King’s Birthday Conference 2024: A Post Christian Christ?

Posted on June 2, 2024 
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From Phillip Jensen:

“The annual King’s Birthday Conference is coming up… This year, I will be joined by my nephew David Jensen as together we will explore the question of ‘A post Christian Christ?’.

Together, we will look at the gospel’s message in a world that tries to bypass Jesus. Many Australians may have lost connection with organised religion, but Jesus, the Lord of heaven and earth, has not finished with them. How do we tell people, who do not want to hear, of the Saviour they are ignoring before they meet him as their Judge?

Please join us on the afternoon of Monday June 10th from 1:30-5:00pm at Moore Theological College, Sydney. There will a Q & A time after the sessions and afternoon tea will be provided.

If you are outside Sydney, there will be a live-stream option (Q&A not included), so why not gather a group of friends to join us together online?”

– See all the details, and register, at this link.

‘Crunch Point’ on Religious Freedom: Catholic Schools and Hospitals May Close, Warns Anthony Fisher

Posted on June 2, 2024 
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“The Catholic Archbishop of Sydney, Anthony Fisher, has warned the church will be forced to consider closing religious schools if the government strips them of the ability to preference the employment of teachers supportive of Christian teachings.

Archbishop Fisher, one of the nation’s most senior Catholic leaders, declared more radical ­actions could be needed in ­response to the infringement of religious liberties, and raised the prospect of withdrawing educational services as happened in the landmark 1962 Goulburn school strike. …”

– Story from The Australian (paywall).

Image: Catholic Archdiocese of Sydney.

An Easy Life But Hard for Faith: Lessons From New Zealand

Posted on June 1, 2024 
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“I am a Kenyan living in New Zealand with my family, serving as a pastor of a local church. Having lived here close to eight years, I’ve imagined what lessons the church in Africa could glean from the church in New Zealand.

To this end I aim to briefly capture the church in New Zealand’s context; highlight some of the trends that have led to the current state of things; and finally draw out a few thoughts the African church should reflect on. …”

– Mark Ambundo writes in The Gospel Coalition Africa Edition.

A Day of historical consequence

Posted on May 31, 2024 
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In his The Briefing for Friday 31 May 2024, Southern Baptist Seminary’s Dr. Albert Mohler reflects on the Trump trial in New York and the ‘difficult political moment’ faced by conservative Christians as the US Presidential election looms.

Listen here. And don’t forget 1 Timothy 2:1-4.

Books in Ministry — recommendations from Mark Dever

Posted on May 31, 2024 
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From The Banner of Truth in Edinburgh –

“We sat down with Mark Dever (a pastor at Capitol Hill Baptist Church and President of 9Marks) to talk books, ministry, and books in the ministry.”

– A very helpful and encouraging 45 minutes.

You will want to have a pen handy to write down some of his recommendations. As well, there are tips on how to read some of the Puritan authors.

‘Episcopal Church unveils new Pride shield in celebration of LGBTQ+ inclusion’

Posted on May 30, 2024 
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We haven’t linked to news of The Episcopal Church in the USA in recent times. Here’s the latest:

“In affirmation and celebration of The Episcopal Church’s LGBTQ+ members, the Office of Communication is pleased to unveil a new Pride shield available online for churchwide use. …”

– From The Episcopal Church.

Gerald Bray Interview on the BCP — Church Society

Posted on May 30, 2024 
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From Church Society:

“Lee Gatiss talks to Gerald Bray about Gerald’s new Companion to the Book of Common Prayer.”

– Listen here.

Are we basically good?

Posted on May 29, 2024 
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“Friends in Christ, some of you may have noticed a little buzz in the religious world, because of Pope Francis’ interview on the American 60 Minutes. The fuss came especially with the last question reporter Norah O’Donnell asked:

‘When you look at the world, what gives you hope?”

What an opportunity on 60 Minutes, one of the most watched programs on television! And here’s what Pope Francis says …”

– In the St Andrew’s Cathedral newsletter, Dean of Sydney Sandy Grant looks at the terrible answer given by the Pope.

Worse still, he notes who the Pope neglects to even mention in his answer.

Prayer — theme of the Bathurst Diocese Conference 2024

Posted on May 27, 2024 
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The video recordings of the talks on Prayer given at the recent Bathurst Diocese Conference have been made available as a playlist here.

In addition, last Friday, Bishop of Bathurst Mark Calder preached at Moore College chapel in Sydney:

For your edification and encouragement – and a reminder to pray for the churches of the Diocese of Bathurst.

Resisting Physician-Assisted Death is a Gospel Imperative

Posted on May 27, 2024 
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“Physician-assisted death is held up as a solution to the problem of suffering; at bottom, it’s a solution to despair. And the solution is to end the person who’s in despair.

We know a better way. …”

– At The Gospel Coalition US, Dr Ewan Goligher turns to an increasingly urgent subject.

Related:

Assisted dying debate terrifying for disabled people, says actress Liz Carr – BBC News.

“I love my job” – Canadian abortionist and Medical Assistance In Death (MAID) doctor  – Not the Bee.

Image from a St. Helen’s Bishopsgate video.

Book Review: Honest Evangelism by Rico Tice

Posted on May 27, 2024 
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“Do you find evangelism hard? Why is that the case when we have the best news to share?

Here lies a common tension—we know people need to hear about Jesus, yet all too often we hesitate to tell them about him. Maybe it’s a fear of the consequences, that relationships might be broken, especially in a world that increasingly sees followers of Christ as the bearers of bad news rather than good. Or maybe this wasn’t always the case, but weariness has set in from repeated rejection when we have shared.

Guilt then sets in as evangelism begins to feel like we’re not doing enough. …”

– At The Australian Church Record, Sarah Chew reviews Rico Tice’s Honest Evangelism.

With thanksgiving, Church Army Australia taps out

Posted on May 26, 2024 
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“After the best part of a century of ministry across the nation, 2024 will mark the final year of the Church Army in Australia.

‘In recent years the only ministry being undertaken by the Church Amy in Australia has been through Kihilla retreat and conference centre,’ says Captain Tim Scheuer. ‘Prior to this, numerous attempts had been made to revitalise Church Army’s ministry. However, it became obvious that God’s blessing was not on these efforts and so the board made the decision to formally wind up the ministry.’…

The organisation’s chairman, former Sydney rector the Rev Tom Melbourne, adds:

‘We want to praise God for all he has done through the ministry of Church Army Australia across 90 years. Only in glory will we truly be able to see the eternal impact that Church Army’s officers have had as they have shared the gospel across Australia.’…”

– At SydneyAnglicans.net, Judy Adamson reports on the end of operations for the Church Army in Australia. Do read it all.

Images: Church Army Australia archival website.

How should we respond to the world as we now find it?

Posted on May 26, 2024 
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The Anglican Diocese of the Living Word’s Missions Conference and Synod was held in Pennsylvania over the last few days.

Dr. Carl Trueman was the invited speaker.

In his first talk, he focussed on the underlying things that shape the way we think today. Starting at 5:35.

In his second talk, Dr. Trueman speaks of the three things the church has to do in our present context. That address starts at 34:12.

(Prior to his address, Gafcon General Secretary Bishop Paul Donison is interviewed from 18:18.)

The previous night, the Rev. Yoel Ben David gave his testimony of conversion from Judaism.

At the start of the Conference, Bishop Julian Dobbs gave this address. This, alone, is well worth hearing.

The videos are available with thanks to Anglican TV.

How to give away your gifts

Posted on May 25, 2024 
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“The words of Jesus in Matthew 10:8 are characteristically simple, logical and compelling: ‘Freely you have received; freely give’.

As Jesus commissions the disciples for their first solo mission, the context of his instructions is very specific. They are to proclaim the nearness of the Kingdom and he has given them authority to do as he himself has been doing – heal the sick, raise the dead, cleanse the lepers and cast out demons. What they have received from the Lord in great abundance – good news and the authority of the King to do his work – they are to give lavishly and generously. …”

– Archbishop Kanishka Raffel writes in the May-June 2024 Southern Cross magazine.

Good Giving

Posted on May 25, 2024 
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“It’s getting to the end of the financial year, so your email inbox will soon be full of EOFY giving appeals. And then, in a couple of months’ time, if your church is behind budget, you’ll be hearing appeals to raise your giving. What does God’s word say about being a good giver? …”

– At The Gospel Coalition Australia, Des Smith at Trinity Church Lockeys in Adelaide writes to encourage biblical generosity.

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