Recovering the Missional Passion of the Church

Posted on March 20, 2013
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“The only thing that really matters is this: our God has a mission. That’s why he sent Jesus here on subversive terms. And that’s why he established the church– churches like yours and churches like mine– to join him on mission to reestablish his glory over all creation…”

– Ed Stetzer wants us to remember why we are here.

Diocese of Tasmania submission on “Voluntary Assisted Dying”

Posted on March 17, 2013
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Bishop John Harrower has posted some details on his diocese’s submission concerning “Voluntary Assisted Dying” in Tasmania – and he has also written a Pastoral Letter on proposed Abortion legislation for that state.

Nathan Tasker’s new album

Posted on March 17, 2013
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Nathan Tasker’s new album, The Bell Tower (inspired by the tower at St. Philip’s York Street), is now available. It’s a collection of ‘re-imagined hymns’.

Gare Ware (Mount Gambier Presbyterian) has the details.

Archbishop Welby and the E-Word

Posted on March 15, 2013
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“Archbishop Justin Welby very seldom uses the E-word – ‘Evangelical’. He mentions it only when amongst friends.

Speaking at New Wine, for example, in 2006 he declared: ‘I’m an orthodox Bible-believing Evangelical … Scripture is my final authority for all matters of life and doctrine.’ But it’s not a label he usually chooses to define himself. …

… Although the ‘Evangelicalism’ label will not often be heard at Lambeth Palace, that other momentous E-Word – ‘Evangelism’ – falls much more frequently from Welby’s lips. His abiding passion is for people to come to faith in Christ and for churches to grow.”

– In an article to be published in the Spring 2013 issue of Cross†Way, Andrew Atherstone provides a very informative profile of the new Archbishop of Canterbury.

St Patrick — The Irish Evangelical

Posted on March 15, 2013
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“St Patrick’s Day is a Saint’s day. There is nothing wrong with celebrating saint’s days, though there is nothing particularly right either. As our Apostle says: “One man esteems one day as better than another while another esteems all days alike. Each one should be fully convinced in his own mind” (Romans 14:5) …

However, the problems of saints and saint’s days should not stand in the way of remembering with gratitude, those whom God has used in the past to spread the gospel and contribute to the welfare of the world. We are to remember our leaders and in particular ‘the outcome of their way of life and imitate their faith’ (Hebrews 13:7).”

– The Dean of Sydney, Phillip Jensen, sets the record straight for St. Patrick’s Day – this Sunday.

The Marcus I Knew and Loved

Posted on March 14, 2013
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Greg Blaxland, former SAMS missionary, and well-known to many of our readers, has just published “The Marcus I Knew and Loved”, subtitled An Autobiographical Appreciation of Sir Marcus Lawrence Loane.

In his Preface, he writes,

The pages that follow do not purport to be a complete life story… Rather, they are a simple, loving, autobiographical appreciation of a truly great man of God…

Many share such a high estimate of Sir Marcus Loane.

It’s available as an e-book (in ePub, Mobi, or PDF formats), and can be purchased for $US9.99 here.

(Larger image of the cover.)

Archbishop Peter Jensen’s statement on Pope Francis

Posted on March 14, 2013
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The Archbishop of Sydney, Dr Peter Jensen today joined other Christian leaders in welcoming the election of the new Pope, saying “The papacy continues to have huge global significance in testing times for humanity. We join those who pray that Pope Francis will use the office to further the gospel of Jesus Christ for the sake of all humanity.”

via SydneyAnglicans.net

Other statements – via The Bible Society.

Moore College Graduation 2013 — Report

Posted on March 13, 2013
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“Last night 92 graduates received their awards from the college. City Recital Hall was packed with over 600 guests who were family, friends of the graduates and supporters of the college…”

– story from the Moore College website.

Also on the website: An Invitation to the Commissioning of Dr Mark Thompson as the 13th Principal of the College, on Thursday 6th June, 7:00pm at St. Andrew’s Cathedral.

Free Easter e-book from John Piper

Posted on March 12, 2013
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From Desiring God:

“Today we launch a new devotional eBook, Love to the Uttermost: Devotional Readings for Holy Week. Beginning Palm Sunday (March 24) through Easter Sunday (March 31), we invite you to join us in focussing on the self-giving love of our Saviour.”

– Download from this page.

Chappo’s preaching

Posted on March 11, 2013
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“From the day that Jesus saved John, there was no-one more impressive or wonderful for John than Jesus. Did he ever get tired of telling people about Jesus in the gospels, or of stringing together the things Jesus did so you could see his greatness?”

– Another reminder that remembering John Chapman means pointing to Jesus. Simon Manchester writes in The Briefing. (Photo: St Thomas’ North Sydney.)

St. Helen’s Thanksgiving service for Chappo

Posted on March 10, 2013
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The video from the Thanksgiving service for John Chapman, held at St. Helen’s Bishopsgate in London a week ago (1st March 2013), is now available on Vimeo.

Participants include William Taylor, Dick Lucas, Richard Bewes and Hugh Palmer.

Dick Lucas remembered the first time he met Chappo – and Hugh Palmer preached from Romans 1.

The video runs for 51 minutes and is most edifying.

Create a Contrast Culture in your Church

Posted on March 8, 2013
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“Church leaders who stop by our little house of worship in Washington sometimes ask what we have done to produce all the discipling, evangelism, and hospitality they see. What programs are we using?”

– Jonathan Leeman at Capital Hill Baptist Church shares what they do – at The Gospel Coalition.

Toward a Biblical Theology of Marriage

Posted on March 6, 2013
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John Richardson in the UK has been exploring a Biblical Theology of Marriage. Here are his posts to date –

Toward a Biblical Theology of Marriage – Old Testament

Toward a Biblical Theology of Marriage – New Testament (1)

Toward a Biblical Theology of Marriage – New Testament (2)

Worth checking out – at The Ugley Vicar.

BC cathedral congregation backs same-sex blessings

Posted on March 6, 2013
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“The congregation at Christ Church Cathedral [in Victoria, British Columbia] has voted more than 90 per cent in favour of blessing married homosexual couples. … Rev. Logan McMenamie, dean of the cathedral, said he was pleased with the result of the vote and proud of the way the cathedral’s parishioners came to the decision.”