Daily Archives: July 28, 2012

Archbishop Wabukhala Defends the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission's Credibility

The Anglican Church has challenged Kenyans to be patient with the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission amid reports of the commission’s integrity waning. Archbishop Eliud Wabukhala, the churh’s head, asked leaders and politicians not to be suspicious of the operations of the IEBC since this will cast its credibility and ability to a fair electioneering process into disrepute.

Wabukhala said leaders should embrace the body and advice it accordingly instead of casting blame on a particular group. “IEBC has done well in the past and any slight hitch should not be exaggerated as the end of the world. We should work alongside IEBC as a community and not try to load blames on the group. That will demoralise them and make them confused”, said Wabukhala.

The remarks by the clergy comes amid questions raised by various leaders on the biometric voter registration tender awarded to [second highest contract bidder and I.T. Company, headquartered in Nairobi ] Symphony by the election’s body.

Read it all.

Posted in * Anglican - Episcopal, * Culture-Watch, * Economics, Politics, * International News & Commentary, Africa, Anglican Church of Kenya, Anglican Provinces, Kenya, Politics in General, Religion & Culture

The Bishop of Washington D.C. on The Episcopal Church–Rediscovering the reasons for our existence

We’re also investing tremendous resources in our congregations as the foundation of Christian life. Contrary to the conservative critique, it isn’t what we’ve changed that is weakening our congregations, but rather what we’ve been unwilling to change. For all our liberal theology and progressive politics, we’ve remained rather stodgy in worship, wedded to unwieldy structures, and resistant to growth. When I ask young people what keeps them from attending church, the answer, predictably, is that it’s boring. And they’re right! But we’re committed to changing that, both in the Diocese of Washington and across the country, so that all our congregations will be vital centers of Christian worship, learning, community, and service.

And why do all this? Why does it matter for the Episcopal Church to claim its place in the spiritual landscape of our nation?

I believe that the Episcopal Church has something vitally important to offer to our time, that we have particular gifts and unique perspectives on the gospel of Jesus Christ that this culture hungers for and desperately needs. That, in the boldest of affirmations, we have something God needs for God’s mission of renewing the face of the earth. And so on our watch, we are called to change; to turn the trends of decline, atrophy and lethargy around; to assume our place as God’s collaborators in mission; and to help transform this culture by allowing ourselves to be transformed.

Read it all.

Posted in * Anglican - Episcopal, * Christian Life / Church Life, --Gen. Con. 2012, Episcopal Church (TEC), General Convention, Parish Ministry, TEC Bishops, TEC Data

Mere Anglicanism Conference January 24-26, 2013–Behold the Man: The Person and Work of Jesus Christ

Among the speakers–

The Rt. Rev. Dr. Paul Barnett
Bishop of North Sydney (Retired), Australia

Dr. Allen Ross
Beeson Divinity School, Samford University

The Rev. Dr. David Wenham
Trinity College, Bristol, England

The Rt. Rev. Michael Nazir-Ali
Bishop of Rochester (Retired), England

Mr. Eric Metaxes
Noted author of a recent major book on Dietrich Bonhoeffer and lecturer

You can find more information here as well as there. Consider planning ahead now and coming.

Posted in * South Carolina, Christology, Theology

Nigeria: Anglican Primate to the Government – Tackle Corruption, Not Constitution Review

[Archbishop Nicholas] Okoh…described Nigerians as being innately corrupt, ]and] noted that enforcement of existing laws that are expected to act as checks and balances against corruption has remained a great challenge to the country, saying: “it is not so much a problem of constitution but people are dedicated to evil.”

He emphasised that politicians are not the only set of Nigerians that indulge in corrupt practices across the country, but also local people and vandals who engage in destruction and theft of bridge railings and stadia facilities across the country.

Speaking to journalists at the first session of the second Synod of the Communion in Abuja, with the theme: “Behold obedience is better than sacrifice,” Okoh stressed that all that is required for true repentance of people, adding, “People need to repent. We need to be righteous,”.

Read it all.

Posted in * Anglican - Episcopal, Anglican Provinces, Church of Nigeria

(Fraser Coast Chronicle) Grafton priest leads the way

Clarence Valley celebrates the first Grafton woman to be accepted into the role of Archdeacon this morning as Reverend Gail Hagon of the Anglican Diocese of Grafton takes on the most senior position in the life of the church.

“While I accept my new role with honour, in some ways I’m not about hierarchical structure,” [the] Rev[.] Hagon said.

“I am passionate about what I do and what I believe in.”

Read it all.

Posted in * Anglican - Episcopal, * Christian Life / Church Life, Anglican Church of Australia, Anglican Provinces, Ministry of the Ordained, Parish Ministry

Judith Wallerstein and Divorce: How One Woman Changed the Way We Think About Marital Breakups

Given her initial idea that divorce may not be so bad, it’s ironic that Judy became best known as one of the nation’s leading critics of divorce. The heart of her findings:

* The effects of divorce on children are not transient. They are long-lasting and profound, persisting well into adulthood.

* The quality of the post-divorce family is critical. Parents are told “don’t fight” but the issue is much bigger. Beyond custody and visiting plans, children need to be fully supported as they grow up. Few are.

* Age matters. Little ones, ages 2 to 6, are terrified of abandonment. Elementary-school-age children, 7 to 11, grow resentful when deprived of opportunities they would have had if their parents had stayed together.

Read it all.

Posted in * Culture-Watch, * International News & Commentary, America/U.S.A., Children, History, Marriage & Family, Psychology

Dean Miller's recent Sermon at Falls Church (Anglican)–Beware Idolatry

Read it all.

Posted in * Christian Life / Church Life, Parish Ministry, Preaching / Homiletics

(BP) Olympic diver's empty life undergoes 'radical change'

[David] Boudia’s emptiness after the 2008 Olympics continued through his freshman year and into his sophomore year at Purdue. He jumped into the college party scene. He made a lot of friends and a lot of self-described “silly choices.”

One day, the depression got so severe he couldn’t even get out of bed.

“I woke up from a nap and felt like I’d hit a wall,” Boudia said. “I didn’t know what was going on. I didn’t know what my purpose was. I didn’t know why I was feeling the way I was feeling.”

A diving teammate at Purdue directed Boudia to his coach, of all people. Boudia called Adam Soldati and went over to his house, where he sat and listened to Soldati and his wife Kimiko talk about the Lord.

Read it all.

Posted in * Culture-Watch, Religion & Culture, Soteriology, Sports, Theology

Economist–America's debate on what role government should play is too shallow

America needs a serious debate both about the size and scope of government, and how to pay for it. The winner of the November election will immediately be faced with the problem of the “fiscal cliff”””a preset $400 billion tax increase, with the expiry of various tax cuts, and a $100-billion-a-year cut in spending””which could push the economy back into recession. Looming over that is the gaping deficit. And over that, America’s schizophrenia: it taxes itself like a small-government country, but spends like a big-government one.

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Posted in * Economics, Politics, Ethics / Moral Theology, Office of the President, Politics in General, President Barack Obama, Theology

A Prayer to Begin the Day

We give thee thanks, O heavenly Father, who hast delivered us from the power of darkness and translated us into the kingdom of thy Son; grant, we pray thee, that as by his death he has recalled us to life, so by his presence abiding in us he may raise us to joys eternal; through the same Jesus Christ our Lord.

–Mozarabic Sacramentary

Posted in * Christian Life / Church Life, Spirituality/Prayer

From the Morning Bible Readings

“And now I am about to go the way of all the earth, and you know in your hearts and souls, all of you, that not one thing has failed of all the good things which the LORD your God promised concerning you; all have come to pass for you, not one of them has failed. But just as all the good things which the LORD your God promised concerning you have been fulfilled for you, so the LORD will bring upon you all the evil things, until he have destroyed you from off this good land which the LORD your God has given you, if you transgress the covenant of the LORD your God, which he commanded you, and go and serve other gods and bow down to them. Then the anger of the LORD will be kindled against you, and you shall perish quickly from off the good land which he has given to you.”

–Joshua 23:14-19

Posted in Theology, Theology: Scripture

(WSJ) A Study Reveals Five Common Themes Underlie Most Divorces

Want great marriage advice? Ask a divorced person.

People who lose the most important relationship of their life tend to spend some time thinking about what went wrong. If they are at all self-reflective, this means they will acknowledge their own mistakes, not just their ex’s blunders. And if they want to be lucky in love next time, they’ll try to learn from these mistakes.

Research shows that most divorced people identify the same top five regrets””behaviors they believe contributed to their marriage’s demise and that they resolve to change next time. “Divorced individuals who step back and say, ‘This is what I’ve done wrong and this is what I will change,’ have something powerful to teach others,” says Terri Orbuch, a psychologist, research professor at the University of Michigan’s Institute for Social Research and author of the new book “Finding Love Again: 6 Simple Steps to a New and Happy Relationship.” “This is marriage advice learned the hard way,” she says.

Read it all.

Posted in * Culture-Watch, Marriage & Family