Archbishop Philip Freier’s Melbourne Synod charge

Posted on October 25, 2012 
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Archbishop Philip Freier’s opening address to the 50th Melbourne Synod earlier this month is now available on YouTube, or as a PDF file.

(The full video of Archbishop Peter Jensen’s 2012 Sydney Presidential Address is now online as one higher quality file here, courtesy Audio Advice.)

‘Mediation call in gay clergy row’

Posted on October 24, 2012 
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“Dr Peter Jensen, the Anglican Archbishop of Sydney, Australia, has voiced support for the 500 worshippers at St George’s Tron in Glasgow and their minister Dr William Philip, who faces losing his home, and has called on the Kirk to halt its legal action. …”

– from Herald Scotland. (h/t SydneyAnglicans.net.)

Earlier: Report: Glasgow Presbytery to ‘recover all property and assets’ from St George’s Tron.

Jesus Is …Beyond Fiction

Posted on October 24, 2012 
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“I cannot believe how often educated people pull out the claim that Jesus probably never existed. Except that it’s not PC to say so, it really deserves the title of Old Wives Tale!

Down in my neck of the woods, Gospel for the Gong has been running a ‘Jesus Is ________.’ month of mission. …”

– Sandy Grant shares some resources – as well as news of a terrific evangelistic initiative – at The Briefing.

Serving God’s words

Posted on October 23, 2012 
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Adrian Reynolds at The Proclamation Trust draws attention to the book ‘Serving God’s words’, published this time last year – a Festschrift to Peter Adam, with contributions by Don Carson, David Peterson, David Jackman, Peter Jensen, Gerald Bray, Michael Raiter, and others.

– Read the brief review here. Book available here.

First ACL Women’s Synod Dinner

Posted on October 22, 2012 
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On Monday 15 October, the ACL hosted its first women’s Synod dinner. In the tradition of the ACL Synod dinners, it challenged guests with the mission of Christ, and promoted the work of the ACL and its role in the Synod elections. Over 50 female Synod members attended the dinner, held at the Wesley Conference Centre.

The key note speaker was Kara Gilbert, newly appointed Archdeacon for Women’s Ministry in the Sydney Diocese. Kara spoke of the biblical illiteracy in our society and the need to make Christ known. She gave an impassioned appeal to seek opportunities to witness for Christ.

Master of Ceremonies and ACL Vice President, Claire Smith, provided a brief history of the ACL and encouraged women to become members. She also encouraged women to participate in Synod debates and to not be overwhelmed by the ‘suits’ (ie. men).

Gav Poole, ACL President, attended the dinner, and afterward commented, ‘Women play a vital part in our synod and it is encouraging to see more women as members, and contributing to debates in recent years. They bring a certain flavour to the floor and represent over 50% of our churches’ membership. The ACL encourages women to be actively involved in ministry. I hope this dinner was the first of many.’

The ACL thanks Kath Driver, ACL Councillor, and her team of helpers for a well-run event.

Photo: Sam Law, Mission Minded.

‘Episcopal Church abandons Bishop and Diocese’

Posted on October 20, 2012 
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Comment from the Diocese of South Carolina –

“These actions … are not just an attack upon Bishop Lawrence. They also represent an assault on  this Diocese and its congregations. Two of the three actions that the Episcopal Church claims prove his abandonment are in fact actions of the Diocesan Convention.”

Full text: Read more

North West Australia 2012 Synod

Posted on October 19, 2012 
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Bishop Gary Nelson addressed the first Synod of the Diocese of North West Australia since his arrival in May. Read his full address here (PDF). And there’s a brief report on the Synod here.

“I certainly feel I know the diocese better, even if it seems somewhat blurred at this precise moment in time. What a great God-given honour it has been to:

  • glimpse gospel ministry throughout this vast diocese;
  • meet with faithful gospel servants;
  • hear of God’s work in the lives of congregational members;
  • share with people of many backgrounds and experiences – yet one in Christ.

But what next? Where do we journey together as we love and serve our great God? Let us reflect on those questions by looking to God’s word; and then, drawing some implications for us. We will focus on three significant issues as we ponder our future. …”

‘New level of repression signalled by charges against Bishop Lawrence’

Posted on October 19, 2012 
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“The certification of abandonment by ECUSA’s new Disciplinary Board for Bishops, communicated to Bishop Mark Lawrence by Presiding Bishop Katharine Jefferts Schori on October 15, 2012 raises some very troubling questions. It also evidences a new degree of repression operative in ECUSA…”

– A S Haley, Anglican lawyer writing as The Anglican Curmudgeon, takes a close look at the latest moves against South Carolina.

TEC moves against Bishop and Diocese of South Carolina

Posted on October 18, 2012 
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“On Monday, October 15, 2012, Bishop Mark J. Lawrence, the 14th Bishop of the Diocese of South Carolina was notified by the Presiding Bishop of The Episcopal Church, Katharine Jefferts Schori, that on September 18, 2012 the Disciplinary Board for Bishops had certified his abandonment of The Episcopal Church.

This action by The Episcopal Church triggered two pre-existing corporate resolutions of the Diocese, which simultaneously disaffiliated the Diocese from The Episcopal Church and called a Special Convention. That Convention will be held … on Saturday, November 17, 2012. …

The Diocese has not received a signed copy of the certification and also remains uninformed of the identity of those making these charges.”

– It only took a month to let the good Bishop know.
Details from the Diocese of South Carolina including relevant documents.

Related, from last week:
Report: Glasgow Presbytery to ‘recover all property and assets’ from St George’s Tron.

The Archbishop leaves the chair

Posted on October 17, 2012 
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“The 2012 Synod has ended on an emotional note as Archbishop Peter Jensen left the chair for the last time as President of the Synod.

After a five day meeting which began with his ‘Last words’ Presidential Address, the final hour of the Synod was devoted to a motion which said in part, ‘Synod takes this opportunity to express its admiration for the way in which Dr Jensen has presided over this and preceding Synods during the 12 years of his term of office’.…”

– Story from Russell Powell at SydneyAnglicans.net.

‘Anglicare says thousands going hungry’

Posted on October 16, 2012 
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“Anglicare Australia says Australia’s poorest are going without food, sometimes for up to 24 hours. The organisation has launched a report based on a national survey of families receiving its emergency support. …”

– ABC News has this report. Story: Anglicare Sydney.

Download “When there’s not enough to eat”. (Image: ABC.)

How to wreck a church

Posted on October 16, 2012 
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“What is it about false teaching? First it dazzles, finding its ways into magazines and onto TV news programmes and book displays. It also deceives – drawing the unwary half a degree off course. It then distorts, for the principle of the ever-widening angle will eventually see church members ten years down the line embracing teachings that are far removed from Scripture. And, finally, it destroys.”

– Timely reminder from Richard Bewes – at Anglican Mainstream.

‘God’s Library’ — new eBook from Greg Clarke

Posted on October 16, 2012 
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Bible Society Australia CEO Greg Clarke has published a free eBook to coincide with the Society’s 25 Words campaign. It’s designed to encourage both Christians and non-Christians to look into the Bible.

From the Preface:

“All other books are also-rans… the Bible is publishing’s success story. This introductory book is written especially for those who feel that they really should know something about the world’s most influential text, but may have been afraid to ask, put off by the Church, found the black leather cover and cigarette paper pages ominous, or just never got around to it.”

It’s available free online until 9th November here in a Flash-based screen reader.

If you have a mobile device, you’ll probably need the PDF version (7.8MB direct link).

The New City Catechism

Posted on October 15, 2012 
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“Last week Tim Keller asked ‘Why Catechesis Now?’ This morning TGC introduced the New City Catechism, adapted by Tim Keller and Sam Shammas from Redeemer Presbyterian Church in New York…”

– Andy Naselli has the links and some related resources.

Synod notes Gippsland actions with ‘grave concern’

Posted on October 15, 2012 
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“Synod has repeated Standing Committee’s concern about the actions of the Bishop of Gippsland in appointing a clergyman openly living with a male partner. …”

– SydneyAnglicans.net has the report. Related posts.

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