“In human terms we lost” — Bp Bob Duncan
Posted on October 8, 2009
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“We lost. In human terms we lost. Bishop and Standing Committee, together with Board of Trustees, thought we understood the document that was signed on our behalf in 2005 that ended the first phase of the Calvary lawsuit. But yesterday, the judge found against us on the basis of that document. …
We will take a time for further counsel and prayer, seeking God’s guidance on whether to file an appeal. …
The gospel for this Sunday is Mark 10:17-31, the rich young man. In the passage Jesus promises that those who are willing to leave everything to follow him “will receive back a hundredfold.” Jesus is speaking to us and to our situation. Now is the moment we are called to trust Him at His word. I am willing. Your leadership is willing. Are you?”
– from Bishop Robert Duncan’s Pastoral Letter on this week’s court ruling against the Episcopal Diocese of Pittsburgh (Anglican).
Evangelism is not proselytism
Posted on October 8, 2009
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“‘Mission’, ‘evangelism’ (and ‘evangelization’) and ‘proselytism’ are often muddled by speakers and this results in confusion and conjecture…”
– Bishop of Tasmania John Harrower points out the difference.
Diocese told to surrender assets
Posted on October 8, 2009
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“An Allegheny County court awarded the Episcopal Diocese of Pittsburgh more than $15 million in endowments, bank accounts and other assets that a secessionist diocese had sought to retain…”
– Latest on the moves by TEC to retain property claimed by the (Anglican) Diocese of Pittsburgh headed by Bishop Bob Dunbcan.
Story from The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette.
“I Have No Greater Joy”
Posted on October 7, 2009
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Two weeks ago, Don Carson preached at CrossWay Community Church in Bristol, Wisconsin. His text was on 3 John, focussing on verse 4.
As always, Christ-centred and edifying. Hear the sermon here (60min / 14MB mp3 file).
Engaging with our culture
Posted on October 6, 2009
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The BeThinking.org website, run by the UCCF, has been around for a while. It contains a wide range of helpful talks Christians “understand, defend and communicate the Christian faith”.
Preaching resources from the Diocese of Tasmania
Posted on October 5, 2009
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The Diocese of Tasmania website has recently added some helpful and encouraging notes on preaching.
Diocese of Niagara financial appeal
Posted on October 5, 2009
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From the Diocese of Niagara in Canada:
“The purpose of this letter is to invite you to show your support to Bishop Michael [Bird] and our Diocese by participating in a new initiative called ‘Passion for Justice’. This initiative is a simple, quick and direct way to appeal to all the people who have struggled for and in some cases, voted to move forward with blessing of same gendered marriages and ask for your financial support.” (original emphasis)
The money apparently is needed due to the cost of legal proceedings against ‘a small group of extremists’. – Anglican Essentials Canada blog has the letter here.
What should faithful Lutherans in the ELCA do?
Posted on October 4, 2009
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“Simply put, would you stay in perpetuity in a denomination that officially sanctioned adult-consensual incest, adultery, and polyamory (i.e. concurrent multiple-partner unions) and even set up as leaders of the church persons who engaged unrepentantly in such immorality? If the answer is “no,” consider this:…”
– Robert Gagnon at Pittsburgh Theological Seminary offers some biblical advice. (PDF version.) h/t Anglican Mainstream.
Benny Hinn prevented from entering UK
Posted on October 3, 2009
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“Benny Hinn was meant to be evangelising the UK as I write, with three days booked from last night until 3 October at Excel in London’s Docklands. But his attempt to enter the country at Stansted Airport was unsuccessful. According to sources he took his private jet to Paris and then tried a second time, at Luton Airport. That attempt failed too, and tonight, Friday, he is on his way back to France. …”
– Ruth Gledhill writes at Times Online. (Image: Benny Hinn Ministries.)
Related: US Senate examines ‘TV evangelists’ and Word of Faith preachers.
The Emerging Church and more with Kevin DeYoung
Posted on October 3, 2009
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Mark Dever recently interviewed Kevin DeYoung (co-author of Why We’re Not Emergent) on the Emerging Church – but begins with a discussion on paedobaptism and also eldership in the Reformed Church in America.
This interesting interview was recorded in May and has just been made available at 9Marks. The 47MB mp3 file runs for 68 minutes.
Canterbury: Covenant adoption limited to Provinces
Posted on October 2, 2009
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“The Archbishop of Canterbury has welcomed an endorsement of the first three sections of the Anglican Covenant by the Diocese of Central Florida’s board and standing committee, but said only provinces can officially adopt the covenant. …”
– George Conger reports for The Living Church. However, see this 2007 letter. (h/t Stand Firm.)
Cuppa for Cancer in Broome
Posted on October 1, 2009
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Quite apart from being an outreach idea, this story from The North West Network is a wonderful testimony to the gospel of Jesus at work in the Diocese of North West Australia. (Used by permission.)
“Why do I have cancer? Is it because I am bad and deserve it? What if I die – am I ready? How will I handle the dying process? What do I really think will happen to me after I die? If I don’t die how do I want to spend the rest of this fragile life?”
These were some of the questions that Helen Morrell, a breast cancer survivor, put to a group of over 70 women who gathered in the grounds of the Broome Anglican Church. Read more
Counterfeit Gods
Posted on October 1, 2009
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“To contemporary people the word idolatry conjures up pictures of primitive people bowing down before statues…
Our contemporary society is not fundamentally different from these ancient ones. Each culture is dominated by its own set of idols. Each has its “priesthoods,” its totems and rituals. Each one has its shrines—whether office towers, spas and gyms, studios, or stadiums—where sacrifices must be made in order to procure the blessings of the good life and ward off disaster.”
– From the Introduction to Tim Keller’s soon-to-be-released book, “Counterfeit Gods: The Empty Promises of Money, Sex, and Power, and the Only Hope that Matters”.
Read the full introduction at Westminster Bookstore (PDF file). The book is released later this month. (h/t Between Two Worlds)
Episcopalians Deceived
Posted on September 30, 2009
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“Those who wonder why the Episcopal Church Church accepted such a radical revision of the historic Book of Common Prayer in 1979 might profit from reading an article at episcopalnet.org: ‘How Episcopalians were Deceived’, by Francis W. Read, written for the New Oxford Review in 1981. He reveals that the authors of the new book resorted to deception in order to introduce a new theology into the church, ignoring their critics and lying about their true intent…”
– Roberta Bayer, Editor of Mandate, published by the Prayer Book Society in the USA. See her article on page 9 of this PDF file. She refers to this: How Episcopalians Were Deceived.
With Calvin in the Theatre of God
Posted on September 29, 2009
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The Desiring God National Conference was held in Minneapolis last weekend with the theme “With Calvin in the Theater of God”.
Through the generosity of Desiring God, audio and video files of all the messages are now available online. (Note: The video files are around 150MB each.)
What we believe
The message at the heart of Christianity is really quite simple…