Reform regrets a ‘lost opportunity for peace and unity’
Posted on November 17, 2009
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Reform regrets a ‘lost opportunity for peace and unity’ over Revision Committee’s decision on Women Bishops.
Media statement issued 16.11.09, following the announcement from the Revision Committee on Saturday November 14.
November 16th, 2009
The decision of the General Synod’s Revision Committee to back away from proposals to give opponents of women bishops a way of staying in the Church of England has “overturned the will of Synod, created the spectre of confrontation, and risks extending the controversy for another five years,” according to the chairman of Reform, the Rev’d Rod Thomas.
Responding to the announcement made on Saturday 14th November that the Revision Committee had failed to approve the transfer of jurisdiction from female to male bishops where parishes could not accept their oversight, Rod Thomas said:
“At last February’s General Synod there was a clear desire to provide legislative safeguards for those who could not, in conscience, accept the oversight of women bishops. This has now been overturned by the Revision Committee. Whereas there was a prospect of agreement, the Revision Committee has now set the General Synod on a course of confrontation. It has served the Church badly.
“There has been much speculation about Anglo-Catholics leaving the Church of England for Rome. What has been overlooked is the number of large evangelical churches which the Church of England now risks losing – not to Rome, but to independence or alternative Anglican affiliations.
“Within the General Synod there will be many who will be deeply unhappy at the bullying tactics being used to dismiss opponents of the proposed new legislation. Some evangelicals who do support the introduction of women bishops will nevertheless vote against proposals which have the effect of excluding other evangelicals. This means that by the time the proposals have finished their tortuous progress through the General Synod, they will be likely to fail, since they will be unable to garner the two thirds majority support needed.
“It may be that in the providence of God, the result of the Revision Committee’s decision may be the reverse of what they intend: that this unbiblical move to put women in positions of headship in the church will fail. Reform will now renew its commitment to work towards this outcome.”
– from Reform.
Judged by truth
Posted on November 17, 2009
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Last week Hugh Palmer at All Souls Langham Place preached on the message of Romans 1:18 – 3:20 in 18 minutes. He speaks about the last great taboo.
It’s available as an mp3 file here.
Who cares about heresy?
Posted on November 16, 2009
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Martin Downs at Against Heresies writes,
“Guy Davies draws my attention to the soon to be released Heresy: a history of defending the truth by Alister McGrath and published by SPCK (with a foreword by Rick Warren). I will look forward to reading it.
But here’s a curious line from the Amazonian blurb:
‘McGrath’s provocative thesis is that the categories of heresy and orthodoxy must be preserved by the church today.’
Go on, read it again, only this time slowly. Provocative? Would that not have received a blank stare, or a furrowed brow, from the apostles, early church fathers, medieval schoolmen, reformers, and the puritans?…”
– Read the article here.
Retire? Not in Bible, not in plans
Posted on November 15, 2009
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“It’s been a good year for J.I. Packer, one of the world’s best-known theologians.
In March, the Anglican pastor and Regent College professor won Bible of the Year and Book of the Year honors for editing the English Standard Version Study Bible.
He also released two of his own books — ‘Praying: Finding Our Way Through Duty to Delight,’ in June, and a yearlong devotional using his seminal work, ‘Knowing God,’ due out later this month…”
– an interview with J I Packer in The Modesto Bee. (Links added. Image: Anglican TV.)
Greetings to the bishops-elect of the Anglican Network in Canada
Posted on November 15, 2009
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To Bishop Donald Harvey, and Bishops-elect Stephen Leung, Charlie Masters and Trevor Walters –
From Archbishop Peter Jensen, Secretary of GAFCON Primates Council:
Be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Put on the whole armour of God so that you can take your stand. Preach the word, correct, rebuke and encourage. With our love, prayers, support and encouragement for your ministry.
Read the greetings from other Anglican leaders at Anglican Mainstream.
(Photo: Anglican Essentials Canada.)
ANiC Synod reports
Posted on November 14, 2009
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The Anglican Network in Canada has been holding its Synod this last week. The Anglican Essentials Canada blog has reports and photos.
(Photo of Bp Don Harvey: ANiC)
Sermon Preparation by Bishop Paul Barnett
Posted on November 13, 2009
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“At our recent Tasmanian Clergy Conference (4 – 6 November 2009), our guest speaker Bishop Paul Barnett presented excellent “Studies in First Peter” and also his notes on Sermon Preparation. I have his permission to share them with you…”
– John Harrower, Bishop of Tasmania, writes at his blog.
Geneva Push website launched
Posted on November 13, 2009
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The Geneva Push church planting network has launched their new website. (h/t Craig Schwarze.)
The existence of God, the reality of Evil, and the terror of Hell
Posted on November 12, 2009
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Three brief video clips by Don Carson answering three common questions —
* How do I know God exists?
* How can God allow suffering and evil in the world?
* How can God be loving and yet send people to Hell?
See them via Between Two Worlds.
David Short to take a break
Posted on November 12, 2009
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Rector of St John’s Shaughnessy (and Honorary Canon of St Andrew’s Cathedral Sydney) David Short is taking a break to recover from the stress of recent months. Please pray for our brother, his family and the church at St John’s.
“This is a strange place for me personally (although not uncommon for clergy I am discovering), and for us as a church, yet this too is from the hand of our heavenly Father. As we await the court decision be certain of God’s continued sustaining grace.”
News via Anglican Essentials Canada blog. (Photo: Joy Gwaltney.)
Connect09 Youth Event December 4
Posted on November 12, 2009
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Read all about the LIVE OUT LOUD youth event planned for December 4 – part of Connect09.
Position vacant at Dongara in DNWA
Posted on November 11, 2009
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Bishop David Mulready of North West Australia is still looking for a couple, committed to the Bible, to come to serve in the parish of Dongara (map) and Mingenew (map), south and south-east of Geraldton. Might the Lord be calling you?
See this PDF file for a description of the parish and the ministry there – with contact details for Bishop Mulready.
GAFCON Primates Council statement on Vatican offer
Posted on November 11, 2009
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Statement from GAFCON/FCA Primates Council
RESPONSE TO OFFER OF AN APOSTOLIC CONSTITUTION TO ANGLICANS
We have received the Archbishop of Canterbury’s letter informing us of the Pope’s offer of an ‘Apostolic Constitution’ for those Anglicans who wish to be received into the Roman Catholic Church. We believe that this offer is a gracious one and reflects the same commitment to the historic apostolic faith, moral teaching and global mission that we proclaimed in the Jerusalem Declaration on the Global Anglican Future and for this we are profoundly grateful.
We are, however, grieved that the current crisis within our beloved Anglican Communion has made necessary such an unprecedented offer. It represents a grave indictment of the Instruments of Communion whose very purpose is to strengthen and protect our unity in obedience to our Lord’s clear command. Their failure to fully address the abandonment of biblical faith and practice by The Episcopal Church and the Anglican Church of Canada has now brought shame to the name of Christ and seriously impedes the cause of the Gospel. Read more
Challies and Challies on ‘Sexual Detox’
Posted on November 11, 2009
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Over the last two weeks, Tim Challies has been blogging on the theme of ‘Sexual Detox’ – and has now made his posts available as two free e-books – Sexual Detox: A Guide for the Single Guy (PDF) and Sexual Detox: A Guide for the Married Guy (PDF). In addition Tim’s wife, Aileen, is guest blogging some articles especially directed at women (False Messages I: What he really wants).
Worth reading in conjunction with the discussion going on at SydneyAnglicans.net (Pornography’s “silenced sufferers”).
Response from the Council of Church Society to the plans by the Church of Rome to receive disaffected Anglicans
Posted on November 10, 2009
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“…the true doctrine of the Church of England does not embrace any of the teachings or practices which characterise the Church of Rome. For instance, the Church of Rome is fundamentally flawed in its claims about its own nature and authority and in its teaching about the means of salvation.”
What we believe
The message at the heart of Christianity is really quite simple…