Sydney welcomes ACNA
Posted on October 28, 2009
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“On the final night of the 2009 Synod, the Anglican Diocese of Sydney has passed a resolution embracing the new Anglican province, the Anglican Church in North America (ACNA).
In the words of the resolution, ‘Synod welcomes the creation of the Province of the Anglican Church in North America (ACNA) under the leadership of Archbishop Bob Duncan and notes the GAFCON Primates’ Council recognition of the ACNA as genuinely Anglican and its recommendation that Anglican Provinces affirm full communion with the ACNA. Synod therefore expresses its desire to be in full communion with the ACNA.’…”
– Russell Powell writes at SydneyAnglicans.net.
The Resolution reads –
Synod –
(1) welcomes the creation of the Province of the Anglican Church in North America (ACNA) under the leadership of Archbishop Bob Duncan and notes the GAFCON Primates’ Council recognition of the ACNA as genuinely Anglican and its recommendation that Anglican Provinces affirm full communion with the ACNA and –
(a) therefore expresses its desire to be in full communion with the ACNA, and
(b) furthermore, requests that Standing Committee seek to have a motion brought to the General Synod affirming that the Anglican Church of Australia be in full communion with the ACNA,
(2) welcomes Archbishop Duncan’s assessment that the recent Vatican offer of a Personal Ordinariate ‘will not be utilised by the great majority of the Anglican Church in North America’s bishops, priests, dioceses and congregations’ and urges all Anglicans to reject the Vatican’s proposal, and
(3) asks the General Synod Standing Committee to –
(a) bring the Anglican Covenant to the September 2010 General Synod in such a manner as to enable each diocesan synod to consider the document, and
(b) bring a motion to the General Synod noting the publication of the Jerusalem Declaration and to encourage its study as a means to Anglican identity and cohesion.
Here I Stand — free audio download
Posted on October 28, 2009
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To mark Reformation Day (October 31), Martin Luther’s Here I Stand, a 24 minute recording by Max McLean, is available as a free download from The Listener’s Bible.
“In the late afternoon of April 18, 1521, in the city of Worms, Germany, Martin Luther, a 37 year-old Catholic monk was called to defend himself before Charles the Fifth, the Holy Roman Emperor. The speech he delivered that day, Here I Stand, marked the beginning of the Reformation…”
The offer exprires on November 1st. To receive the download, simply create an account and follow the links. (h/t Andy Naselli.)
Columbo-style connecting
Posted on October 27, 2009
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On two recent episodes of the White Horse Inn broadcast, Greg Koukl from Stand to Reason ministries shares some tips on connecting helpfully in an apologetic situation. He thinks we can learn from Lt. Columbo.
Hear the discussion (“Tactics” parts 1 & 2, October 4 & 11 2009) in the White Horse Inn archives. (Part 2 repeats about 10 minutes of the first episode.)
Global South Primates: Pastoral Exhortation
Posted on October 26, 2009
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The Global South Primates Steering Committee has issued this “Pastoral Exhortation” —
“The Vatican announcement on Apostolic Constitution… gives us an occasion in making the following pastoral exhortation.”
A Pastoral Exhortation to the Faithful in the Anglican Communion
1. We, under-shepherds of the one, holy, catholic and apostolic church of Jesus Christ, bring greetings to the faithful in the Anglican Communion. Read more
Keith Condie on Richard Baxter
Posted on October 26, 2009
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Earlier this year, David Höhne and Michael Jensen interviewed Moore College Dean of Students Keith Condie about his research on Richard Baxter.
It’s a light-hearted but very interesting introduction to one of the key English Puritans – at The Common Room.
‘Battle of the Bishops’
Posted on October 25, 2009
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‘Battle of the Bishops’ is the title of tonight’s edition of Compass on ABC-TV at 9:40pm AEDT.
“Follows the head of the Anglican Church in Nigeria as he leads a boycott of the once-a-decade Anglican leaders meeting in London, to hold a rival summit in Jerusalem. Archbishop Peter Akinola and other disaffected Anglicans, including Sydney’s Archbishop Peter Jensen, want to “restore traditional family values” and remain “faithfully committed to the scriptures”. Will this split the church in two?”
Sixteen months after GAFCON, how will it be portrayed? Since people may be discussing it tomorrow, it’s worth having a look.
(Archbishops Henry Orombi, Uganda and Peter Akinola, Nigeria, at the GAFCON closing session. Photo: Joy Gwaltney.)
Connect09 Halloween idea
Posted on October 24, 2009
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Next Saturday, October 31st, is Halloween (and, November 1st is Reformation Sunday!).
If you live in an area where young people are likely to knock on your door for Trick or Treat, consider having some copies of the Colin Buchanan DVD on hand to give away with your confectionary. (Ideally, hand the DVD to their parents if they are present.)
What Will Rowan Do?
Posted on October 24, 2009
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“What will Rowan do?” That’s the question posed by Bishop David C. Anderson President of the American Anglican Council as he reviews this week’s moves by the Vatican:
Beloved in Christ,
The news that has overtaken much of the Christian media (and a good bit of the secular as well) is the announcement from Rome that they are opening up a personal prelature for orthodox Anglicans. This would allow Anglicans to maintain much of their liturgy and custom, and for many of the Anglican clergy, it would offer the option of becoming a Roman Catholic priest. Read more
The Archbishop of Canterbury’s solution?
Posted on October 24, 2009
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From the Fellowship of Confessing Anglicans – 23 October 2009.
The Fellowship of Confessing Anglicans, which has previously been denounced by liberals of ‘splitting’ the Anglican Communion, could be the solution for an Archbishop of Canterbury who wants to keep ‘Orthodox’ Anglicans within the Church. Read more
Adelaide Synod Presidential Address
Posted on October 24, 2009
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The Synod of the Diocese of Adelaide meets this weekend (October 23–25 2009).
Archbishop Jeffrey Driver gave his Presidential Address on Friday. The text is available here (PDF file).
Synod Business Paper. (PDF)
Better Gatherings — new look
Posted on October 24, 2009
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The recently-launched Better Gatherings website, produced by the Archbishop of Sydney’s Liturgical Panel, has had a makeover.
“This site is designed to equip service leaders to craft meetings that by their shape, their contents and their tone proclaim the gospel of Christ, build his body in the unity of the spirit and bring honour and glory to God.
On this website we would like to help you reflect biblically and historically on just how good church can be, and give you the resources you need to put this vision into practice.”
“A Star. A Stable. A Saviour.” – from Nathan Tasker
Posted on October 23, 2009
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Nathan Tasker is releasing a CD in time for Christmas, A Star. A Stable. A Saviour.
As a pre-release promotion, 5 copies can be ordered for $50, including shipping. A Christ-honouring Christmas gift? An evangelistic talking point? Worth checking out. (h/t Justin Moffatt.)
New Social Issues website
Posted on October 23, 2009
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The website of the Social Issues Executive of the Diocese of Sydney is now up and running. Lots of helpful resources.
Latest on their site: Who are the disabled?
The sin of GAFCON? (updated)
Posted on October 22, 2009
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Did Archbishop Peter Jensen wonder out loud if the diocesan financial losses were the Lord’s punishment for going to GAFCON?
From an Anglican Media Melbourne story (22 October 2009):
“The Archbishop of Sydney, Dr Peter Jensen, has admitted questioning whether his diocese’s financial losses were a result of God chastising the Church for unethical behaviour, arrogance in handling its endowment or as punishment for its bishops going to the Global Anglican Future Conference in Jerusalem rather than Lambeth.” (emphasis added.)
AMM is not alone in reporting this seemingly out-of-character remark.
So what did Archbishop Jensen really say? From his prepared text: Read more
Richard Bewes: 50 years ago and now
Posted on October 22, 2009
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John Richardson has posted this thoughtful article by Richard Bewes on contending for the faith – then and now.
“Do you know, life was altogether more simple when I was ordained! The evangelical intake in September 1959 numbered about seven percent of the total.
Who were we? What were we? Nothing, in the minds of the wider church. It was Backs to the Wall for us despised evangelicals…
It was really in 1962 – with Honest to God – that true battle began.”
Richard Bewes was Rector of All Souls, Langham Place until late 2004 and has also served as Chairman of the Church of England Evangelical Council. (Photo: RichardBewes.com.)
What we believe
The message at the heart of Christianity is really quite simple…