First anniversary of the historic Martyrs’ Day Statement

Posted on October 17, 2026 
Filed under GAFCON, Global Anglican Communion Comments Off on First anniversary of the historic Martyrs’ Day Statement

A message from Laurent Mbanda Chairman of the Global Anglican Council –

“Dear brothers and sisters in Christ,

Greetings to you in the name of Jesus Christ our Lord.

Today we mark the first anniversary of the historic Martyrs’ Day Statement, issued by the Gafcon Primates Council when we met in Sydney, Australia, on 16 October last year.

On that day we announced that ‘the future has arrived,’ and that ‘we have not left the Anglican Communion; we are the Anglican Communion.’

I give thanks to God for all that has happened in the year since. …”

– Full message here.

Grace in action — 1 Timothy 1:1–11

Posted on October 17, 2026 
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Here’s a sermon preached a few weeks ago by Lionel Windsor at Coogee Anglican Church – on 1 Timothy 1:1–11.

– Listen, or read the transcript, at Forget the Channel.

Presbyterian Church of Victoria writes to the Premier

Posted on October 16, 2026 
Filed under Culture wars, Victoria Comments Off on Presbyterian Church of Victoria writes to the Premier

John Wilson, Moderator of the Presbyterian Church of Victoria, has written to the Premier of Victoria, Ben Carroll, over yesterday’s announcement on the funding of abortions –

October 15, 2026.

Dear Mr Carroll,

Re: Abortion is not ‘care’, either for the baby or for the mother

On behalf of the Presbyterian Church of Victoria, of which I am currently Moderator, I write today with profound dismay following this morning’s announcement concerning your government’s policy to fund abortions through the public purse, and to promote this as an advance in “women’s health”.

Members of our church, of course, believe that women should receive every proper provision for their health and well-being. And women who become pregnant deserve thoughtful, compassionate and practical support. That should be a given in any decent and caring society.

But what about the life of the unborn child?

There are two lives to consider: the well-being and health of the mother, and the developing life of the child within her womb. Why should the one be recognised and protected, while the other is disregarded, and disposed of in the medical waste bin?

We are speaking, after all, of a developing human life which, if pregnancy continues to birth, will ordinarily enter this world as a little girl or boy — with a life to live, birthdays to celebrate, and a future to unfold.

Surely that life deserves consideration, too?

I understand that governing Victoria is complex. There are countless competing demands upon a government, and I would never judge the record of a premier and his (or her) party by a single issue alone.

But the protection of women and the protection of unborn children are both profoundly precious to me. This conviction is the view of my church, the Presbyterian Church of Victoria, and of countless other Christians, Catholic and Protestant alike.

We believe that the deliberate taking of unborn human life is a grave moral wrong. And to have that practice further encouraged and funded by the State is deeply distressing.

I find it extraordinarily difficult to support a government that takes this position.

Who will speak for the unborn child, who has no voice, no vote, and no means of defence?

I would genuinely welcome your response.

With my prayer and best wishes, but with profound sadness over this announcement,

Rev Dr John P Wilson

Moderator, Presbyterian Church of Victoria,
PCV Assembly Hall,
156 Collins St,
Melbourne, VIC 3000

– Source: Presbyterian Church of Victoria.

Not all Christian websites are good for your health

Posted on October 16, 2026 
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Murray Campbell in Melbourne has some thoughts of what is helpful and what isn’t –

“I wonder what the Apostle Paul would say about online Christian discourse? What kind of encouragements and warnings would he give followers of Jesus as we hear and discern and collate the vast quantities of religious speech that’s available on YouTube, Facebook and X?

What online content are you regularly feeding on? …

Here’s the problem, the internet and social media create millions of tribes where people can appoint themselves as leader. …”

– Read it all here.

Book Review: Carl Trueman, ‘The Desecration of Man’

Posted on October 15, 2026 
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At AP, the Presbyterian online journal, David Palmer reviews Carl Trueman’s The Desecration of Man: how the rejection of God degrades our Humanity –

“Carl Trueman, an Englishman, currently Professor of Biblical and Theological Studies at Grove City College in Pennsylvania, has proved to be a prolific author covering Reformation history, theology and now more recently has written with well-grounded authority on contemporary cultural issues. His first foray in this direction was the widely acclaimed, The Rise and Triumph of the Modern Self: Cultural Amnesia, Expressive Individualism, and the Road to Sexual Revolution. This explains how, in modern culture, the sense of self has involved the rejection of the impact of religion, tradition, and community in favour of the elevation, indeed glorification of individualism, emotion, and sexuality.

The Desecration of Man is a book rich in illustrative material for preachers anxious to relate Biblical material in meaningful ways into the lives of their people; indeed, for Christians generally to have a better understanding of the world they inhabit. As an encouragement, it is an easier book to read than The Rise and Triumph of the Modern Self!

In The Desecration of Man, Trueman describes this move to desecration as a self-inflicted and seriously punitive action, not just in relation to God, but to us, as well. Trueman illustrates this desecration in three areas: sexual morality and behaviour; technology and reproduction; and death as the final enemy. …”

– Read the full review here.

Strategic appointments to boost gospel outreach

Posted on October 14, 2026 
Filed under Sydney Diocese Comments Off on Strategic appointments to boost gospel outreach

From Russell Powell –

“The newly established Evangelism and Ministry Partnerships (EMP) organisation has announced two key appointments aimed at strengthening communications and expanding gospel opportunities among unreached people groups.

Interim EMP director, the Rev Phil Colgan has announced Francis Loh will be the Director of Media and Communications.

Mr Loh has more than 25 years of experience in communications, branding and creative strategy in various leadership roles. …

Alongside the communications appointment, Bishop Peter Hayward, who has just retired as Bishop of Wollongong, will join EMP in a part-time role, focussed on efforts to reach people with low access to the gospel. …”

– Read it all at SydneyAnglicans.net.

Are we sending Missionaries where they’re needed most? — Tim Silberman

Posted on October 14, 2026 
Filed under for your prayers, Global Comments Off on Are we sending Missionaries where they’re needed most? — Tim Silberman

From The Pastor’s Heart this week –

“Where is the need for the gospel greatest – and should that change where we send missionaries?

We often make mission decisions around personal connections, available opportunities, language skills or where churches already have established partnerships. But Tim Silberman says we need to take a harder, more objective look at gospel need.

Tim Silberman, Lecturer in Missions at Sydney Missionary & Bible College, says there are several important questions: How many people are non-Christian? How many have meaningful access to the gospel? Where are the least-reached people groups? And how strong is the local church?

The numbers are confronting. Around 2.2 billion people remain unevangelised.”

– Watch or listen here.

Anglican Heroes: Handley Moule — Church Society podcast

Posted on October 14, 2026 
Filed under History, People Comments Off on Anglican Heroes: Handley Moule — Church Society podcast

From Church Society:

“Rob Brewis tells Ros Clarke about the life, work and ongoing influence of Anglican pastor and theologian, Handley Moule.”

– Listen here.

Law and Grace

Posted on October 13, 2026 
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From Phillip Jensen –

“Peter took over our podcast today and uncharacteristically cross-examined me on my belief. The topic is very important: that is, the relationship between law and grace. But I was expecting the doctrine lecturer to take the lead now that we have left 1 Corinthians.

I hope you enjoy the grilling I received. If you did, don’t forget to remind others to listen to our podcasts which are provided free of charge by the generosity of others.”

– Listen to Peter and Phillip discuss – at Two Ways News.

Mentioned (and very relevant):

Written on Our Hearts – The Ten Commandments and the radical life of grace by Phillip Jensen.

“Here is a radical vision of grace-filled living that delights in the law of the Lord and does good to all people.”

Available from Matthias Media.

Funeral Service for Bruce Baird AM at St Andrew’s Cathedral

Posted on October 12, 2026 
Filed under for your prayers, People Comments Off on Funeral Service for Bruce Baird AM at St Andrew’s Cathedral

The  Funeral Service for the Hon. Bruce Baird AM was held at St Andrew’s Cathedral in Sydney this afternoon (Monday 12th October 2026).

The service was introduced by Archbishop Kanishka Raffel and led by Bruce Clarke, the Rector of St. Matthew’s Manly, where Bruce Baird was a long time member.

Simon Smart, family friend and Executive Director of the Centre for Public Christianity, preached. Speaking from John chapter 11 (the raising of Lazarus), he said,

“Bruce Baird was a lifelong churchgoing man of Christian faith, trusting himself to that life. So much of Bruce’s life was animated by and shaped by his faith.”

– A recording of the full service can be seen here. (The sermon begins at 1:03:10.)

Gafcon V: Save the Date for Athens 2028

Posted on October 12, 2026 
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From Bishop Paul Denison –

“Dear brothers and sisters in Christ,

Grace and peace to you in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.

In March, at our G26 Conference in Abuja, we announced that the next major five-yearly gathering of the Global Anglican Communion, GAFCON V, will be held in Athens, Greece, in April 2028.

It is now just 18 months until we gather, and I want to ask you to put these important dates in your calendar now: Sunday 23 April to Friday 28 April 2028.

Coming one week after Easter, this will be a significant moment in the life of the Global Anglican Communion. …”

– More at the Gafcon website.

Photo of Paul Donison: The Pastor’s Heart.

Why Bible translation is easier, harder and more needed than you think

Posted on October 12, 2026 
Filed under Moore College Comments Off on Why Bible translation is easier, harder and more needed than you think

This looks to be a fascinating event.

“A Sydney Rare Book Week event

When Tyndale translated the New Testament 500 years ago, English was a minority language in need of a translation. These days, that’s hardly the case: we have a multitude of different English versions, and many other languages in our region use English Bibles in their translation process.

At this event, we’ll look at the shape of the history of English translations and how it has influenced local language versions across Australia and the South Pacific, and consider the places where modern translation is difficult, but where there is also great scope for creativity in faithful communication. We’ll even have a go together at practising translation principles in modern Australian contexts.

Sam Freney is a translation consultant with the Bible Society of Australia. He is involved in the work of translation teams as they work on communicating Scripture in their contexts. He’s also an honorary post-doctoral research associate with Morling College and an ordained deacon in the Anglican diocese of Sydney. His training is in biblical studies and biblical languages, and he helps teams understand what a passage meant in its original language and context, and how that connects to what they’re saying now. Many people justifiably call him a nerd, which he prefers to ‘geek’. He’s interested in many different languages, speaks only some of them, and works across Australia and the South Pacific with about 20 different translation teams.”

Free. 21st October 2026. Moore College Library Amphitheatre.

– Details and registration at this link.

Reflections on the ESV After 25 Years

Posted on October 12, 2026 
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As part of a series to celebrate the 25th anniversary of the English Standard Version, ESV publisher Crossway asked Kevin DeYoung to reflect –

“I can’t say that by 2001 I had enough knowledge of the original languages or of the publishing landscape to know that a new English translation was necessary. But I had read enough from various English versions and at least had a moderate understanding of Greek and Hebrew that I was excited for a translation that aimed for the sweet spot between literal but not wooden, between historic but not dated, and between elegant but not esoteric.

That’s what I was hoping the ESV would be, and in my estimation—after reading through it cover-to-cover dozens of times and preaching from it hundreds (if not thousands) of times—I’m convinced the ESV hit its mark.…”

– Full article here.

(Even if you might not be a fan of the ESV, this is an encouraging article.)

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.

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