What we do matters
Posted on November 7, 2008
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One impact of Tractarianism has been that practices that had not happened in the Church of England for 300 years were reintroduced, tolerated, permitted and now in a few cases almost prescribed.
Although evangelicals at first opposed these things as springing from a different gospel, along the way many seem to have become numbed to them and even adopted the practices for themselves…
– Church Society General Secretary David Phillips writes on vestments, eucharistic practice, and international Anglicanism. (Direct link to PDF file, courtesy of Church Society.)
Free money for new lives
Posted on November 6, 2008
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On December 8th 2008, all Australian families who receive Family Tax Benefit A will be given $1000 per child in order to ‘boost the economy’.
Students at Moore College had the idea of challenging Christians to give away half of the ‘free money’ they receive to help care for women who have had an abortion; those who are considering abortion; and also their unborn children. They seek to do this in three specific ways:
- To support and grow Anglicare’s Carramar Early Interventions, a safe-house and support program that cares for young pregnant women in adverse circumstances who want to keep their child.
- To support Women’s Forum Australia, an independent women’s think tank that conducts research, education and public policy development about a range of issues that affect women. WFA brings together women from diverse backgrounds, and works across the usual political and religious divides, to advocate for life affirming, pro-woman alternatives to abortion which would enhance women’s freedom to have their babies.
- To produce a high quality TV style ad campaign showcasing interviews with women who have had abortions and who want to speak out. Distributed via the internet, it will point pregnant women to a website with links to quality pro life counseling services across Australia, and with reliable information on abortion and its alternatives.
It sounds like a great idea. Read all about it at www.freemoneyfornewlives.com.au – and please pass on the link to others.
Come over to help us – at Mingenew
Posted on November 6, 2008
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A rural ministry position has become vacant at Mingenew near Geraldton in Western Australia for a self-funded Bible teacher.
Perhaps the Lord is calling you there.
Read the information from Bishop David Mulready in this PDF file.
See a map here. (Graphic: base image from Google maps.)
California voters approve gay marriage ban – but not TEC
Posted on November 6, 2008
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After one of the costliest, most rancorous and divisive campaigns in state history, California voters on November 4 narrowly approved Proposition 8, a ban on same-sex marriage. …
In a statement released November 5, Bishop Marc Andrus of the San Francisco-based Diocese of California said: “The recognition of the civil rights of lesbian, gay, transgendered and bisexual people is part of the broad shift in consciousness towards which we are moving. … Perseverance, knowing that God continues to travel with those who are disenfranchised, is a path we know.”…
– report from Episcopal Life Online. (Photo of Bishop Marc Andrus: Diocese of California.)
Praying for President-elect Obama
Posted on November 6, 2008
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Well, my country and much of the rest of the world are electric with the election of Barack Obama as the new President of the United States of America. To say that it is historic, is a gross understatement.
Justin Taylor and Al Mohler, have both inspired some reflection on the question of how we as Christians –Bible-believing, Reformed, Christians– ought to pray for him, and I have freely borrowed many of their words and thoughts on this. But here are some ideas for leading our people to pray for our President-Elect. Barack Obama…
– At Reformation21, Ligon Duncan offers some initial thoughts on how Christians must pray.
(Photo: First Presbyterian Church in Jackson, Mississippi. Hat tip: Justin Taylor.)
California: ‘Gay marriage ban leading’
Posted on November 6, 2008
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A measure to once again ban gay marriage in California led Tuesday, throwing into doubt the unions of an estimated 18,000 same-sex couples who wed during the last 4 1/2 months…
Eight years ago, Californians voted 61% to define marriage as being only between a man and a woman. The California Supreme Court overturned that measure…
– Report from The Los Angeles Times.
See also Arizona and Florida ban ‘gay marriage’.
America has chosen a President
Posted on November 6, 2008
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… Evangelical Christians face another challenge with the election of Sen. Obama, and a failure to rise to this challenge will bring disrepute upon the Gospel, as well as upon ourselves. There must be absolutely no denial of the legitimacy of President-Elect Obama’s election and no failure to accord this new President the respect and honour due to anyone elected to that high office. Failure in this responsibility is disobedience to a clear biblical command.…
– Al Mohler writes on the responsibilities ahead for Christian people after yesterday’s US election.
John Calvin – free audiobook
Posted on November 5, 2008
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This month’s free audiobook from ChristianAudio is a reading of John Calvin’s “Of Prayer and The Christian Life”.
Use the code NOV2008 at the checkout.
The mp3 files are around 160MB – available free until the end of November.
Will Apple’s stance on ballot measure come back to haunt it?
Posted on November 4, 2008
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Apple made headlines when it donated $100,000 to defeat a measure appearing on Tuesday’s California ballot that would ban gay marriage in the state.
But even more noteworthy than the size of Apple’s contribution was the promience given the decision—Apple posted a statement on its Hot News page outlining its opposition to Proposition 8…
– Macworld reports on Apple’s public stance on homosexual marriage in California.
A Prayer for America on Election Day
Posted on November 4, 2008
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“May God bless America, not because this nation deserves to be blessed, but because He is a God of grace and mercy. Oh God… save us from ourselves.”
– Al Mohler calls Christians to pray for America as millions go to vote.
Sir Marcus Loane launches preaching guide
Posted on November 4, 2008
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Former Archbishop of Sydney, Sir Marcus Loane has expressed his hopes for the flourishing of preaching in Sydney at the launch of an historic book on Saturday.
Preach or Perish, a new book on the theology and practice of preaching, has a weighty Sydney Anglican contributor list, including previous Archbishops of Sydney, Sir Marcus Loane and Dr Donald Robinson, as well as current Archbishop, Dr Peter Jensen…
– Story from SydneyAnglicans.net. (Photo: Ramon Williams.)
Sobering words from Robert Gagnon
Posted on November 4, 2008
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“If Obama is elected President this Tuesday he has made it a priority of his administration to pass legislation that will make war against Christians and persons of other religious convictions who believe that homosexual practice and abortion are immoral acts. Persecution will take many forms, as indicated by actions that have already taken place in parts of the United States, Canada, and Western Europe…”
– Sobering words from Robert A. J. Gagnon, Associate Professor of New Testament at Pittsburgh Theological Seminary tonight’s election. (h/t Anglican Mainstream)
Paul Barnett honoured
Posted on November 3, 2008
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Press release from the Australian College of Theology –
Australian New Testament Scholar Honoured.
At its October meeting, and on the strong recommendation of the College’s Honorary Degree Committee, the Board of Directors of the Australian College of Theology awarded an honorary Doctor of Theology degree to well-known Sydney historian and New Testament scholar, Paul Barnett. The award is in recognition of Dr Barnett’s contribution to the life and work of the Anglican Church of Australia and particularly his substantial academic and scholarly contributions. Read more
New bishop says Anglicanism ‘in trouble’
Posted on November 3, 2008
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Born in 1959 to unmarried musicians from Sydney’s Kings Cross, Stuart Robinson was elected yesterday as the next Anglican Bishop of Canberra and Goulburn. …
With a background in management, Dr Robinson trained for the priesthood at Sydney’s Moore Theological College. Much of his subsequent work has involved establishing new churches, including several years in Belgium…
– Report from The Canberra Times. (Photo: St. Paul’s Chatswood.)
Stuart Robinson elected to Canberra and Goulburn
Posted on November 2, 2008
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The Reverend Stuart Robinson has been elected as the new Diocesan Bishop of the Anglican Diocese of Canberra and Goulburn. The Reverend Stuart Robinson is presently National Mission Facilitator for the Anglican Church of Australia and Rector of Chatswood in the diocese of Sydney.
The announcement was made today by the Very Reverend Phillip Saunders, President of the Electoral Synod and Dean of St Saviour’s Cathedral…
– Announcement from the Diocese of Canberra and Goulburn.
Learn about Stuart’s ministry as National Mission Facilitator. (Photo: St. Paul’s Chatswood.)
What we believe
The message at the heart of Christianity is really quite simple…