Bathurst Diocese newsletter Pentecost 2024

Posted on May 21, 2024
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Here’s the Bathurst Diocese newsletter for Pentecost 2024 – Download the PDF file from their website.

Please continue to pray for the churches and towns of the diocese – and for Bishop Mark Calder, as he seeks to faithfully preach Christ, encourage the churches, and listen to the concerns of all.

CityAlight — His Glory and My Good

Posted on May 21, 2024
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Here’s a new video from CityAlight.

Update on the Worldwide Anglican Communion from Bp Jay Behan

Posted on May 20, 2024
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“The upcoming Global South Fellowship of Anglicans (GSFA) meeting in Cairo is being held from 11-15 June, and I will attend.

Its purpose is to gather orthodox Anglican leaders from around the world who are committed to a new covenantal structure to unite Anglicans worldwide in mission and ministry. …”

– In a recent e-mail update from the Church of Confessing Anglicans Aotearoa NZ, Bishop Jay Behan commends Archbishop Laurent Mbanda’s GAFCON Response to the Primates meeting in Rome, and explains why he will attend the GSFA meeting in Cairo.

Hope25 Launch Video Pentecost 2024

Posted on May 19, 2024
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Here’s a video to introduce Hope25.

You can learn more at the Hope25 website:

“Hope 25 is an opportunity for us to share the hope that we have in Jesus.

It is an intentional season of sharing hope in Jesus for every parish and community in the Australian Anglican Church.

We are asking each parish to commit to doing (at least) one thing to help share the hope that we have in Jesus during this season.

We aren’t going to tell you what to do, but we will provide resources and support so that each parish can act locally and contextually, sharing the hope we have in Jesus in a way that best fits your context. It may be that you have multiple different groups within your parish and a number of different events are needed to engage with those group. Or, you may choose to band together on one event, it is entirely up to each parish or community to choose.

Dates: Easter Day (April 20, 2025) to Pentecost Sunday (June 8, 2025)”

Church leaders urge bishops to offer ‘pastoral provision’ to ordinands, as an urgent priority

Posted on May 18, 2024
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“Church leaders have called on bishops in the Church of England to allow ‘pastoral provision’ for those being ordained this summer and going forwards, as an urgent priority.

Church leaders, who are part of the Alliance, issued a letter to all diocesan bishops in the Church of England, following a meeting with 80 ordinands last Thursday in London…”

– Report from the Church of England Evangelical Council.

Into the World — new video from Moore College

Posted on May 18, 2024
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This seven minute video from Moore College features the partnership with churches in Madagascar.

Most encouraging and food for prayer. Take the time to watch.

It would also be suitable to show in church or in home groups.

Meet Jesus: The Missiology is Right

Posted on May 18, 2024
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“In 1959 the Billy Graham Association conducted Australia’s most successful evangelistic mission. Large venues, huge crowds, and compelling preaching. It was extraordinary. Six decades on, however, some features of that mission look quaint, even odd. …

It was a different world. Evangelising Australia now is a different sort of challenge. Consider the 2024 Meet Jesus campaign—the Australian Fellowship of Evangelical Students’ (AFES) effort to invite Australians to meet Jesus in the pages of Gospels. I think the missiology is right.”

– At The Gospel Coalition Australia, Rory Shiner commends Meet Jesus.

After 20 years of partnership, there’s still work to be done

Posted on May 17, 2024
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“The link between Sydney and the gospel work of African Enterprise is continuing, with clergy about to relaunch teaching Moore College’s Preliminary Theological Certificate in African cities under the AE umbrella. …”

– Encouraging news via SydneyAnglicans.net.

“The Coming of the Holy Spirit” book Q&A videos

Posted on May 17, 2024
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Phillip Jensen’s book The Coming of the Holy Spirit has been a real blessing to many. Now there’s an extra resource you may find helpful. Phillip writes:

“We have now made a series of short videos answering the questions I’m most often asked about the book. …

It is so important that we carefully study why Jesus sent his Spirit. The confusion in the minds of many Christians about the work of the Holy Spirit is very sad and leads people into strange and unhelpful beliefs and practices.

I hope the book will be of use not only for you … but also for your conversations with others who may never have studied the Bible on this topic.”

– Here’s the video playlist.

It includes a strong suggestion on how you shouldn’t read the book.

The book is available from Matthias Media.

And the audiobook version is available from Audible.

You Are Not Alone: Standing with the Global Faithful

Posted on May 16, 2024
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“Standing up for the authority of Scripture begins in loving obedience to the Lord and all the roles he has given us to play.

For the Revd Philip de Grey-Warter, a Gafcon leader in the UK who stepped out in faith from the Church of England, his joy is evident as he serves first his family and parish, and also gives generously of his time to the growing global fellowship of orthodox Anglicans.

Philip tells how Gafcon has given many worldwide Anglicans a renewed sense of belonging, and he encourages those among us who feel isolated to reach out and serve.”

– Episode 5 of Gafcon’s Global Anglican Podcast has just been released. Gafcon General Secretary Bishop Paul Donison speaks with the Rev. Philip de Grey-Warter.

Very encouraging, and food for your prayers for the faithful – both those who remain in the Church of England, and those who have stepped out and found support and fellowship through Gafcon.

The pornographic awfulness of Eurovision

Posted on May 16, 2024
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“I have been meditating recently on chapter fifteen of St Luke’s gospel which contains three well-known parables of Jesus. There is one key word, ‘lost’ which recurs five times in the chapter: the lost sheep, the lost coin and the lost (prodigal) son.

These parables are generally relegated to Sunday School, and the children’s bible will show a picture of the Good Shepherd (Jesus) with a little lamb over his shoulders, surrounded by happy, smiling children.

But the true meaning of the parables is much deeper and darker, speaking as it does of the utter lostness of humanity when separated from the creator. …”

– After watching the latest iteration of the Eurovision Song Contest, Dr Tom Goodfellow reflects on its emptiness. At The Conservative Woman.

Talking Back to Death

Posted on May 16, 2024
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“One of the most anguished stories I’ve ever read was about what happened to Martin Luther’s daughter Magdalena. Barely fourteen years of age, she was stricken with the plague.

Broken-hearted, Luther knelt beside her bed and begged God to release her from the pain. When she had died and the carpenters were nailing down the lid of her coffin, Luther screamed out: ‘Hammer away! On doomsday she’ll rise again.”…”

– At AP, Mark Powell, with help from John McClean, speaks of every Christian’s sure confidence.

‘The hardest talk I’ve ever given: Loving God’ – with Ray Galea

Posted on May 15, 2024
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From The Pastor’s Heart:

“‘God wants all of me to love all of God all the time’ says Senior Pastor of Fellowship Dubai, Ray Galea.

We want our staff and leaders to live and serve in ministry out of an overflow of the love of God for them. Grasping this love properly lifts our service from duty to desire.

As pastors we are so committed and focused on encouraging our congregations to love God with all their hearts, souls, minds, and strengths. But do we stop to consider that our own love for God might be the limiting factor?

The pastor’s love for God will be a limiting factor for the congregation’s love for God. If we do not truly have hearts for God, how could we possibly lead others to the same?…”

– Watch or listen here.

Growing fellowship among gospel-minded churches in the UK?

Posted on May 15, 2024
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In the latest Church Society podcast, Lee Gatiss speaks with Affinity‘s Graham Nicholls (pictured) about the possibility of a “Gospel Coalition UK” – as well as about helping Christians commend Christ in the public square.