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ANiC news
ANiC and ACNA events calendar
September 7 – Deacon Tom Lo to be ordained a priest at Good Shepherd Cantonese (Calgary)
September 16 – AMMiC fundraising dinner in Vancouver
September 16-18 – AMMiC conference in Vancouver
October 18 – Deacon Aretta Hagle will be ordained a priest at Living Hope (Scarborough, ON)
October 19, 3pm – Good Shepherd (Vancouver) banquet celebrating its 125-year ministry
October 19, 4pm – Bob Bailey will be ordained a deacon at Saint Matthew’s (Abbotsford, BC)
November 4 – Pre-synod equipping workshops, Ottawa, ON
November 5-7 – ANiC Synod 2014 in Ottawa, ON
November 16 – Grady Buhler will be ordained a deacon at St Timothy’s (North Vancouver, BC)
May 14 – March for Life 2015 in Ottawa
Register now for Synod 2014 & for pre-Synod workshops (November 4-7 in Ottawa)
Plans for Synod 2014 are coming together and online registration is now open! Our new primate, Archbishop Foley Beach will officially install Bishop Charlie Masters, our new diocesan, while our founding diocesan Bishop Don Harvey will be honoured at a banquet at which Bishop Greg Venables (Argentina) will speak.
This synod will have a more leisurely pace than past years, with a strong focus on Bible teaching and equipping for parish ministries. As has become our tradition, we will introduce congregations which have recently joined ANiC.
Technically, synod runs November 5-7, however ANiC leaders are strongly encouraging everyone to arrive by the morning of November 4 in order to participate in the afternoon pre-synod workshops which focus on equipping for parish ministry.
The two-hour workshops will be repeated, allowing participants to take in two different sessions: Catechesis; Responsibilities of an Incorporated Church; Interpreting “Plan to Protect” (ANiC’s safe church policy); and Anglicans for Life. The four-hour Parish Strategic Ministry Planning workshop will not be repeated. All ANiC churches will want to ensure their representatives take advantage of these workshops so they can bring this training back to the congregation.
To register and to see the fee structure, see the synod 2014 page.
Bishop Charlie holds regional meetings across ANiC
From September to January 2015, Bishop Charlie will hold meetings across ANiC to become better acquainted with ANiC clergy and members and share ANiC’s vision and ministry priorities.
Where possible, in each location, these sessions will include a gathering with area clergy, a meeting for ANiC church members to meet Bishop Charlie and hear what God has laid on his heart, and a special event for children and families. Details are still being worked out. Please pray especially for Bishop Charlie during these months. May God be pleased to do a new thing in ANiC in and through these gatherings!
In broad strokes, the itinerary looks like this. See the ANiC website for details.
• Vancouver/Lower Mainland, BC – September 18-21
• Kelowna, BC – September 24
• Calgary, Alberta – September 26-27
• Edmonton, Alberta – September 28
• Windsor/Sarnia area, Ontario – October 3-5
• Manitoba – October 25-26
• Victoria, BC – November 21-23
• Montreal, Quebec – November 28-30
• New England – December 12-14
• Greater Toronto/Burlington, Ontario – January 22-25
• Ottawa/Pembroke, Ontario area – February 5-8
• St John’s, Newfoundland – February 15-18
Vicar of Baghdad postpones visit to ANiC’s St George’s (Burlington, ON)
Canon Andrew White, who is known as the Vicar of Baghdad and is one of the more high-profile Anglicans on the world stage today, was scheduled to speak at St George’s (Burlington, ON) on Sunday September 7. Unfortunately, Canon White was diagnosed with acute hepatitis over the Labour Day long weekend and had to postpone the visit. Canon White had planned to baptize his grandson at St George’s as well as speak.
In announcing the postponement, Bishop Charlie quoted 2 Corinthians 1:8-11 and said, "I believe God is calling us to become more deeply involved. This heinous war in Syria, Iraq, the Middle East and elsewhere is largely spiritual. And by God's grace we can engage in spiritual warfare through fervent and constant prayer." He then called on all ANiC churches to set aside significant time for prayer and fasting and to give generously to ARDFC's emergency aid appeal for persecuted Iraqis. ARDFC will be sending the money to Canon White’s ministry via Archbishop Mouneer Anis.
In an earlier message to ANiC churches, Bishop Charlie asked that August 24th be a day of prayer for persecuted Christians in Iraq and Syria. Please pray for those who are suffering in Iraq as well as for Canon White's health and his ministry to suffering Iraqis. You can sign-up for updates from Canon White on his ministry website. See specific prayer items from Canon White’s ministry.
Bishop Charlie appoints chaplains
The Rev Dr Brent Stiller is appointed by Bishop Charlie Masters to the new position of Bishop’s Clergy Support Chaplain. Brent+ will work with ANiC’s suffragan bishops and archdeacons to ensure care of all ANiC clergy is excellent. Brent+ has kindly agreed to take on this new responsibility while continuing as rector of New Song, Port Perry, ON.
The Rev Garth Hunt is appointed Bishop’s Prayer Support Chaplain. In addition to his past responsibilities encouraging prayer within ANiC as national prayer coordinator, Garth+ will be traveling extensively with Bishop Charlie giving prayer coverage and also offering teaching on prayer as circumstances allow.
With Bishop Charlie’s addedresponsibility as diocesan bishop, these chaplaincy appointments will allow him to share some of the weight of leadership.
Anglican Relief and Develop Fund Canada (ARDFC) closes in on goal
In addition to raising funds for suffering Iraqis, ARDFC is focused on raising the last few thousand dollars to complete the building of a new, expanded pediatrics ward for Martha health centre in Yei, South Sudan. The construction is progressing rapidly and we want to finish well. See photos of the work on the ARDFC website.
Bishop Adeba of the Diocese of Yei recently wrote:
“We very much wish to appreciate the assistance from the Canadian Anglican Relief and Development Fund. We will be able to build a bigger ward that will accommodate over 30 children who are vulnerable from malaria, a killer disease in this part of the world. With the first small ward, children's survival rates have been greatly enhanced. And we will be able to save the lives of many more children when the new building is completed in 3 months’ time.
If your youth group or Sunday School is looking for a project this fall, consider raising funds for ARDFC – and have fun doing it! For inspiration, you can read how some young adults in the ACNA Diocese of Pittsburgh ran a marathon to raise money for another ARDF project in South Sudan.
Vancouver chosen to host Provincial meetings
From June 22-26, ACNA's leaders - including the ACNA College of Bishops and the Provincial Council – will hold their meetings in Vancouver, BC. This is the second time ACNA leaders have met on Canadian soil. Several years ago ACNA meetings were held in the Toronto, ON area.
Ordinations
On October 19 (Sunday) at 4pm, Bob Bailey will be ordained to the transitional diaconate by Bishop Trevor Walters at Saint Matthew’s (Abbotsford, BC).
On October 18, Deacon Aretta Hagle will be ordained to the priesthood by Bishop Charlie Masters at Living Hope (Scarborough, ON).
And on November 16, Grady Buhler will be ordained to the permanent diaconate at St Timothy’s (North Vancouver, BC).
Mission trip to Cuba planned for February 2015 – Will you go?
This past spring, ANiC clergy and members visited Cuban congregations planted by our sister ACNA diocese – the Reformed Episcopal Church (REC) – and saw first-hand the amazing work being done in this fast growing mission field.
A number of ANiC congregations have formed partnerships with these Cuban congregations and we hope to have commitments from three or four more before the end of this year. Also one ANiC congregation – Saint Matthew’s (Abbotsford, BC) – has graciously taken on sponsorship of the REC seminary in Cuba – which graduated its first three pastors last May!
Another mission trip is planned for February 2015 and we would love to have pastors and/or lay leaders from three or more ANiC congregations go to Cuba to see what God is doing and prayerfully consider how their congregations can become involved. If you are interested, please contact the Rev Barclay Mayo. Much more information is on the ANiC website including a new five-minute slide show of the various REC churches and ministries in Cuba – which you can watch online or download as a zip file.
Persecution of Christians in Cuba is reported to be increasing in recent years.
In the news
The Diocese of Egypt website announces that ANiC priest the Rev Mike Dobson is now priest-in-charge at St John the Baptist Church in Maadi (Cairo, Egypt). Please continue to pray for Mike+, his family and his ministry in Egypt.
Hebraic scholar returns to Canada
CMJ Canada is, once again, bringing the Rev Aaron Eime from Christ Church Jerusalem to Canada in October for speaking engagements across the country. This gifted Bible teacher, who is in demand internationally, excels at opening up Scripture as it would have been understood by its earliest Jewish hearers. Do try to take advantage of this excellent learning opportunity.
The Rev Eime’s itinerary is posted on the CMJ website with locations, times and topics. It includes engagements in:
Ottawa, ON – October 5-10
Toronto, ON – October 10-13
Victoria, BC – October 15-20
Vancouver, BC – October 21-22
Abbotsford, BC – October 23-26
Calgary, AB – October 29 – November 3
He will be preaching at several ANiC churches, participating in a number of inter-denominational conferences and events.
The Abbotsford, BC engagements are at Saint Matthew’s (Abbotsford, BC) and include a Shabbat Meal on October 24 (6pm) and a full-day seminar on “The Kingdom of Heaven and Jesus' use of Scripture” on October 25 (Saturday, 9:30am - 3:30pm). For the Saint Matthew’s events, email Joy Rousay or call 604 850-2851 for information or to register:
Wycliffe principal responds to Bishop Don Harvey’s concerns
Dr George Sumner has responded to Bishop Don Harvey's recent comments related to Wycliffe College in Toronto. Bishop Don's original comments are contained in this interview from The Anchor, the Church of Our Lord (Victoria, BC) newsletter. Dr Sumner's response is also posted on the ANiC website.
Parish and regional news
St George’s (Burlington, ON) – You can see the progress in constructing St George’s new building in this short video.
The Table (Victoria, BC) – The Revs Andy Withrow and Josh Wilton report that The Table has around 180+ regular or semi-regular attendees, 86 per cent of whom are under 40. In fact, 20 per cent are under six years old. They write, “We’re averaging over 120 on our Big Table Sundays (96 adults, 27 kids). In addition, we have eight midweek groups, and four Neighbourhood Tables (house churches that meet alternate Sundays in specific neighbourhoods).”
Three urban missionaries have come alongside Andy+ and Josh+, fundraising much of their own support so they can help pursue the vision of The Table. One is an accomplished mentor and spiritual director; one is starting a food co-op, called Common Cupboard; and the third will be pioneering and coordinating social action projects.
Andy+ and Josh+ request prayer for:
• Wisdom in starting the next two Neighbourhood Tables and in discipling and working with group leaders so they,
in turn, can disciple and lead their groups.
• New residential housing for the Wiltons which is more conducive to holding group meetings.
• Finances
• Health
Southern Ontario – St Hilda’s (Oakville, ON) is hosting a regional meeting of all ANiC women in the greater Toronto area, on Saturday, October 25 from 9am to 1pm. More information will be provided to each church as details are finalized.
Saint Matthew’s (Abbotsford, BC) will host Bishop +Charlie for their patronal feast on Saturday, September 20. Bishop Charlie will also be preaching the following day and then speaking at a special celebration service that evening.
Saint Matthew’s School of Life and Ministry is beginning classes again in October with many fascinating options.
Ottawa Theological College, which is associated with Church of the Messiah (Ottawa, ON), is launching its fall classes early this month – including Early Church History, Old Testament, Biblical Interpretation, and Moral Theology. See the website for details.
St Peter’s Fireside (Vancouver, BC) helped invite Vancouverites to join them on the downtown Vancouver Art Gallery steps on August 16 for a time of prayer and fasting for the persecuted peoples of Iraq Radio Canada TV covered the event, in French.
St Luke’s (Pembroke, ON) reports a wonderful vacation Bible School this summer – with 46 children, aged 4 to12 – and a flurry of weddings that is continuing into the fall
St Chad's (Toronto, ON) is moving to a neighbourhood in the west end of Toronto – Etobicoke. Effective September 14, the congregation will worship at 41 Birchview Boulevard (Kingsway Baptist Church), just north of Bloor Street, and east of Royal York Road. Sunday service times remain unchanged.
Christ the King (Edmonton, AB) has achieved a number of firsts. The congregation is excited about hiring their first youth pastor, Stephen Lieberman.
Over the summer, the church sent its first mission team to Deschambault Lake in northern Saskatchewan at the request of the local Anglican parish there. The team conducted Vacation Bible School, youth activities, an Elder’s Tea, a Sunday Worship Service, a community supper, a community garage sale and offered bicycle repairs. More than105 children attended VBS and 35 youth participated in the youth nights. The community supper served 250 plates of food and provided opportunity to meet and visit with many Deschambault Lake families. And the garage sale was a smashing success. The long term goal is to establish a partnership with this parish.
Christ the King was invited to participate in its local communities’ annual fall pancake breakfast. Church members – many youth – helped flip pancakes while getting to know community members.
Once again, Christ the King will be showcasing ANiC at Missions Fest Alberta, scheduled for February 20-22. They’ve secured a larger and more strategically located booth to provide improved exposure for ANiC. Now they are looking for volunteers from other Alberta churches to help “man” the booth. If you’d like to help, please email Bruce Clark.
Got parish news? Let the rest of us know about it! Email Marilyn.
Anglican Church in North America (ACNA) news
ANiC’s Bishop Don Harvey appointed Chaplain to ACNA College of Bishops
In announcing his appointment of Bishop Don Harvey as Senior Chaplain to the Provinces’ College of Bishops, Archbishop Foley Beach said, “I have asked Bishop Don Harvey to oversee our pastoral care to one another with the help of Bishop Dave Bena and Bishop Keith Ackerman, whom I have also asked to be College Chaplains.””
Archbishop Beach also appointed four deans of the College of Bishops, each with a specific area of responsibility. These are:
Dean of College Affairs - Bishop Terrell Glenn
Dean of Provincial Affairs - Bishop John Guernsey
Dean of International Affairs - Bishop Bill Atwood
Dean of Ecumenical Affairs - Bishop Ray Sutton
He also announced staff appointments, creating several new Canons:
Archbishop’s Canon (which encompasses the previous CEO role) – Canon Jack Lumonog
Communication and media relations – Canon Andrew Gross
Development – Canon Alan Hawkins
Church planting – Canon Dan Alger
Strategic ministry – Canon Phil Ashey
Since Archbishop Beach is physically located in Atlanta, Georgia, where he leads the Diocese of the South, he has determined that ACNA ministry functions will move to be physically located near him, while administrative functions and the provincial office will remain in the Pittsburgh area.
In an Anglican Unscripted video interview, Archbishop Beach discusses his appointments and restructuring. Part one begins at the eight minute mark. In part two, he discusses his vision and priorities for ACNA which include: ongoing church planting; college age ministries; multicultural ministries; ministries to the marginalized; training clergy to engage our culture, as well as in liturgy and preaching. He also plans to conduct a “tour”, targeting 10 cities with three day events.
Another interview with Archbishop Beach is here.
Primate’s investiture on October 9; All welcome
If you are in Georgia next month, you can attend the Service of Investiture for the Most Rev Dr Foley Beach, Archbishop of the Anglican Church in North America, on October 9 at 7pm at the Church of the Apostles in Atlanta, Georgia.
Archbishop Foley Beach’s “A Word from the Lord”
Archbishop Foley Beach has a ministry called A Word from the Lord, which broadcasts his Bible teaching on a number of radio stations and the internet. This ministry also sends out a weekly "One-Minute Message" from the Archbishop via email. You can subscribe here
Archbishop Beach would like to invite you to subscribe on his website.
Legal update - San Joaquin
Bishop Eric Menees has written his diocese, the ACNA Diocese of San Joaquin, announcing that after much prayer, discussions, consultation and failed attempts to reach a negotiated settlement, they were proceeding with an appeal of a lower court decision. In that decision, he says, “Judge Black ruled in favor of The Episcopal Church (TEC) based, I believe, on deference to TEC as a hierarchical church rather than the neutral principles of law analysis required by our State Supreme Court. Judge Black's decision awards all of the property to TEC. In sum, TEC has been handed more than $40 million of property although it has paid nothing for the properties' acquisition, upkeep, and maintenance over the past 50 years.” Bishop Menees notes, “This was not the first time we attempted to negotiate. We have repeatedly sought a negotiated settlement and the response has been the same every time -"We'll negotiate on the time for you to leave and possible rental back, but nothing else."”
ACNA clergyman found murdered
A retired volunteer ACNA priest at All Saints Anglican Church in Durham, NC, the Rev Kent Hinkson was murdered in early August in what would appear to have been a robbery. Please pray for his family, church family and community. May God be pleased to use this tragedy for His glory.
More ACNA news
Image Deo Anglican Church in Bangor, Maine got a nice write-up in its local newspaper when it moved into a new-to-them, old church building.
The ACNA’s International Diocese, led by Bishop Bill Atwood, is partnering with Youth with a Mission (YWAM) to run an Anglican Discipleship Training School (DTS) in January. This is the first time YWAM has offered a DTS with a distinctively Anglican flavour.
ACNA in the news – A Christianity Today article by Tish Harrison Warren, an ACNA priest who works with InterVarsity at the University of Texas–Austin, discusses how Christianity is becoming more of an offense on university campuses.
Registration is open for a United Adoration Songwriters’ Retreat September 25-26 in Oak Park, Illinois. The event will bring together songwriters in the liturgical church to renew their creative vision for sharing the Gospel of Jesus Christ.
Anglican Communion news
GAFCon chair, Archbishop Wabukala, offers pastoral advice when darkness prevails
In his August pastoral letter, Archbishop Eliud Wabukala (Kenya), chairman of the GAFCON Primates’ Council, addresses a dark world where conflict, tragedy and human wickedness seem to prevail. He encourages us not to doubt God's goodness when we see this darkness, but refocus on the cross of Christ where human evil was overcome by God's amazing grace. He concludes: "So as we work and pray continually for peace, let us not stumble when confronted with the appalling consequences of human sin, but recommit ourselves to the proclamation of the biblical gospel in the societies where God has set us. This alone has the power to conquer sin and by the resurrection of Jesus assures that the light of God’s love will never be quenched."
Commentaries on the Anglican Communion
The Rev Charles Raven has prepared a series of lectures on contemporary Anglicanism and the American Anglican Council offers a 21-slide presentation on Anglican realignment and reformation, first shown at the ACNA 2014 Assembly.
Canon Phil Ashey recommends both of these resources for anyone wishing to better understand the Anglican Communion and the events of the past decade. In addition, he commends an essay by Dr Martin Davie of Oak Hill Theological College in which he shoots down Archbishop Justin Welby’s prescription for theological harmony in a deeply divided Communion – the oxymoron, “good disagreement”.
Living with the enemy
A Diocese of Sydney (Australia) Anglican priest is featured in a reality documentary that had him “Living with the Enemy”. As an evangelical, the Rev David Ould, used this public forum to graciously convey Biblical teaching on same-sex relationships. You can read about it on his blog.
International news in brief
Canada
A second Anglican Church of Canada archdeacon, this time in the Diocese of Eastern Newfoundland and Labrador, has been charged with theft.
In an analysis of available statistics, David Virtue writes that “The upstart Anglican Church in North America (ACNA) is set to surpass the Anglican Church of Canada (ACoC) in Average Sunday Attendance, if it has not already done so.”
United States
At the request of theDiocese ofSouth Carolina under Bishop Mark Lawrence, the Global South Primates Steering Committee has welcomed that diocese “…as an active and faithful member within the Global South of the Anglican Communion, until such time as a permanent primatial affiliation can be found.”
Ireland
Canon Kenneth Kearon, Secretary General of the Anglican Communion, has been elected bishop of the Diocese of Limerick and Killaloe.
Gaza
Christian Broadcasting Network (CBN) has an article about how Christians in Gaza, while equally affected by the war, were trying to demonstrate Christ’s love to their Muslim neighbours. It is believed that Christians comprise about 1500 of the two million residents of Gaza.
Syria
The Islamic State is reported to have executed eight Christians in Syria by crucifixion for the crime of apostasy.
Iraq
Much has been written this past month on the atrocities committed in Iraq. These are helpful resources you may not have seen:
Bishop Michael Nazir-Ali has been tireless in calling world leaders’ attention to the genocide in Syria and Iraq. In this excellent Telegraph article he provides an analysis and says that western power’s actions are directly responsible for the rise of the brutal Islamic State militants.
ACNA Bishop Bill Atwood offers his always perceptive analysis and says that if the problems perpetrated by radical Islam are not addressed today, the world will face a worse crisis tomorrow. In an earlier commentary Bishop Atwood urgently calls us to engage in the spiritual warfare.
In mid-August, Canon Andrew White, the “Vicar of Baghdad” spoke at Holy Trinity Clapham (England) on the situation in Iraq. You can watch the video here.
Canon Andrew White provides a riveting account in the Daily Mail of his clandestine visit to northern Iraq “under the noses” of the fanatical Islamic State militants. The horrors he saw and heard about are devastating, including how the child of a friend, a child Canon White had baptized and who had been named after him, was chopped in half by the militants.
George Conger and Kevin Kallsen discuss the persecution of Christians in Iraq and the broader context for the conflict there in this edition of Anglican Unscripted. They say the west is blind to the fact that this is a religious war driven by the Islamists’ interpretation of the Koran’s called to eliminate the infidels. The only hope for the Christians, they believe, is for them to relocate out of Iraq at least temporarily.
West Africa
Archbishop Daniel Sarfo (West Africa) has called on Christians around the world to dedicate one Sunday as a day of prayer for the deadly Ebola disease that has struck the West African region. More than 2000 are known to have died during this latest outbreak.
Three Christian missionaries treating Ebola patients also contracted the disease. While one SIM missionary doctor remains in hospital, two have recovered. You can watch a terrific video of the news conference at which Dr Kent Brantly (Samaritan’s Purse), talked about his desire for God to get the glory even as he lay deathly ill with Ebola. What a testimony to a calloused world! He calls on us to continue to pray for God to bring an end to this deadly outbreak of disease.
If you wish to support those on the frontlines caring for Ebola patients, you could consider SIM which operates only hospital with an Ebola isolation facility in Liberia – the ELWA hospital where all three missionaries were serving when they too became ill, despite precautions.
Nigeria
While the world’s attention has been diverted to Iraq, the surprisingly well-armed Boko Haram Islamist militants have been capturing more and more of territory in northern Nigeria, killing Christians, destroying churches, conscripting men and boys, and abducting women. The terrorists are believed to have killed at least 2000 this year alone. In late August, they declared an Islamic caliphate in the territory they had captured, bringing the region under strict Sharia law. Time magazine has more as does Christian Today.
Cameroon
Boko Haram has spread its murderous campaign to neighbouring nations, killing 25 in Cameroon – including a pastor – and kidnapping the wife of Cameroon’s Vice Prime Minister.
South Sudan
The civil war in South Sudan is creating a food crisis which the UN calls the “worst in the world”. In a report, a spokesperson for the Baptist Global Response explained, "It is like a perfect storm when drought, political unrest and subsistence farming practices all come together.” Because of the war, subsistence farmers haven’t been able to plant and around 1.5-million others have fled to refugee camps. Famine looms. A UNICEF report estimates that “Nearly one million children under five years old in South Sudan will require treatment for acute malnutrition in 2014.”
An appeal by South Sudan’s Church leaders explains the factors at work and calls us to pray and to give. The report says, “As is often the case in Africa, the church is often the only functioning organization in the absence of proper governance or public services in much of the country… Most of our national income comes from the North East of the country where there is heavy fighting over our oil fields. Tribalism has reasserted itself… [T]here are already signs of famine which promises to become worse and we face the possible breakdown of the whole country.”
Kenya
Anglican Ink reports that “Church leaders in Kenya have urged Parliament to kill a bill [that]… calls for foreigners found guilty of “aggravated homosexuality” under the nation’s sodomy laws to be stoned to death in public. Kenyans found guilty of the same offence would be jailed for life under the bill. However if a Kenyan offender is HIV positive or commits an act of gross indecency with a minor of the same-sex, the penalty for such an act would be public stoning. Muslim leaders have backed the bill…”
Congo
Archbishop Henri Isingoma has been re-elected to continue serving as Primate of the Province de L’Eglise Anglicane Du Congo for another five years.
Uganda
The Observer reports that, in one diocese, impoverished Church of Uganda parishioners are moving to other denominations which are better funded by westerners due to the superior programs and social initiatives. Membership in the diocese has dropped 30 per cent.
China
The Telegraph reports that “A Chinese preacher is facing up to a decade in prison after he was detained on what supporters say are trumped up charges intended to weaken resistance to an ongoing crackdown targeting the country’s rapidly growing Christian community.”
Fiji
Anglican Ink reports that “The Archbishop of Polynesia has issued a call to prayer for the safe release of 44 Fijian soldiers captured by Syrian rebels in the Golan Heights.”
Persecution & Islam
·Writing in the New York Times, a Jewish leader provides one of the best critiques you’ll read on the obscene indifference by world leaders to the persecution and slaughter of Christians.
In a video on persecution, Bishop Michael Nazir-Ali talks about the crisis in Iraq, Syria and elsewhere. He gives background and more insight into Islam. As well he tells us how we can make a difference, first through prayer and then through action. He also explains how the ideology of multiculturalism has contributed to the rise of Islamism.
Dr Patrick Sookhdeo, International Director of Barnabas Aid has provides an insightful explanation of “The two faces of Islam”. Both the moderates and the brutal extremists have a long history. He explains that the extremists are motivated, at least in part, by their apocalyptic eschatology.
Writing in Standpoint magazine, Bishop Michael Nazir-Ali discusses the political and ideological status of Syria, Iraq, Iran, Pakistan and Egypt, offering suggests for how the radical forces of Islamism can be contained.
Bishop Bill Atwood discusses twin assaults on the Gospel: 1) compromising the moral imperatives of Scripture in the spirit of inclusiveness; and 2) not engaging with Islam – both by countering the military aggression of the jihadists and by praying for and sharing the Gospel with our Muslim neighbours.
And yet Muslims are coming to Christ. This encouraging video offers a series of personal testimonies by people raised Muslim who now follow Jesus and helps us understand the impediments Muslims face and possible tools for presenting Christ to them.
Resources
Resources for ministry
George Whitfield – The current online (free) edition of Credo magazine focuses on the ministry of George Whitfield, warts and all.
Invite to church! – This attention-getting, short video is worth showing in a service to encourage the faithful to invite their family, friends and neighbours to join you in church.
Turning around declining churches – Canon Phil Ashey discusses the principles of turning a declining church into a thriving church.
Keeping youth in church – A Church Leaders article discusses three traits common to youth who DO NOT leave church: 1) their converted; 2) they’re equipped, not entertained; and 3) their parents preached the Gospel to them.
Resources for Christian living
39 Articles – Canon Phil Ashey’s video series on the 39 Articles continues with:
• Article 11 – On the Justification of Man: Part 1 and Part 2
• Article 12 – Of good works – Part 1 and Part 2
• Article 13 – Of works before justification – Part 1 and Part 2
Passing on the faith – Tim Challies offers a simple plan for fathers to individually shepherd their children, saying “it is as simple as blocking off a bit of time at the end of each day”. Each child gets one day per week to stay up beyond the usual bedtime to spend time with dad reading and discussing a passage of Scripture, reading from a book of the child’s choosing, and then praying.
Divorce – The statistics bantered about are all wrong. After a careful analysis of the data, a leading researcher has found that the divorce rate is much lower than commonly believed. Only 20-25 per cent of first-time marriages end in divorce; not 50 per cent as commonly thought.
Video series on marriage and sex – The Rev Vaughan Roberts, rector of St Ebbe’s Church (Oxford, England) delivered an excellent video series called “The Maker’s Instructions”. It covers marriage, gender, same-sex marriage and singleness.
Soul food
Just for laughs
Thought
If you fail to spread your faith, does that make you an omissionary? ~ from Twitter
And now a Word from our Sponsor
Let all the earth fear the LORD; let all the inhabitants of the world stand in awe of him!
For he spoke, and it came to be; he commanded, and it stood firm.
The LORD brings the counsel of the nations to nothing; he frustrates the plans of the peoples.
The counsel of the LORD stands forever, the plans of his heart to all generations.
Blessed is the nation whose God is the LORD, the people whom he has chosen as his heritage!
The LORD looks down from heaven; he sees all the children of man;
from where he sits enthroned he looks out on all the inhabitants of the earth,
he who fashions the hearts of them all and observes all their deeds.
The king is not saved by his great army; a warrior is not delivered by his great strength.
The war horse is a false hope for salvation, and by its great might it cannot rescue.
Behold, the eye of the LORD is on those who fear him, on those who hope in his steadfast love, that he may deliver their soul from death and keep them alive in famine.
Our soul waits for the LORD; he is our help and our shield. For our heart is glad in him, because we trust in his holy name.
Let your steadfast love, O LORD, be upon us, even as we hope in you.
Psalm 33:8-22 ESV
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