Challenges we face — 2009 AGM
Posted on July 17, 2009
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ACL President, Dr Mark Thompson, spoke at last night’s ACL Annual General Meeting —
The clarity which Peter Jensen’s leadership has given us on the priority of evangelism and necessity of directing our resources to this end is something for which we can thank God. As we face the end of his episcopate, the challenge is not only to maintain that priority but to build on the strategies put in place over the last eight years which have given expression to it. We certainly do not want to go back, but we can’t afford to stand still either. We need to press ahead, thinking creatively about how to maximise our opportunities to proclaim Christ in a rapidly changing culture.
Bus stop gospelling
Posted on July 16, 2009
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“How many people are willing to talk? Well, I have not recorded the stats, but based on a rough estimate from my limited memory, I would say at least a third of the people who I approach are willing to talk …”
– Paul McDonald in Toronto shares an idea worth considering. (h/t Tim Challies.)
After B033, can English Evangelicals unite?
Posted on July 15, 2009
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“It is a sad fact that throughout a period when Traditionalist Anglicans should have been united, they have been bitterly at loggerheads, sometimes over policies, but often, one suspects, over personalities. …”
– John Richardson writes about the English reaction to the TEC vote this week – at the Ugley Vicar.
The Americans know this will end in schism
Posted on July 15, 2009
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“In the slow-moving train crash of international Anglicanism, a decision taken in California has finally brought a large coach off the rails altogether. The House of Bishops of the Episcopal Church (TEC) in the United States has voted decisively to allow in principle the appointment, to all orders of ministry, of persons in active same-sex relationships. This marks a clear break with the rest of the Anglican Communion. …”
– Bishop Tom Wright in The Times.
ACL 2009 AGM reminder — Thursday 16 July
Posted on July 15, 2009
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The Anglican Church League’s 2009 Annual General Meeting will be held on Thursday 16th July 2009 from 6:15pm to 7:00pm, following the monthly Council meeting. Read more
Canterbury must say ‘enough’!
Posted on July 15, 2009
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Last weekend we learned that the House of Deputies (clergy and lay representatives of the convention) effectively recommended an end to the moratorium on the consecration of gay bishops, established by Resolution B033 in 2006 in response to a recommendation of the Windsor Report, calling upon Bishops and Standing Committees to ‘exercise restraint by not consenting to the consecration of any candidate to the episcopate whose manner of life presents a challenge to the wider church and will lead to further strains on communion.’
This week we now learn that the House of Bishops followed that lead by a 2/3 majority (99 to 45 with 2 abstentions) by passing resolution D025 …
– Bishop Glenn Davies writes at SydneyAnglicans.net. (Photo: Russell Powell.)
Two Rival Religions?
Posted on July 14, 2009
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“On November 3, 1921, J. Gresham Machen presented an address entitled, “Liberalism or Christianity?” In that famous address, later expanded into the book, Christianity & Liberalism, Machen argued that evangelical Christianity and its liberal rival were, in effect, two very different religions. ”
See also three talks, ‘Christianity and the Tolerance of Liberalism’ by Lee Gatiss.
(Image of J. Gresham Machen: The Theologian.)
Withering and the Word: John Calvin at 500
Posted on July 13, 2009
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“Calvin’s confidence was in the Word of God, and that’s why his theology and vision of the world continues to capture the minds and hearts of people in the 21st century. That’s why five hundred years later we remember his birth. That’s why Calvin the preacher and expositor has millions more spiritual children than Erasmus the scholar and hermeneutical skeptic. Strive for relevance in your day, and you’ll may make a difference for a few years. Anchor yourself in what is eternal and you may influence the world for another five centuries. …”
– Kevin DeYoung, co-author of Why we’re not Emergent, writes about the legacy of John Calvin – and your legacy. (h/t Between two worlds)
Latest Oak Hill Newsbrief
Posted on July 12, 2009
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The latest Newsbrief from Oak Hill College in London is available on their website.
It’s a 2.7MB PDF file (direct link).
New Baptist logo
Posted on July 11, 2009
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Just in case you wonder where the Cross and open Bible have gone…
Press release: “Australian Baptists today launched a new national name and logo, signalling a renewed commitment to evangelism, mission and ministry around the nation and around the world. Read more
The Chicago Consultation: read it and weep
Posted on July 11, 2009
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“One of the things I’ve been reading recently is the Study Guide prepared for The Episcopal Church by the Chicago Consultation, titled Christian Holiness and Human Sexuality. …
… the document must presumably be regarded as the ‘best of’ arguments for changing the Church’s traditional teaching and practice on same-sex relationships.”
– John Richardson writes at The Ugley Vicar.
Conservatives prepare to fight for ‘soul of nation’
Posted on July 11, 2009
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A “New Reformation” was talked of at the official launch of the Fellowship of Confessing Anglicans (FCA) on Monday. Speakers none the less reiterated their desire to remain part of the Church of Eng land and the Anglican Communion while upholding “orthodox, biblical Anglicanism”. …
– Church Times reports on the Fellowship of Confessing Anglicans launch last Monday. (See previous: the text of Peter Jensen’s address.)
More on Calvin
Posted on July 10, 2009
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Derek Thomas, Professor of Systematic and Practical Theology at Reformed Theological Seminary in Jackson, Mississippi, has posted three brief interviews from Geneva on the significance of John Calvin – on the First Presbyterian Church of Jackson website. (h/t/ Reformation 21.)
Happy birthday to John Calvin
Posted on July 10, 2009
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Today is the 500th anniversary of the birth of John Calvin.
In the UK, The Theologian has released a ‘birthday edition’ with 6 articles and talks examining different aspects of his ministry and theology – including ‘Calvin and the Gospel’ from Martin Foord and ‘Calvin and Preaching’ from Peter Adam.
Coverage of the TEC General Convention
Posted on July 9, 2009
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The American Anglican Council is keeping an eye on the TEC’s 2009 General Convention in California.
Their reports will appear in the GC section of their website. (Photo: Jim DeLa, ENS.)
What we believe
The message at the heart of Christianity is really quite simple…