Anglicans honoured in larger Australia Day awards

Posted on January 27, 2026 
Filed under People, Sydney Diocese Comments Off on Anglicans honoured in larger Australia Day awards

“A number of Sydney Anglicans have been acknowledged for their contributions to church and community in the Australia Day honours list, which expanded by 200 places this year.

Among the 2026 honourees was Emeritus Professor Christopher Bellenger, who was made a Member of the Order of Australia. …”

– Russell Powell reports at SydneyAnglicans.net.

God is the Judge of the World

Posted on January 27, 2026 
Filed under Resources, Theology Comments Off on God is the Judge of the World

From Phillip Jensen:

“The climax of Paul’s great Athenian sermon is the call of God for all people to repent. But there are some strange elements in this call. One important element is its timing. Another is in the judgement ‘by a man’.

Let’s listen afresh to Paul’s great gospel statement.”

– Here Phillip and Peter Jensen discuss, including the difference between repentance and remorse. Who will judge the world? Why is the Resurrection so important?

The faith of our fathers and my hope for Australia

Posted on January 26, 2026 
Filed under Australia, Opinion Comments Off on The faith of our fathers and my hope for Australia

Andrew Hastie, Federal Member for Canning in Western Australia, shares this thoughts for Australia Day.

Regardless of one’s political persuasion, this is worth reading. It’s also worth contemplating how we might gently point people to true hope in Christ, in whatever realm of life we find ourselves.

And it’s also a reminder to pray for members of Parliament.

“Let me share a memory that gives me hope for my country, from the Sydney suburb of Ashfield, where I saw my father weave together a people from vastly different ethnic groups. And I will offer my thoughts on the kind of politics that will let us repair a fraying nation.

This hope is a gift from my father. At Bondi Beach in 2025, we saw how one man’s hatred was passed to his son. Decades earlier, in Ashfield, my father passed to me his love for others as he faithfully served his church community. His example is why I do not despair for our country and our future. …”

– Read it at his Substack.

Photo: The front doors of Ashfield Presbyterian Church.

Recognition on Australia Day 2026

Posted on January 26, 2026 
Filed under Australia, People, Sydney Diocese Comments Off on Recognition on Australia Day 2026

Spotted in today’s Australia Day Honours List:

Appointed as Officers of the Order of Australia (AO) –

“Mrs Jocelyn Kathleen Edna ELLIOTT
WA
For distinguished service to international relations through humanitarian medical care in remote regions of Burkina Faso.

Dr Kenneth Arthur ELLIOTT
WA
For distinguished service to international relations through humanitarian medical care in remote regions of Burkina Faso.”

You will remember that ten years ago, after serving in Burkina Faso since 1972, Christian medical missionaries Dr. Ken Elliott and his wife Jocelyn, were kidnapped by al-Qaeda-linked jihadists. (Previous posts here.)

Related:

How Ken Elliott survived seven years in the desert as a prisoner of Al Qaeda – ABC News, 29 August 2024.

Meeting Dr Ken and Jocelyn Elliott – Government House, Western Australia, 18 November 2024.

And, appointed as a Member of the Order of Australia (AM) in today’s honours list –

“Emeritus Professor Christopher Raymond BELLENGER
NSW
For significant service to veterinary science, to tertiary education, and to the Anglican Church of Australia.”

In addition to Professor Bellenger’s much-valued service in the Diocese of Sydney, he has had a long association with university student Christian ministry in Australia and internationally.

– Full list (PDF file).

Richard Johnson’s Address to the Inhabitants of New South Wales

Posted on January 26, 2026 
Filed under Australia, Evangelism, History Comments Off on Richard Johnson’s Address to the Inhabitants of New South Wales

 

This Australia Day, give thanks once more for the Rev. Richard Johnson, Chaplain to the First Fleet and first Chaplain to the Colony of New South Wales.

In 1792, Johnson wrote a tract designed to be distributed widely in the Colony. He gives his reasons for doing so:

“My Beloved,

I do not think it necessary to make an apology for putting this Address into your hands; or to enter into a long detail of the reasons which induced me to write it.

One reason may suffice. I find I cannot express my regard for you, so often, or so fully, as I wish, in any other way.

On our first arrival in this distant part of the world, and for some time afterwards, our numbers were comparatively small; and while they resided nearly upon one spot, I could not only preach to them on the Lord’s day, but also converse with them, and admonish them, more privately.

But since that period, we have gradually increased in number every year (notwithstanding the great mortality we have sometimes known) by the multitudes that have been sent hither after us. The colony already begins to spread, and will probably spread more and more every year, both by new settlements formed in different places under the crown, and by a number of individuals continually becoming settlers. Thus the extent of what I call my parish, and consequently of my parochial duty, is enlarging daily. On the other hand, my health is not so good, nor my constitution so strong, as formerly. And therefore I feel it impracticable, and impossible for me, either to preach, or to converse with you so freely, as my inclination and affection would prompt me to do.

I have therefore thought it might be proper for me, and I hope it may prove useful to you, to write such an address as I now present you with…”

Johnson’s warm pastoral tone, and his urgent call to trust Christ and to turn from sin, are clearly evident in this Address.

Download An Address to The Inhabitants of The Colonies Established in New South Wales and Norfolk Island as a PDF file here.

(Photo: Richard Johnson’s Address – copy held by Moore College.)

Football and “transgender vilification” — the Kirralie Smith cases

Posted on January 26, 2026 
Filed under Australia, Culture wars Comments Off on Football and “transgender vilification” — the Kirralie Smith cases

“I have written previously about litigation involving Kirralie Smith stemming from her comments about a biological male playing in a womens’ football team.

In that post I noted the decision in the NSW Civil and Administrative Tribunal (‘NCAT’) in Blanch v Smith [2024] NSWCATAD 20 (22 January 2024). …”

– at Law and Religion Australia, Neil Foster shares updates and his opinion on four recent legal decisions.

Mentoring 2026

Posted on January 25, 2026 
Filed under Encouragement, Resources Comments Off on Mentoring 2026

From David Cook at The Expository Preaching Trust –

“Ian Healy believed that one aspect of Shane Warne’s  genius was that he always looked for feedback and who better to give it than his wicketkeeper, Healy.

The Trust makes available preaching mentors, men and women who have had many years of preaching and training experience to give feedback on preaching.

Mentors are available free of charge on a weekly, fortnightly or monthly basis.

Comments from mentees:

‘…mentoring is the hour each week when I slow down and sharpen the saw. I want to make sure I keep growing sharper in my preparation rather than getting dull over time’.

‘Preaching mentoring is one of the most valuable things I receive, I am a teacher of God’s people, as I am mentored, I have the privilege of being a learner myself’.

One of our mentors, Jenny Salt, adds her encouragement …”

– Read the encouragement here.

Southern Cross February – March 2026

Posted on January 24, 2026 
Filed under Encouragement, Parishes, Sydney Diocese Comments Off on Southern Cross February – March 2026

Anglican Media Sydney has posted the February – March 2026 edition of Southern Cross magazine online. (Printed editions will also appear in parishes.)

Get a digital copy here.

Many encouraging stories, including this one about new studios for Global Recordings Network Australia –

You may be familiar with GRN as the producers of the wonderful 5fish resource with the Story of Jesus in 7,000 languages and dialects – 5fish website – app download.

Learn more about the new studios on the Global Recordings Network Australia website – via this video – and in this radio interview on Vision Radio.

A Missing Ingredient in our Sermons and Studies: Biblical Theology

Posted on January 23, 2026 
Filed under Resources, Theology Comments Off on A Missing Ingredient in our Sermons and Studies: Biblical Theology

“Imagine a small group of believers gathered in a sweltering church hall after a long day’s work.

As the Bible opens there’s excitement. But there’s also some confusion. Each person brings a different takeaway from the study. One clings to ‘their verse.’ One wonders how the ancient story connects with today. Another debates a fine theological point.

These differences and confusion arise because something is missing: a sense of the grand story God is telling, a thread binding every biblical text and lesson together; in a phrase, we’re missing biblical theology. …”

– At The Gospel Coalition Africa, Fredrick Imbayi reminds of the need for Biblical Theology.

In Sydney, where we are blessed with so much good preaching, it’s easy to take this for granted.

Related:

When the Lights Came On: An Appreciation of Graeme Goldsworthy.

Please pray for 2026 Ordinands

Posted on January 23, 2026 
Filed under for your prayers, Sydney Diocese Comments Off on Please pray for 2026 Ordinands

SydneyAnglicans.net has published a list of those to be ordained next month –

“Please pray for these candidates as they prepare for ordination on February 21, 2026 and for taking up positions at the following parishes …”

– See the list here.

Inside Australia’s Hate Speech Backflip and what it means for Faith Communities

Posted on January 22, 2026 
Filed under Australia, Culture wars Comments Off on Inside Australia’s Hate Speech Backflip and what it means for Faith Communities

A special edition of The Pastor’s Heart –

“A roller-coaster week for religious freedom in Australia.

In just days, sweeping Australian national legislation moved from deeply alarming to not great, but not terrible — after intense pressure from faith leaders across the country.

In this special bonus episode of The Pastor’s Heart, we speak with Michael Stead, Bishop of South Sydney and director of Freedom for Faith, who had a front-row seat as the law was debated, amended, and finally passed late at night in Parliament.

What was originally proposed? Why did faith leaders unite in an extraordinary last-minute letter to the Prime Minister?  Which parts of the bill remain concerning — and which dangers were narrowly avoided?

We walk through how the law was actually made — and what it now means for preaching, Bible teaching, protest, and free speech in Australia.”

– Watch or listen here.

The message of the National Day of Mourning for Bondi

Posted on January 22, 2026 
Filed under Australia Comments Off on The message of the National Day of Mourning for Bondi

“ ‘Today we remember, honour and mourn our fellow Australians who were robbed of their lives on December 14 last year,’ said the Archbishop of Sydney on the National Day of Mourning, ‘and we express our sympathy and solidarity with all who grieve their loss.’…”

– At SydneyAnglicans.net, Russell Powell reports on today’s National Day of Mourning for the victims of the terror attack at Bondi.

Here is a statement from Archbishop Kanishka Raffel.

Communique from the GSFA Primates, 21 January 2026

Posted on January 21, 2026 
Filed under Global South Comments Off on Communique from the GSFA Primates, 21 January 2026

“We, Primates of the Global South, met in Victoria, Mahe, the Seychelles, from 14-17 January 2026 for our first in person meeting since the inauguration of the GSFA’s Covenant Structure at our First Assembly (9th Trumpet) in Egypt in June 2024.

As we met to pray, worship and take counsel together, the Seychelles national motto ‘Finis coronat opus’ (the end crowns the work) reminded us of the biblical truth that we should be steadfast in those things which are of eternal worth and not be driven off course by passing cultural fashions, so that what we build may be sound and stand the test of time. …”

– Full statement at the Global South Fellowship of Anglican Churches website.

Men Meeting the Challenge Conference 2026

Posted on January 21, 2026 
Filed under Encouragement, Resources Comments Off on Men Meeting the Challenge Conference 2026

The Men Meeting the Challenge conference for 2026 is coming up at The Kings School on Saturday 14 March.From the organisers:

“This year’s theme, ‘Burn Your Boats: Join the Mission, Change the World’ speaks directly into the lives of men who are juggling work, family, church and many other responsibilities. While life is busy and full, this conference provides an opportunity to pause, refocus, and be reminded of the greater mission God has called us to.

‘Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny himself, take up his cross, and follow me.’ (Matt 16:24)

Men Meeting the Challenge exists to encourage and equip men to follow Christ faithfully in the everyday realities of life. It is your conference, shaped by and for men who desire to live with purpose, integrity, and gospel conviction.”

– Details and booking here, including a promo video and other resources.

Gunmen abduct dozens of worshippers from multiple Nigerian churches using sophisticated weapons

Posted on January 20, 2026 
Filed under World news Comments Off on Gunmen abduct dozens of worshippers from multiple Nigerian churches using sophisticated weapons

“Numerous worshippers from at least two churches in Nigeria were kidnapped during Sunday services by armed gangs, Reuters reported.

While Kaduna state police on Monday reportedly cited conservative figures, saying dozens were being held captive as the investigation remains in its early stages, a senior church leader noted that more than 160 worshippers were abducted by gunmen over the weekend.…”

– Report from Fox News.

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