Ten thousand Rwandan churches shut down
Posted on August 10, 2026
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Could this be a good thing? Russell Powell explains at SydneyAnglicans.net –
“The so-called ‘prosperity gospel’ – which promises wealth in return for faith – has long been a problem in Africa but now, in Rwanda, the government has shut 10,000 churches.
Rwandan President Paul Kagame announced a crackdown last year, saying of the churches, ‘Many are just thieving… some churches are just a den of bandits’. While the government’s intentions may reach beyond the prosperity gospel, in order for churches to open, regulations mandate that preachers must be theologically trained. …
Enter a strategic partnership between African Enterprise, Moore Theological College, and several Sydney rectors…”
Photo, and more information: African Enterprise Australasia.
Understanding the Parables
Posted on August 9, 2026
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From Michael Leong at The Expository Preaching Trust –
“Parables have often superficially been compared to sermon illustrations – both seem to relate spiritual truths to earthly events, using contemporary language and metaphors (e.g., those of agriculture, construction, and human relationships). One member of my congregation shared her definition of a parable as ‘an earthly story with a heavenly meaning.’
It’s too simplistic, however, to say that, ‘Jesus used sermon illustrations when he spoke in parables, therefore we also should use sermon illustrations in our preaching.’
Mark 4:10-20 says that the purpose of parables is very different to our illustrations…”
– and he advertises their Wahroonga Preaching Conference coming up on Monday 7th September, with a focus on understanding and preaching from the parables.
Speakers include David Cook, Chris Edwards, Simon Manchester and Michael Leong.
The Sydney Family Album 6 — Thomas Moore
Posted on August 9, 2026
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In 2011, Mark Thompson, now Principal of Moore College, published a series of posts, entitled “The Sydney Family Album”, for his website, Theological Theology.
We felt they merit wider distribution, so, with Mark’s kind permission, we are re-posting them on the ACL website, at the rate of one a week.
Here’s the sixth in the series, on Thomas Moore.
“When the foundation stone [of St. Luke’s Liverpool] was laid (7th April 1818), Thomas and Rachel were present, as well as Governor Macquarie’s four-year-old son, Lachlan.
Thomas and Rachel had been appointed guardians for young Lachlan, should anything happen to his parents while in the colony.”
Other posts in the The Sydney Family Album series (as we add them) are in our Resources section.
Do pray for General Synod as it meets in Melbourne 9-14 August
Posted on August 8, 2026
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The Nineteenth Session of the General Synod of the Anglican Church of Australia will be held from Sunday 9 August to Friday 14 August 2026 in Melbourne.
“The Session will commence with an Opening Service at St Paul’s Cathedral, Melbourne, at 5.30 pm on Sunday, 9 August.”
Today and tomorrow, General Synod members will be travelling from all around Australia. Please pray for them as they travel and as they meet for this Session.
Via the GAFCON Australia Facebook page, here are some prayer suggestions –
“Please continue praying with us for General Synod for the Anglican Church of Australia, as it kicks off next week (August 9-14) in Melbourne.
Pray that there would be helpful motions and that godly, competent people will be appointed to all General Synod bodies.
Thank God for faithful people who serve as General Synod members and on General Synod bodies currently.
Pray for wise and gospel-focused decisions about how to respond to dioceses that are struggling financially. Pray that ministry will be prioritised over money.”
And you could pray for each of the members by name, asking for the Lord’s blessing, grace and wisdom, and that Christ will be honoured in all discussions and decisions.
Image: The crests of the Australian dioceses, thanks to the Anglican Church of Australia.
Elizabeth Foord — A woman of “irrepressible joy” in the Lord
Posted on August 7, 2026
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From Judy Adamson at SydneyAnglicans.net –
“Small in stature but mighty in faith, Mrs Elizabeth Foord died on July 25 at the age of 97.
A servant of God wherever he placed her, Mrs Foord was known and loved throughout the Diocese and other nations for her love of the Bible, her willingness to talk to anyone about Jesus, her sharp mind and her teaching – both of women, and of groups in partnership with her husband of 55 years, Bishop Dudley Foord. …”
Related:
With much thanks for Dudley Foord – September 2013.
Bookings now open for the 2026 ACL Synod Dinner
Posted on August 7, 2026
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The Anglican Church League invites all members of Sydney Synod to the 2026 ACL Synod Dinner. (Pre-booking essential.)
Monday 14th September, 5:30pm (or when Synod rises)
At Bishop Barry Centre,
51 Druitt Street, Sydney.Hear The Rev Toby Neal speak on From Plant to Parish – The Joys and the Pains.
Toby Neal is the Lead Pastor at Vine Church in Surry Hills, which began in 2011 with 16 friends and has grown into a vibrant inner-city church.
Dinner bookings are absolutely essential as space is limited.
Please book by Wednesday 9th September by pre-paying $34 via PayPal or Credit Card:
See also –
The Synod Survival Guide by Dr. Robert Tong.
Gafcon Prayer Update: GFCA Trustees
Posted on August 7, 2026
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Gafcon Prayer Update from a couple of days ago –
“Please give thanks to God for the faithful ministry of the Global Fellowship of Confessing Anglicans (GFCA) Trustees, whose governance and oversight provide the practical foundation that supports the life and work of the Global Anglican Communion. Give thanks for Bishop John Guernsey, the Trustees Chair, and Dr Laurie Scandrett, the Honorary Treasurer, as they provide wise and faithful leadership.
Pray for the Trustees serving from Australia, Canada, Nigeria, Rwanda, the United Kingdom and the United States. Pray that God will grant them wisdom, integrity and unity as they steward the resources entrusted to this global movement and exercise careful oversight of its ministry.
Please pray especially for the Trustees as preparations continue for GAFCON V in Athens in April 2028. Ask God to give them wisdom and discernment as they oversee the many financial and governance decisions already being made, provide every resource that is needed, and establish this significant gathering for the strengthening of his Church and the advance of the gospel.”
– A reminder that Gafcon Prayer updates can be found on their website – and if you use the free PrayerMate app on your phone, you can subscribe to their prayer feed.
Photo: Gafcon.
Sinkholes and Servant Hearts
Posted on August 7, 2026
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“A man at church is asked to join the set up/pack up team, but he only wants to preach. A woman leaves the music ministry because she can’t be the song leader. A pastor moves to another church where he can do what he wants to do. Small group leaders doing their own thing because they don’t like the direction of the minister. Jealousy that your colleague gets the invitations to speak. Annoyance that another church is encroaching on your patch. Bothered that others get more praise than you do. Frustrated that I don’t get the opportunities or the recognition I deserve.
Do you see glimpses of the green-eyed monster in your heart? …”
– At The Gospel Coalition Australia, Dave McDonald has a question for each of us.
Anglican Media CEO Russell Powell to step down
Posted on August 6, 2026
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News from SydneyAnglicans.net –
“After almost 20 years in the media and communications arm of the Diocese, former broadcaster and journalist Russell Powell will be stepping down as the CEO of Anglican Media Sydney at the end of the year.
He was appointed CEO in 2010 in addition to his position as the media advisor to the Archbishop of Sydney, which began in 2007.
Over his 19 years of involvement, Mr Powell has guided the organisation through times of peace and major challenges such as the global financial crisis and COVID.
During his time as CEO, the work of Anglican Media has included establishing a social media footprint, solidifying the SydneyAnglicans brand, and refashioning Southern Cross.
He also played a role in communications at the Global Anglican Future Conference (GAFCON), from the historic first moments in Jerusalem in 2008.…”
– Read the full story – with prayer points – here.
Photo: Russell interviewing Al Stewart in Galilee during the first GAFCON gathering in 2008.
Bathurst Bishop’s Newsletter — August 2026
Posted on August 6, 2026
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Read the latest from the Diocese of Bathurst in The Bishop’s Newsletter for August 2026 – including –
“We give great thanks to God for the upcoming ordinations and commissioning on 22 August at 11am. …
Bishop Mark’s final service: A service of Praise, Prayer and Proclamation, 1.30pm, Sat 19 Sept at All Saints Cathedral. All welcome.
At the conclusion of the service, Bishop Mark will officially lay up his pastoral staff and his time as bishop will conclude.
The bishop’s election board recently reported: ‘We have met several times, and we believe, under God’s hand, that we have identified a number of suitable candidates. We appreciate your continued prayers for wisdom and discernment’…”
And from Bishop Mark Calder –
“Dear friends,
Four years ago last month, we launched Sharing Jesus for Life. It was never intended to be just another diocesan slogan or a strategic document that sat on a shelf. It was, and remains, a reminder of why we exist as churches: to share the Lord Jesus so that people might find life in him. …”
– Please be encouraged to download the newsletter and use it in your prayers, particularly in this coming time of transition for the diocese, for the eternal welfare of men and women, boys and girls, across this huge region of New South Wales.
The joys, privileges and rewards of Christian ministry — with Matt Fuller
Posted on August 5, 2026
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More from The Pastor’s Heart –
“We often speak about the pressures and heartbreaks of pastoral ministry. But we speak far less about its joys, privileges and eternal rewards.
Matt Fuller, Senior Minister of Christ Church Mayfair, joins us to discuss his new book, The Joyful Pastor (Despite Everything).
We talk about difficult sheep, false accusations, losing joy, practising thankfulness, avoiding burnout and returning daily to Christ.
And we explore something pastors rarely discuss: the reward promised by the Chief Shepherd.
“When the Chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the unfading crown of glory.” – 1 Peter 5:4
An honest and encouraging conversation for weary pastors.”
The Age of the Spiritual
Posted on August 4, 2026
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From Phillip Jensen:
“In 1 Corinthians 12-14, we come to a passage that has dominated Christian discussion for the last 60 years. It is one that Peter and I have been thinking and preaching on for most of our public ministries. But I hope that you find this fresh take on the passage to be a helpful way of understanding Paul’s letter.”
In the discussion, Phillip recalls writing his book, The Coming of the Holy Spirit –
“In the writing of that book was a verse which held up the whole of my writing for 12 months, for there was a translation problem which one of the editors pointed out to me. That verse was 1 Corinthians 14:12, ‘So with yourselves, since you are eager for manifestations of the Spirit, strive to excel in building up the church.’
The trouble is, the Greek doesn’t say, ‘the manifestations of the spirit’. What it really says is, ‘since you are eager for spirits’, plural. The Holy Spirit is never spoken of in plural form, so it can’t be referring to the Holy Spirit—thus it should be written with a lowercase ‘s’. But then that raises the question: what spirits is it talking about?…”
– Hear Phillip and Peter Jensen discuss these key chapters – at Two Ways News.
At the bottom of that page, there are ways you can support the ministry.
Seeing God at work in Wyong
Posted on August 4, 2026
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“We came to Wyong in early 2021, between the first and second COVID lockdowns. The Central Coast was never on our radar—in fact, I used to tell Susannah as we drove home from family gatherings on the Central Coast, ‘I can’t ever imagine living on the Central Coast’… and she said, ‘Neither can I’. Yet here we are! God has shown me time and again that he has a sense of humour. Coming to Wyong has been entirely his doing, and it’s been the best thing ever!
Before COVID, I was part of the ministry team at Bondi-Waverley Anglican Church…”
– The Australian Church Record speaks with Aleks Pinter at Wyong Anglican Church.
Confusion over the Religious Question on the Australian Census — Michael Stead and Mark McCrindle
Posted on August 3, 2026
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An important and timely episode from The Pastor’s Heart –
“Answering ‘Anglican’, ‘Catholic’, or ‘Baptist’ on the Census isn’t a test of church attendance.
Before filling out your form, hear researcher Mark McCrindle, and Bishop Michael Stead discuss
- What the Bureau of Statistics is actually measuring.
- Why writing your specific denomination helps community planning more than generic labels.
- How census data impacts real-world support—like hospital, prison, and military chaplaincy. …
The Bureau of Statistics definition of religious affiliation is simple: it’s the faith group you associate with, even if that differs from your active practice or participation.”
– Watch here.
Related:
Count us in! – SydneyAnglicans.net.
The Sydney Family Album 5 — Frederic Barker
Posted on August 2, 2026
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In 2011, Mark Thompson, now Principal of Moore College, published a series of posts, entitled “The Sydney Family Album”, for his website, Theological Theology.
We felt they merit wider distribution, so, with Mark’s kind permission, we are re-posting them on the ACL website, at the rate of one a week.
Here’s the fifth in the series, on Bishop Frederic Barker.
“Barker’s long episcopate (until his death in 1882) saw massive change in the colony. Barker was certainly up to the challenge. He was a gifted administrator and was both visionary and practical.”
Other posts in the The Sydney Family Album series (as we add them) are in our Resources section.
What we believe
The message at the heart of Christianity is really quite simple…