Moore College 2026 Ministry Showcase

Posted on October 11, 2026 
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“In September, Moore College welcomed a new group of ministry organisations to campus for its second Ministry Showcase of 2026.

The event gave students another valuable opportunity to explore gospel ministry pathways and speak directly with representatives about life and service after College. …”

– What a great idea.

The growing Diocese of the Southern Cross

Posted on October 10, 2026 
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“Today, Saturday, the 10th of October, 2026, sees the Diocese of the Southern Cross grow towards 12 churches. In Brisbane, two lay ministers will be ordained as deacons, and their congregations will become Member Churches of the Diocese of the Southern Cross. The Anglican Church of the Torres Strait is also about to join the Diocese, becoming the twelfth Member Church.

On the 17th of October, in Perth, Rev. Mekyal Keira, who pastors a Sudanese congregation, the Kush Southern Cross Anglican Church, will be ordained as a presbyter. The Gafcon Australia Chair, Peter Smith, will be preaching. …”

– from John Sandeman at The Other Cheek.

Seals:

Diocese of the Southern Cross website.

George Whitefield College newsletter October 2026

Posted on October 10, 2026 
Filed under for your prayers, Good News, South Africa Comments Off on George Whitefield College newsletter October 2026

It’s important to remember that what the people of South Africa (and Australia) need most is the saving gospel of Jesus Christ. George Whitefield College in Cape Town is equipping men and women to share that gospel.

In an email to supporters, College Principal Mark Dickson introduces their latest newsletter –

“This edition celebrates the rich heritage and cultural diversity of our College community, where students from across Africa and beyond come together to be shaped by God’s Word and equipped for gospel-centred ministry. Our different languages, traditions and experiences remind us of the beauty of God’s global Church, while our shared faith in Jesus Christ unites us in a purpose that reaches far beyond our own cultures and borders.

Through the stories in this newsletter, we hope you will be encouraged by what God is doing through the lives of our students, graduates and wider GWC community. We are grateful for your prayers, partnership and continued interest in the work of the College. As you read, please consider sharing these stories with others. We especially encourage churches to download and print the newsletter for their congregations, helping more people discover how theological education is preparing faithful men and women to serve Christ and strengthen His Church across Africa and beyond.

Thank you for being part of this work. May we continue to celebrate both the diversity of God’s people and the unity we share in Christ.”

Download the newsletter at this link. And see previous newsletters.

Among the stories in this newsletter:

L-R: Vice-Principal: Development Dr. Vuyani Sindo, David Mansfield, Dr. David Seccombe, Principal Dr. Mark Dickson.

“Former GWC Principal Dr David Seccombe honoured at book launch

Thank you to everyone who joined us for the launch of The Secco Collection, David Mansfield’s new publication celebrating the life, ministry and enduring influence of GWC’s former Principal, Dr David Seccombe.

It was a special afternoon of memories, stories and fellowship as we reflected on Dr Seccombe’s contribution to the church, to theological education and to the many lives he influenced through his ministry.

The event was a wonderful opportunity to celebrate the fruits of Dr Seccombe’s vision, faithfulness, and commitment to theological education in Africa tangibly seen in the richly diverse community that GWC enjoys today, with students drawn from across the continent and beyond. Visit gwc.ac.za to read the full article.”

Presiding Bishop of REACH-SA calls for day of Prayer after appalling violence

Posted on October 9, 2026 
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Perhaps your news feeds have not mentioned some of the recent violence in South Africa, but the Presiding Bishop of REACH-SA, Archbishop Dr Siegfried Ngubane, has called for a Day of Prayer on Sunday 11th October –

A Call to Prayer: Standing Against Violence in Our Nation

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

As we look at the current state of our nation, our hearts are heavy. South Africa is grieving. The ongoing tragedy of Gender-Based Violence and Femicide (GBVF) continues to claim the lives of women across our communities, and a recent spate of mass shootings has brought deep sorrow to our provinces.

We mourn the devastating loss of lives in Ekurhuleni, where the bodies of several young women have been discovered. These are not statistics to be scrolled past; they are daughters, mothers, sisters, and friends created in the image of God. Their lives are precious, and their loss is an incalculable grief to their families.

We also bear witness to the terrifying violence that has erupted across the country over the past few weeks:

• In KwaMakhutha, Durban: An attack on a home left eleven dead, including a pregnant mother, and several others wounded.

• In Wedela, Johannesburg: Armed men took the lives of seventeen people at a local tavern, leaving behind immense trauma and injury.

• In Lwandle, Cape Town: Just hours later, a brutal attack at a local shisanyama claimed ten more lives, taking place just a few kilometres from Christ Church Strand.

As the Body of Christ, we cannot simply look away. The Scriptures remind us that our God is a God of justice and compassion. Isaiah 1:17 calls us to “learn to do right; seek justice. Defend the oppressed. Take up the cause of the fatherless; plead the case of the widow.” We also rest on the promise of Psalm 34:18, that “the Lord is  close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.”

Therefore, I am calling on every local church, congregation, and fellowship within REACH-SA to dedicate Sunday, 11 October 2026, as a day of unified prayer. Please set aside time in your Sunday gatherings to bring these specific petitions before the Lord:

• For Victims and Grieving Families: Pray for the God of all comfort to draw near to the families mourning in Ekurhuleni, KwaMakhutha, Wedela, Lwandle, Tshwane, and throughout our nation. Pray for healing for the wounded and peace for the traumatized.

• For Law Enforcement and Justice: Pray for those tasked with keeping our communities safe. Ask God to grant our police officers and investigators wisdom, courage, and integrity as they carry the heavy burden of responding to these crimes and protecting our streets.

• For Truth and National Integrity: Give thanks for the ongoing work of the Madlanga Commission in exposing criminality and political interference. Pray that truth will continue to come to light, and that true accountability and righteousness will be restored within our justice system.

• For the Church: Pray for ourselves. Ask the Lord to make our local churches safe havens for the vulnerable and bold voices against domestic abuse. Pray that we would be agents of His peace and hope in our troubled communities.

May the Lord show mercy to South Africa. May He heal our land, establish justice, and turn the hearts of the violent toward the saving grace of Christ.

In Christ, our refuge and our peace,

Siegfried Ngubane
Presiding Bishop

– Source (PDF file).

See also this Gafcon prayer request.

Reflections from the 2026 Sydney Synod

Posted on October 9, 2026 
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From The Australian Church Record –

“The Synod of the Anglican Diocese of Sydney ran this year from ran this year from 14 to 22 September, with sessions held over five days.

The ACR caught up with Greta Morris, a lay member of Synod from St Paul’s Canterbury, and Andrew Levy, rector at St Anne’s Ryde, to hear what stood out to them during Synod, what encouraged or challenged them, and what they are praying for as the Diocese of Sydney looks to the future. …”

– Read their reflections here.

Photo: SydneyAnglicans.net.

See also the Synod Summary for Rectors, Synod representatives, wardens and parish councillors.

“The Synod made 58 resolutions, passed 3 ordinances, and filled 256 positions on boards, councils, and committees. This circular outlines the key features of the Synod’s proceedings with respect to parishes.”

Matt Brain elected Bishop of Bunbury

Posted on October 8, 2026 
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Bishop of Bendigo, Bishop Matt Brain, has been elected Bishop of Bunbury in Western Australia.

In a message today to the people of the Diocese of Bunbury, Archdeacon and Administrator of the Diocese the Ven. Geoff Chadwick writes  –

“Dear all,

No doubt you have been waiting to know who has been elected as our next Bishop.

It is my pleasure to announce that it is The Very Rev Dr Matthew Brain. He comes to us from the Diocese of Bendigo having previously been the Assistant Bishop of Canberra/Goulburn, Rector of Kambah and the Diocesan Youth Minister and Rector of Kalbarri.

He has experience in ministry training and development.

He is married to Rachael and has five adult children.

His other interests include cycling and he takes pleasure in playing the guitar.

I can assure you that we in the Diocesan Office will do all that we can to make him and Rachael welcome.

The date of his installation will be decided in due course.

May I also advise you not to contact him until he is installed. He will have much to do in Bendigo as he navigates his departure.

I look forward to working with him as we discover where God is leading the Diocese Please pray for him, his wife Rachael and the Diocesan team during this time of transition.

With Blessings.

Geoff

Archdeacon and Administrator.”

See also this pastoral letter from Bishop Brain to the Diocese of Bendigo. (PDF file.)

Top photo from the August 2026 issue of The Spirit from the Diocese of Bendigo.

Earlier:

Four Australian dioceses pray for wisdom in seeking new leaders – 03 September 2026. Now add prayers for Bendigo.

What’s Wrong with Tasmania’s Conversion Practices Bill

Posted on October 8, 2026 
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Published at AP, the Australian Presbyterian online journal, Emeritus Professor Patrick Parkinson AM shares his concerns with the proposed Tasmanian bill –

“…The Bill is being proposed by people who believe that there is a serious problem in the Tasmanian community that can only be addressed by some of the most draconian legislation ever to be introduced into an Australian Parliament. However, the evidence that there are still conversion practices in Tasmania today is very weak. No-one is claiming that the old unethical conversion practices used decades ago by some health professionals are still being practised. No credible allegations have been made that people have been subjected to abusive therapies to change their gender identity.

When a law creates a lot of uncertainty, it has unintended consequences. This law will create a chilling effect on the provision of mental health treatment for vulnerable young Tasmanians. It will also cause difficulties and expense for businesses and for organisations that involve volunteers. The problems in this Bill are not minor and cannot be fixed by amendment at committee stage. They go to the very heart of what the Bill is trying to do. …”

– A long and important contribution.

Photo thanks to Anglican Media Sydney.

The Manosphere: Christian reflections

Posted on October 8, 2026 
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Published by CASE, The Centre for Christian Apologetics, Scholarship and Education (a ministry of New College at UNSW), Marshall Ballantine-Jones writes helpfully about “The Manosphere”. What is it? Where does it come from? What is a Christian response, and how can this help leaders and parents?

“In early 2025, there was a wave of alarm across the media, in schools, education departments, and even the halls of parliaments, when Netflix released its award-winning series Adolescence. In this fictitious story, a thirteen-year-old boy murders a female classmate after being radicalised by online male influencers. Blame was apportioned to suspects like the incel subculture, Andrew Tate, and other sinister online forces, and phrases like ‘toxic masculinity’ hit peak levels. The alarm was perhaps best captured when British Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer declared that all UK schoolchildren should be made to watch the series. I wrote at the time that Adolescence had limited usefulness, because it both misdiagnosed the issue and was factually incorrect in places.

Twelve months later, in March 2026, the Western world, and Australia in particular, found itself under another wave of concern …”

– Read it all here.

Related posts.

“What does a bishop do?”

Posted on October 8, 2026 
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From SydneyAnglicans.net –

“Hundreds gathered to farewell Bishop Peter Hayward and his wife Julie at Figtree Anglican Church in Wollongong as tributes praised his faithful pastoral leadership and unwavering commitment to God’s people. …”

– Report from Russell Powell.

Operation Christmas Child: What to ask before packing a box — with David Painter

Posted on October 7, 2026 
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From The Pastor’s Heart this week –

“Before your church packs another Christmas shoebox, pause to ask: who is our generosity really helping?

After more than twenty years serving with the Church Missionary Society in Cambodia, David Painter has challenging questions about Samaritan’s Purse’s Operation Christmas Child—and the way Western Christians support overseas mission.

Can our gifts unintentionally weaken local initiative, local giving and the churches we want to strengthen?

David Painter outlines how to assess whether our generosity is helping local churches flourish.

Further Reading The Other Cheek.”

– Watch or listen here. A fascinating discussion which raises important questions about culture and power, involving much more than shoe boxes.

Money, Men and Manners

Posted on October 6, 2026 
Filed under Resources, Theology Comments Off on Money, Men and Manners

From Phillip Jensen –

“It is a preacher’s foible and failing that we like to have alliteration, so today’s heading of Money, Men and Manners is an attempt to unite Paul’s concluding chapter in his first letter to the Corinthians.

There is more teaching and challenge in the scriptures about money than almost any other ethical topic. Our attitude to money is one of those distinctive qualities of Christian life for we know of the impossibility of serving both God and money. However, there is very little teaching in the scriptures that is exclusively addressed to manliness, and 1 Corinthians 16 gives us the challenge to be manly.

As you read [or listen to] this week’s episode, I will leave you to find the importance of manners. I hope you enjoy it—or should I say, please enjoy it.”

– Hear Philip and Peter Jensen at Two Ways News.

See the transcript for the links Phillip mentions.

Ed Sheeran proves Trueman Right: We all live in Marx’s world now

Posted on October 6, 2026 
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Tim Challies in Canada observes:

“I haven’t listened to much of Ed Sheeran’s music. In fact, I’ve listened to it just enough to determine that it’s really not my thing. This means that what I am writing today doesn’t come from a Sheeran fan or a Sheeran hater, but from someone who knows him only by reputation—a reputation that, until recently, was as a pretty good guy.

But Ed now finds himself in a heap of trouble. …”

– Read it at challies.com.

Reformanda Initiative Turns 10. Reflections on the Evangelical Engagement with Roman Catholicism.

Posted on October 5, 2026 
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From Vatican Files –

“Ten years are just the blink of an eye in the normal course of events. We shouldn’t attach too much importance to them. However, for Evangelical initiatives that originated in minority contexts and have an international profile, ten years is no trivial period. It was in 2016 that the first Rome Scholars Network (RSLN) was launched and the Reformanda Initiative (RI) began its work …”

– Leonardo De Chirico reflects on the state of Evangelical theological engagement with Roman Catholicism.

Related:

Reformation Day 2026 event at St. Andrew’s Cathedral in Sydney – Saturday 31st October 2026. Learn how to have great conversations about Jesus with your Roman Catholic friends.

and related posts on our website.

The Ineffectiveness of AI Preaching

Posted on October 5, 2026 
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From Dave McDonald at The Gospel Coalition Australia –

“Cut sermon prep time dramatically. Never stare at a blank page again —instant sermon series ideas by season. Ready to get your Saturday nights back? Did you know 12 hours per week is the average pastors spend on sermon prep and ministry content? With the right AI prompts, that same work can be done in a fraction of the time—without losing your own voice or theological depth.

So promised a social media advertisement I saw recently.

Here was hope for busy pastors. This was so appealing: ministry is hectic, time disappears, pressure builds, and interruptions sabotage the best of our plans. …”

– You’d hope it would be obvious, but we need to be reminded that there’s far more to pastoring than being ‘efficient’. Read it all here.

Christ and Everyday Life

Posted on October 4, 2026 
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“It’s Monday morning, so there is the school run, a car service, a full inbox and a list of tasks for home and work. The washing is on the line, a meeting runs long, you check in on a neighbour and then cook dinner. So, the week rolls on till Sunday, and for an hour or two life feels ‘spiritual’ again. If you know that rhythm, you’re not alone. For many of us the week is divided into two compartments: the sacred bits (church, Bible reading, prayer) and the secular bits (everything else).

J. I. Packer once observed that the Puritans knew nothing of this divide. …”

– John McClean, Moore College graduate and Vice Principal of Christ College in Burwood, encourages Christians to live every day in the light of the gospel.

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