Better relationships between senior pastors and female ministry team members – with Clare Deeves

Posted on February 8, 2024 
Filed under Resources Comments Off on Better relationships between senior pastors and female ministry team members – with Clare Deeves

This week on The Pastor’s Heart:

“How can male senior pastors have better relationships with the women on their ministry teams, where everyone shares complementarian convictions?

In those contexts – there are stories around that suggesting that relationships between some senior pastors and the women on the teams have been strained and have sometimes broken down completely.

There’s been massive cost to the individual, the team, the churches and to gospel work.

Clare Deeves has just completed her PhD, studying working relationships between women employed in complementarian ministry teams and the senior pastor who they work with.

Clare serves as an Assistant minister at Kallaroo Anglican Church in Perth.  And lectures in church history at Trinity Theological College Perth.”

– Watch or listen here.

Church Matters from 9Marks: Vol 4, Evangelism

Posted on February 8, 2024 
Filed under Encouragement, Resources, Theology Comments Off on Church Matters from 9Marks: Vol 4, Evangelism

The latest issue of Church Matters from 9Marks focusses on the question of evangelism –

What is a biblical understanding of evangelism?

Is every Christian expected to evangelise?

Does expository preaching speak to unbelievers as well as believers?

This and much more in the latest edition, available from 9Marks.

The place to start with Catholics

Posted on February 7, 2024 
Filed under Evangelism, Resources Comments Off on The place to start with Catholics

“What can you say when a Catholic in your life talks about same-sex blessings?

‘It’s all OK now dear’. Those were the words of my fiercely Catholic mother when the Pope proclaimed that it was now acceptable for Catholic priests to bless same-sex intimate relationships. …”

– This new article at The Australian Church Record encourages us to love our Roman Catholic friends and family – and has a link to a new resource.

Praying for King Charles

Posted on February 6, 2024 
Filed under Resources Comments Off on Praying for King Charles

1 Timothy 2:1-4

“First of all, then, I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for all people, for kings and all who are in high positions, that we may lead a peaceful and quiet life, godly and dignified in every way. This is good, and it is pleasing in the sight of God our Saviour, who desires all people to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth.” – ESV.

When using the Prayer Book, Anglican Christians used to pray regularly for the Royal family. Maybe we don’t do that much any more. Yet, whatever one’s view of the monarchy, it would be good to pray for King Charles, especially with his cancer diagnosis, that he will know the Lord Jesus Christ and rest in him.

Praying for 2024 Ordinands

Posted on February 6, 2024 
Filed under Parishes, People, Sydney Diocese Comments Off on Praying for 2024 Ordinands

“Please pray for these candidates as they prepare for ordination on February 17, 2024 and for taking up positions at the following parishes …”

– SydneyAnglicans.net has the list – for your prayers!

A lament for Scotland

Posted on February 5, 2024 
Filed under Culture wars, History, Scotland Comments Off on A lament for Scotland

In his latest podcast, David Robertson laments – and asks you to pray – for the land of his birth:

“In this week’s episode we look at the history, culture, and politics of Scotland. I have taken over a year to do this. It is possibly the hardest thing I have ever had to do because it is so hard for me to be objective.

This is deeply personal. And there is so much to say. It was difficult to decide what to leave out – I literally had hundreds of hours of material … I hope what has remained in will be helpful in understanding modern Scotland – and indeed the modern world. …

There are lessons for all of us in seeing how Scotland has changed, been blessed and declined. …”

– Listen at The Wee Flea.

And a strong reminder to pray for the nation and people of Scotland.

The 39 Articles Are A Beautiful Guide To Orthodoxy — If Only The Bishops Agreed

Posted on February 4, 2024 
Filed under Church of England, Opinion, Theology Comments Off on The 39 Articles Are A Beautiful Guide To Orthodoxy — If Only The Bishops Agreed

“I’ve recently been in correspondence with a bishop who is quite influential in the process surrounding the Prayers of Love and Faith. It has led to a revealing conversation around Article 26 of the 39 Articles of Faith.

The 39 Articles are a brief and condensed statement of what Anglican Christians believe and teach. The English Reformers compiled these carefully summarised statements of biblical theology to guide and guard our identity in Christ.

Adopted by the Church of England in 1571, the 39 Articles assist believers in thinking, discussing, applying, and sharing “the faith that was once for all entrusted to the saints” (Jude 3). These theological principles remain relevant for our spiritual health and maturity as we follow Jesus Christ today.

The discussion arose because a parish passed a resolution …”

– This opinion piece at Anglican Futures by “a member of the clergy in the Church of England” is a reminder of the importance of the Articles of Faith, and reading them in context.

See also:

The Thirty Nine Articles.

Southern Cross magazine February-March 2024

Posted on February 3, 2024 
Filed under Encouragement, Resources, Sydney Diocese Comments Off on Southern Cross magazine February-March 2024

The latest issue of Southern Cross magazine from the Diocese of Sydney is now available – in printed form at churches – and electronically at SydneyAnglicans.net.

Find the latest issue here.

C of E Bishop of Newcastle quits LLF post over appointment of a conservative theological advisor to the House of Bishops

Posted on February 2, 2024 
Filed under Church of England, Culture wars Comments Off on C of E Bishop of Newcastle quits LLF post over appointment of a conservative theological advisor to the House of Bishops

“The appointment of a conservative opponent of same-sex blessings as interim theological adviser to the Church of England’s House of Bishops has led to the bombshell resignation of the Bishop of Newcastle, Helen-Ann Hartley, as co-lead bishop of the Living in Love and Faith (LLF) process.

Bishop Hartley became co-lead LLF bishop with the Bishop of Leicester, Martyn Snow, after the Bishop of London, Sarah Mullally, stepped down as the LLF lead bishop in November. …

The interim theological adviser is the Revd Dr Tom Woolford, who as a member of General Synod has opposed the introduction of services of blessing for same-sex couples.”

– As the Bishop of Newcastle apparently takes her bat and goes home, things don’t seem to be going well in the attempt to hold the Church of England together. Story from Julian Mann at Anglican.ink.

See also:

Living in Love and Faith: A Statement from Bishop Helen-Ann:

“there is no doubt that LLF remains front and centre in the life of our Church at this time…”

Full statement:

“My first commitment, and priority, is to continue to respond to God’s calling to be Bishop of Newcastle, and I rejoice in this calling. It has become clear to me in the last 48 hours that there are serious concerns relating to the recent process of appointing an Interim Theological Advisor to the House of Bishops. This was, and is not, an LLF appointment, and neither Bishop Martyn nor myself were involved in it. Whilst the remit of the theological advisor is broader than any matters relating to LLF, there is no doubt that LLF remains front and centre in the life of our Church at this time. What has transpired in the last 48 hours has had a critically negative impact on the work Bishop Martyn and I were seeking, in good faith, to do. My role as co-lead bishop for the LLF process is now undermining my capacity to fulfil my primary calling, to lead and care for the people and places of the Diocese of Newcastle.

I am fully committed to the vocation and life of the Church of England, its place in our diverse communities across this land, and in the wider Anglican Communion. Mindful of different views within my own diocese, I am also fully committed to the full inclusion of LGBTQIA+ people. I do not believe these are mutually exclusive, and I am not naïve in saying this. As I approach the 10th anniversary of my consecration as a bishop, my decision to step down from my LLF role is not one I have taken lightly, but is one built on all I have learnt about being a bishop, both here and in Aotearoa New Zealand. I will continue to be involved in the LLF process as a diocesan bishop, and will endeavour to prayerfully and actively work towards fulfilling the commitments expressed above, and those already agreed to in General Synod.

+Helen-Ann Newcastle,

February 1st 2024.”

And earlier:

Living in love, faith — and reconciliation – Church Times, 25 January 2024 by Helen-Ann Hartley and Martyn Snow:

“We are at a crossroads: either we have reached the point of separation, accepting that different views cannot co-exist within the same Church, or we must shift the debate to the question how we live well with difference. We believe firmly in the latter approach, and, therefore, we are issuing a call for reconciliation and bridge-building. …” (emphasis added)

Photo: Dr. Helen-Ann Hartley.

Mr Facing Both Ways

Posted on February 2, 2024 
Filed under Church of England, Culture wars, Theology Comments Off on Mr Facing Both Ways

“In his book The Pilgrim’s Progress John Bunyan refers to a character called ‘Mr Facing Both Ways.’

As I reflected on the events of the past year and where they have left the Church of England it struck me that Bunyan’s name for this character is also an apt description of the current position of the Church of England.

On the one hand, the Church of England officially continues to adhere to (a) the traditional Christian doctrine of marriage and sexual ethics, and (b) the traditional Christian doctrine that  visible holiness of life should be required of Christian ministers.

On the other hand, since 17 December  last year it has contradicted (a) in terms of its liturgical practice. Furthermore, it seems certain that action by the House of Bishops will mean that in the coming year the Church of England will contradict traditional Christian doctrine further in area (a) and will also contradict it in area (b) as well. …”

– Martin Davie looks at the current situation in the Church of England and suggests how orthodox Evangelicals should respond.

Living in Love, Faith and Reconciliation: an exercise in bait and switch

Posted on January 31, 2024 
Filed under Church of England, Culture wars, Opinion Comments Off on Living in Love, Faith and Reconciliation: an exercise in bait and switch

“Last week, the lead bishops for Living in Love and Faith process, Rt Revd Helen-Ann Hartley and Rt Revd Martyn Snow set out some of their thinking in a comment piece for the Church Times – Living in Love, Faith and Reconciliation.

‘We are at a crossroads: either we have reached the point of separation, accepting that different views cannot co-exist within the same Church, or we must shift the debate to the question how we live well with difference. We believe firmly in the latter approach, and, therefore, we are issuing a call for reconciliation and bridge-building.’

Their attempt to ‘reset’ the debate will rest on a number of commitments, which will be brought to General Synod for discussion in February. They have yet to be published – but for once the devil will not be in the detail – but in their purpose and underlying premise …”

– This opinion piece at Anglican Futures looks at where ‘reconciliation and bridge-building’ is likely to lead.

And it is yet another reminder to pray for wisdom for faithful believers in the Church of England.

Representing Jesus to our grandkids

Posted on January 31, 2024 
Filed under Encouragement, Resources Comments Off on Representing Jesus to our grandkids

“For many people today, there is a lot of life left after retirement. Many years ago, when I began work, the union representative told me that our superannuation scheme for men was based on retirement at 65 and death at 67½! Now, the life expectancy for men is 81 and 85 for women. …”

– At SydneyAnglicans.net, Paul Whiting introduces us to an important book – one especially important for grandparents.

Bridging Secular Wisdom and the Christian Mission: A Dialogue on Growth, Change, and Spiritual Transformation – with Archie Poulos

Posted on January 30, 2024 
Filed under Resources Comments Off on Bridging Secular Wisdom and the Christian Mission: A Dialogue on Growth, Change, and Spiritual Transformation – with Archie Poulos

From The Pastor’s Heart:

“What can we learn from recent secular literature about the practice of Christian pastoral leadership?

Head of Ministry at Sydney’s Moore Theological College Archie Poulos looks at how the ‘The Infinite Game’ concept, popularized by Simon Sinek, can be applied to ministry.  Sinek explores the consequences of short and long term thinking in business and life. Long term success is more likely when an infinite perspective is taken.

Then we examine Loran Nordgren and David Schonthal’s book ‘The Human Element: Overcoming the resistance that awaits new ideas.’

Archie considers the emotional and psychological hurdles (inertia, effort, emotion, and reactance) that congregations face when change is suggested.

We look back to ‘After the Ball’ by Marshall Kirk and Hunter Madsen, a 1989 secular play book for effecting LGBTI societal acceptance.  Archie suggests there are lessons from aspects of that strategy for Christian mission.

Plus Archie talks about what impressed him about Andrew Heard’s soon to be released book ‘Growth and Change – The danger and necessity of a passion for church growth.”

– Watch or listen here.

Church Society Podcast S13E03: CEEC

Posted on January 30, 2024 
Filed under Church of England Comments Off on Church Society Podcast S13E03: CEEC

“This episode of the Church Society podcast comes from the 2024 Church of England Evangelical Council (CEEC) annual residential meeting.

Three members and guests of CEEC tell us about different areas of work that is ongoing.

– First up in the podcast, Dr Ros Clarke speaks with Charlie Skrine about the latest discussions on Living in Love and Faith. 

Listen to the podcast here.

A great reminder to continue to pray for faithful Christians in the Church of England. (From 14:50, Charlie has a particular request for prayer.)

Photo: Charlie Skrine at JAEC 2023.

Related:

Church of England Evangelical Council.

Why is Christian persecution often met with indifference?

Posted on January 29, 2024 
Filed under World news Comments Off on Why is Christian persecution often met with indifference?

“It has never been more dangerous to be a Christian than today.

According to the newly released 2024 World Watch List – an authoritative survey by Open Doors, an organisation that supports persecuted Christians – 365 million Christians, or one in seven, are at high or extreme risk of persecution every day because of their faith. …”

– Barney Zwartz contributes this piece at The Sydney Morning Herald.

See also:

Open Doors.

← Previous Page — Next Page →