On Friday 12 February, at the invitation of the Australian Christian Lobby, I joined a delegation to meet Prime Minister, Malcolm Turnbull, in his Sydney office. It was agreed that we confine our remarks to the issue of the plebiscite regarding single gender marriage which will be held, in the event of a coalition victory,…
The citation said that General Morrison was selected for his commitment to “gender equality, diversity and inclusion”. During the preamble to the presentation of his award, it was noted that Mr Morrison is now chair of the Diversity Council of Australia. During the speeches, the word “diversity” was repeated again and again, and so I…
We celebrate the incarnation of God, Jesus Christ, the Word, become flesh, who made his dwelling among us (John 1:14). John says, “we have seen with our eyes, we have looked at, our hands have touched … we proclaim to you what we have seen and heard” (1 John 1:1, 3). Paul put it in…
I have noticed that articles on Facebook are often headlined: “Three reasons why…..” or “Four ways to …. “ or 5 key thoughts on ….”. So I thought I would finish this year in that vein: Two big issues… A one word answer? Having now been back in parish/pastoral work for four years, I find…
Much of the debate in the media about fundamentalism and radicalisation would be solved if all involved developed a commitment to responsible hermeneutics. Hermeneutics is the science of interpretation. When a solicitor reads a legal deed, words are to be understood literally. When I read the newspaper, I adopt different hermeneutical principles in reading the news items, the comment, the editorial and…
October – November 2015 edition of The Pulse, news magazine of the Presbyterian Church of Australia in the State of New South Wales is available at the PCNSW website for download. Download or open the PDF here. Features: Special report – Are Schools SEXUALISING OUR CHILDREN? What are we? Social media under the scope A new convener Register for summer camp now Taking Christianity to…
The October long weekend (3 – 5 October) has been hot in Sydney with temperatures reaching 350. Saturday saw the spectacle of a full MCG hosting the AFL Grand Final in which the Hawthorn Hawks dominated the West Coast Eagles, winning by a big margin of 46 points. Sunday morning began with the GEM commentator in Sydney, unable to establish any objectivity…
August – September 2015 edition of The Pulse, news magazine of the Presbyterian Church of Australia in the State of New South Wales is available at the PCNSW website for download. Download or open the PDF here. Features: Tree Change for Nicola… And a Principal for PLC Armidale Pitt Wood Open Same-Sex Marriage Ministering to Disabilities General Assembly 15 Camping for kids Plus:…
A message from our Moderator, Rt. Rev. David Cook: Many of you have probably received information from the Australian Christian Lobby (ACL) regarding last night’s decision of the Coalition party room not to grant a free vote on the Bill which seeks to change the Australian Marriage Act to widen the definition of marriage to include same sex couples. I have written…
Brothers and sisters, Greetings in Christ. Yesterday, the Presbyterian Church of Australia in NSW completed its Assembly. It was a very encouraging time, which began with a celebration of the 150th Anniversary of our formation as a church in the then, colony of New South Wales. The Assembly rejoiced in the fact that God has continued to be gracious to us over…