Timeless gospel meets changing world

Oct 9, 2017 by Andrew Symes

By Russell Powell, Sydney Anglicans.

Archbishop Glenn Davies has used his Presidential Address, delivered within days of the 500 year anniversary of the start of the Reformation, as a rallying call to stand firm in proclaiming the gospel…

…Dr Davies referred to the recent census and a rise in the ‘no religion’ category. “The 2016 census data indicate that Australia is a religiously diverse nation with Christianity remaining the most common religion at 52% of the population, compared with 88% a mere fifty years ago. That more than 30% of the population now declare themselves to have no religion is a sobering statistic. Hence the mission field in our own diocese, let alone the nation, is wide open.” The Archbishop foreshadowed discussion during the Synod about the goals of the Diocese Mission 2020 statement. “Our vision is to see Christ honoured as Lord and Saviour in every community…

…The Archbishop spoke of the challenges confronting society including, but not only, same-sex marriage. The Diocese is a founding partner of the Coalition for Marriage, the group leading the No case. The Diocese of Sydney, along with the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Sydney, Marriage Alliance and the Australian Christian Lobby make up the major partners, but since its formation a further 80 organisations have joined in common cause.

“The Standing Committee has also enthusiastically backed our participation in the Coalition for Marriage and has taken the bold step of drawing down one million dollars from the Diocesan Endowment to promote the ‘No’ case. Brothers and sisters, the stakes are high and the cost is high. Yet the cause is just and it is a consequence of our discipleship to uphold the gift of marriage as God has designed it—a creation ordinance for all people. Dr Davies said he would “make no apology for encouraging all Australians, especially Anglicans, to vote ‘No’ in this postal survey…”

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See also: Anglican Diocese of Sydney donates $1 million to ‘no’ campaign in same sex marriage poll, by Harry Farley, Christian Today