The Book of James — Church Society podcast

Posted on October 28, 2025
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From Church Society:

“Lee Gatiss talks to Daniel Eng, author of a new commentary on the book of James, about the book’s key themes and practical applications.”

– Listen here.

A valuable perspective on the problems ACNA is facing

Posted on October 27, 2025
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Anglican Theologian Martin Davie commends and re-posts an article by The Very Revd Bryan Hollon, Dean and President of Trinity Anglican Seminary in Ambridge, Pennsylvania –

“What does a faithful church look like?

For those of us in the Anglican tradition, it means children and adult converts are being baptized and confirmed, faithful lay Christians are centered increasingly on Jesus Christ through Word and Sacrament – grounded in the biblically saturated liturgies of the Book of Common Prayer. It entails an appreciation for the apostolic faith guarded and transmitted over centuries and received through the English Reformation. It means leaders we can trust – bishops, priests, and deacons who serve under the authority of Scripture and take holiness seriously, bound by the doctrine set forth in the Thirty-Nine Articles and the canons of the Church. We expect to see all of this, but most importantly, we expect to meet Jesus in the breaking of bread, in the reading of Scripture, and in the prayers and fellowship of the faithful (Acts 2:42).

What, then, should we think when the church has to discipline its own leaders?

For many in the Anglican Church in North America, these aren’t theoretical questions. …”

– Read it here. ACNA (the Anglican Church in North America) is facing several serious challenges and it would be good to pray for all involved.

A ransom to reckon with

Posted on October 27, 2025
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“No Australian with a pulse could have been anything but deeply moved by the story of Australian doctor Ken Elliott and his wife Jocelyn, who were kidnapped in Burkina Faso by al-Qaeda-linked jihadists.

While Jocelyn was released after three weeks, Ken was held captive for seven years, enduring the most frightening conditions that would have sorely tested the health and resilience of any human being half or even a third of his age. He was 82 when he was captured and 88 when he was released. …”

– At SydneyAnglicans.net, David Mansfield reminds us of the most important ransom.

Celebrating the Nicene Creed

Posted on October 27, 2025
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At AP, the Presbyterian journal, Campbell Markham at Scots’ Church Fremantle begins a four-part series on the Nicene Creed.

“Christians confess their faith in God as He Is.

This year (2025) marks seventeen centuries since the writing of the Nicene Creed which is, with the Apostles’ Creed, one of the two most important extra-biblical documents that the Christian church possesses.

Creed derives from the Latin credo, ‘I believe.’ It is the first word of the Nicene Creed and identifies it as a statement of Christian belief.

In this article I look at the history of the Nicene Creed and why it is critical that Christians confess right belief in Christ. In the following three articles I plan to look in turn at the three main sections of the Nicene Creed, focussing especially on its Christology: its definition of the person and work of Jesus Christ. …”

– So he begins part 1.

And part 2:

“God the Father and the Person of God the Son

I was fifteen when I first saw those creepy life-size models of famous people, hands and faces of painted wax. Too often people handle Jesus Christ as a wax mannequin, to be reshaped and adjusted to suit their own ideas and desires.

Anti-theologian Barbara Thiering taught that Jesus was the natural child of Joseph and Mary and that he did not die on the cross but rather swooned and was revived to consciousness in the tomb.

Sixteen centuries prior the heresiarch Arius taught that Jesus was not the self-existent and eternal Creator of all, but was himself created in time.

There has been no end to this wretched remodelling.

About 300 bishops at the Council of Nicaea in 325 refused to do this. They recognised Jesus as a true and historical person described in the Bible with all the depth and complexity that God wanted us to know and own. …”

Answering the Skeptic’s Hardest Questions

Posted on October 27, 2025
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From The Gospel Coalition:

“In this live recording from TGC25, Rebecca McLaughlin and Sam Chan discuss strategies for answering skeptics’ questions about Christianity, then they answer questions posed by the audience. They model how to talk with skeptics about difficult issues like abortion, suffering, hell, mental health, and sexuality.”

– Watch here. Very helpful.

Cash Chapel Repointing Works 2025

Posted on October 26, 2025
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“When Peter Jensen left Moore College in 2001 as Principal to become the Archbishop of the Sydney Diocese he left clear instructions to Neil Ferguson who was the Property Manager at the time and my boss to ‘Look after the Cash Chapel’. …”

– Jon Telfer, the current Property Manager at Moore College, shares what’s being done to preserve the John Francis Cash Memorial Chapel.

2025 Global Vision Tour with Gafcon General Secretary Bishop Paul Donison

Posted on October 26, 2025
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A few months ago, we noted that Gafcon General Secretary Bishop Paul Donison would be speaking at events across Australia and in New Zealand in November.

Details are now available – via the Gafcon Australia website.

“Hear about Gafcon’s Global vision – challenges and opportunities from Bishop Paul Donison and your local Gafcon leaders.

The 90-minute presentation will provide an opportunity to deepen your understanding of Gafcon and connect with others.

Admission to this public event is FREE, and a light supper will be served at the conclusion.”

November 2025

Melbourne
Tuesday 18th 7.30 pm Ridley College, 170 The Avenue, Parkville

Hobart
Wednesday 19th 7.30 pm Wellspring Anglican, 43-47 Grosvenor St, Sandy Bay

Perth
Thursday 20th 6 pm Dalkeith Anglican, 56 Viking Rd, Dalkeith

Adelaide
Friday 21st 7.30 pm St Bart’s Norwood, 77 Beulah Rd, Norwood

Sydney
Wednesday 26th 7.30 pm Moore College, 1 King St, Newtown

Brisbane
Friday 28th 7.30 pm St Phil’s Rochedale, 270 Rochedale Rd, Rochedale

Christchurch, NZ
Saturday 29th November Trinity Church

The Clapham Sect and their Influence on Sydney

Posted on October 25, 2025
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Videos from the 2025 Donald Robinson Library Lectures at Moore Theological College – The Clapham Sect and their Influence on Sydney:

“Held on 8 October 2025, the Library Day Lectures explored the remarkable legacy of the Clapham Sect — a network of evangelical reformers whose faith and friendships shaped British society and left a lasting mark on early Australia.

Through eight talks by Moore College faculty and guest scholars, the event traced their impact on mission, education, social reform, and the formation of Sydney’s evangelical heritage.”

– See all the lectures in this YouTube playlist from Moore College.

Key Gafcon stories from the last week

Posted on October 24, 2025
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In case you missed them, here are some key posts related to last week’s Gafcon announcement. Each will open in a new window –

The Future Has Arrived — Gafcon Communique 16 October 2025.

Enough’s Enough! — A Bible-Centred Reordering of Global Anglicanism — The Pastor’s Heart with Archbishop Laurent Mbanda.

A Long Awaited Future – Dr Mark Thompson.

The Anglican future is here – SydneyAnglicans.net with a Media Release from Bishop Peter Hayward, Commissary for the Archbishop of Sydney.

Gafcon Reboots the Communion – Anglican Unscripted.

The patience of Gafcon – some historical background.

The Future of Anglicanism Has Arrived: What GAFCON’s Statement Means for Evangelicals – Gafcon General Secretary Bishop Paul Donison.

Sydney Standing Committee welcomes Gafcon announcement – SydneyAnglicans.net.

Gafcon photo.

The Nicene Creed: The nature of Christian unity and the meaning of gospel words — reviewed by Robert Doyle

Posted on October 24, 2025
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“The Nicene Creed: The nature of Christian unity and the meaning of gospel words is a carefully written, informed, and thoughtful examination of basic Roman Catholic beliefs following the implicit and explicit trajectory laid out in the Nicene Creed: the doctrines of the authority of Scripture, Trinity, person and work of Jesus Christ, the Holy Spirit, the virgin Mary, salvation, church, and the world to come.

It arises out of the teaching and pastoral ministries of the authors, who all – whether in Italy, France, Belgium, Ireland, Australia or the United States – are involved in proclaiming and explaining to today’s Roman Catholics the gospel of Jesus Christ as it is presented in the Scriptures.

The book is marked by careful attention to sources and fair critical evaluation of them. It is missiological. The intended audience is Bible study groups in Evangelical churches. More widely, its analysis and presentation make it an excellent introduction to contemporary, foundational Roman Catholic beliefs and how the scriptural gospel speaks to them. …”

– Dr Robert Doyle reviews this important book at The Australian Church Record.

Religious freedom concerns raised at cult inquiry

Posted on October 24, 2025
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“Religious freedom advocates have warned recommendations to criminalise coercive control in cults could target mainstream churches and faith communities.

The Victorian Legislative Assembly Legal and Social Issues Committee’s inquiry into the recruitment methods and impacts of cults and organised fringe groups is holding public hearings. …

In hearings on 21 October, the Australian Christian Lobby and Freedom for Faith raised fears the inquiry’s outcome would affect how Christians practice and teach their faith. …”

– Hannah Felsbourg writes at The Melbourne Anglican.

Adelaide Synod 2025: walking together into another year

Posted on October 23, 2025
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The Diocese of Adelaide held its 2025 Synod last weekend. It was the last for Archbishop Geoff Smith, who concludes his time as Archbishop on 1st November:

“The Adelaide Anglican Synod for 2025 concluded its annual session on Sunday, marked by an emphasis on synodality, youth engagement, and a move toward streamlined ministry governance.

Held once again at Starplex at Trinity College Gawler, due to the very high satisfaction survey last year, the session was, once again, affirming for Synod members to listen carefully, and speak respectfully, acting synodically – flourishing and united in God’s Love.

The weekend began with the Synod Eucharist held on Friday 16 October at St Peter’s Cathedral. During the beautiful service a new Archdeacon was collated, four new area Deans for the Triennium were commissioned and four members of the laity were awarded Diocesan extraordinary service ‘Archbishop’s Pins’.…”

– Secretary of Synod Joe Thorp reports at The Adelaide Guardian.

Airbags on Pokies

Posted on October 23, 2025
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At the Cathedral website, Dean of Sydney, Sandy Grant, has published his letter to Members of the Legislative Council of NSW.

“I write to request your support for the Gaming Machines Amendment (Mandatory Shutdown Period) Bill 2025, which I understand has been introduced into the Legislative Council of the NSW Parliament.

This bill would enact reforms that the Synod of the Anglican Diocese of Sydney has been unanimously calling for, for several years. We represent over 250 Anglican parishes throughout Sydney, the Illawarra and Shoalhaven, Wollondilly, the Southern Highlands and Blue Mountains. …”

– Read the full letter here.

Preaching Plan 2026

Posted on October 23, 2025
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Some very practical advice from David Cook at The Expository Preaching Trust:

“Preachers are teachers (Eph 4:11-12; 1 Tim 2:7; 2 Tim 2:24), all teachers know the value of a clear curriculum.

Now is a good time to be working on your preaching curriculum for 2026.

There are 52 weeks in our teaching year, 4 terms of 9 weeks each; pre-Christmas Advent 4 weeks; post-Christmas holiday period 6 weeks; school term breaks March /April 2 weeks, June/July 2 weeks, September/October 2 weeks. Total 52 weeks. …”

– Read it all here.

Image: David Cook speaking at St. Helen’s Bishopsgate.