Moore Matters Summer 2017 by Moore Theological College

moore matters Summer 2017|2018 moore.edu.au

Celebrating the Reformation pages 3-6

Meet the Students pages 10-11

From the Principal page 2

Plotting a course for Moore College pages 8-9

Editorial. The need of the moment: evangelism page 15

2 From The Principal Moore Matters Summer 2017|2018

The Gospel of grace Dr Mark Thompson

THE YEAR OF REFORMATION CELEBRATIONS IS ALMOST OVER. THIS YEAR MOORE COLLEGE HAS PLAYED A HUGE ROLE IN THE AUSTRALIAN CELEBRATIONS.

wo Reformation rallies (one at the College and one at the Cathedral), a summit on the central doctrine of justification only by faith, the Annual lectures by Professor Carl Trueman, the School of Theology and the launch of its papers in the book Celebrating the Reformation, hosting the Reformation exhibition throughout October, two public lectures (one by Dr Graham Cole and the other by myself)—and there were sundry smaller celebrations as well. It has been a busy year but one very worthwhile. On top of all this, 2017 has been the year when the John Chapman Preaching Clinics commenced and two preaching conferences were held as well, one with Rev William Taylor of St Helen’s Bishopsgate and the other with Dr Bryan Chappell of Grace Presbyterian Church in Illinois and Covenant Theological Seminary. Our training in preaching has gone through a substantial overhaul over the last couple of years and we were thrilled to see these new developments come to

fruition alongside our celebration of the Reformation, which owed so much to the preaching of men like Luther, Zwingli, Calvin and Cranmer. Celebrating the Reformation and ramping up our work on preaching (which is, of course only one way in which word ministry is conducted in our churches and elsewhere, but a very important way nevertheless) has taken place as we’ve begun to enjoy the new facilities which the Lord has supplied largely through the generosity of his people. Once again, we owe a very big ‘thank you’ to the readers of Moore Matters for their support of the College at this vital time. The building is working splendidly and we are very grateful for the way it has already transformed the experience of students, faculty and staff alike. All of this has happened against a backdrop which has impressed upon us all the deep and desperate need of so many to hear the gospel. The wanton destruction of life, the celebration of immorality, and the avalanche

of reports of abuse, violence and lasting harm right through our community is evidence of a world confused and fractured by sin and the deliberate dismantling of the Christian foundations of Western society. Lives are in turmoil and we lack a national and international leadership that puts the concerns of the vulnerable above their own desire to hold on to power. The gospel of grace and sins forgiven, of reconciliation and new life with the God who made us and gives us every breath, is the only answer to that need. God has not abandoned the world to its brokenness but sent Jesus Christ as our Saviour. He has poured out his Spirit so that faith and life can be our experience rather than selfishness, fear and death. In the sixteenth century, the Reformation saw the gospel preached clearly again. On the final authority of Scripture alone, the Reformers proclaimed salvation by Christ alone, on the basis of God’s grace alone, received by faith alone, to the glory of God alone.

Chris Thomson, Lecturer in Old Testament

The Reformers saw that the abuses and moral decline of their time were symptoms of something deeper: human sin which can only be dealt with fully, finally and forever by the death and resurrection of Jesus. It is only the Spirit of God who can genuinely transform lives from within, and he does that through the faithful preaching of the Bible, and especially its testimony to God’s Son sent to save us. Moore College has celebrated this year. Importantly, those very celebrations have been an encouragement for us to keep our focus on what really matters. We are more committed than ever to preparing men and women to take the gospel to the world through the faithful teaching and preaching of the Bible and the loving care, encouragement and support of God’s people. Thank you for praying for and supporting us in the many ways that you have this year.

ete Tong wrote about William Tyndale’s life in the Autumn 2017 Moore Matters. I recently read David Daniell’s William Tyndale: A Biography (New Haven: Yale University Press, 1994), and was impressed by three things in particular about this man. First, Tyndale was willing to suffer and die to make Scripture available in English. When invited in 1532 to return to England, Tyndale replied that if the king would allow a translation by whomsoever his majesty pleased, he would immediately return, “offering my body to suffer what pain or torture, yea, what death his grace will, so this be obtained. And till that time, I will abide the asperity of all chances, whatsoever shall come, and endure my life in as many pains as it is able to bear and suffer.” Do we value our access to Scripture as highly as Tyndale did? And will we, like him, consider our lives a small price to pay to bring God’s word to those in darkness? Secondly, Tyndale did not translate from Latin, as earlier English translations had, but from the original Greek and Hebrew, no mean feat at a time when knowledge of those languages was rare. This enabled him to convey both the feel and the meaning of the original more accurately, and to correct certain misleading translations which magnified the power of the clergy, for example correcting “penance” to “repentance”. It is sometimes supposed that the original languages are no longer necessary now that we have the Bible in English. But faulty translations continue to undermine the gospel, for example, “atone for your sins by good deeds” (Dan 4:24, NAB) or the idea that “righteousness from God” is really “covenant status from God” (Phil 2:9, NTE). We need scholars who, like Tyndale, will labour in the original languages to preserve God’s truth. Thirdly, Tyndale’s English was well crafted and memorable, combining an ear for rhythm and sound patterns with a directness that came from using everyday spoken language in a slightly higher register, and a weightiness that came from keeping close to the Hebrew and Greek where sense and style permitted (compare Tyndale’s “let not your hearts be troubled” with the GNB’s “Do not be worried or upset”). There are lessons here not just for translators but also for preachers and all of us who use language. It is a testament both to Tyndale’s ability in Greek and Hebrew and to his flair in English that so much of his language survives today. “Then God said: let there be light and there was light.” “The spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak.” “In the beginning was the Word and the Word was with God: and the Word was God.” Examples could be multiplied. Some phrases, such as “the signs of the times”, “the powers that be”, and “filthy lucre”, survive even in non-religious discourse. As was said of another righteous man, “He being dead, yet speaketh” (Heb 11:4).

Reformation Anniversary Moore Matters Summer 2017|2018

William Tyndale

4 Reformation Anniversary Moore Matters Summer 2017|2018

My Favourite Reformer: William Hunter

Dan Wu, Lecturer in Old Testament

y favourite Reformer isn’t a well-known name. He never wrote a theological treatise nor played an important role in politics or official religion. But ever since I read his story, it has stayed with me. His story challenges and inspires me to hold on to the truth won back for us 500 years ago. William Hunter was born in England in about 1535, to parents who had accepted Reformation teachings, and taught them to their son from his childhood. He went to London to become a silk-weaver’s apprentice in 1553, Queen Mary’s first year on the throne. Along with everyone else in the city, he was commanded to receive the Mass at Easter, but refused to do so. As a result, he lost his job, and returned to Brentwood to live with his family. About six weeks later, William was in the Brentwood chapel. Finding a Bible lying on the desk, he began to read it. A church officer

came in, and hearing William read the Bible, demanded that he stop doing so, or else be condemned as a heretic. William’s answer: ‘God give me grace, that I may believe his word, and confess his name, whatsoever come thereof.’ Needless to say, this did not go down well, and William was imprisoned shortly thereafter. For the next nine months, in an effort to get him to recant, he was repeatedly interrogated, and alternately punished and offered bribes, by increasingly senior church figures, up to the bishop. At each turn, William stood firm on the death of Christ for him, the assurance of salvation he had through Jesus, and the authority of the Scriptures alone to testify to the truth about God. As a result, he was condemned, and in March 1555, he was led to the stake. As he was tied, his brother Robert called to him, ‘William! Think on the death of Christ, and be not afraid of death.’ William answered

with his last words, ‘I am not afraid. Lord, Lord, Lord, receive my spirit.’ He was nineteen years old. Hunter was the first martyr in the Essex region under Mary’s reign, and his death left a huge impression on people there. So much so that the site of his burning is now marked with an inscription that, for me, captures the heart of the Reformation: ‘William Hunter. Martyr. Committed to the flames March 26th MDLV. Christian Reader, learn from his example to value the privilege of an open Bible. And be careful to maintain it.’ William Hunter’s death for the right to open and read his bible contributed to the freedom that I so easily have now to open and read mine. The cost he paid convicts me not to take it for granted.

5 Reformation Anniversary Moore Matters Summer 2017|2018

Thomas Cranmer Lionel Windsor, Lecturer in New Testament

convicted of sin, draws near to God in repentance and faith, is pardoned through Christ, hears God’s word, is exhorted to obedience, brings thanksgivings and requests to God, and praises his name. So what can I add? Just to emphasise further how deeply Protestant were the convictions that drove Cranmer’s reforms. Because Cranmer was committed to Scripture alone, he played a vital role in ensuring that English Bibles were installed in every church in England, and he filled his services with Scripture. Because Cranmer was committed to Grace Alone, his prayers were saturated with references to God’s mercy. Because Cranmer was committed to Christ alone—and so held that Christ made “by his one oblation of himself once offered, a full, perfect, and sufficient sacrifice for the sins of the whole world” 1—he ensured that all hints of priestly sacrifice were removed from the communion service. And because Cranmer was committed to Faith Alone—and so held that “We are accounted righteous before God,

only for the merit of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ by Faith, and not for our own works or deservings”2— he ensured that the clear declaration of complete forgiveness through Jesus Christ was a core element of every church service. Cranmer isn’t my favourite Reformer because he was brave. Of course, he must have been brave: he often stood up against Henry’s theological and ethical failings, presumably at great risk to himself. Yet he was also cautious, and politically shrewd, and made many compromises that seem rather questionable. No: the reason Cranmer is my favourite Reformer is that he trusted God, and he trusted God’s word, and he used what God had given him to make sure that as many people as possible, as often as possible, heard God’s word and were assured of forgiveness in Jesus. Anyway, Cranmer knew that he wasn’t justified by his bravery (or lack of it). He was justified by faith alone.

1 From the communion service (An Australian Prayer Book).

2 From the 39 Articles (An Australian Prayer Book).

IMAGE | CLIPART.COM

ndrew beat me to it! Each Moore faculty member has been asked to write something about their favourite Reformer. Mine is Thomas Cranmer, Archbishop of Canterbury during the tumultuous reign of Henry VIII and his son Edward VI. Andrew Shead’s article in the Spring Moore Matters captures the essence of Cranmer’s appeal and legacy. Cranmer was a committed Protestant, unexpectedly elevated by King Henry to the position of Archbishop. Though constrained by the complex politics of court, church and parliament, Cranmer made the most of his position to bring about deep and lasting changes in English church life. In particular, Cranmer profoundly reshaped the fabric of everyday church experience. The medieval mass had been a sacrificial ceremony, performed by priests, in Latin. By contrast, Cranmer’s liturgies were (to use Andrew’s helpful phrase) ‘gospel performances’ for the entire congregation. Cranmer designed each element of the service to ensure that the congregation not only heard the Bible and the truths of the gospel (in English); they also performed that gospel together. The congregation is together

6 Graduate Thinking Moore Matters Summer 2017|2018

My favourite reformer is John Calvin Mark Gilbert, College graduate

aving been an active member of the Roman Catholic Church for 28 years, only leaving it 4 years before I started studying at Moore, reading Calvin’s Institutes was for me like discovering the Protestant play book for Catholic Evangelism! Most of the arguments and answers to the questions and challenges I would put to my Protestant friends as a Catholic, I discovered when I started reading Calvin, actually came from him. Take for example Calvin’s answer to Cardinal Sadoleto’s challenge in his Letter to Sadoleto in 1539. Calvin had recently been thrown out of Geneva by the city council and the Libertines were in power. The Libertines were seeking freedom from the moral laws, strict discipline and harsh penalties imposed by the city when Calvin was in power. They would argue that “If we are justified through faith alone, then we are free to do as we like!” Sadoleto used this opportunity to try to manipulate the people of Geneva to turn back to the historic, reliable leadership of the Roman Catholic Church in light of this destabilising doctrine of justification through faith alone. Sadoleto argues, “Surely the faith we have in God through Jesus Christ not only enjoins and commands us to confide in Christ but to confide, working or resolved to work well in Him. For Faith is a term of full and ample signification …” Calvin, rather than shrinking back from the apparent novelty of the doctrine

of salvation by faith alone, argues that it is more consistent with the teaching of the Old Testament, Jesus, the apostles and the Church Fathers! Secondly, a point you don’t often hear made these days, he grounds his argument in the very nature of God—the Trinity. Calvin, in response to Sadoleto’s argument that by “attributing everything to faith, we leave no room for works” (sounds familiar!), points to the Trinity. He says, “Wherever that righteousness of faith, which we maintain to be gratuitous, is, there too Christ is, and wherever Christ is, there too is the Spirit of holiness, who regenerates the soul to newness of life.” In other words, you can’t be justified without “possessing” Christ and you can’t possess Christ without possessing His Spirit, and if you have God’s Spirit in you then you can’t just do what you like!

Reading Calvin’s Institutes was for me like discovering the Protestant play book for Catholic Evangelism! Calvin had the courage and the resources to say to Cardinal Sadoleto, by misunderstanding salvation by faith alone, you have misunderstood God. In a world that wants to tell us that Catholics and Protestants are essentially the same and that rehashing these tired old arguments does no one any good, a fresh look at Calvin might help motivate us to keep sharing the Gospel with our Catholic family, neighbours and friends and might help to sharpen up the way we share the Gospel with them.

revor Cairney OAM has been appointed as the College’s Head of Foundation. This role is central to the College’s fundraising objectives, and is responsible for identifying and activating opportunities for the College to grow its funding base; develop proactive bequest and endowment programs; build strong and respectful relationship with donors and stakeholders; build effective church networks; and organise major donor events. Trevor also currently works part-time as the Chairman & President of the NSW Business Chamber. He has started working 1 day a week at Moore and will be working 3 days a week from next year. Trevor is married to Carmen (for 46 years) and they have 2 daughters and 6 grandchildren. Trevor and Carmen attend Christ Church Gladesville. Prior to working at Moore and the NSW Business Chamber, he worked as the Master and CEO of New College at the University of NSW for almost 15 years. He also worked in the research field and as a university professor and senior manager for over 25 years. He explains his leadership this way, “The role is still emerging, but at this early stage I see myself working with the many other faithful servants who love Moore, to

increase its financial security and to fund many ministry opportunities. Moore is a vital gospel ministry that is critical not just for the equipping of men and women for ministry, but for the Anglican Church at large and the spiritual welfare of our nation. In these early months, I am learning more about Moore, trying to build relationships with key partners and people, and talking my way to a clearer understanding of how the foundation might serve Moore College and its varied related ministries… We want to encourage giving to Moore across a variety of areas. This will of course include the need to support core funding, facilities and staff. But it will also seek to support the varied related ministries that are relevant to undergraduate, postgraduate and ongoing education for the ministry of the Church. The strategy will be developed over the next 6 months in consultation with many people and groups within the College, but also across the church and the wider Moore family. I envisage bequest programs, endowed positions, scholarship programs and the enhancement of facilities. But of course, we will consider whatever the related needs of Moore College happen to be.” Trevor has professional experience as an academic as well as experience in business and fundraising. He shared, “When people in business meet me and I say I’m just an academic, they usually say, you’re an unusual academic. In one sense I am, but in many I’m not. I’m still an active scholar in my chosen field—with a new book on Christian Pedagogy to be published next year—but my parallel life in business has equipped me in perhaps a unique way. What’s good about my

strange background is that as God has orchestrated my life through His sovereign work, I have developed knowledge and skills that proved ideal for my role at New College and now hopefully at Moore College.” When asked how his work experience as the Master and CEO of New College might help him in this role, Trevor said, “I’ve had experience at New College establishing development agendas, seeking funding, leading the expansion of the organisation as well as expanding its ministries. My role at New College also allowed me to develop the public theology and apologetics centre, CASE, to host public lectures like the New College Lectures, run conferences, manage key stakeholders in the university and across business, and support residential communities, alumni and so on. As New College is an organisation that has wide reach, I have had the privilege of meeting thousands of Anglicans from across Australia. I’ve had the privilege of involvement in many Anglican organisations, and to have relationships with many Moore College staff and students over the years. I’m thankful that in many ways, these contacts are just as relevant for my role at Moore College as they were at New.” Trevor would love you to pray for him as he takes up this role at the College, “My prayer is that God will equip me for this significant and vital role that I have been given at Moore College. Please pray that He will continue to strengthen me and give me and others the ideas and wisdom to fulfill the task set before us. Pray also that He will gather many key people together so that a vibrant foundation can be built for the work of the Kingdom of God.”

Foundation News Moore Matters Summer 2017|2018

Trevor Cairney oam appointed Moore College’s Head of Foundation

8 Strategic Plan Moore Matters Summer 2017|2018

Plotting a course for Moore College Mark Thompson

Faithfulness

Quality

Growth

Explaining our strategic plan There have been a lot of changes at Moore College over the past couple of years, not least our move into the magnificent new building. There have been process changes, personnel changes, policy changes, and much more. We want to make these necessary changes so that this College might thrive, and more importantly, God’s mission might be advanced exponentially, in the years ahead. We don’t want to just do things the way they have always been done— though our history is important and we don’t want to just turn our back on our heritage. The world is rapidly changing, and if we are going to have the impact we want to have in the world, we need to change too. Some things, of course, must not change. This is a Christian college committed to proclaiming and living out what God teaches us in His word, the Bible. We

Influence Sustain ability

won’t be changing the message any time soon. The mission of the College is going to remain our mission. Learning together in the context of real personal relationships is still going to be at the centre of all that we do. But some things have changed and more things will undoubtedly change in the future. The big question is how are we going to handle that change? How are we going to respond to it? How are we going to help each other negotiate that change and prosecute the mission? In other words, what kind of College do we want to be? The Governing Board approved a new version of the Strategic Plan to take us through to the year 2020. It is not meant as a straight jacket, it is not carved in stone or anything like that. It is an attempt to plot a course, to aim at something, to set a direction that is the result of all the things that the College does.

Everything we do is going in that direction. We won’t grow in size and effectiveness without a well-functioning administration, without a dining room where real fellowship can occur, without accommodation and buildings where people can relax and grow and delight in what God is doing in and through them. We won’t grow in size and effectiveness without each individual piece of the mosaic that is Moore College working with every other piece with this goal in mind. And then the paragraph below explains this aim: We aim to do that while remaining faithful to the teaching of Scripture and our Anglican evangelical heritage, and allowing this fidelity to shape everything else we do. The goals of improving quality, growth, extending influence and ensuring sustainability do not exist for their own sake, but in order to serve the faithful proclamation of the gospel and continued provision of godly, effective and well-prepared gospel workers to churches and other Christian organisations around the world. That’s the pointy end. That is what everything we do as an organisation is seeking to accomplish. The strategic plan is dominated by five words: 1. FAITHFULNESS 2. QUALITY 3. GROWTH 4. INFLUENCE 5. SUSTAINABILITY

Faithfulness covers all the others. It is the central thing. We want to be faithful to the Bible; we want to think theologically—that is, taking seriously everything related to God and what He is doing; we want to be evangelical—keeping the gospel of Jesus Christ, the grace of God and the free and wonderful forgiveness of sins at the centre of our message and our life; we want to serve the churches, not just ourselves. Quality simply means we want to keep improving. We want to do things better because the end product is so important. So we want to have the highest

academic standards, and the best and most effective teaching that really does prepare people for a lifetime of ministry. We don’t simply want to be satisfied with the way things have been done before. We want to work with each other so that together we are improving all the time. To be faithful we need to keep improving what we do.

Growth The need out there in the world is greater than it has ever been. There are more people in Sydney who do not know Jesus than there have ever been. Then there is the Pacific region. Then there is the world. The Western world on the whole needs to be reevangelised. Other parts of the world need to hear the gospel for the first time. And so we need more people to go out from here and take the gospel to the world. That means we need more students, a larger faculty, expanded accommodation and much more besides. The College will need to get bigger—perhaps in every department—if we are going to send out more men and women properly equipped to shake the world. To be faithful we will need to grow. Influence means we want to reach the world with the gospel. We want to resource Christians all over Sydney, Australia and the world to share Christ and to live confidently for Christ. We want to set an agenda for the churches and the world, not simply react to an agenda set by others for us. To be faithful we will need to extend our influence. Sustainability means being responsible with the resources God has given us, planning carefully, managing the financial risks and potential financial risks. We want this College to be a strong and vibrant and effective instrument in God’s hands until the day when Jesus returns. We will need to weather changes and challenges in government policy, in economic conditions, in cultural mood, and much else besides. If we are going to keep sending people out we need to operate in a sustainable way. To be faithful we must be sustainable. So that’s the plan. How are we going to do those things? How are we going to keep improving, keep growing, keep extending our influence and keep positioning ourselves to be here for the long haul? We’ve set a number of objectives under each of these headings as a way of getting us started. But this is a living document not a stone monument. We won’t be able to do everything, but we can focus on the things that really will make a difference in fulfilling this plan and reaching the goal. And we need to do them in a way that is exciting and not crushing or burdensome.

Strategic Plan Moore Matters Summer 2017|2018

Strategic Plan 2017-2020 Over the next ten years we are aiming to see the College grow in size and effectiveness as a provider of evangelical theological education of the highest caliber.

10 meet the students Moore Matters Summer 2017|2018

Jack Day 3rd Year

orn and bred in Sydney, I left school eager to pursue a life of mathematical academia. But over time, my love for partial differential equations was dwarfed by my love for people who need Jesus, so I started thinking about getting trained to do ministry more effectively. When I decided to apply at Moore College, the biggest single factor was the graduates I knew personally. I spent two years at my home church as an MTS apprentice learning from a team of seasoned pastors who had all studied there. They were theologically sharp and well-versed in the Scriptures. They were engaging preachers who were eager to see people come to know Jesus. They weren’t perfect, but they always tried to show me how to love Christ. I wanted to be trained the

way they’d been trained, so I came to Moore. I’ve loved my three years so far at college. The fellowship here is wonderful. I get to have stretching and thought-provoking discussions with people about God and his Word one day, and then those same people will pray with me through the tough circumstances of life the next. Lunchtime cricket is a big highlight. I love digging deep into big books of the Bible where in the past I’ve only scratched the surface. Isaiah, Job, and the Psalms have been revolutionary for me this year. I’m slowly learning to be humble enough to admit that things aren’t necessarily true just because I’ve grown up hearing them. In the end, the Bible must be our guide, but I know I’m not the first person who’s ever read it! It’s great to learn

from lecturers at college who’ve thought hard about who Jesus is, what he’s done and said, and how to bring that news to our desperate world. And through all this, the Gospel never gets old. The more I try to fathom the depths of God’s love for sinners like me, the more unfathomable I find them. I don’t know yet what life after college will look like for me, my wife Katie, and our first child who is due mid-November. It’s comforting to remember that God already knows! We’re currently thinking about serving in a church somewhere in a multicultural and less-resourced area, perhaps somewhere in southwest Sydney. But wherever we go and whatever we do, Jesus is Lord, and I want to let people know.

3rd Year

y husband Jack and I hail from Adelaide (the land of milk and honey!). Despite being labelled ‘the city of churches’, there are sadly relatively few churches teaching the gospel clearly and faithfully back home. Having benefited greatly from our time as part of the ‘Evangelical Students’ (AFES) group at Adelaide University, we were both keen to pursue further training to be better equipped to serve God’s people in our city. While Jack completed MTS training at our local church, I worked, staffing for a federal senator. While I loved my job, working in the political sphere gave me a greater appreciation of the desperate need our community has to hear the saving news of Jesus, the one who can truly be trusted for he always fulfils his promises. Having decided to study at a theological college, we considered a number of options around the country. Moore College emerged as the best decision for us for a number of reasons including the world-class faculty and facilities,

the large student body, the calibre perhaps even more so, by each of graduates and the presence of lecturer’s genuine pastoral heart. additional centres of learning, in From meeting in lecturer’s homes as particular the Priscilla and Aquila part of weekly chaplaincy (pastoral Centre. Ultimately however, support) groups, to chatting further we chose Moore because of its over coffee, to watching Peter Orr reputation for upholding the Moore College emerged as the best authority of decision for us for a number of reasons Scripture, an attribute we deeply including the world-class faculty and appreciated. facilities, the large student body, the We’ve loved calibre of graduates and the presence our time so far at of additional centres of learning… Moore College. A particular joy has been the community we’ve join in with after-lunch cricket, there been welcomed into both in our has been a real sense of fellowship residential satellite community, and care that we’ve really enjoyed. MooreWest, and in our college We are passionate about small cohort. It’s been a delight to study and under-resourced ministries, and alongside men and women from have a particular heart for Adelaide, many and varied backgrounds, so it remains our hope to return encouraging and learning from one there after we complete our studies another as together we sit under at the end of 2018. We are excited to God’s word. learn more about God’s plans for us The faculty have been another and are keen to be used by Him to source of encouragement for us— encourage His people, and to bring while we expected their academic many more to know Him! brilliance, we’ve been encouraged

meet the students Moore Matters Summer 2017|2018

Kate Hamer

12 Alumni: Where are they Now? Moore Matters Summer 2017|2018

Why I value what I learnt at Moore Phillip Colgan

PHILLIP COLGAN RUNS A PARISH OF SIX CONGREGATIONS. THIS SENIOR MINISTER, WHO LEADS ST GEORGE NORTH ANGLICAN CHURCH IN SYDNEY AND COMPLETED A BACHELOR OF DIVINITY AT MOORE COLLEGE IN 2003, SAYS THAT HIS MOORE EDUCATION CONTINUOUSLY INFORMS HIS DAY-TO-DAY DEALINGS AND CHALLENGES, AND SHOWED HIM WAYS TO SHARE GOD’S LIGHT WITH THE PEOPLE AROUND HIM.

What is your role at your Church? Our parish is quite large and diverse—we have six congregations on a Sunday. I lead a staff team of several full-time assistants and part-time trainee workers. I also focus on leading and pastoring at three of the parish’s congregations—I’m the main preacher at all three and am the main pastor of one of them. Preaching and teaching is a big part of my role, but there’s also meeting with leaders—both staff and lay leaders—and training and equipping them so that they can do the work of ministry. The part of my role which I enjoy the most is meeting people who are enquiring about the Christian faith and want to know more about the Bible.

It’s been 14 years since you studied at Moore. What’s your connection to the college today? Mainly through sending people there from our Church, and training and equipping student ministers from Moore College. From them I get an insight into the work the college continues to do, and we supplement what they’re getting at college with practical ministry experience and training. An important part of my ministry here is also encouraging people to think about potentially doing theological study. Moore is the college I recommend because I think it’s the most rigorous theological education available.

How did Moore College prepare you for not just demonstrating leadership yourself but equipping others for it too? A number of ways. What College did for me—and still does for me—is help give me the Biblical and theological basis of what I’m teaching and equipping people in. That’s its primary role, to help me be someone who can grapple with the Bible and teach it to others. What I admire very much at Moore College is that it’s not just teaching theology or what I “must” think on a particular topic—it’s actually giving me real skills in interpreting

the original language of the Bible, the Moore is the college scriptures I recommend because I themselves, historical think it’s the most rigorous theology. So then theological education I’m equipped to available. go on and teach and apply the Bible to any issues I’m faced with in the day-to-day. In essence, Moore College gives us the building blocks to think for ourselves, rather than saying “here’s what you must think”. It also shapes me in the philosophy of ministry—in helping other people find and use their own gifts so that they themselves can then go on to serve and to teach.

What sorts of challenges do you come across in your role day to day—and how has what you learned at Moore College helped you tackle them? Sometimes teaching the Bible comes into conflict with what the world thinks on certain topics, or the realities you face when dealing with lots of people, in all our brokenness and all our struggles and so forth. If you’re going to stand up and say what you think the Bible says, you want to be certain that it’s actually saying it. Moore College equips you by giving you that solid understanding. You then have the certainty of what God wants for you and are able to apply that sensitively and pastorally in reallife situations; within the messiness of life. Remaining strong yourself in your own Christian commitment and faith can be another challenge. Unlike any other job, in ministry you’re not just sharing information—you’re sharing your own life, your own struggles and your own self. Moore College, by its focus not just on information but on actually maturing and growing as a Christian believer yourself, has been a factor in helping me remain authentic: not just teaching others about what it means to follow Jesus, but actively seeking to model that in my own life.

One of the most interesting parts of the interview is where Dan talks about the idea that shame doesn’t have an inherent moral value; what’s key is the values that lie behind it and whether those values are worth subscribing to. This is helpful because, on the one hand, sometimes shame is unnecessary and illegitimate, but on the other, it is right and healthy to say, “I’m ashamed of what I did”. (Listen and subscribe online: ccl.moore.edu.au/2017/10/11/podcast-episode-009/)

The Centre for Global Mission is continuing to look for funding to develop the software platform we need to provide resources for our partners in the developing world. Please pray that those who have expressed an interest in supporting this work would give generously and that the project could be completed efficiently. Centre Director, Simon Gillham, travelled to Tanzania in September to meet with the Bishops of the Anglican Province and talk about ways in which CGM can support the theological education of their pastors and leaders. CGM also co-hosted the three-day annual convention of the Aboriginal Evangelical Fellowship at Moore College with Evangelism and New Churches. There are ongoing discussions about the training of indigenous Australian pastors and leaders. On behalf of CGM, Simon also accepted an invitation to run a half-day training session on October 7th for an African Pastors’ network in western Sydney, on a Christian response to domestic violence within African cultures.

GENESIS WOMEN Over 300 men and women came to the P&A Evening Seminar on September 20 on ‘Women & Work’. Three women were interviewed about their work, and Phillip Jensen gave the main talk. The interviews and talk are available on the P&A website:

paa.moore.edu.au/resource-center/

Registration will open at the end of October for our February 5, 2018 conference. Gary Millar will give the main talks on ‘Genesis Women’ and there will also be a range of electives to choose from:

paa.moore.edu.au/conference/

STOP PRESS POSTPONED UNTIL 2018

DEALING WITH GUILT AND SHAME

The Centre for Ministry Development (CMD) is very thankful to God for the work that we are doing with parishes and with ministers. In March we launched our first Developing Rectors Program – a program to equip new Rectors across the Diocese with Induction, a two year curriculum and the provision of Mentors to work beside them for two years. We launched with 12 new Rectors from all regions of the Diocese in March and will launch our second cohort with another 10 new Rectors this month. With the recent release of the 2016 National Church Life Survey, CMD is working with many clergy and lay leaders to analyse their NCLS results and use this data to better plan and implement ministry in their suburb. Any churches that would like assistance with this should contact CMD at info@cmd.training (or www.cmd.training).

Centres’ news and events Moore Matters Summer 2017|2018

CENTRES’ NEWS AND EVENTS

Our final open night for the year was planned for Wednesday 25 October and was to feature Dan Wu speaking on Dealing with guilt and shame. Due to unforeseen circumstances this event was postponed until 2018. Until then, you can hear Dan speak about the subject on our podcast.

Our coaches, mentors, trainers and consultants continue to love our work with clergy and lay people across the Diocese as we support the ongoing effort to more effectively live out Christ’s mission to our suburbs.

Annual Conference 2018 The Other Side of the Story: Men and Women in Genesis MONDAY 5 FEBRUARY 2018

8:30AM COFFEE 9.00AM START FINISH 5PM

MOORE COLLEGE 1 KING ST NEWTOWN

MAIN SPEAKER:

Gary Millar, Principal of Queensland Theological College Gary will give 2 talks on Genesis Women There will be a range of electives with male and female speakers.

14 Alumni: Where are they Now? Moore Matters Summer 2017|2018

Susanna Baldwin 2017 Alumni

NERDY, LABORIOUS, UNSOCIABLE. NO, NOT MY ANSWER TO ‘DESCRIBE YOURSELF IN THREE WORDS’ (BEG TO DIFFER IF YOU WISH), BUT SOME OF THE MORE POPULAR MISCONCEPTIONS THAT SEEM TO CIRCULATE ABOUT BIBLE TRANSLATION AS A VOCATIONAL MINISTRY. STAY WITH ME HERE.

n the east African nation of Tanzania, the church is alive but not well. The majority of the country’s 120 language groups have no complete Scriptures in their mother tongue. Too many Christians have a shallow and confused understanding of the faith they profess, and are easily drawn aside to fear, false teaching, and the influence of tribal religions. Church leaders, zealous as they may be, are ill-equipped to preach, disciple, and evangelise. It is Wycliffe’s vision to help meet this need—in Tanzania and across the world—by training and sending out Christian workers to serve alongside indigenous churches, supporting them to translate the Bible (usually from a second language, such as Swahili) into the heart language of their people. Next year, God willing, they will be sending me. I came to college with this goal already in mind, and having got to know Moore by reputation and recommendation. I was confident of being trained well to understand, handle, and live out the Scriptures that I would later help communicate to a minority language group. Along the way, I had a few myths to debunk… Yes, translation is a detailed and methodical task— but it is also dynamic and eye-opening. Language is so much more than a set of vocabulary and grammar rules: it plumbs the depths of human perception, thought and experience, and has been wonderfully ordained by God as his abiding means of revelation to man. At Moore, I learnt how to think and talk about the great doctrines of our faith, bound up in God’s character, work and promises. I’m excited to now help others use their language to unlock a grander and richer vision of God, and to grasp more deeply all that it means to have fullness of life through his Son. Yes, the work is slow and effortful—but it is also one in which fruits are tangible and frequent. Every well-

translated verse, every portion of published Scripture, represents another gem of light and truth gifted to a people group who have never heard these words in their language before. Moore taught me how to read and wrestle with Biblical texts in their literary contexts, their original languages, and within the grand narrative of creation, redemption and restoration. Each of these perspectives is vital to translating God’s word with clarity and faithfulness. Yes, Bible translation involves some degree of solo, desk-based work—but before all this it is profoundly relational. Wycliffe staff not only engage closely with their fellow field workers and national colleagues, but are committed to serving the local church and living as witnesses within the wider community. My time at Moore helped shape me in both the theory and practice of fellowship, pastoral relationships and personal godliness. I will always be a work in progress, but I’m truly thankful for the sharpening, refining, and humbling that came with my four years in the college family, and for the way it prepared me to be an ambassador for Christ in another land and culture. I am now completing the last stage of my pre-field training with a linguistics course at Redcliffe College in the UK, and seeking under God to establish the prayer and financial partnership that will enable me to begin work in Tanzania next year. Please pray that God will raise up many from Moore College and beyond to continue the vast unfinished task of taking his lifegiving word to all nations.

e must be driven by our concern to see men and women saved. Living as we do in a time like that of Daniel the Exile in Babylon, and like generations of Christians since, we have an incredible opportunity to offer a hope that can never be extinguished. From Daniel, we see that God is always sovereign and in control. During His people’s suffering and exile, He refines and provides. We are called to trust, take courage and be strong, but critically also to learn that it is God Himself who gives us strength. We are to patiently endure and persevere as people of prayerful dependence. Persecution and suffering have been the church’s experience through all the ages—Jesus promised it would be so, and it is the case now. Daniel did not retreat, but loved his neighbours and honoured God with his life. Like Daniel, we should not retreat into a ghetto. We are called to be aliens and strangers who hold out hope to all who seek answers to the most important questions. The questions of yearning and longing that occupy every soul are: Who am I? and, Where and to whom do I belong? We live in an age that has been darkened, ironically, by the enlightenment and by postmodernist thinking, and is now truly postChristian. The moment has more needs than ever in many parts of the globe. False teaching, widespread unbelief and unethical behaviour characterised both the church and state at the time of the Reformation. Today, 500 years later, is it any different? The great commission is still our mission, as it has been every generation’s. Salvation is our business as Christians—it has not become less urgent because of the time we live in. There is no other answer to the human question but Jesus—as we learn in Scripture, ‘For no matter how many promises God has made, they are “Yes” in Christ. And so through him the “Amen” is spoken by us to the glory of God.’ (2 Cor 1:20) What an incredible time we live in! This is truly a season ripe for evangelism. We must hold on to our hope of eternity and offer it to others who are in such need, facing challenges and adversity,

and all kinds of trials and tragedy, even amid the relative plenty of the west. Mental health challenges are only the tip of the iceberg—many face challenges just putting food on the table, let alone the difficulties of messy relationships resulting from all kinds of brokenness. Along with opportunities in Australia and our region, we now see the need to re-evangelise parts of the world, including Europe. We live in exciting times indeed, as we raise up the next generation with abundant gospel opportunities. We need well-trained and equipped Christians who are faithful and have confidence in God’s Word. We need people who are prepared to present the word of God and depend on God’s spirit to do His work. Will you consider coming to Moore to train to meet the need? Will you pray for the Lord to raise up more people to study at Moore College then go out and be part of meeting this need? Our world is full of need and uncertainty. People have no assurance, no true knowledge of God, no hope. In Matthew 9, Jesus described the people as harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd. They were stumbling around in the dark—facing a danger they were not even aware of. They needed someone to teach, guide and care for them. And seeing them, having compassion on them, Jesus said to his disciples: The harvest is plentiful, but the labourers are few; therefore, pray earnestly to the Lord of the harvest to send out labourers into his harvest. (Matt 9:37-38) Will you have compassion too, and respond by offering people assurance and hope in the gospel?

Mark Fairfull Manager, Marketing and Communications

Summer Appeal Moore Matters Summer 2017|2018

The need of the moment: evangelism

My Moore Gift We ask YOU to please actively support Moore to ensure that together we can continue this vital gospel work under God, for His eternal glory. Your gift will be a personal investment in future generations of gospel workers. N.B. All donations to Moore College are fully tax deductible. Title

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Call Leanne Veitch on 02 9577 9865

Moore Matters is the newsletter publication of Moore Theological College Principal of Moore College » Rev Dr Mark Thompson Editor » Mark Fairfull Proof Reader » Alison Woof Art and Design » Lankshear Design Moore Matters Copyright © Moore Theological College 2017 1 King Street, Newtown NSW 2042 AUSTRALIA moore.edu.au » info@moore.edu.au » +61 2 9577 9999 CRICOS #00682B » ABN 47 46 452183 About Moore College Moore College prepares men and women for a lifetime of ministry and mission through in-depth theological training. Today 600 students are enrolled in courses at Moore. Currently around 5,000 people in over 50 countries are studying by distance education. The College has trained thousands of men and women for a great variety of Christian ministries locally, nationally and around the globe. Moore is world renowned for its faithfulness to the word of God, the excellence of the education it provides and the effectiveness of its graduates.

Cover: Jack and Kate Hamer, 3rd year students at residential satellite community, MooreWest.

moore matters Summer 2017|2018 moore.edu.au

Celebrating the Reformation pages 3-6

Meet the Students pages 10-11

From the Principal page 2

Plotting a course for Moore College pages 8-9

Editorial. The need of the moment: evangelism page 15

The Library began with the opening of Moore College in 1856, and now consists of over 300,000 print volumes, 30,000 e-books, numerous e-journals and a digital repository. Anyone can join as a library visitor or member! Visit our website for more details.

Avoid the admin fee. Apply before November 30.

moore.edu.au/library 9577 9895

Apply now at:

moore.edu.au/apply

Public Events for 2017/2018 NOVEMBER 2017 25 CGM Event: Mission Impact and Thank You Night – Transforming Africa

FEBRUARY 2018 5

Priscilla and Aquila Centre Conference

Annual Conference 2018 The Other Side of the Story: Men and Women in Genesis

MARCH 2018 12 Moore College Graduation, City Recital Hall Angel Place 14

Day of Prayer

18-25

College Missions

MONDAY 5 FEBRUARY 2018

8:30AM COFFEE 9.00AM START FINISH 5PM

MOORE COLLEGE 1 KING ST NEWTOWN

Main speaker:

25 Moore Distance Graduation

Gary Millar, Principal of Queensland Theological College

JULY 2018

Gary will give 2 talks on Genesis Women

MAY 2018

23-27

Mission Awareness Week 2018

AUGUST 2018 9, 13-17 Annual Moore College Lectures

OCTOBER 2018 17

Day of Prayer

There will be a range of electives with male and female speakers. paa.moore.edu.au