Widows in the household of God

Posted on April 18, 2026 
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From the Priscilla and Aquila Annual Conference 2026 –

“A deep dive into 1 Timothy 5:3-16.

Working closely through the passage, Lionel Windsor addresses key questions and tensions – how it relates to the rest of Scripture, what it means to honour widows, and how the church is to order its life as God’s family.

The talk highlights the importance of honour, responsibility, and care, and challenges the assumptions we often bring to age, family, and independence.

We are reminded that the church is not simply a gathering of individuals, but a household shaped by God’s word – where men and women are called to honour one another and live out the implications of the gospel together.”

– Fascinating and helpful.

Church in Wales — Weighed in the balance and found wanting

Posted on April 17, 2026 
Filed under Opinion, Wales Comments Off on Church in Wales — Weighed in the balance and found wanting

“The Governing Body of the Church in Wales faced an important test this week.

It was a test of their commitment to inclusivity and the respect of individual conscience. It was a test which revealed far more about the future for faithful Anglicans in the Church in Wales than the vote that came later.

The challenge came in the form of a procedural motion. It was merely a request that the vote on the Bill to incorporate an order of service of blessing same-sex relationships into their Book of Common Prayer should be taken by ballot, rather than the usual show of hands. For those unfamiliar with the way Governing Body does its business, a counted vote requires individuals to hold their voting card up to be counted. There is no option for electronic voting and no formal record is made of how individuals voted.

It should not have been controversial. …

Faithful Anglicans in Wales are used to putting up with being being scorned and marginalised. They will now need to come to terms with the fact that the much vaunted conscience clause is limited to an individual’s right not to ‘participate in a service.’ It does not stretch to being able to have nothing to do with such services. If asked, clergy must enable a service of blessing to take place by passing the couple on to the diocesan bishop, or ensuring that another member of their team, or a visiting clergy person, offers the service. Lawyers clarified too that clergy, or congregations, cannot refuse to allow their buildings to be used to bless what they believe God cannot bless.”

– Anglican Futures has published this opinion piece on this week’s meeting of the Governing Body of the Church in Wales.

Related:

Evangelicals ‘need prayers’ after Church in Wales votes to make same-sex blessings permanent – Christian Today.

The liturgical shape of authentic Anglicanism

Posted on April 17, 2026 
Filed under Resources, Theology Comments Off on The liturgical shape of authentic Anglicanism

Original published in The Australian Church Record’s Easter 2026 Journal, Andrew Leslie reflects on authentic Anglicanism –

“When you look beyond the Sydney Diocese at national or global Anglicanism—and you can get a glimpse of this within the Sydney Diocese too—you might imagine that the denomination is so diverse in liturgy, in theology, and in practice, that defining ‘Anglican’ could be like asking, how long is a piece of string? And you’d be right.

In the face of that reality, it might be tempting just to sit on your hands, or throw them up in the air, or perhaps even make a virtue of the increasingly fragmented, almost totally amorphous comprehensiveness of global Anglicanism—as if to be authentically Anglican amounts to little more than  ‘everyone does as they see fit in their own eyes’, to borrow from the book of Judges!

Forty or fifty years ago, people would often try to solve the riddle by saying that at least the denomination has some kind of global coherence through communion with the Archbishop of Canterbury. But now even that’s no longer a given. …”

– Read it all here.

Image: Archbishop Thomas Cranmer by Gerlach Flicke.

Fish Must Fish

Posted on April 17, 2026 
Filed under Encouragement, Evangelism Comments Off on Fish Must Fish

Campbell Markham at Scots’ Church in Fremantle reminds us of the Great Commission –

“Jesus makes disciples who make disciples (Matthew 4:18–22).

Cruise liner or battleship? Rest home or fort? Resort or gymnasium? What is the Christian Church supposed to be?

Though our forebears rest rejoicing in heaven as the Church Triumphant, we yet labour and fight on earth for Christ as the Church Militant.

Jesus stamped this fact on his church – permanently, deeply – when he called his first followers whilst simultaneously calling them to call other followers to him. …”

– Read it all at AP, the Australian Presbyterian online journal.

Nikhil’s youth leaders persistence made all the difference

Posted on April 16, 2026 
Filed under Encouragement, People Comments Off on Nikhil’s youth leaders persistence made all the difference

Encouraging testimony from Nikhil Kurien, Assistant minister at Narellan, via SydneyAnglicans.net –

“My parents migrated to Australia the year before I was born, and were part of an Indian Reformed denomination. In Sydney, Anglicanism was the closest, so my parents from an early stage went to Anglican churches.

I grew up with all of the benefits of being in church, hearing Bible stories, knowing Scripture, but feeling bored by it. I had all of the precious truths in front of me but never appreciated what I had.

The turning point for me was late high school. …”

– Read here.

You can find this, and other encouraging testimonies, in the March-April 2026 Southern Cross magazine.  Photo: SydneyAnglicans.net.

Anglican board directs Bishop of The Murray to step down

Posted on April 16, 2026 
Filed under Australian dioceses, for your prayers, People Comments Off on Anglican board directs Bishop of The Murray to step down

From John Sandeman at The Other Cheek, a report on Bishop Keith Dalby of The Diocese of The Murray –

“Following the diocese becoming aware of his secret marriage to Alison Dutton in August 2023, Bishop Keith Dalby had stepped aside from his office as Bishop of the Diocese of The Murray with effect from 9 December 2023. In his statement, Bishop Murray expressed his ‘deep regret for the impact of my actions on the Diocese of the Murray, its clergy, and its people.’ …

[Bishop Dalby responds] ‘I am considering my position in light of the Board’s determination and will respond within the required timeframe. I ask for prayers for all those affected by this matter, including the people and leadership of the Diocese of the Murray.’”

– Story here.

The Reality of Biological Sex in Law — one step closer

Posted on April 15, 2026 
Filed under Australia, Culture wars Comments Off on The Reality of Biological Sex in Law — one step closer

“One of the deeply contested issues in Western societies at the moment is whether the law recognises the reality of biological sex. This is not only a question for faith groups, but it is one that most religious traditions regard as crucial – that there is a difference between men and women, and this difference can matter in some important contexts. But the question is also important for others in society, as this fundamental feature of humanity comes under challenge from those who claim that sex (or gender) is changeable.

The decision of Moshinsky J in the Federal Court of Australia, in Lesbian Action Group Inc v Australian Human Rights Commission [2026] FCA 432 (15 April 2026), arguably moves the law of Australia one step closer to acknowledging biological reality. …”

– Neil Foster shares his opinion on the latest developments – at Law and Religion Australia.

Photo: Associate Professor Neil Foster speaking at a Diocese of Sydney Safe Ministry conference.

Wales – rolls onwards towards same-sex marriage

Posted on April 15, 2026 
Filed under Culture wars, Wales Comments Off on Wales – rolls onwards towards same-sex marriage

From Anglican Futures –

“On the 15th April, the Governing Body of the Church in Wales will vote on a “Bill to incorporate into the Book of Common Prayer an Order of Service of Blessing following a Civil Partnership or Marriage between two people of the same-sex”.

If it passes, the fractures in the Anglican Communion will further deepen.

If it is rejected, it will be a miracle. …”

– Read it all here.

Image: Archbishop Cherry Vann delivers her Presidential Address, 15 April 2026. (For whatever interest, the proceedings are live-streamed here.)

Judgement of the Unrighteous

Posted on April 15, 2026 
Filed under Resources, Theology Comments Off on Judgement of the Unrighteous

From Phillip Jensen –

“1 Corinthians 6 opens with a very challenging issue of disputes within the congregation. The Corinthians seem to have blown up these minor disputes into lawsuits against each other.

This raises for us a plethora of issues about resolving disputes inside the church and when it is appropriate and right to take issues beyond the church into public law courts.

I’m sure you will find this issue as complex as Peter and I discovered in our conversation.”

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

Moore Matters Autumn 2026

Posted on April 14, 2026 
Filed under Edification, Encouragement, Moore College Comments Off on Moore Matters Autumn 2026

The Autumn 2026 issue of Moore College’s Moore Matters is now on their website – and printed copies will be in many churches.

Celebrating the college’s 170th birthday, this is a terrific issue – not just about history, but a number of encouraging stories about what the Lord is doing today in Sydney, and further afield.

– Download your copy here.

JUST WAR & the US, Israel, Iran and Ukraine – with John McClean, Rob Smith & Grant Dibden

Posted on April 13, 2026 
Filed under History, Resources, Theology Comments Off on JUST WAR & the US, Israel, Iran and Ukraine – with John McClean, Rob Smith & Grant Dibden

From The Pastor’s Heart –

“How should Christians think about war? How does the Biblical Framework of Just War help us understand how we should react to what is happening in the Ukraine, Iran, Israel and south Lebanon.

We go back to first principles drawing on the work of Augustine of Hippo Thomas Aquinas – asking when is it right to go to war — and how must war be conducted? And how do those principles evaluate what’s happening in today’s conflicts?

Joining us are:

• John McClean, Vice Principal of Christ College Sydney,

• Rob Smith, theologian and ethicist and

• Grant Dibden, Anglican Bishop to the Australian Defence Force.

Together we explore how Just War thinking has shaped Western military ethics and whether it is quietly being sidelined.

Plus we examine what the Just War doctrine says about individuals conduct in war, in light of the controversy surrounding Australian Soldier Ben Roberts-Smith.

And how should Christians respond when the emotional weight of real-world conflict hits close.”

– Watch or listen here.

Are you a stalled learner?

Posted on April 12, 2026 
Filed under Edification, Resources Comments Off on Are you a stalled learner?

At SydneyAnglicans.net, Russell Powell speaks with Col Marshall about his new book, Warriors of the Word –

“The premise of the book is that I observe in my own life, and in others – particularly through those mid-years of being Christian – a stalling that takes place, some stagnation. Having learned a lot as a younger Christian, possibly, been involved in church life, even led in various ways. But feeling like it’s all a bit dry and repetitive and not learning much more.

So I wanted to unpack what causes that stalling and then what to do about it around the theme of learning Christ, seeing that that’s the focus of who we are, knowing our Saviour, knowing our Lord. …”

– Read it all here.

And you can order the book from Matthias Media.

Satan wants you alone this Sunday

Posted on April 11, 2026 
Filed under Encouragement Comments Off on Satan wants you alone this Sunday

“A war is raging in your church. I’m not alluding to drama among the deacons or complaints by a few congregants. I’m talking about a battle that is not ‘against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places’ (Ephesians 6:12). Satan wars against our faith, but God promises to hold us fast. And one of the ways he sustains us is through the church’s weekly assembly.

When most of us think of going to church, we don’t consider what is happening behind the scenes. …”

– Feel like skipping church this week? At Desiring God Garrett Kell encourages us to make the gathering a priority.

King’s Birthday Conference 2026 set for Monday 8th June

Posted on April 10, 2026 
Filed under Resources Comments Off on King’s Birthday Conference 2026 set for Monday 8th June

Save the date – From Two Ways Ministries –

“We are only two months away from our annual King’s Birthday Conference!

As in previous years, KBC 2026 will be held on the public holiday Monday, 8 June, from 1:30 -5:00pm at Moore Theological College.

Mark your calendar and stay tuned for more information about registration.”

Easter bloodshed in Nigeria

Posted on April 9, 2026 
Filed under for your prayers, World news Comments Off on Easter bloodshed in Nigeria

From George Conger at Anglican.ink –

“Nigeria’s Holy Week was marked by bloodshed, with coordinated attacks on churches and Christian communities across Nigeria’s Middle Belt leaving more than 50 dead from Palm Sunday through Easter. As graphic accounts emerged from Kaduna, Benue, Nasarawa and Plateau states, worshippers faced one of the most violent Holy Weeks in recent years, raising urgent questions about security and the government’s ability to protect Christian communities. …”

– Read it here.

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