The missing 70%

Posted on September 10, 2025 
Filed under Evangelism, Resources Comments Off on The missing 70%

From The Pastor’s Heart this week –

“Reaching the 70% of the population who are significantly underrepresented in our churches.

We’re talking about everyday Australians — people who’ve gone straight into the workforce rather than university. That includes hairdressers, plumbers, builders, business owners, factory workers, truck drivers, IT staff, and media creatives — as well as many in marginalised communities.

Within this group, there’s huge diversity:

Yet while this group represents the majority of Australians, they make up only a small minority in our churches. Why is that? And how can we do better?

We discuss why this group is missing from many of our congregations, the cultural and learning barriers they face, and how we can shape ministry, training, and preaching to better reach them with the good news of Jesus.”

– Watch or listen here. Challenging and important to consider.

The New Testament Creator

Posted on September 9, 2025 
Filed under Theology Comments Off on The New Testament Creator

From Phillip Jensen:

“Peter and I have had a great time pondering the early chapters of Genesis. But the best commentary and authentic understanding of Genesis is found in the New Testament. So for the next few weeks, we are turning there to see what the New Testament makes of the early chapters of Genesis.”

– Listen here.

Thousands stand for the unborn at March for Life in London

Posted on September 9, 2025 
Filed under Culture wars Comments Off on Thousands stand for the unborn at March for Life in London

“Thousands of people from across the UK came together to be a powerful voice for the unborn at the March for Life in London on Saturday.

Organisers estimate that at least 10,000 people turned out for March for Life UK 2025 on Saturday. …

This year’s March for Life was supported by a number of Christian leaders including Anglican and Catholic bishops, evangelist Glen Scrivener, Christian Concern CEO Andrea Williams …”

– Report from Christian Today. (Updated link.)

Image: March for Life UK.

Australian Church Record Journal — 2025 Synod edition

Posted on September 8, 2025 
Filed under Resources, Sydney Diocese Comments Off on Australian Church Record Journal — 2025 Synod edition

In time for this year’s gathering of the Sydney Synod, The Australian Church Record has released their Synod edition of the ACR Journal.

The theme of this issue: Be Careful How You Build.

“As leaders in Sydney gather for Synod and consider the future shape of our churches, we must ask: are we building with gospel wisdom?

Inside this issue:

– from The Australian Church Record. (Direct link to PDF file.)

Praying big prayers with little people

Posted on September 8, 2025 
Filed under Resources Comments Off on Praying big prayers with little people

“The bane of my existence as a parent is badly rhymed kids’ books (closely followed by badly illustrated books). For some reason, they’re the ones my children are drawn to and insist I read night after night. Don’t tell my three-year-old, but I have hidden our copy of The Three Little Pigs for this very reason.

However, when a children’s book comes along that has decent pace, clever word combinations and beautiful illustrations, I can’t wait to share it with my daughters. …”

– At SydneyAnglicans.net, Tara Sing introduces her “latest go-to gift” for the little people in her life.

Above: Watch the video of Simon Camilleri reading Wow God! Thank you, Sorry, Please.

Learn more about the book here. It’s available locally from Reformers Bookshop.

John Barnett (1837-1905) an unremarkable but important life

Posted on September 8, 2025 
Filed under Parishes, People Comments Off on John Barnett (1837-1905) an unremarkable but important life

“John Barnett (1837-1905) was born in Stepney, Middlesex, England, on 21 February 1837, the son of John Barnett (Senior) (1810-1858), Grocer and Sugar Refiner and Ann Eliza Winkworth (1807-1842).

In December 1859, John married Janet Gowanlock Smith (1840-1927) at Waverley, Sydney, and they were to have eight children, four of whom lived to adulthood.

John’s parents, together with his 6-year-old sister Elizabeth and his 3-year-old self, had emigrated from England to Sydney in New South Wales (NSW), arriving on the Ann Gales on 12 July 1840. …”

– At Philanthropists and Philanthropy in Australian Colonial History, Paul F. Cooper, Presbyterian minister and Research Fellow at Christ College in Sydney, shares insights into the life of John Barnett, who played a role in the founding of St. Barnabas’ Broadway.

Read it here.

Evangelism – A Priority in Your Parish? — Neil Prott

Posted on September 7, 2025 
Filed under Encouragement, Evangelism, Good News Comments Off on Evangelism – A Priority in Your Parish? — Neil Prott

From our archives:

“There is nothing more wonderful we can do for anyone than introduce them to Jesus Christ.

However, this is not reflected in the programme of many parishes today.

No doubt there are numerous reasons for the current state of affairs. Our analysis should take in the Scriptural factors as well as the obvious ones. …”

– The late Neil Prott wrote this article for ACL News back in 1989.

(We gave thanks for Neil when he was called home in April 2022.)

Evangelism and the Local Church

Posted on September 6, 2025 
Filed under Encouragement, Evangelism, People Comments Off on Evangelism and the Local Church

From AP, the Australian Presbyterian journal, Mark Powell speaks with Dave Jensen –

“Dave Jensen talks about his amazing conversion to faith in Jesus as well as why he is passionate about seeing others come to faith in Jesus.

Dave’s ministry now is helping local churches be equipped to share the Gospel with others.”

– Watch here.

Matthew Gospel hits the stage

Posted on September 5, 2025 
Filed under Australian dioceses, Good News Comments Off on Matthew Gospel hits the stage

“An engaging stage dramatisation of the gospel produced kingdom fruit in Geraldton.

Geraldton Anglican Cathedral member Eugenie Harris produced The Matthew Drama, a 90-minute retelling of the Gospel of Matthew with a cast of 15 local Christians.

‘More than 200 people attended the two performances which happen as theatre-in-the-round so the audience is central to the action,’ she said. …”

– Encouraging news from the Diocese of North West Australia.

Moore College Open Events September 2025

Posted on September 5, 2025 
Filed under Moore College Comments Off on Moore College Open Events September 2025

Moore Theological College is holding Open Events later this month.

They’re a great opportunity to find out what it would be like to study at the College.

Hear the ACL Synod Briefing Podcast

Posted on September 4, 2025 
Filed under Sydney Diocese Comments Off on Hear the ACL Synod Briefing Podcast

Freedom for Faith conference 2025

Posted on September 4, 2025 
Filed under Australia Comments Off on Freedom for Faith conference 2025

A reminder from Associate Professor Neil Foster with a reminder of the upcoming conference –

“Freedom for Faith is holding its annual conference on religious freedom and the law on September 27th, and is offering a student ticket discount. There is a great line-up of speakers- do come along!

The conference will be held on Saturday September 27th, 10am-3:30pm, at Village Church Annandale (Sydney) and the Student price: is $45.

Speakers include Prof Patrick Parkinson and Ass Prof Alex Deagon – both of whom will be launching books – as well as Monica Doumit, the head of public affairs for the Catholic Archdiocese of Sydney.

There will also be a conversation between Julian Leeser MP, the Federal Liberal Member for Berowra and Shadow Attorney General, and Dr Hugh McDermott, the NSW Labor Member for Prospect and Parliamentary Secretary (Assistant Minister) to the NSW Attorney General. …”

– Details here.

Are You Willing to Walk for the Unborn?

Posted on September 4, 2025 
Filed under Culture wars, NSW Comments Off on Are You Willing to Walk for the Unborn?

“I often talk to people who question why it took the Christian church so long to abolish slavery. They then quickly add that if they had been alive back then, then they would have definitely stood up and said something.

But I often wonder whether they really would …”

– Mark Powell shares details of the next Love Sydney Walk for Life – at AP, the online Presbyterian journal.

A Bounceback in Attendance – and a clear mission goal

Posted on September 3, 2025 
Filed under for your prayers, Parishes, Sydney Diocese Comments Off on A Bounceback in Attendance – and a clear mission goal

From The Pastor’s Heart –

“Twelve months ago we heard the sobering news of a significant attendance drop in Sydney Anglican Churches. Over the decade from 2013 to 2023, weekly attendance fell by 7% – and when you factor in population growth, attendance was 14% behind.

At last year’s Sydney Anglican Synod, the mood was serious. A resolution was passed calling for confession and humble repentance – acknowledging that their hadn’t been sufficient priority, attention, reflection, or resources to seeing the lost saved by Jesus. Synod called for a five-year focus to reverse the decline – putting prayer, evangelism, church health, and leadership development at the very centre of priorities.

Ahead of this year’s Synod, there is a response. The Standing Committee appointed a subcommittee, led by the Archbishop, to bring forward concrete proposals. And what they have come back with is significant:

• A galvanising target – to pursue 5% annual growth through conversion for the next five years.
• A range of initiatives and actions designed to support churches, leaders, and congregations in this mission.

Our guests are Pete Stedman, senior minister at Norwest Anglican Church, and a member of the Archbishop’s subcommittee that has proposed the new goal, Jon Kwan, lead pastor at St. David’s Forestville and Jo Gibbs, senior consultant with Reach Australia.”

– Watch or listen here.

Dying Day-to-Day

Posted on September 2, 2025 
Filed under Theology Comments Off on Dying Day-to-Day

From Phillip Jensen –

“As we come to the end of Genesis 3, we see the judgement of death brought upon the serpent, the woman, and the man. It is surprising in many ways, for it outlines the character of death while we are, apparently, alive.

We have so limited death to that point of the end of life that we are not understanding our present life under the sentence of death.”

– Hear the latest podcast with Phillip and Peter Jensen at Two Ways News.

← Previous Page — Next Page →