Pastoral heartbreak: young adults leaving evangelicalism for Orthodoxy and Catholicism
Posted on July 8, 2026
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From The Pastor’s Heart – Pastoral heartbreak: young adults leaving evangelicalism for Orthodoxy and Catholicism and what to do about it, with John Diacos.
“On the surface, some are drawn by beauty, history, liturgy, mystery, masculinity, discipline and Orthodoxy’s claim to be the original church.
But John Diacos says beneath many of the surface attractions lies something much more spiritually dangerous.
John was converted from Orthodoxy to a clear faith in Jesus Christ 50 years ago, has served Jesus for decades in Melbourne and is the author of Certainty for Life: An Invitation for Those in Eastern Orthodoxy.
We ask: Why are evangelicals leaving for Orthodoxy? What is Orthodoxy offering that some evangelical churches seem not to offer? Where is Orthodoxy right in its critique of us? Where is it wrong? And what should pastors do when someone in our church starts drifting?”
Related:
Targeted and Engaged Evangelism to the Eastern Orthodox – The Gospel Coalition Australia.
Modern Idolatry
Posted on July 7, 2026
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From Phillip Jensen:
“Dear friends,
Idolatry is as ancient and universal as slavery. Paul moves in his discussion of food offered to idols (chapter 8) to his enslaving himself for others’ salvation (chapter 9) to now address idolatry itself (chapter 10). Here we have the clear command, “flee from idolatry”, with the terrifying examples of God’s anger poured out on Israel whenever they engaged in idolatry.
This passage not only gives us clear Bible teachings on the sin of idolatry, but in the process it raises the issue of the Old Testament’s importance for Christians.
Two Ways News is provided free of charge by other people’s generosity. If you are not yet one of those kindly providing Two Ways News for others, can I encourage you to do so? You can find out more here.
Yours,
Phillip.”
Always well worth hearing and contemplating.
Anglican Consultative Council refuses to give up Ecclesiastical power
Posted on July 7, 2026
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“Why are we not surprised?
The 19th Anglican Consultative Council, meeting in Belfast, Northern Ireland, voted 72–8 on July 4 to leave the Archbishop of Canterbury’s role as the spiritual and ecclesiastical figurehead of the Anglican Communion untouched. Delegates declined to adopt the Nairobi-Cairo Proposals — the most serious attempt in a generation to reckon with post-colonial reality — and called instead for three more years of ‘discernment and conversation.’
Three more years! When the ecclesiastical establishment wants to kill something, it does not shoot it; it studies it to death. The Windsor Report, the Anglican Covenant, the ‘listening process,’ Indaba — the graveyard of Anglican reform is littered with commissions, consultations and continuing conversations, and now the Nairobi-Cairo Proposals join them in the long grass. The ACC will not even take the matter up again until its next meeting in 2029, hosted by the Church of North India. By then the question may well have answered itself. …
There were voices in Belfast who saw it clearly. The Rev. Berthier Lainirina of the Province of the Indian Ocean warned the council that without structural change, his province and other orthodox churches might conclude they no longer have any place in the Communion at all, lamenting that delegates preferred to pretend all was well when it manifestly is not. …”
– David Virtue comments on the not-surprising lack of action by the 19th meeting of the Anglican Consultative Council, part of the old Anglican Communion.
Photo: ACC Members, Commission and Network Representatives, Staff and ecumenical guests at ACC-19.
Credit, Neil Turner, Anglican Communion News Service.
Jocelyn Loane reviews Everything is Never Enough by Bobby Jamieson
Posted on July 6, 2026
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From The Australian Church Record –
“Our enormous collection of water bottles lives in a cupboard over our fridge. Every time I open it, I can almost be guaranteed a smack in the face by one falling out. You see, my five children have quite the fixation with acquiring the perfect water bottle. A few years ago, everyone was quite taken by a Contigo with a very satisfying silicone straw. Then a number became obsessed with owning a Frank Green (RRP $59.95). My very kind sister gifted us several one Christmas and I felt certain that, at that price, this should be the water bottle to finally satisfy. But no. A youth group leader introduced one daughter to the Owala FreeSip® (RRP $59.99). This water bottle can be used to both sip and swig. Revolutionary. We now own four. But even this did not scratch the itch. A child’s recent gift wish list included ‘Yeti water bottle’ at number three.
As I picked up Bobby Jamieson’s Everything is Never Enough, you can understand why my children and their water bottles immediately sprang to mind. …
This book deepened my appreciation for the beauty of the clear-sighted, timeless wisdom of Ecclesiastes. By dismantling the places we often, even unconsciously, seek satisfaction and meaning, Jamieson exposes the roots of our discontentment and unhappiness. It’s a commendation of the joyful Christian life that rejoices in the gifts we have constantly flung at us by our God, and that enjoys him infinitely more.
It is written with a non-Christian audience in mind …”
– Jocelyn Loane’s full review.
(We note that the book is currently on special at The Wandering Bookseller.)
Preparing to Lead Intercessions In Church
Posted on July 6, 2026
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The Gospel Coalition Australia has re-posted this excellent article from Peter Adam, first published in 2016 –
“Praying together as a church is one of the great privileges of being a Christian.
A key part of our prayers are our intercessions, when we pray that God will do what he has promised to do. Without preparation, our public intercessions can get a bit thin.
If you are preparing to lead the intercessions in your church, you might find the following helpful. You could also use it to train others to lead the intercessions. …”
– Read it here.
Photo: St. Helen’s Bishopsgate.
The Sydney Family Album 1 — Richard Johnson
Posted on July 5, 2026
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In 2011, Mark Thompson, Principal of Moore College, penned 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 first, starting at the beginning with Richard Johnson.
Church Society Podcast — Psalms 1-41
Posted on July 4, 2026
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From Church Society:
“Lee Gatiss hears from Ben Sargent, author of the new Hodder Bible Commentary on Psalms 1-41.”
– Listen here.
The Spiritual Discipline of Sleeping
Posted on July 3, 2026
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Mark Powell at AP, the Australian Presbyterian journal, writes about sleep and the gospel –
“It should go without saying—but ironically, it needs to be said—that the reason we can sleep at all is because of Jesus’ death and resurrection. The Saviour’s great promise to all who are weary and burdened is to come to Him and He will give us rest (Matt. 11:28). Contrast this with the tragic, and indeed horrific, fate of unbelievers as described in Revelation 14:11, which says that there is ‘no rest for the wicked’ and ‘the smoke of their torment rises forever and ever.’…”
King’s Birthday Conference 2026 talks are now available
Posted on July 2, 2026
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The Two Ways Ministries Team shares the news that the King’s Birthday Conference 2026 talks are now available:
“We had a wonderful afternoon at the King’s Birthday Conference 2026, with 302 people attending and exploring the important topic of Prophecy Today.
Great news – the talks are now available on our website phillipjensen.com.”
– Watch or listen at these links:
KBC Talk 1 – Prophecy Today
KBC Talk 2 – Today’s Prophecy
KBC 2026 Full Conference.
Good to learn and good to share.
Glad tidings and the New Testament of William Tyndale
Posted on July 2, 2026
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“Five hundred years ago, William Tyndale produced an extraordinary gift to the world: his English translation of the New Testament. It has rightly been called ‘a treasure of English-speaking culture’. The old adage ‘No Tyndale, no Shakespeare’ is probably spot on.
But Tyndale would be surprised if we were to rejoice in his impact upon English language and culture only. No, it is the immeasurable spiritual impact of his work for which we ought chiefly to praise God. …”
– At SydneyAnglicans.net, Mark Earngey, Head of Church History at Moore College, gives thanks for William Tyndale and his work.
Photo: Moore College.
How Katoomba shaped a generation of Sydney Evangelicals with Phillip Jensen, David Cook and Al Stewart
Posted on July 1, 2026
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From The Pastor’s Heart –
“For a generation of Sydney evangelicals, the Katoomba Christian Conventions weren’t just events in the calendar – they shaped church programs across the city.
In the 80s, 90s and early 2000s, thousands gathered under the circus tent and then later in packed auditoriums to hear the Bible taught, sing with conviction and be raised up for ministry.
But how did Katoomba become such an influence in Sydney evangelicalism? What decisions shaped its extraordinary impact? And what lessons are there for today.
We start a new occasional oral history series on the Pastor’s Heart, with former Katoomba Chairs Philip Jensen, David Cook and Al Stewart, reflecting on Katoomba’s phenomenal influence, the priority of expository preaching, the importance of guarding the platform and why ‘we teach the Bible’ became a defining conviction.”
– Watch here.
Much cause for thanksgiving, as well as some sobering memories, and a reminder to pray for the continued work of the Katoomba Christian Conventions.
Freedom of Slavery
Posted on June 30, 2026
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From Phillip Jensen –
“Dear friends,
Slavery is one of the ancient world’s most common practices. The notion that chattel slavery would be banned around the world was unthinkable until relatively recent times; yet today in our society, it is chattel slavery itself that is unthinkable.
All slavery is a restriction of freedom, and so our title ‘Freedom of Slavery’ is intentionally paradoxical. But then, Paul’s attitude to slavery in 1 Corinthians 9 is something of a paradox. For in this freedom, he chooses to enslave himself for others that they may enjoy the freedom of the gospel. It is in this context that we have one of the great passages on cross-cultural evangelism.
I hope you enjoy this episode of Two Ways News. If you want to contact us with a comment or question, please email us at respond@twm.email.
Yours,
Phillip”
Why the Giggle v Tickle judgement is bad for women’s rights and a risk to religious freedom
Posted on June 30, 2026
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“In her recent article, Paula Gerber argued the decision of the Federal Court of Australia in Giggle for Girls Pty Ltd v Tickle was ‘good for trans rights and women’s rights’. With respect, I disagree and would like to explain why.
I believe the decision is bad for women’s rights — especially the rights of women to enjoy single-sex spaces and activities — and may also be bad for the rights of those from religious groups to control their spaces and activities in accordance with their faith commitments. I suspect the decision may also be bad for ‘trans rights’ in the long term. …”
– The ABC’s Religion & Ethics has published this opinion piece by Associate Professor Neil Foster.
23 volunteers, five languages, one mission
Posted on June 29, 2026
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From Russell Powell at SydneyAnglicans.net –
“Peter Au knows the stones and stories of St Andrew’s Cathedral better than almost anyone. But for him and his team of 23 welcomers, a visit is never just about the architecture – it’s about the Architect.
Earlier this year, The Daily Telegraph newspaper recommended that people visit the Cathedral, on the corner of George and Bathurst streets. ‘Plenty of history in this place as the host of countless state funerals and royal visits,’ the paper said. ‘Pop in when you’re next in the city. Soul-cleansing stuff.’
The writers may not have realised just how literally the welcomers take that description. …”
– Read about this strategic ministry.
Related:
St. Andrew’s Cathedral history.
The Sydney Family Album – 8, Howard Mowll – Dr Mark Thompson.
Mark Earngey’s New Book
Posted on June 29, 2026
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From Moore College –
“A recent book by Moore College faculty member, Dr Mark Earngey, offers a major new study of John Ponet (1516-1556), one of the most significant yet often overlooked figures of the early English Reformation.
John Ponet (1516-1556): Scholar, Bishop, Insurgent (Brill) draws on newly discovered archival material and a reconstructed catalogue of Ponet’s personal library to provide the most comprehensive account of his life and thought to date.
Earngey first encountered Ponet while undertaking postgraduate research at Oxford into the life and theology of Thomas Cranmer.
‘I realised that the little-known but prodigious Ponet was patronised by Cranmer and became his right-hand theologian,’ he says. ‘When I began work on Ponet an avalanche of new manuscript material came to light, and the project in recovering his story began!’
The book presents Ponet as a leading scholar, bishop and reformer whose influence extended across theology, church leadership and political thought. Earngey traces Ponet’s role in advancing evangelical reform during the reigns of Henry VIII (as Cranmer’s chaplain) and Edward VI (as Cranmer’s theological advisor) and examines his later writings during the reign of Mary I, in which he became one of the earliest English Reformation voices to argue for a limited monarchy and resistance to tyranny.
The research also uncovered a number of significant discoveries about Ponet and his influence.…”
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