergy, and laity from around the Anglican world was moving, positive, and optimistic. …”
– Church Society Director Lee Gatiss shares his experience of GAFCON 2013 in Nairobi. GAFCON Media photo of the Bishops’ photo by Andrew Gross, ACNA.
‘Strange Fire’ Conference audio now available
Posted on November 1, 2013
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Two weeks ago, the Strange Fire Conference, organised by John MacArthur, was held to “evaluate the doctrines, claims, and practices of the modern charismatic movement”.
Speakers included John MacArthur, Conrad Mbewe, Joni Eareckson Tada, R.C. Sproul and Steve Lawson.
As expected, this unique conference generated quite a bit of interest. Tim Challies blogged summaries of each of the main messages, and the audio and some video have now been made available.
Effective personal evangelism
Posted on October 31, 2013
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Over at Reformation21, Jeremy Walker has been writing brief encouragements relating to ‘Effective personal evangelism’.
So far he’s written: Introduction, Love, Tenacity, Boldness, Consistency, Understanding and Prayer.
“Could it be that one of the reasons why, with our children, friends, colleagues and communities, we are less effective than we wish to be is because we have not proved to be men and women of earnest, pleading prayer, borne of a love for God that seeks his glory above all else and a love for people that longs to see them saved from sin?”
New Directions in Assisted Reproduction: How did we end up here?
Posted on October 31, 2013
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Dr Megan Best spoke at a workshop at the Gospel Coalition 2013 National Conference in Florida in April.
Very enlightening and pastorally helpful.
56 minutes / 52MB mp3 file via this page.
(Photo: Matthias Media.)
GAFCON Final Day highlights
Posted on October 30, 2013
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This video of GAFCON Final Day (Saturday) highlights has now been posted.
It includes the reading of The Nairobi Commitment.
San Joaquin Diocese mourns retired Bishop John-David Schofield
Posted on October 30, 2013
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“It is with a heavy heart but a joyful spirit that I must share with you the passing of our beloved brother, the Rt. Rev. John-David Schofield. Bishop Schofield died peacefully at home sometime last night sitting in his favorite green chair and was found this morning by friends.”
– from current Bishop Eric Menees. (Bishop Schofield led his diocese as they broke from ECUSA in 2007.)
Story: Fresno Bee. Related posts on our website.
The Spiritual Reformation
Posted on October 30, 2013
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Just in time for Reformation Day (31st October), you can hear last Sunday’s sermon from St. Andrew’s Cathedral by Phillip Jensen – on ‘The Spiritual Reformation’.
Good to hear and to pass the link on to others.
Reformation Day
Posted on October 30, 2013
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Back in 2011, Justin Taylor posted some resources for Reformation Day (observed on 31st October in many places, to remember Martin Luther’s nailing of the 95 Theses to the Wittenburg door on 31st October 1517).
Though the video links no longer work, there are plenty of other useful links to help in understanding what it was all about.
See also: Why the Reformation Is Not Over.
Blessing same-sex relationships in the Church of England?
Posted on October 29, 2013
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“I have now confirmed from a number of sources what the Pilling Report is going to recommend. The final draft is ready and it will propose that the Church of England introduce some form of liturgy that will bless same-sex relationships. There is absolutely no doubt that this is what the outcome of the committee’s deliberations will be…
Once that happens we will have formally declared same-sex unions to be holy. In the Church of England our liturgy is our doctrine and the moment we have a rite that in any way affirms same-sex relationships then we will have fundamentally changed what we believe. …
The entire College of Bishops, not just Diocesans but every Suffragan as well, will meet on 27 January 2014 to discuss the report. This is likely to be an emotional event but it will be the first collective opportunity for Evangelical and Anglo-Catholic Bishops to clearly, gently but firmly say that they will have no part in this.”
– The Rev. Peter Ould in the UK sounds an ominous warning.
Background:
“05 January 2012. The membership of a group to advise the House of Bishops on the Church of England’s approach to human sexuality has been announced. The Group will be chaired by Sir Joseph Pilling…” – The Church of England website.
Melbourne focus on mission
Posted on October 29, 2013
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The Diocese of Melbourne is working to help parishes be more focussed on their mission.
This report outlines what they’re doing, and the response so far.
Richard Gibson to be Principal of Brisbane School of Theology
Posted on October 28, 2013
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“Richard Gibson has been appointed Principal of Brisbane School of Theology. Richard has a long association with Moore, first as a student at Moore in 1986 and then as a teacher for the past twenty years.
Richard, and wife Kim, plan to move to Brisbane in June, 2014 to take up the position at the start of second semester.” – News from Moore College.
And the corresponding announcement from the Brisbane School of Theology.
Nairobi Communique and Commitment
Posted on October 26, 2013
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The GAFCON 2013: Nairobi Communique has been released. It’s an important document.
Here’s the Conclusion –
“We are conscious of many pressures on faithful gospel witness within the church, but equally conscious of the great need the world has to hear the gospel. The need for the GFCA is greater now than when we first met in Jerusalem in 2008.
We believe the Holy Spirit is challenging us and the rest of the Anglican Communion to remain faithful to our biblical heritage; to support those who suffer as a result of obedience to Christ; to deepen the spiritual life of our churches; and to respond to anti-Christian pressures with a renewed determination to spread the gospel.
The seriousness with which we take our mission and our fellowship will be reflected in the way individual churches make the GAFCON vision their own, and in how we resource the work the GFCA seeks to initiate.
We invite all faithful Anglicans to join the GFCA.”
Read the Nairobi Communique and Commitment on the GAFCON website – or download it as a PDF document.
See also the highlights video for Friday.
And see the GAFCON Nairobi Photo Album.
(Photo: Delegates celebrate the adoption of the Communique and Commitment on the final day of GAFCON 2013. Photographer: Russell Powell.)
What we believe
The message at the heart of Christianity is really quite simple…