‘Common Prayer’ development version launched at Sydney Synod

Posted on October 19, 2011 
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At Sydney Synod this week, the ‘development version’ of a new liturgical resource (Common Prayer) was presented for one year’s experimentation, examination and feedback. The anticipated final version of Common Prayer is intended as ‘a resource for gospel-shaped gatherings in the evangelical Anglican tradition’.

Speaking on behalf of the Archbishop of Sydney’s Liturgical Panel, Bishop Robert Forsyth said that the Panel was very keen to receive feedback to make this first draft better. An updated and improved version will be presented to the Synod in 2012. The initiative was very warmly received.

The development version, and supporting information, is available now at commonprayer.org.au.

Synod gives thanks for Marcus Loane

Posted on October 18, 2011 
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Sydney Synod today passed this motion –

“On the 100th anniversary of his birth, Synod thanks God for the life and ministry of Sir Marcus Loane; Moore College Principal (1953-1966), Australian Army Chaplain (Kokoda Track, 1942-1945) the first Australian born Archbishop of Sydney (1966- 1982) and Primate of Australia (1978).

We thank God for Sir Marcus’ contribution to the evangelical identity of our Diocese. He served us by providing a model of godly leadership and leaving a legacy of published works. In particular those biographical books bringing to life heroes of the faith will ensure that our evangelical heritage is not easily lost.

With fondness we remember the clarity of his preaching, the strength of his convictions, the warmth of his pastoral care and his faithfulness in prayer.

In passing this motion, Synod thanks God for Lady Loane and her partnership in Sir Marcus’ ministry. We send her greetings, love and God’s comfort.”

(Photo: Ramon Williams.)

Bishop of Tasmania’s letter to the Bishop of South Carolina

Posted on October 18, 2011 
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The Bishop of Tasmania, John Harrower, has written (October 14) to Mark Lawrence, the Bishop of South Carolina, to offer support and encouragement –

“Dear Brother,

Greetings in the name of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.

I received with deep concern and sadness the news of formal allegations against you and your diocese with respect to some ill-defined sense of abandoning the faith of the Church.

I write so that my recognition and support of you as a Brother Bishop in the Anglican Communion may be clear and unambiguous, and to assure you of my prayer for you and your leadership team at this time.

It has become clear over recent years, and it was certainly my experience at the Lambeth Conference of 2008: not only are the revisionist pursuits of certain parties clearly no longer bounded by the fundamental witness of the gospel in Scripture, but the means of that pursuit seem no longer bounded by the common human wisdom of good grace and fairness. The fact that current events demonstrate a willingness to impugn the fundamental character of Episcopal polity is a demonstration of their intransigence.

Nevertheless, please be encouraged in the Lord Jesus in whose sufferings you share and in whose resurrection hope we live and minister.

I note the words at the top of your diocesan website – “…that all may come to know Him…” Our Lord Jesus is indeed our sole focus, our joy, our salvation; and the knowledge of him our goal for ourselves and all those we meet. He is the head of the church and his promise to his people is secure.

May his grace and peace be with you and the faithful saints of the Diocese of South Carolina.

Yours sincerely in the bonds of Christ,
Shalom

John Harrower
Bishop of Tasmania.”

– Also as a PDF file on the Diocese of Tasmania website. (h/t Will Briggs.)

Sydney Synod sends message to four Vancouver churches

Posted on October 17, 2011 
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The Synod of the Diocese of Sydney today passed this motion –

Synod requests that the following message be sent to the following four churches in Vancouver, British Columbia Canada: St. John’s Vancouver (comprising the congregations formerly known as St John’s Shaughnessy); Good Shepherd, Vancouver; St. Matthias & St. Luke’s Vancouver; and St. Matthews, Abbotsford –

“The Synod of the Anglican Diocese of Sydney wish to extend our prayers and support to you in this time of transition and change. We praise God for your commitment to upholding Scripture and your willingness to contend and suffer for the faith. You have been a great example in grace, wisdom and humility to Bible-believing Christians, both here in Australia, and around the world. We pray the Lord’s richest blessings on your fellowship as you continue to proclaim, rejoice and grow in the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ, and that the grace of God will ring out from you in the great city of Vancouver, to the glory of God.”

The Reformation and the men behind it

Posted on October 17, 2011 
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“The Protestant Reformation stands as the most far-reaching, world-changing display of God’s grace since the birth and early expansion of the church. It was not a single act, nor was it led by one man. This history-altering movement played out on different stages over many decades. Its cumulative impact, however, was enormous…”

– Over at R.C. Sproul’s Ligonier Ministries website, they’re posting excerpts from the book Pillars of Grace by Steven Lawson, in the run up to Reformation Day (usually observed on October 31). h/t Tim Challies.

An ecclesiastical coup d’état?

Posted on October 15, 2011 
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Bishop David Anderson, President of the American Anglican Council, writes further in his weekly newsletter about TEC’s expected moves against South Carolina –

“Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ Jesus,

I want to continue my comments on the dire state of affairs in the Episcopal Diocese of South Carolina and draw upon some expert legal and procedural analysis by the “Anglican Curmudgeon,” which we have included in this Update.

I would like for you to stop here at this point, and read the Curmudgeon article titled “Bishop Henderson: It’s ‘business as usual’ in the church.” When you are finished, come back to this analysis of what happens next. Read more

Remembering with gratitude Sir Marcus Loane, on the Centenary of his birth

Posted on October 14, 2011 
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Marcus Loane was born in Tasmania one hundred years ago – on 14 October 1911.

He grew up in Chatswood in Sydney, becoming a Christian at the age of thirteen. After completing school, he worked as a shipping clerk while studying at Sydney University in the evenings.

In 1932, he entered Moore Theological College, with a view to ordination for parish ministry. He excelled academically in the Th.L and also earned an MA in English from Sydney University.  Read more

Archbishop Sir Marcus Loane — in photos

Posted on October 14, 2011 
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See the photo gallery here.

 

 

South Carolina Bishop and Clergy meet to discuss ‘serious charges’

Posted on October 13, 2011 
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From the Diocese of South Carolina:

“the Episcopal Church is in a constitutional crisis in which its own polity is being radically altered in violation of its history and founding documents”

“In an atmosphere of prayerful solemnity, the Bishop and Clergy of the Diocese of South Carolina gathered at Saint James Church, James Island, S.C. for more than two hours on Tuesday, October 12. In focus were the “serious charges” that have been made against Bishop Mark Lawrence and the diocese under the new Title IV canons.  Read more

Some previous posts you might have missed

Posted on October 13, 2011 
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Here are some posts you may have missed in recent weeks:

• Thanks and prayer requests from North West Australia – Bishop David Mulready completes his episcopal ministry in DNWA this week.
• Hope for Life: Provincial Mission Convention – to be held in Canberra, January 2012.
• Another Attack upon Sydney Anglicanism. – book review by Dr Mark Thompson.
• Peter Adam at the John Stott Memorial Service in Melbourne.
• ACL tribute to John Stott.

Sydney Synod opposes adoption of Anglican Communion Covenant

Posted on October 11, 2011 
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As had been widely expected, the Synod of the Diocese of Sydney today moved to oppose the adoption of the Anglican Communion Covenant.

The text of the motion was as follows –

“Synod, noting the report on the Anglican Communion Covenant provided in response to resolution 19/10 –

(a) opposes the adoption of the Anglican Communion Covenant by the Anglican Church of Australia, and

(b) adopts the report and requests that a suitable form of the report be sent to the Standing Committee of the General Synod.”

For background reading, see –

From the report 19/10 –  Comments on five theological objections to the Covenant:
 Read more

Abp Peter Jensen Presidential Address Synod 2011

Posted on October 10, 2011 
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This afternoon, Archbishop Peter Jensen delivered his Presidential Address to the 2011 meeting of Sydney Synod.

“The Word which has been given to us to defend and proclaim is powerful. In saving sinners and creating churches, it confronts the social and spiritual problems of our day with God’s vision for the good life as well as his promises for eternal life. We have a Word which in blessing individuals has the capacity to renew, revive and restore human community in an age corrupted by selfish materialism and individualism…”

You can download the full text of his address as a PDF file from SydneyAnglicans.net.

(Here’s a report from The Sydney Morning Herald.)

Exploring Effective Ministry conference

Posted on October 10, 2011 
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The upcoming Exploring Effective Ministry Under God conference (at Moore College on Wednesday 23 November), looks to be a very useful time for all who want to better understand our ministry situation in Sydney, and move forward. See the website for details. The videos are particularly helpful.

True Feelings Conference audio

Posted on October 10, 2011 
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The recent School of Theology at Moore College was about “True Feelings: Emotions in Christian Life and Ministry”.

The audio files of the talks have now been made available. Speakers were Richard Gibson, Andrew Cameron, David Peterson, Gerald Bray, David Hohne, Peter Bolt, Keith Condie, Michael Jensen, Rhys Bezzant and Rob Smith. (h/t Michael Jensen.)

Synod Dinner and Resources for Sydney Synod Members

Posted on October 9, 2011 
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For Sydney Synod members –

The Synod Survival Guide – by Robert Tong.
Introduction-to-Synod videos.

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