Moore College: Recent Episodes
Moore College
Moore College gives profound thanks to God for the life and ministry of Dr Richard Gibson, Principal of the Brisbane School of Theology, and before that a member of the Moore College Faculty for twenty years. Richard died suddenly last week.
Richard’s ministry touched many people. He was a compassionate pastor and a highly effective preacher. His sermons in the College chapel, not least his long series on 2 Corinthians, remain in the memory of many who heard them. His lectures in New Testament Greek were equally memorable, including his impersonations of Nana Mouskouri, the famous Greek singer!
Richard’s friendship remains cherished by a very large number of people serving Christ in a wide range of ministries around Australia and across the world. Many of the current Moore College Faculty were taught by Richard and there are still members of the Faculty who worked alongside him.
Bill Salier, former Vice Principal of Moore and who taught alongside Richard for much of his time here, spoke of Richard as “a good friend and creative colleague and one of the most naturally gifted educators I have met. Gibbo was a man acquainted with sorrows and there is some consolation knowing that he is now safe in the company of the man of sorrows.”
Current Principal Mark Thompson remembers Richard’s kindness and particular concern for first year students making the transition into College. “Richard was an exceptional teacher who was always generous with the time he gave to students. His contribution to the College was immense.”
While we grieve Richard’s sudden death, following his wife Kim’s death in January, we are thankful for the faith he shared so freely with others and rejoice in our memories of him. We rejoice too in the hope of the resurrection and of that day when God himself “will wipe away every tear from [our] eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things will have passed away” (Rev. 21:4).
Please join us in praying for Richard’s children, Emma, Matthew and Helen and for the entire Brisbane School of Theology community.
A memorial service will be held on Saturday 18 October at Citipointe Church, Carindale, QLD; 2pm (3pm AEDT). A live stream option will also be available for those who cannot attend. More details will be shared as they become available.
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Staff & Faculty Thanksgiving Service in John Francis Cash Memorial Chapel
This September, staff and Faculty gathered in the John Francis Cash Memorial Chapel for a Service of Thanksgiving, the first such staff service to be held there in many years. For some, it was the first time they had joined in worship within the Chapel, which made the occasion particularly significant.
The service was led by Property Manager, Jon Telfer and opened with a call to worship from 1 Chronicles 16, declaring God’s glory among the nations and affirming together, “The Lord reigns.” Jon reminded us that while Cash Chapel is a beautiful space with its sandstone, timberwork, and stained glass, the true Church is not bricks and mortar, but the people of God gathered under Christ’s authority.
Scripture was central throughout. Daniel Higgins from the IT team read Psalm 104, after which Malcolm Richards, Director of the Center for Global Mission, preached from the passage. Malcolm drew attention to God as the creator, sustainer, and provider of all things from the land and animals to humankind itself. Reflecting on how the psalmist revisits the Genesis creation story, Malcolm noted that every good gift in life points us back to God’s ongoing provision. He reminded us that even the forces of chaos, represented by the waters in Genesis, are firmly under God’s control for our good. Just as the psalmist praises God for his sustaining care, so we, too, are called to live lives of thanksgiving, acknowledging his daily provision in both ordinary and extraordinary ways. Malcolm also highlighted how Psalm 104 points forward to Christ, through whom and for whom all things were created and in whom all things are sustained (Colossians 1:16-17). The call to praise the Lord “as long as we have breath” becomes, in Christ, a call that stretches into eternity.
The service also included prayers of thanksgiving and intercession, led by Librarian Jacqui Wiya, who encouraged us to consider what it means to depend on God together as a community.
The congregation joined in three hymns: O For a Thousand Tongues to Sing, O the Deep, Deep Love of Jesus, and To God Be the Glory. These were accompanied by student Riley Irwin on the organ and led in song by Karen Beilharz, a member of the Communications Team. The Chapel’s distinctive layout, where worshippers face one another, gave a powerful visual reminder of Colossians 3:16: “teach and admonish one another with all wisdom through psalms, hymns, and songs”.
The service concluded with a benediction from Hebrews 13: “May the God of peace equip you with everything good for doing his will, working in you what is pleasing to him, through Jesus Christ.” Staff and Faculty then enjoyed afternoon tea in the Principal’s Garden, continuing the celebration with good conversation and fellowship.
This year also marks the 75th anniversary of the John Francis Cash Memorial Chapel. Built as a memorial to John Francis Cash, who was killed in WWII, the chapel is a place rich in symbolism. Its stained-glass windows, donated by John’s sisters, depict the Sermon on the Mount and the angel at the empty tomb; images that point us to Christ’s teaching and the hope of the resurrection. To celebrate this milestone, staff were provided with a special 75th anniversary edition of the Order of Service, designed by our new Communications team member, Sarah Bingham and featuring photographs of the Chapel. You can view the digital version here.
Acknowledgements
We are grateful to Jon Telfer for leading the service, to Daniel Higgins for reading Scripture, to Malcolm Richards for preaching, to Karen Beilharz for leading us in song, to Riley Irwin for accompanying on the organ, and to Jacqui Wiya for leading us in prayer. Special thanks also to Gaurav and the kitchen team for their hospitality in preparing afternoon tea, to Mark and Kathryn Thompson for opening their home for the afternoon tea and to all staff and Faculty who attended, making the service a memorable and meaningful time of thanksgiving together.
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Moore PTC and Center for Global Mission at Synod
What a joy to be at Synod this year! As clergy, lay representatives, and alumni arrived, Moore staff and Faculty greeted them with a smile, a Moore PTC brochure, and a chocolate freckle to sweeten the evening. Inside the auditorium, conversations quickly turned to how the Moore PTC (Preliminary Theological Certificate) can equip churches by grounding people in God’s word.
At the Moore College stall, our team had many encouraging discussions about Moore PTC. Several Synod members spoke about running the course in their own churches, with particular interest in how it might be used to train youth leaders and strengthen local ministry.
It was also a delight to see Principal Mark Thompson’s enthusiasm as he shared about Moore PTC, and to hear the excitement of many as they discovered our upcoming 170th anniversary in 2026. With Societas freshly released, there was yet another opportunity to connect with friends old and new.
The stall itself proved popular with Societas, pens, glasses cleaners, chocolates, and even “fans into flame” all drawing attention. Thank you to those who stopped by to say hello and find out more about how Moore College can support ministry across the Diocese.
We are thankful for the warm welcome and the many meaningful connections made. If you would like to know more about how the Moore PTC can equip your church, follow the link.
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A Look Back at Moore’s Open EventsOn Friday 26 and Saturday 27 September, Moore College opened its doors to welcome prospective students and friends of the College. Across both days, visitors were invited to experience campus life firsthand, sharing meals with students, joining chapel, sitting in on lectures, and having their questions answered about what it looks like to study at Moore.
Experiencing College LifeFriday’s program began with coffee and conversation in the Level 1 Foyer, before heading into chapel in Marcus Loane Hall. Guests then enjoyed morning tea in the Courtyard before stepping into a second-year Doctrine class in the Knox Lecture Theatre. The day closed with lunch in the sun, where visitors continued to chat with students and Faculty about their own journeys of studying God’s word and what led them to consider pursuing study at Moore.
This year’s Open Event also included a Doctrine 2 lecture where our previous principal Peter Jensen welcomed Bishop Alfred Olwa to share on the topic of animism which is prevalent in the African context – a unique opportunity for guests to see how theological study connects deeply with the lives of people in this fallen world.
Info DayThe Open Event program continued on Saturday 27 September with Info Day, where prospective students had a chance to explore Moore in greater depth. The day featured:
- A presentation on the curriculum and subjects
- A Q&A session with Faculty
- A guided campus tour
Principal Mark Thompson preached from Matthew 3:13-4:11, reminding us that when Jesus faced temptation, he turned to God’s word and we too are called to return to Scripture as we consider life’s decisions, including the consideration to study at College. Conversations throughout the day gave visitors space to reflect not only on the details of study, but also on what has led them to consider Moore as part of their future.
A Warm Thank YouA massive thank you to everyone who came along the students, the staff, the Faculty all loved getting to meet you and chat about how studying at Moore might be something for you next year, or further down the track.” Student Ambassador Fiona Thomson
“Thank you for coming to the Moore Open Event. I hope you had your questions answered, and we look forward to hearing from you in the future.” Principal Mark Thompson
Looking AheadFor those who missed out this time, we’ll be running our next Open Events in May 2026. Whether you are prayerfully considering study or simply curious about the life of the College, we’d love to welcome you then.
Find out more at open.moore.edu.au.
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We are delighted to share that the Principal has appointed The Rev Dr Paul Grimmond as the next Vice Principal of Moore Theological College, commencing 1 January 2026.
Paul is a much-loved member of our College community, having joined the Faculty in 2017 as Dean of Students. Since then, he has taught in the Ministry Department and played a key role in the revamping of ministry courses with the development of the Intentional Ministry Reflection (IMR) program, and introduced a more intentional preaching program. Earlier this year, Paul stepped into the role of Head of the Ministry Department following the appointment of Mal York as Dean of Students.
Reflecting on this appointment, Paul shared:
“I am thankful to God and to Mark for the opportunity to serve the College. It’s such a privilege seeing students growing in their love for Jesus and their love for people, and I am looking forward to contributing to that process in new ways.”
Principal Dr Mark Thompson warmly welcomed the appointment:
“Dr Paul Grimmond is a much-loved member of the Faculty who has made a remarkable contribution in the eight years he has been with us. His personal warmth and integrity stand out among his many qualities and I am sure he will be an excellent Vice Principal.”
We give thanks to God for Paul’s faithful service to date and look forward to seeing how He will continue to work through Paul in this new role. Please also join us in praying for Paul and Cathy as they prepare for this next season, and for Simon and Margie Gillham as they begin their transition out of College over the coming months.
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Graduated 2008.
In this interview with Veronica Hoyt, Director of the Priscilla & Aquila Centre, conducted earlier in 2025, Dani Treweek, post-doctoral theological researcher, author and speaker, recounts her journey to faith and journey to ministry, and how things haven’t quite turned out the way she thought they would.
Subscribe to the Moore in the Word podcastWalking a different ministry path with Dani Trewee | RSS.com
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Graduated 1965.
From surveying in NSW to serving in Chile, Grahame and Patty Scarratt’s journey has been marked by a deep love for God’s word. What began at Moore College grew into decades of ministry across Latin America—most significantly the translation and teaching of the Preliminary Theological Certificate (PTC) and the beginnings of MOCLAM.
Through their work, countless pastors and church members gained access to solid biblical training in their own language, shaping the Anglican Church in Chile and beyond. Even after returning to Australia, the Scarratts continued publishing and supporting resources so that more people might know and teach the Scriptures.
Subscribe to the Moore in the Word podcastTransformed by the Word with Grahame and Patty Sca | RSS.com
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Last night the Governing Board approved the Principal’s nomination of the Rev Jack Day to join the Moore College Faculty as a lecturer in Old Testament from January next year. Jack is a graduate of the College who is just completing a PhD in Old Testament at Cambridge University. Before embarking on this study he was serving as an assistant minister at St Paul’s Carlingford.
Jack is married to Katie and they have three children, Oscar (7), Heidi (5) and Max (3) with another due in late December. While they have been in Cambridge they have been active and much-loved members of All Saints, Little Shelford.
Jack says,
“It’s a privilege to be asked to join the faculty and I am thankful for the opportunity! I’m excited about playing a role in helping students to trust and treasure the Old Testament, and as a family, we are looking forward to being a part of the warm fellowship of the College community once again.”
The Principal, Dr Mark Thompson, is enthusiastic about Jack’s appointment.
“Jack is a fine scholar, a good teacher, and a wonderful pastor. Those in the churches he has served in Sydney and in Cambridge testify to the delightful Christian man that he is and the very significant contribution the entire family have made. We are very much looking forward to having him back at College and using his gifts for the benefit of our students and the glory of Christ.”
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Moore College is pleased to announce that last night the Governing Board approved the Principal’s nomination of Mr Josh Apieczonek to join the Moore College Faculty as a lecturer in mission and Head of the Mission Department from January next year. Josh is a graduate of the College who has worked at St Andrews Cathedral School and St Andrews Cathedral, before serving with CMS in France for the last ten years. Josh worked with the GBU as well as an elder in a local church, Croix Rousse Evangelical Church. He is married to Susannah and they have three children, Zali (16), Reuben (14) and Heidi (12).
Josh has written, “Our God has such a heart for the lost in our world and we’ve loved serving him and his people in France. What an enormous privilege and a pleasure to be part of the Moore College community, encouraging global mission so that more people, from Mont Blanc to Mongolia to Mt Druitt, would know Jesus.”
Josh’s passion for cross-cultural global mission is very evident. He is ideally suited to take the College’s mission engagement forward in the years ahead.
“It is a delight to be able announce Josh’s appointment”, said Principal, Dr Mark Thompson. His commitment to the teaching of the Bible and to reaching lost men and women all around the world with the gospel is genuine and infectious. I am very much looking forward to the Apieczonek family joining the College community.”
Josh will commence his ministry with the College on 1 January 2026. During the first half of next year, Josh and Susannah will also be fulfilling some final home assignment duties with CMS.
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In this episode, from a chapel service held on Tuesday 22 October 2024, guest speaker Tim Bowden, Principal of Trinity Grammar School in Sydney, Australia, shares his journey into schools ministry and takes a closer look at one of the most difficult passages of the Bible to apply: Matthew 5:43-48 and Jesus’ command to love our enemies.
He reminds us that loving others involves doing good to them, and talks about the supreme example of this in God’s love for his enemies—namely, us.
For more audio resources, visit the Moore College website. There, you can also make a donation to support the work of the College.
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Please note: The episode transcript provided is AI-generated and has not been checked for accuracy. If quoting, please check against the audio.
In this episode, from a chapel service held on Friday 18 October 2024, Mark Thompson, Principal of Moore Theological College, continues his series on Genesis, looking at Genesis chapter 6 and 7, and the account of the flood.
He reminds us of God’s determination to deal with sin, along with his determination to rescue his righteous ones, and the warning that we should not remain unprepared for the judgement that is still to come.
For more audio resources, visit the Moore College website. There, you can also make a donation to support the work of the College.
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Please note: The episode transcript provided is AI-generated and has not been checked for accuracy. If quoting, please check against the audio.
The College is pleased to announce that as part of his role as Lecturer in Christian Thought (Ethics), the Rev Dr Tony Payne will also resume Directorship of Moore College’s Centre for Christian Living (CCL).
Tony previously served as CCL Director from 2014 to 2019 while completing his PhD on the theological nature, purpose and practice of the “one-another edifying speech” in Christian community in the New Testament, while also continuing his work with Matthias Media. From 2020 until now, he served as ministry trainer and writer-in-residence with Campus Bible Study (CBS) at the University of New South Wales.
Under Tony’s leadership, CCL launched the popular Centre for Christian Living podcast, which seeks to bring biblical ethics to a range of everyday issues explored in interviews and audio from recent Moore College events, and which is listened to by Christians all over the world. He also organised and chaired a series of interesting seminars on a range of significant issues, including Islam, same-sex marriage and the Holy Spirit.
Of Tony’s appointment, CCL Acting Director Peter Orr said, “It’s exciting to see Tony return to direct the CCL. His previous experience in the role, together with his insight into the Scriptures, mean he is well-equipped to ensure the CCL continues helping Christians apply biblical ethics to everyday issues.”
Principal Mark Thompson added, “I am very excited for the next chapter in the life of the Centre for Christian Living. Tony Payne returning as its Director is an excellent development.”
Of his return, Tony says,
I’m very much looking forward to taking up the helm at CCL again. It will be like coming home after a long journey overseas: everything will seem very familiar and yet somehow different—not so much because CCL has really changed, but because I’ll be looking at it with fresh eyes. I’m hoping it will be an opportunity to rethink and reenergise the excellent work that CCL has been doing in bringing the truth and goodness of God to the everyday issues we face as his people in the world.
Please thank God for Peter and his time with CCL, and pray for Tony as he steps back into the role of CCL Director.
CCL events for 2025 will be announced soon.
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Rev Malcolm York, currently Rector of St Andrews Roseville, has been nominated as Lecturer in Ministry and Dean of Students for Moore College starting in January 2025.
With a depth of experience in parish ministry Mal has the heart and the skills needed for this important teaching and pastoral role.
“Mal is very clearly the right person to be our next Dean of Students,” remarked College Principal Mark Thompson. “His pastoral warmth, his commitment to training and his long experience in parish ministry all equip him well for this pastoral role. I am very grateful that Mal has agreed to take on this important responsibility among us. We are looking forward to Mal, Heather and the family joining us next year.”
Prior to serving at Roseville, Mal has also served at St Clements Mosman, St Philip’s South Turramurra, Shellharbour City Centre, and West Ryde, totalling 24 years of parish experience. Mal has been involved in training gospel workers in India and Chile and has served as a volunteer NSW Ambulance Chaplain. Mal brings this range of experience together with pastoral wisdom and a genuine concern for people. He is married to Heather, and they have four young adult children. With a love of good coffee, playing the guitar and getting involved in sports Mal will quickly feel at home in the Newtown community.
Mal has commented, “I look forward to helping the students at Moore College grow as disciples of Jesus Christ and understand what it means to be involved in pastoral ministry. I am also excited about getting alongside the students to help them navigate the high points and challenges of College life.”
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The College is thrilled to announce the appointment of Rev Dr Tony Payne as Lecturer in Christian Thought (Ethics) from November 2024. Currently serving at Campus Bible Study (CBS) in the University of New South Wales as a ministry trainer, Tony has previously served the College in a part-time capacity (2014–2019) as Director of the Centre for Christian Living.
For more than three decades, mainly through his work with Matthias Media, Tony has been regularly sharing reflections on what it means to live the Christian life through books, articles, podcasts and lectures. Some of his most well-known titles include The Trellis and the Vine, Fatherhood, and Islam in our Backyard.
Tony is married to Alison, has five adult children and 9 (soon to be 10) grandchildren. He has a PhD in Christian ethics, which he gained for a thesis entitled ‘Truthing in love: the theological nature, purpose and practice of “one-another edifying speech” in the Christian community’.
“I am excited about Tony joining us again”, commented the College Principal, Mark Thompson. “I am confident he will make a very significant contribution to the College. His deep reflection on theological and ethical issues, together with his ability to communicate clearly and simply to a range of audiences will be of enormous benefit. We look forward to welcoming Tony and Alison back to the College community.”
Tony shared, “Moore College is one of the most important Christian training institutions in the world, and to be given the opportunity to be part of the Faculty and contribute to its mission in this way is a huge privilege. I’m looking forward to it enormously, and Ali and I are also really looking forward to being in Newtown and part of the Moore community (again!).”
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In this episode in a chapel service held on Monday 23 September 2024, Mark Thompson, Principal of Moore Theological College, continues his series on Genesis, looking at Genesis chapter 5 and the generations of Adam.
He shows us how a simple genealogy presents us with glimpses of hope in the midst of the certainty and finality of death—glimpses of the one who breaks the pattern of human mortality once and for all.
For more audio resources, visit the Moore College website. There, you can also make a donation to support the work of the College.
Find out more about and register for Books of the Reformation: A Sydney Rare Book Week Event (Tuesday 22 October, 6-7:30pm).
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In this episode in the fifth talk in his series, Dr Tom Schreiner continues to explore the Book of Galatians—this time, discussing what life in the Spirit looks like for the Christian, as opposed to life in the flesh.
Dr Tom Schreiner delivered the Moore College Annual Lectures in August this year on the subject of “The battle for the truth of the gospel” in the Book of Galatians. He is the Associate Dean for the School of Theology and the James Buchanan Harrison Professor of New Testament Interpretation and Professor of Biblical Theology at Southern Baptist Theological Seminary in Kentucky, USA.
Tom's lecture is followed by a Q&A session.
For more audio resources, visit the Moore College website. There, you can also make a donation to support the work of the College.
Contact us and find us on socials.
In this episode in the fourth talk in his series, Dr Tom Schreiner continues to explore the Book of Galatians—this time, taking a closer look at what it means to be part of the family of Abraham and the social implications that brings.
Dr Tom Schreiner delivered the Moore College Annual Lectures in August this year on the subject of “The battle for the truth of the gospel” in the Book of Galatians. He is the Associate Dean for the School of Theology and the James Buchanan Harrison Professor of New Testament Interpretation and Professor of Biblical Theology at Southern Baptist Theological Seminary in Kentucky, USA.
Tom's lecture is followed by a Q&A session.
For more audio resources, visit the Moore College website. There, you can also make a donation to support the work of the College.
Contact us and find us on socials.
In this episode in the third talk in his series, Dr Tom Schreiner continues to explore the Book of Galatians—this time, examining the role of the law in the Christian life and what it means for us that Christ has fulfilled the law.
Dr Tom Schreiner delivered the Moore College Annual Lectures in August this year on the subject of “The battle for the truth of the gospel” in the Book of Galatians. He is the Associate Dean for the School of Theology and the James Buchanan Harrison Professor of New Testament Interpretation and Professor of Biblical Theology at Southern Baptist Theological Seminary in Kentucky, USA.
Tom's lecture is followed by a Q&A session.
For more audio resources, visit the Moore College website. There, you can also make a donation to support the work of the College.
Contact us and find us on socials.
In this episode, Dr Tom Schreiner continues to explore the Book of Galatians—this time, discussing what exactly we mean when we say we have been justified by faith in Jesus, and what that means for the law.
Dr Tom Schreiner delivered the Moore College Annual Lectures in August this year on the subject of “The battle for the truth of the gospel” in the Book of Galatians.
He is the Associate Dean for the School of Theology and the James Buchanan Harrison Professor of New Testament Interpretation and Professor of Biblical Theology at Southern Baptist Theological Seminary in Kentucky, USA.
Tom's lecture is followed by a Q&A session.
For more audio resources, visit the Moore College website. There, you can also make a donation to support the work of the college.
Contact us and find us on socials.
What must you do in order to be saved?
For first-century Christians, as with Christians now, the answer is the same: trust in the Lord Jesus Christ, his death on the cross and his resurrection.
But first-century Christians also had to contend with Jewish Christians saying that in order to be saved, you must first be circumcised and follow the law.
This year's Moore College Annual Lecturers were delivered by Dr Tom Schreiner, Associate Dean for the School of Theology and the James Buchanan Harrison Professor of New Testament Interpretation and Professor of Biblical Theology at Southern Baptist Theological Seminary in Kentucky, USA.
The lectures were on the theme of “The battle for the truth of the gospel” with relation to the Book of Galatians.
In this first lecture, delivered on Monday 5 August 2024, Tom focuses on “Circumcision and the cross”, and shows how the new age ushered in with Christ's death changes everything.
The lecture is followed by a Q&A session.
For more audio resources, visit the Moore College website. There, you can also make a donation to support the work of the college.
Contact us and find us on socials.
In the last episode of the Moore College podcast on Genesis chapter 3, Mark Thompson outlined the Bible’s diagnosis of the very human problem of sin.
In Genesis chapter 4, the deep consequences of humanity’s sin are in full view, with the first-ever murder and the stories of Cain, Lamech and Seth.
In this episode of the Moore College podcast, in a chapel service held on Friday 30 August 2024, Mark Thompson, Principal of Moore Theological College, draws out significant lessons about hope, life and faith, and how the decision to turn aside from God’s word has terrible repercussions for those who fail to trust God.
Mark continues his series in the Book of Genesis and reminds us that the only remedy for extravagant evil is be extravagant grace—the grace found at the cross of Christ.
We hope you find the episode helpful.
For more audio resources, visit the Moore College website. There, you can also make a donation to support the work of the college.
Contact us and find us on socials.
There is a problem with our world.
It's a problem that lies deep within us—a problem that strikes at the heart of who we are.
It's a problem that causes turbulence, fear, conflict, competition, exploitation, abuse and rejection of God.
It's our problem, and it's one for which we badly need a solution.
In this episode of the Moore College podcast, in a chapel service held on Friday 23 August 2024, Mark Thompson, Principal of Moore Theological College, talks about how we got to this point, what went wrong, and how we get ourselves out of it.
Mark continues his series in the Book of Genesis with Genesis chapter 3 and the Bible's diagnosis of our problem. He reminds us that getting the diagnosis right is always crucial when seeking a remedy, and that we need to understand Genesis 3 not only in order to understand ourselves, but also in order to understand the true depths of the gospel.
For more audio resources or to make a donation to support the work of Moore College, visit our website.
What has happened to Jesus’ mission?
We live in an age when many do not know Jesus, nor do they wish to know him.
Indeed, according to the last census in 2021, around 40 per cent of all Australians indicated that they had “no religion”.
But after Jesus was resurrected, John reports in his Gospel that Jesus appeared to his disciples in a locked room and said to them, “Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, even so I am sending you.”
The mission of Jesus is not done yet. Furthermore, we all have a part to play in it.
In this episode of the Moore College podcast, in a chapel service held on Friday 16 August 2024, Kanishka Raffel, Archbishop of the Sydney Anglican Diocese, speaks about Jesus’ mission—our mission—from John chapter 20 verses 19-23.
He outlines the work of Jesus’ mission that has been handed down to us and outlines four unique and universal gifts that Jesus has provided us to help us in this work.
For more audio resources or to make a donation to support the work of Moore College, visit the Moore College website.
Have you ever been a member of a church community, but feel like you don't really belong?
Perhaps you feel like you have no one to talk to during the morning tea or supper after the service.
Perhaps the other members are always doing social things together that don't include you.
Or perhaps you just feel like your presence there doesn't really matter, and if you didn't come to church, no one would really notice.
In this episode of the Moore College podcast in a chapel service held on Tuesday 13 August 2024, Chase Kuhn, rector of St Matthias Church in Centennial Park in Sydney and former Moore College lecturer in Christian Ethics, explores what 1 John 4 has to say about love—and therefore Christian community.
He challenges us to reconsider the foundation of what Christian community is all about, and reminds us that it's the gospel, not ourselves or our relationships with our fellow Christians, that provides us with a more secure sense of belonging.
For more audio resources or to make a donation to support the work of Moore College, visit https://moore.edu.au/
In this podcast episode, Mark Thompson and Susan An explore the profound significance of marriage through the lens of Genesis 2:4-25. They discuss the first marriage in the Bible, its role in God's creation, and how it points to the ultimate union between Christ and the Church. They also address contemporary challenges to the biblical view of marriage and emphasize its foundational importance, delight, and joy in God's design. This episode encourages listeners to honor and celebrate marriage as a reflection of God's covenant love.
For more audio resources or to make a donation to support the work of Moore College, visit https://moore.edu.au/
In this chapel sermon, Andrew Shead delves into Jeremiah 23:25-40, examining God's condemnation of false prophets who deceive through dreams and false messages. The episode contrasts false and true prophecy, emphasizing that true prophecy is rooted in God's word, which is powerful and transformative. False prophecy, born from moral corruption, leads people astray. Andrew reflects on the role of prophecy in judgment and transformation, highlighting Jeremiah's example and ultimately pointing to Christ as the ultimate fulfilment of God's word.
For more audio resources or to make a donation to support the work of Moore College, visit https://moore.edu.au/
In this chapel sermon, Mark Thompson reflects on Genesis 1 and its profound implications for understanding our identity, purpose, and the nature of God's creation. Emphasizing God's sovereignty as Creator and our role as His creatures, the sermon addresses key contemporary issues like identity, gender, and purpose. It highlights that our significance and purpose are rooted in belonging to Christ, who is central to God's creation plan. A personal reflection from Jane Tooher follows, exploring how God's ownership of everything shapes our understanding of life and purpose.
For more audio resources or to make a donation to support the work of Moore College, visit https://moore.edu.au/
In this sermon, Andrew Shead expounds Jeremiah 23:9-24, focusing on the power and fragility of God's Word. He contrasts true prophecy with the false prophets of Jeremiah's time, who used God's name for their own gain, causing destruction and chaos. The sermon emphasizes the responsibility of speaking God's Word with reverence, recognizing the temptation to twist the truth to please listeners. Andrew reminds us that God's Word is powerful and will accomplish His purposes.
2000 – 2024 College Service. From Library Technician to Senior Librarian – Monographs.
Annabel Bristow, after 24 years of service in the Donald Robinson Library of Moore College, is retiring this month. Annabel has been a faithful servant to generations of students, Faculty and Staff and during this time she has been a blessing to the library team and the wider College community.
Annabel can you take us back to when you first started work at Moore College in 2000?
I started as a Library Technician, working mainly at the Service Desk. I had a qualification of Bachelor of Arts in Library Studies and one of my first jobs was transferring journal-holding records from cards onto the new Library Management Software. Back then the Library was open four nights a week until 9:00pm and sometimes after finishing late I would be back at the desk at 8:00am the next morning!
I have seen several of the now Faculty starting out as students and it has been a privilege to see them, and their families, all grow.
What do you love best about working in the College Library?
There is a big service aspect to working in a Library, I have the opportunity to help people find the information they need. I get to connect with people, listen to them and even pray for them.
The relationship between everyone working at the College has been really special and God has assembled an amazing team in the College Library. This is the best team I have worked with, they are all skilled and efficient and work together really well.
What about the environment?
The Library, when I first arrived at Moore College, was not purpose-built, it was a rabbit warren with stacks in the upper T. C. Hammond Room and later offsite at Sydenham and 93 King Street. There were more books than we could house. I have memories of books being piled on the floor in the aisles. The aisles themselves were very narrow and the bookshelves were high. There was the odd occasion when a book would topple off the top shelf and crown a passerby!
So, the new Library space is lovely. The shelves themselves have a lower profile and are very stable! We are always receiving positive feedback about the environment. It is light-filled and a very pleasant place to work.
It is a privilege to work in the leading theological library in the Southern Hemisphere. We have the most amazing resources which have been collected since 1856. The Library has books that no one else has. When I started work here the Faculty used to do their study leave overseas and then come back and say “The books I wanted were here all the time”! Today many of the Faculty complete most of their study leave here and Rod helps them find the information they need.
What will you miss most?
No hesitation, I will miss the people. But I do love cataloguing. Sometimes there is something obscure that needs to be catalogued – there are challenges every day. I just loved my job.
It has been a real privilege to work here. There have been many opportunities to grow and it has been amazing to work with some of the best Library, Faculty and College Staff that you could hope for.
Annabel leaves us feeling loved and cared for but she also leaves with a reminder which seems appropriate considering her expertise: Progress is good but history is important.
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It is with full hearts that we share Moore College Faculty member and Director of the Priscilla and Aquila Centre, Jane Tooher, will be leaving the College at the end of this year.
Jane, who is much loved, has been on College Faculty since August 2009 and she will be dearly missed by everyone at the College. Jane is the founding Director of the Priscilla and Aquila Centre, the key architect and lecturer in the women’s ministry stream of the Advanced Diploma and a thought leader both within the College and further afield in the area of complementarian models of Christian ministry.
Jane says,
It has been a great joy, privilege, and blessing to be involved in the work of the Lord at Moore College since August 2009 with students, staff, and Faculty.
I have also deeply appreciated the partnership of other brothers and sisters in the broader Christian community. Especially those who have prayed for me, and who have shared timely words of wisdom and also of encouragement. Also, those in the Diocese and beyond who have prayed for the College and have financially supported the ministry at Moore.
After much prayer and conversation with wise friends, I have decided to finish serving on the Faculty in December 2024. I am open to considering different ministry opportunities for 2025 and beyond. I don’t know what my future holds, but I know our great and good God has me in his hands (Proverbs 16:9).
Jane is faithfully choosing to obey a missional instinct to go and to be useful in whatever field the Lord leads her to. This very instinct to go and serve has been such an important part of Jane’s contribution to the College and one of the many reasons why we will miss her so profoundly.
Mark Thompson, Principal of the College, currently on study leave, adds his voice to the chorus of support Jane has at Moore:
Jane Tooher has been an astonishingly kind gift of God to us at Moore College. She combines the gifts of a teacher and a pastor in a truly remarkable way. She is faithful, thoughtful, insightful, generous and kind. I value Jane’s contribution very highly and have learned a great deal from her. This next move is not at all unexpected. Her heart has always been in parish ministry, which is part of what has made her such an invaluable member of the College Faculty. None of us want to see her go, but we commit to supporting her in all the Lord gives her to do. I am deeply grateful for all Jane has done, but just as much for her fellowship and friendship over many years.
Please join us at the College in praying that the Lord would guide and strengthen Jane in this season. That he might open doors and prepare just the right ministry opportunities and partners for her to move on to. Pray for us too, that the Lord would lead us to be excited with Jane about what he will do through her next, even as we grieve losing her daily fellowship at the College.
Rev. Dr Simon Gillham
Acting Principal
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We thank God for the Governing Board’s approval of the Acting Principal’s nomination of the Rev. Charles Cleworth as a part-time member of the Moore College Faculty. Charles is married to Ash and they have three children, Poppy, Neve and Judah. Charles will continue to serve in ministry at Grace City Church as he takes up this new role at College.
Acting Principal, Simon Gillham, welcomed this appointment saying, “We are delighted to have Charles join the faculty and to welcome the whole family back into the community at Moore. Charles’ desire to see others grow in maturity of faith in the Lord Jesus and the intellectual rigour that he brings to that great enterprise make him well suited for the role.”
Charles will be part of the Theology, Philosophy and Ethics Department. His initial appointment is for two years, and after this time it is anticipated that he will complete PhD studies overseas. Charles remarked, “I’m really looking forward to investing in the lives of the students and digging up the richest treasures of God’s word with them. As a family, we’re excited to immerse ourselves in the community life of the College.”
Please thank God with us for the provision of Charles and pray for his transition into this new role.
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Congratulations to the 101 graduates who celebrated with friends and family last night at the 2024 Moore College Graduation event at City Recital Hall. It was an evening filled with delight as the community, who have shared the journey of study with each of the graduands, had the opportunity to praise and thank God for what has been and what is still to come. One of the joys of College Graduation is hearing the ministry plans that the graduands have already in place and which God will continue to direct them in.
The Rev Dr Ed Loane, in the Occasional Address, exhorted the graduands to adopt an eternal perspective as they navigate what can be a hazardous expedition. “An eternal perspective changes everything. It energises us for the task at hand, it strengthens us as we face our challenges, it frees us from wrong priorities and it fills us with the confidence to keep on preaching Christ come what may.”
As Simon Gillham, Acting Principal encouraged the listeners, “You came to College to be trained for ministry and you leave with our love and our prayers that God may use you mightily for the glory of our Lord Jesus.”
Amen.
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College weekends away provide cohorts the opportunity to be encouraged and enjoy fellowship outside the confines of the classroom and typically before the hustle of the academic year kicks in. Earlier this term, Fourth Year students and their families headed south to a serene spot at Port Hacking and had a wonderful time. Final year student Tony Kong felt encouraged by the time away together:
“Paul Grimmond, Dean of Students at MTC, spoke, in a timely manner, from the book of Titus, where we were reminded of the graciousness of our God, the preciousness of the gospel and the call to live godly lives that accord with the truth we seek to proclaim. We are thankful for Paul and Cathy Grimmond’s wisdom and experiences which they freely shared with us and helped us to think soberly about ministry life and some of the challenges that await us.
A particular focus was time spent in prayer for one another, for the remainder of College and for our prospective ministries after College. It was special to be able to enjoy and deepen those friendships and partnerships that God has blessed us with especially as we near the end of our time here.”
Thank you for keeping the Fourth year cohort in your prayers, especially that they might continue to grow in their capacity to be godly leaders of God’s people and grow in fellowship and partnership with each other this year and into the future.
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Moore College’s much-loved lecturer in Christian ethics and theology, The Rev Dr Chase Kuhn, has accepted the Archbishop’s invitation to become the Rector of St Matthias Centennial Park in Sydney. Dr Kuhn’s long-standing love of church-based pastoral ministry means that this move has not surprised any who know him. While we will be very sad to see him go, we are so glad that he is able to use his very considerable gifts in the service of this community of God’s people. We share the joy of this opportunity with Chase, Amy and the family.
Chase has been on the Moore College faculty since 2016, lecturing units in Christian doctrine and ethics, directing the Centre for Christian Living and overseeing the John Chapman Preaching Initiative, especially its tremendously popular annual preaching clinics.
“Chase has been a very valuable contributor to the ministry of the College over the past seven years”, said College principal, Dr Mark Thompson. “He is a fine pastor, teacher, and scholar and he will most certainly be missed. I can’t help but be excited, though, for the congregations at Centennial Park and I am glad that in many different ways, he will remain connected to the College.”
The timing of the appointment meant, sadly, that the student body was not able to farewell Chase together before the end of the academic year. However, we do expect him to be around College in one form or another next year.
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Your word, Lord, is eternal; it stands firm in the heavens. Your faithfulness continues through all generations; you established the earth, and it endures (Psalm 119:89-90).
In Psalm 119, the Psalmist reminds us of two fundamental truths: first, that God’s Word is eternal, and, second, that God Himself is faithful. In Scripture, we see God’s faithfulness in his dealings with his people across all ages, culminating in the glorious death and resurrection of the Lord Jesus, and continuing to the present as he continues to fulfil His plans and purposes in these last days. This is true in the history of the Church. And it is also true with regard to us at Moore College. Over many generations now, we have been privileged to witness the impact of the gospel on the lives of our graduates, and to see how they themselves have been used by God to impact others as they speak His Word in parishes, on university campuses, and in schools, hospitals, and prisons across Australia and around the globe. All this is evidence of God’s faithfulness and so we respond with praise – for that is His due.
As our graduates have made their way from Newtown to serve in a range of locations, both domestic and further afield, we have been increasingly blessed to see new students come through our doors from a variety of different countries, with different family backgrounds, different stories to tell of how they were brought by God from darkness to light, and a raft of different ministry experiences.
First-year student, Phoebe, and her team on mission at Bathurst Cathedral during 2023 Mission Week.Take for example, Phoebe, one of our current students, who came to Sydney as a ministry apprentice, having previously worked in student ministry in the Philippines. As she served in her homeland, and grew in her joy of knowing God through study and reflection on the Scriptures, Phoebe realised that in order for her ministry to grow, she needed to be formally trained and so made the journey to Sydney.
Or Jason, who comes from a Buddhist background in Malaysia. Jason originally arrived in Australia to study a master’s degree in architecture before the Lord brought him to faith. Since then, he undertook a ministry apprenticeship in Newcastle and is currently preparing to return to Malaysia as a missionary.
Or Trace, who came from Uganda to complete a PhD in Adelaide before also serving a ministry apprenticeship. Trace is currently at Moore College preparing to minister to students within tertiary institutions in Uganda.
Third-year student, Trace, and his team at Mt Druitt Anglican and Oakhurst Anglican during 2023 Mission Week.Three common elements stand out in these stories. First, Phoebe, Jason and Trace all share a joy in the Lord that comes from their own experience of His faithfulness to them. Second, each one has been raised by God to consider how they might best serve Him with their lives in vocational ministry. And, third, each one has recognised their need for theological education to prepare them towards this goal.
The blessing of these international students also extends to the wider Moore College community, enriching the common experience of learning together.
Please rejoice with us as our college continues to send out graduates into all the earth, who in turn send back future students to Moore so that they themselves might be blessed from the theological formation which our college offers.
We are also thankful our Moore College graduates who are doing the slow but crucial work of prayerfully raising up future Gospel workers and challenging people from the Scriptures to consider ministry for themselves. One current ministry apprentice, who hopes to study at Moore next year, has previously served alongside a former graduate in Africa – and so the cycle continues as we see God’s faithfulness extend from one generation to the next and across continents.
Please pray for our students and graduates, that they might continue to boldly proclaim Jesus and so play their part in raising up more and more workers for the harvest field. Will you please pray that we as a college might continue to faithfully resource and equip all those that the Lord sends us for a lifetime of ministry in His service.
Would you also consider partnering with us financially to this great cause so that in the future many, many, more from places all around the world might have the opportunity to learn and grow in our community? A thorough theological education in Sydney is costly but a quality preparation for a lifetime of ministry is invaluable.
Thank you for your continued partnership with Moore College in training, sending, and recruiting the next generation of Christian leaders in Sydney and around the world.
Your brother in Christ,
Soo Sing Goh Chief Operating Officer
Donate to Moore CollegeThank you for your continued partnership with Moore College in training, sending, and recruiting the next generation of Christian leaders in Sydney and around the world.
If you’d like to discuss areas of current need, please contact the Moore College Foundation on +61 (0)2 9577 9900 or by email at Foundation@moore.edu.au.
Note that donations $2 and over are tax deductible.
You can donate to these funds via credit card by choosing one of the below options, and you can also donate via Direct Deposit or Cheque.
General FundThis gift will contribute to the running of the college and allow the College to allocate the funds to the most urgent funding priorities.
GIVE NOWScholarships FundScholarships are awarded based on the decisions of the Scholarships Committee of the Moore College Foundation. Unless specifically indicated otherwise in the terms, scholarships are awarded on the basis of financial need, merit and/or the applicant’s mission/ministry potential.
GIVE NOW
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Moore College launched its new curriculum at the start of the 2023 Academic Year. Moore College Principal Dr Mark Thompson unpacks the key features of the new curriculum in this new video.
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Moore College’s Centre for Christian Living hosted Christian ethicist Dr David VanDrunen, from Westminster Theological Seminary in the USA, at the recent CCL event "Virtue in an age of virtue signalling”. The event was held at Moore College on the evening of Wednesday 7 June, and was attended by students, faculty and guests.
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On the evening of Friday, 26th May 2023, Moore Theological College held its graduation for the Moore PTC.
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Christians all over the world are indebted to the ministry of Tim Keller, the founding pastor of Redeemer Presbyterian Church in New York City. A gifted preacher, insightful apologist, tireless encourager of others, Keller was called home by his Lord on Friday 19 May 2023.
We at Moore College are saddened by his loss but deeply grateful for his ministry. Tim Keller modelled careful, intelligent engagement with those caught up in the confusion of what some have labelled the “post-Christian age”. He understood their questions, commitments and concerns and with consummate skill demonstrated how the gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ provided better answers than those they had embraced.
Tim was keen to see the gospel lived out with a concern for justice and compassion. As a result, the ministries he started during his 28 year service at Redeemer Presbyterian covered a wide range of activities. Very significantly, he was one of the founders of The Gospel Coalition and helped to draft its foundation documents. His was a powerful and influential voice in the contemporary religious landscape.
We are thankful to Tim for his faithfulness and to our God for calling him and providing him with opportunities to use his extraordinary gifts for the benefit of others all around the world. Many have been profoundly shaped as they have read his books, listened to his sermons in person or online, or been practically helped by one of the ministries for which he was ultimately responsible.
We pray especially at this time for his wife Kathy and their three sons as they grieve their husband and father in the knowledge that the man they loved was loved by many others throughout the world and most of all by his God and Saviour.
Here are two articles paying tribute to Tim Keller from those who knew him well:
- Don Carson pays tribute to Tim Keller (by Don Carson)
- I met my hero, Tim Keller (by Collin Hansen)
Read more . . .
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Moore College is pleased to announce the appointment of our new Chief Operating Officer, Mr Soo Sing Goh.
Mr Goh is currently the Finance Director and Company Secretary at the Church Missionary Society Australia (CMS-A). Prior to this he was a director of a major Indonesian property firm (Indonesia Prima Property TBK) and has extensive experience in financial and property matters. While at CMS-A, he oversaw the redevelopment of St Andrews Hall in Melbourne. He is a keen Christian man and is a member of Northmead Anglican Church, where he is involved in several ministries.
Mr Goh will be starting with Moore College on the 1st of August. Please pray for him as he finishes with CMS-A and takes a brief break before beginning this new ministry.
The current COO, Dr Laurie Scandrett, has been with Moore College on an interim basis and will be retiring from his position in early September.
‘While Dr Scandrett served us wonderfully as a COO in an interim capacity and made a very significant contribution, the Governing Board has realised a full-time permanent COO is required as we move into the future,’ said Dr Mark Thompson, the College Principal. ‘We are thrilled that Mr Goh has accepted to take up this position, and I look forward to him starting with us.’
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On the 12th of April, the Donald Robinson Library of Moore Theological College hosted an insightful seminar titled “Biblical Languages in the Early Modern Period.” The event featured speaker Douglas Fyfe, a pastor, Hebrew and Old Testament tutor, and PhD candidate at Sydney University. Fyfe’s expertise on biblical languages provided attendees with a fascinating overview of the publication of early modern Hebrew Bibles, the development of the standard order for biblical books, and how they shaped the field of biblical studies.
The seminar began with an introduction to the early modern period, a time of significant scholarship in biblical languages. The invention of the printing press in the 15th century paved the way for numerous key editions of the Hebrew Bible and Greek New Testament to be published by major printing houses. The emergence of polyglot Bibles, such as Brian Walton’s 1657 Biblia Sacra Polyglotta, also allowed scholars to compare linguistic differences and similarities across different languages.
The seminar also highlighted several early works on display at the Donald Robinson Library’s lower ground floor. These exhibits showcased rare and valuable examples of early modern printed editions alongside two 19th century manuscripts, providing attendees with a unique opportunity to examine these artifacts up close. Fyfe’s expertise and guidance made the examination of these works an enlightening and engaging experience for all in attendance.
Throughout the event, Douglas Fyfe demonstrated his passion for the subject by sharing his extensive knowledge of the Old Testament and the Hebrew language. His background as a pastor, tutor, and researcher allowed him to provide a well-rounded and insightful perspective on the importance of biblical languages in the early modern period.
The event not only showcased the significance of the printing press and early modern manuscripts in shaping the field of biblical studies but also highlighted the importance of preserving these historical artifacts for future generations. Douglas Fyfe’s engaging presentation and the opportunity to examine rare biblical works made the event a memorable and enriching experience for all who attended.
New Testament lecturer Chris Conyers attended the event and reflected on it afterwards: “Printed texts are everywhere today, but seeing the care and effort that went into books in previous ages reminds us how precious a book can really be. I was especially struck by the way Hebrew scribes went to so much effort to make their text look special by putting crowns on every letter! It was also incredible to see an interlinear Bible from 1608, designed to help the Latin speaker learn Hebrew – I never would have guessed that such a thing existed, but it’s a great insight into how our forbears studied the scriptures.”
Erin Mollenhauer, the Senior Archivist of the Donald Robinson Library, shared her thoughts on the event, saying, “It was a privilege to host Douglas Fyfe and have our guests explore the rich history of biblical languages. His expertise brought these artifacts to life, inspiring a deeper appreciation for the scholarly work of the early modern period. We hope this event fosters continued interest in our collection and the invaluable knowledge it holds for understanding the development of biblical studies.”
Read more . . .
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Last week, Moore Theological College students, lecturers, and chaplains left Moore College to spread the gospel across various regions in Australia.
The teams were dispatched to a total of 14 different locations, from the lush landscapes of Jamberoo to the vibrant communities of Alice Springs, and from the coastal beauty of Sans Souci to the bustling urban centres of Blacktown and Doonside. This initiative saw these dedicated individuals join hands with local churches and ministries, working tirelessly to share the message of hope and salvation throughout our nation.
During their mission trips across Australia, Moore Theological College students and staff members found themselves engaged in encouraging and at times challenging experiences that impacted both the local communities and the mission team members. For example, in Minchinbury and Rooty Hill, students Sarah and Anna had the opportunity to join an afternoon tea with a group of women from Doonside Anglican Church. Sarah shared a touching passage from Luke 7 and her own personal journey to faith as an international student. The group of women displayed immense faith and support for one another, even as they faced personal hardships and health challenges. Their dedication to evangelism and their heart-warming efforts to create a loving family for international students at the church showcased faith in action.
In Albion Park, mission team members joined the Men’s Shed Open Day and connected with older men who eagerly taught them woodworking and metalworking skills. The Men’s Shed ministry offered a valuable space for community building and camaraderie among its members, with one man even crediting the group for saving his life. One of the long-time members, George, shared a remarkable testimony of how he became a Christian through a Moore College mission over 50 years ago, demonstrating the enduring impact of these missions throughout the years.
In Blacktown and Doonside, team members had an insightful conversation with a Muslim man from Pakistan. Despite facing personal challenges, this man showed great interest in understanding the Bible, leading to an in-depth discussion on the Scriptures and the story of Jesus. In Tamworth, the mission team visited the Coledale Anglicare food pantry, connecting with community members over tea and coffee, and assisting with setting up and packing up. This event facilitated an impromptu Bible study and prayer session among indigenous women, bringing much joy and encouragement to the mission team.
These highlights from a few of the mission teams illustrate the experiences and connections formed during the mission trips, as they worked to spread the gospel and support local ministries across Australia.
Moore Theological College Vice Principal Simon Gillam emphasised the importance of mission trips as a crucial aspect of the College experience. He said, ‘Embarking on Mission with Moore College not only allows our students to put their learning into practice but also fosters a deep commitment to God’s work, grounded in the relationships they build along the way. These missions help cultivate a passion for service that extends well beyond their time at the College, shaping them into dedicated ministers who are prepared to make a lasting impact in God’s harvest field.’
Read more . . .
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On March 13, 2023, Moore College hosted a special event showcasing a groundbreaking platform for studying 16th-century documents.
The platform, www.bullinger-digital.ch, uses cutting-edge AI technology to help researchers delve into the vast Heinrich Bullinger correspondence (HBBW). Developed in collaboration with the Institut für Computerlinguistik at the University of Zurich (UZH), this innovative tool is continually updated with new features and is freely accessible to all.
A total of 12,000 letters written to and from Bullinger have been preserved at the Zurich State Archives and the Zurich Central Library.
Thanks to the dedicated work of Prof Dr Peter Opitz and his team of experts, some of these letters (from 1524 to 1547) have already been edited and published by the IRG (https://www.irg.uzh.ch/de/bullinger-edition.html).
In recent years, Prof. Dr Martin Volk and his team have digitized many of these letters, making them easily accessible with just a mouse click. On February 24, 2023, to celebrate the 500th anniversary of the first letter of the HBBW, Prof Volk shared the impressive results achieved by his team using computer linguistic tools. The presentation can be viewed here: https://www.bullinger-digital.ch/downloads/Bullinger_digital_ZB_2021_11_03.pdf
The event at Moore College attracted researchers and enthusiasts interested in the 16th-century Reformation. Led by Prof Volk and Moore College’s Head of Church History, Dr Mark Earngey, the attendees were captivated by the platform’s use of AI to analyze the historical documents.
The presentation featured new updates added since the February talk in Zurich, sparking lively discussions and an informative Q&A session.
Despite the challenges posed by the fact that 75% of the correspondence was written in Latin and 25% in Early New High German, with additional letters in French, Italian, and Greek, the platform can accurately recognize and digitize the texts. This remarkable achievement is even more impressive considering the many different handwriting styles of the authors.
As Dr Mark Earngey noted, events like these highlight Moore College’s commitment to promoting innovative research and fostering a global community of scholars. The College eagerly anticipates this groundbreaking AI platform’s continued impact on the study of historical texts.
Read more . . .
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On March 20, 2023, Moore College held its annual Graduation at the City Recital Hall in Sydney. The ceremony celebrated the successful completion of study at the College and the places God has taken our graduates to serve since they finished in 2022.
One hundred and seven students completed their studies in 2022, and most of them could be present at the graduation ceremony along with their families, friends and supporters. These graduates, and those who weren’t able to be with us in person, come from diverse backgrounds and experiences, united in their passion for the Lord Jesus and his gospel, and in their desire to keep growing in faith and knowledge of God to serve wherever the Lord might take them.
This year the keynote address was delivered by Dr Donald West, the Principal of Trinity Theological College in Perth. In his address, Dr West reminded graduates how the gospel is shaping them and their ministries into the likeness of Jesus Christ.
A highlight of the night was the conferral of degrees and diplomas to the graduates. Not only did each graduate receive their testamur from the Archbishop and President of the College’s Governing Board, Kanishka Raffel, but as their names were read, we were told where they were now serving. Our graduates have gone out all around Sydney, to rural Australia, Asia, Africa, and the United Kingdom. God’s wonderful work of sending labourers into his harvest continues, and it was a cause of great rejoicing.
For all the formality of an occasion like this, it really was a celebration of God’s goodness and his powerful work in the lives of men and women today. As the graduates, faculty and Governing Board left the hall to the sound of the hymn “Yet not I but through Christ in me”, we were reminded of how good God has been to us.
“Our Graduation is one of the most encouraging nights of the year”, said the Principal, Dr Mark Thompson.
“It celebrates the work of these wonderful men and women, but even more the work of our Lord and Saviour in sending us out with the most exciting message a person can hear. We also catch a glimpse of the reach of the College throughout the world, something which itself is entirely a gift of God. This is a day we look forward to every year.”
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On Wednesday evening, Moore College’s Centre for Christian Living (CCL) hosted a thought-provoking event on the topic of “Is love really all you need?” The event aimed to explore the Christian understanding of the virtue of love and its role in the lives of believers.
The speaker for the event was Dr Chase Kuhn, Director of the Centre for Christian Living. Dr Kuhn began by demonstrating that love requires a definition—one that not all agree on. He explained that Scripture tells us where true love is known: it’s in Jesus. 1 John 3:16 says, “By this we know love, that he [Jesus] laid down his life for us.”
From this definition of love, demonstrated in Jesus’ life and sacrifice, Dr Kuhn explained that virtuous love is unconditional. Love should not consider qualities in a person worth loving, but should manifest as goodwill toward all in a way that seeks their alignment with God’s purposes for them.
As the main talk concluded, Dr Kuhn demonstrated how the gospel frees Christians for virtuous love: “We love because he first loved us” (1 John 4:19). In fact, by loving as God has loved us, we become lovelier.
The second section of the evening focused on some practical implications of the talk. Moore College student team leader Caitlin Ogg engaged in a discussion with Dr Kuhn about how the principles he advocated would apply to different scenarios: self-love, loving those who are “easy” to love, loving those who are “difficult”, and loving strangers.
The event concluded with a Q&A session, during which attendees had the opportunity to ask Dr Kuhn questions about the nature of love and its role in the Christian life. The questions ranged from one’s capacity to love, duty versus delight, proximity of relationships, and how to interact with those outside the Christian faith.
Overall, the event was a great example of Moore College’s commitment to providing opportunities for Christians to engage with important topics from a biblical perspective. The Centre for Christian Living continues to serve Christians in their reflections on how biblical ethics relates to everyday issues.
For more resources from the Centre for Christian Living, including articles, podcasts, and previous and upcoming events, please visit ccl.moore.edu.au.
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On Tuesday night Matthias Media held a book launch for Peter Jensen’s new book The Life of Faith: An Introduction to Christian Doctrine at Moore College. The event was a resounding success, drawing an engaged and enthusiastic audience of over 80 people.
Peter’s book is the fruit of his more than thirty years of teaching Christian doctrine. Many graduates during Peter’s time as Principal of Moore College can testify to the brilliance of his teaching and the invaluable resource his lecture notes have been over the years. These are now, freshly edited, available more widely.
The evening began with a warm welcome from the College’s current Principal, Dr Mark Thompson, who spoke briefly about his years learning from and then teaching alongside Peter Jensen. Another of Peter’s former students, Carmelina Read, gave her reflections. After this the Archbishop of Sydney, Kanishka Raffel, who himself studied doctrine under Peter Jensen, officially launched the book. Finally, Peter Jensen then shared about his approach in the book and provided a fascinating glimpse into his journey as a theologian and Christian leader.
The event concluded with a book signing, where attendees had the opportunity to purchase signed copies of The Life of Faith and meet the author personally.
“We were very glad to join Matthias Media by providing a venue for this event,” said Dr Thompson. “It is entirely appropriate that Peter’s book should be launched here at Moore College, where through his brilliant teaching he influenced generations of doctrine students. Many of us have been hoping for this day when Peter’s valuable insights into the Bible’s teaching would be made available to new generations of Christian men and women.”
The Life of Faith: An Introduction to Christian Doctrine by Peter Jensen is now available for purchase online from Matthias Media.
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It’s that time of year when hundreds of students from across Sydney, Australia and overseas converge at Moore Theological College to begin a new academic year, which kicked off last Monday.
First-year student, Phoebe Guerra from the Philippines, said she was both excited and nervous: “I’m enjoying but also feeling nervous about the many new things happening around me at College—so many new people! But it’s so good to be assured by the Moore community that we are here for one another — let’s do this!”
A strong sense of community is evident among the student cohort. At a time when some educational institutions are moving more towards an online model of learning, Moore College remains committed to a face-face communal model of education.
“That’s our main game”, said the Principal, Dr Mark Thompson. “We train students face-to-face and full time for a ministry that is face to face and full time. This is not just a habit, but a deep commitment anchored in the way God values relationships.”
Alongside those studying full-time in the three-year Bachelors or four-year Masters program, are those availing themselves of the flexibility to study the first year of these courses part-time, as well as other courses online. They are just as excited about starting their study and we are thrilled that they are part of our College.
“We thank God for all the men and women that he has brought to Moore College so that we might prepare them for life and service in God’s harvest field”, Dr Thompson said.
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Gordon, what is your role at Moore College?
My title is Academic Support Coordinator, and my goal is to help every student flourish in their studies here at Moore.
What sort of help do you offer students?
All sorts of things! But mainly, I meet with students, and I write resources to help them.
Meeting with students can be one-on-one appointments, drop-ins, or even seminars. The one-on-one meetings cover whatever they need – anything from managing deadlines and commitments, to exam preparation, to working out how to tackle an upcoming assessment. And things like how to study amid a busy life or grief, or how to navigate ADHD or dyslexia, which a lot of good people struggle with.
Four hours a week, students can drop in during ‘The Doctor is In’ sessions in the library. I’m not a doctor, but it’s time for any academic question, one minute or one hour. My motto is ‘No question too small.’ It’s great, and I get to work with lots of students there. Also, when students ask, I run seminars on topics they ask for.
That is all face-to-face, but there is only one of me, and there are 200+ students, and I can’t meet all the time with everyone. So I extend my reach by creating permanent resources, too. I produce blog posts on different academic skills and topics – skills such as reading, note-taking, choosing the best sources, studying in groups, and preparing for exams. I also produce guides for many of their major research essays. Many students I’ve never directly worked with tell me they read and use my posts regularly.
How have you helped students grow in their knowledge and abilities at Moore College? It took me two-and-a-half years to figure out how to study at College. Granted, that was over 30 years ago, but I don’t want to see that again for any student!
So one goal is to help students adjust to College much more quickly and smoothly, so the academic demands of College don’t get in the way of their godliness and faithful service. I’d like to think that I help them do that, wherever they come from, whatever their background.
Related to that, I want to help students grow independent of me, and need me less and less. So I try not just to answer their questions but to equip them to answer those questions for themselves in the future.
By the time they get to the end of third year, I am no longer providing specific guidance on their final essays, but I am available to work with them if they want. Likewise, I am currently developing resources on academic writing and on writing clearly. Very few of us are ever really taught how to write clearly and effectively. This will help them in their studies, of course, but also in ministry. Practically all my students are heading into word-based ministry. Helping them communicate even more clearly is vital for their service to the Lord.
Could you share a story of how your students moved from struggle to growth?
Sure! Every semester I get to work with some students who lack confidence or university study skills, and I see most of them grow and learn and pass their subjects.
But one of my favourite stories is about four students.
A year ago, one student came to me and said she was having trouble keeping up with her readings – they were advanced, and there is also the motivation factor of reading and studying alone. I asked if she had considered a reading group with a couple other students. So she organised one. They learned, they loved it, and they then decided to meet a second hour every week to discuss more readings and to review their lectures that week.
All I did was point her to a useful strategy. They went and perfected it. So this year, I am pushing students across College to consider reading and revision groups. Research consistently shows that discussing readings and lecture content with others leads to better understanding and deeper learning. Plus, it’s fun.
I see a lot of my work being the delightful coaching and personal stuff. But I am also a resource person who helps students apply lots of excellent research into students, study, and learning. Like a preacher, my job is to take those goodies from the top shelf and serve them up to my people – our students!
Each year, I want to help many students directly, and to leave a growing bank of resources to help future students and academic support officers here.
Gordon is starting his fourth year working at Moore. He lives in Western Sydney and enjoys food and cooking, nature walks, and chilling with his family. You can read his academic skills blogs here.
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The teaching ministry of the Moore College Faculty extends far beyond the walls of the College. Over the years, members of its faculty have contributed to the wider Christian scene through speaking in churches and at conferences, and also through their writing.
The list of Moore College authors is long indeed, including T. C. Hammond, Marcus Loane, Donald Robinson, Broughton Knox, Paul Barnett, Graeme Goldsworthy, Bill Dumbrell, Peter O’Brien, David Peterson, John Woodhouse and Peter Jensen. Their books have been a blessing to Christians all over the world.
2022 was a busy year when it comes to books published by the current Faculty. We’ve compiled a list for you (just of the books – many articles have been published too).
- Embracing Complementarianism, by Jane Tooher with Graham Beynon (Good Book Company)
This book has been attracting a great deal of attention all over the world. Its starting point is that complementarianism is biblical and it is good for us. Jane and Graham and concentrate on what these convictions look like in practice without prescribing one way that suits every circumstance. They move beyond the familiar discussions of gender roles to encourage a church culture where men and women genuinely partner together. Click here to read a review.
- The Doctrine of Scripture: An Introduction, by Mark Thompson (Crossway)
Our Principal has contributed a volume to the Short Studies in Systematic Theology series. What we think about the Bible is sometimes considered in isolation from Jesus Christ. This book argues that all we say about the Bible should be determined by how Jesus treated the Old Testament and his commissioning of his first disciples who produced the New Testament. This book aims to strengthen our confidence in the Bible as God’s word which is entirely trustworthy and nourishes faith in Jesus. Click here to hear an interview with the author.
- The Beginning of the Gospel: A Theology of Mark, by Pete Orr (Crossway)
Peter Orr has produced this valuable addition to the New Testament Theology series. Peter helps us to understand how the Gospel of Mark makes a special contribution to our picture of Jesus, as he examines its relationship to the Old and New Testaments. Each chapter focuses on a key theme of the book—the identity of Christ, the announcement of the kingdom, the call to follow, and more—and explains how this Gospel is relevant for the church today.
- When The Noise Won’t Stop: A Christian Guide to Dealing with Anxiety, by Paul Grimmond (Matthias Media)
Paul Grimmond has written an immensely helpful book for anyone who has experienced anxiety or sought to help others who struggle with it. From his own experience as a pastor, preacher and one who has grappled with this himself, Paul enables us to face the reality of the reality of this struggle with clear biblical thinking and hope. Click here to read a review.
- Hugh Latimer: Gospel Ploughman, by Mark Earngey (Australian Church Record)
This is the second in a series of brief biographies of reformation figures that Mark Earngey is producing. Hugh Latimer, sometimes referred to as the “Apostle to England”, was one of the trailblazing reformers of the sixteenth century. He was the great preacher of the English Reformation, and the story of his stand for Jesus Christ has inspired countless Christians and continues to do so today. Mark tells the story of Latimer’s gospel ministry and explores the way he was used mightily by God to save souls and transform lives.
- Fight for your Pastor, by Pete Orr (Crossway)
Peter Orr was particularly busy during 2022 and this second book has already been a great help to many. Peter encourages church members to stand with their pastors through times of difficulty, caring for them, praying with them, offering words of encouragement, generously providing for them, and forgiving them when they make mistakes. He includes stories from current pastors about the struggles they face. Click here to hear an interview with the author.
- Water for my Camels: Navigating the space between singleness and marriage when the Bible doesn’t talk about dating, by Paul Grimmond (Matthias Media)
Our Dean of Students, Paul Grimmond, also published two books in 2022. In this second book Paul guides us into biblical answers to the ‘who’, ‘when’ and ‘how’ dating questions, while also honestly and humbly tackling other thorny issues, such as ‘How do I know if it’s God’s will for me to get married?’, ‘Is online dating a good idea?’, and ‘How do I get over the pain of breakup?’.
Each one of these books is accessible and worth reading. We are excited to commend them to you, for yourself or to share with others.
Read more . . .
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On Monday 6th February 2023, Moore College’s Priscilla and Aquila Centre held its annual conference at Moore College.
Over 428 people were in attendance, including 140 on livestream.
The topic of the conference was “Lazy Complementarianism: A fresh look at leadership, relationships and church family life”. The keynote speakers were Gary Millar (Principal of Queensland Theological College) and his wife, Fiona.
In their keynote talks, Gary and Fiona explored how Bible-believing evangelicals can slip into “lazy” thinking and practices around complementarianism, by simply doing what we have always done or mirroring the culture around us, rather than looking to the Bible.
There were also several electives, including “The ministry of motherhood” by Jocelyn Loane, “Speaking and relating well with other complementarians when we disagree” by Kara Hartley and Bill Salier, and “Nurtured by God’s word” by Sarah Sholl.
“It is good to keep thinking about how God wants us to live and minister together as men and women,” said Jane Tooher, Director of the Priscilla and Aquila Centre. “The annual Priscilla & Aquila conference gives us the opportunity to do that. The plenary sessions and the electives explored various aspects of complementarianism. This conference is primarily aimed at women and men in vocational ministry, but other Christians are most welcome and attend each year. This year we had our largest conference to date, and there was much to thank God for.”
For more information about the conference and the work of Moore College’s Priscilla and Aquila Centre, please visit paa.moore.edu.au.
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We are delighted to announce that Mrs Gabrielle Fury has accepted the role as the MTC Head Librarian. In early 2023 Gabrielle will take over the leadership of the Donald Robinson Library team, allowing Erin Mollenhauer to move into her new role as Senior Archivist and Special Collections Librarian.
Gabrielle is married to Glen and, together with two of their children, they attend Maroubra Presbyterian Church.
After studying Law, Gabrielle went on to complete her Master of Information Studies with a major in Librarianship.
She has worked in Librarian and Library Management roles at Morling College since April 2013, and her most recent role is the National Director of Library Services. At Morling College, Gabrielle has been responsible for the management of libraries at two campuses including the theological, counseling, and education collections.
She brings a great understanding of higher education library operations to this role, and we are excited to have her.
Gabrielle’s first day will be Monday 16 January 2023.
Please also pray for her as she prepares to undertake this new role.
Read more . . .
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Last Thursday, at its final meeting for the year, the Moore College Governing Board approved the Principal’s nomination of the Reverend Susan An to become a member of the College faculty, serving as its Dean of Women.
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Moore College gives thanks to God for the life and ministry of Archdeacon Narelle Jarrett, former Principal of Mary Andrews College (1985–2007). Narelle taught at the College and worked closely with successive Principals during the years when women students were jointly enrolled at Moore College and Mary Andrews College.
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At the final chapel service for Term 4, Moore College farewelled Old Testament lecturer, Dr Chris Thomson.
Dr Thomson joined the Faculty in mid-2016, after study in the University of Cambridge and the University of Edinburgh.
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The Archbishop of Canterbury, Justin Welby, and Mrs Welby, along with Archbishop Kanishka Raffel and Mrs Raffel, visited Moore College on Wednesday. During the tour, they had lunch with faculty, staff students, members of the Governing Board and the bishops of the Diocese of Sydney. The Archbishop took a brief tour of the College, was greeted by the student body, and had lunch with a smaller group.
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Moore02 alumni organized their 20 year reunion at College. Juliette Antoon (who works with Moore PTC) shares what they got up to.
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Moore College joins today with men and women around the world in thanking God for the life, service and Christian witness of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II. We mourn the loss of our Queen but we rejoice in the home-call of our sister in Christ. The broadcast of a speech made by Princess Elizabeth on […]
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Moore College joins today with men and women around the world in thanking God for the life, service and Christian witness of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II. We mourn the loss of our Queen but we rejoice in the home-call of our sister in Christ. The broadcast of a speech made by Princess Elizabeth on […]
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Many people who have visited or contacted Moore College will know Mrs Elisabeth Arnett. Elisabeth has served the College for nineteen years as the Executive Assistant to the Principal. In all that time she has been an adornment to the College, a magnificent example of grace and service, warm friendliness and thoroughgoing professionalism. Nothing has […]
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Many people who have visited or contacted Moore College will know Mrs Elisabeth Arnett. Elisabeth has served the College for nineteen years as the Executive Assistant to the Principal. In all that time she has been an adornment to the College, a magnificent example of grace and service, warm friendliness and thoroughgoing professionalism. Nothing has […]
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It is easy to think that we have now left the pandemic behind, but the health authorities continue to encourage us to be vigilant. There are a couple of new variants floating around and it is good be as careful as possible. We remain concerned to keep each other safe.
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In recent months, there has been an increased demand for Simon to participate in other preaching conferences that are reaching very diverse groups of people here in Australia and overseas. Simon is excited about these possibilities and believes both that this is a ministry that has arisen because of a specific need and that he is a person God might use to meet that need. However, in order to engage in that work, and the other things the Lord has given him to do since leaving full-time parish ministry, Simon will step back from being a Senior Mentor with the JCPI.
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Moore College gives thanks for the life of Dr. B. Ward Powers who died on 7th May 2022. Dr. Powers graduated from Moore College in 1959 and joined the Moore College staff as the Secretary for External Studies in 1964. During the next four years, he oversaw the development of the PTC into a three-year […]
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The Governing Board of the College has approved the Principal’s nomination of the Rev. Thomas Habib as a full-time member of the Moore College Faculty from the end of this year. Tom is completing his PhD research and expects to submit his thesis on moral characterisation in the Gospel of John in August. Prior to […]
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The world is in darkness, and so we ought to be focused on preaching the gospel of salvation, and praying for the very same, for there is an end date and the Lord Jesus will return at any moment.
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The Governing Board of Moore Theological College has appointed Dr Paul Yeates to replace Rhonda Barry in the position of Registrar.
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Will you continue to commit the College to prayer, financially support its gospel-shaped initiatives, and aid us by continuing to advocate for the College amongst those who are looking to develop, be equipped, and expand in the theological education space?
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Moore Theological College thanks God for the life of Dr Erica Sainsbury.
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Over the last 2 years, The Oaks Anglican Church has offered eight Moore Preliminary Theological Certificate (PTC) Units, to train and equip ministry leaders.
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The Archbishop speaks of pandemic life and how Jesus speaks of who he is and what he came to do.
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It was a great privilege and blessing to be invited to participate in a recent online 50 year alumni reunion via Zoom.
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Philippians 1 paints a wonderful picture of the mutuality of gospel partnership, and is the sort of thing we at the Foundation want to continue to prayerfully develop.
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Our goal is to steward the generosity of God's people in providing sustainable support to help all our students to afford College.
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The Governing Board of the College has approved the Principal’s nomination of former Archbishop Glenn Davies as an Emeritus Faculty member of the College.
Bishop Davies (as he now is) has had an association with the College for over 40 years. He was a student in the early 1980s, a Faculty member from 1983–95 (lecturing first in Old Testament and then in New Testament), a member of what is now the College’s Governing Board from 1999–2013, and President of the Governing Board from 2013–2021. He is internationally known for his evangelical leadership, theological acumen, and gracious example of Christian discipleship.
His doctoral research resulted in a Ph.D. from the University of Sheffield in 1988 and in 2016 he was awarded an honorary D.D. from Westminster Theological Seminary in Philadelphia. He has not only served as Rector of St Luke’s Miranda, Bishop of North Sydney and Archbishop of Sydney, but also as Regional General Secretary of the GAFCON movement. He played a major role in drafting the statements issued by each of the three GAFCON conferences (2008, 2013, 2018).
“We are delighted to formalise our continuing fellowship with Bishop Davies in this way”, said the Principal, Dr Mark Thompson. “He has been an unstinting supporter of the College and his encouragement of students, staff and faculty has been constant and greatly appreciated. I am hoping that this appointment will assist Bishop Davies as he continues in his international ministry and, in particular, his research and writing.”
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It has been a real privilege to be part of this College with you throughout this last year, or two, or three, or four. Perhaps more than many other cohorts before you, you’ve been through the roller-coaster: great things have happened while you’ve been at College and there have been plenty of hard times too. You are the cohort who survived the pandemic lockdown! But now you are about to leave us and get on with the very things you came here to prepare to do. So what to say to you as you leave? What do I want you to remember? We’ve got Final Friday tomorrow and there we’ll open the Scriptures together as a College, sit under God’s word one last time together for the year, but tonight is just for you who are leaving us. What do you, whose horizons will soon be taken up with the ministry into which you will enter, what do you need to take with you?
I thought I’d share three connected thoughts about ministry with you before you go. Three things I think it is important to remember. They will give you perspective, they will sustain you when times are tough, and help you recalibrate when you’ve been distracted. And they’re pretty simple and so easy to remember.
First, Christian ministry, every Christian ministry — the ministry you will exercise wherever it is in this world and in whatever particular context — Christian ministry is about Jesus not about me. John the Baptist put it best when some of his own disciples were concerned that attention was being drawn away from him and towards Jesus: he said, “he must increase and I must decrease” (John 3:30). Not a bad verse to have emblazoned on your study wall, or on your desk, or as your screen saver. “He must increase and I must decrease”. Now I’m quite confident that every one of you would readily give your assent to that great truth. If you had to sign a pledge to that effect, I suspect just about every single one of you would do it in a flash. But look around you in this world and even in this city. There are plenty of ministries being exercised for the sake of the minister, or for the sake of the ministry itself, and not for the sake of the Saviour. It’s dangerous when the ministry becomes your identity. And it happens all too often.
There is an almost palpable fragility, a personal insecurity, and shortage of resilience that characterises our age, sadly even among those in Christian ministry. And in order to dampen that down, to distract us from that perhaps, to replenish the stores of self-esteem, some people tie their identity too closely to the ministry they are exercising and not to the Saviour they serve. And it shows in how they are always talking about themselves, publicly and privately. It shows in the way they speak about “this ministry” or, more often, “my ministry”. It shows when all eyes must constantly be on them. And it rarely registers with others that they are even trying to talk about Jesus. It’s almost as if there is a sixth “M” in their ministry strategy: Magnification, Membership, Maturity, Ministry, Mission and “Me”. But when that’s the reality, that last “M” quickly undermines and swallows up the other five. Don’t fall for that, will you? So many have. And it is not always so obvious even though it’s real. Remember, Christian ministry is about Jesus not about me. “He must increase and I must decrease.”
The second ministry truth to take away with you this evening is this — the results of Christian ministry are in his hands not mine. I’m not suggesting for a moment that what you do doesn’t matter, that you shouldn’t give yourself tirelessly to the task, and keep learning to do what you do better. Yet when it is all boiled down, what generates the commitment and the diligence and the willingness to pursue effectiveness and excellence, is the knowledge that this is the Messiah’s work, it is the work of Jesus the Son: he began it and he will bring it to completion. “On this rock I will build my church”, Jesus said (Matt. 16:18).
We might preach the word in season and out of season like Timothy was urged to do by Paul (2 Tim 4:2). We might be faithful in prayer, diligent in preparation, scintillating in delivery, modelling the message as well as teaching the message, but we know it is ultimately God’s work. “I planted”, Paul wrote to the Corinthians — “I planted, Apollos watered, but God gave the growth” (1 Cor 3:6). He told the Philippians that he was certain of this, “that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ” (Phil. 1:6). You see, because ministry is all about him, ultimately it’s all up to him. And that, folks, is tremendously liberating when you think about it. I give myself tirelessly, but the results are in his hands rather than mine. The best most insightful and engaging preaching in the world will not bear any fruit apart from him. The most feeble attempts at evangelism, or modelling Christian faithfulness in my family life, can be used mightily by him if that is his plan.
So I don’t have to turn into a workaholic as if all the results depend on me and me alone. And I don’t have to control what other people do because only then will it be right or good or effective. Sure, I have to answer for my stewardship, how I have used what God has given me to use for the glory of his Son. But I mustn’t act as if God is not in the world, as if his Spirit is not at work in me and others, as if his Son will not do what he said he would do: “I will build my church”. I can rejoice in the success of others because I know that it is Jesus who has done it. And I can persevere during the hard times because I know that it is Jesus who will do it. The results of Christian ministry are in his hands, not mine. “I will build my church”.
So the first two are not too hard to remember, are they?
Christian ministry is about Jesus, not about me.
and
The results of Christian ministry are in his hands, not mine.
And the third?
The third is that — the trials of Christian ministry are as important as the joys. None of us wants to experience trials, at least not now, not yet. When things don’t go as you’d planned, or worse when you can’t avoid your own fragility and brokenness and you are face to face with your own mistakes or your own limitations. When you encounter opposition or indifference from the very people you thought would be most onside. I was musing with a friend yesterday about another mutual friend who once told him how surprised he had been that not everyone liked him. Let me tell you now, not everyone will like you. If you are faithful in teaching the whole counsel of God as Paul had been in Ephesus, if you show people how God’s word speaks into their lives, interrupting them, redirecting them, challenging them, you will not be everyone’s hero. And sometimes it will be simply your personality or the ministry with which you have been entrusted that means people just won’t like you. But the trials of Christian ministry are as important as the joys.
And that’s because Christian ministry is about Jesus and because the results of Christian ministry are in his hands. He has not promised us unalloyed success. And that is not what he experienced as he went about preaching in a broken world. To be like him in ministry is to be like him in discipleship: it will involve suffering, even unjust and unearned suffering. “A servant is not greater than his master”, Jesus told his disciples, “If they persecuted me, they will also persecute you. If they kept my word, they will also keep yours” (John 15:20) — and notice he put the persecute bit first. The trials remind you that the ministry we exercise now is not the final destination. And they remind us that we can’t do this, at least we can’t do this alone. They bring us to our knees. Try it sometime. It’s not a bad posture for prayer.
And so the trials of Christian ministry can themselves be part of the answer to a ministry that has become all about me rather than all about him. The apostles rejoiced when they suffered for the gospel and the kingdom. They counted it an enormous privilege. It was the jolt that reminded them that the ministry was not theirs but Jesus’, and that they do not control the results of what they do, even when they have prayed faithfully, prepared diligently, and preached powerfully. The trials of Christian ministry are as important as the joys. “A disciple is not above his teacher, nor a servant above his master. It is enough for the disciple to be like his teacher, and the servant like his master” (Matt. 10:24–25).
So there you are, three things to ponder as you leave here and take the next steps into the ministry which the Lord has prepared for you.
- Christian ministry is about Jesus not about me.
- The results of Christian ministry are in his hands, not mine.
- The trials of Christian ministry are as important as the joys.
Let me finish by thanking you for the things you have taught us, while you’ve been here. It is a magnificent encouragement and privilege to see what God has done and what God is doing in each of your lives. It is a thrill to see how God has gifted you and shaped you as people, as disciples of the Lord Jesus. I look forward to seeing you at Final Friday tomorrow and then again at the Graduation in March. Please don’t be strangers. This is your College. You are welcome here at any time.
Our God is good. He has enabled us to gather like this tonight. Not something, just at the moment, we want to take granted, is it? So why don’t we pray together before we hear a familiar song sung to us?
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The next generation of labourers for the harvest While the pandemic increases our sense of the world’s instability and uncertainty, and it’s been a real challenge to persevere as Christians, it is important to know that our great God is more powerful than the pandemic. His control over all things is of course chiefly displayed in the gospel, the power of God that brings salvation for all who believe (cf. Rom 1:16). And it is precisely because of Jesus’ saving work on the cross and in his resurrection that we want to champion the cause of Christ to a world that desperately needs the security that only he can bring.
Following on from last year’s Sydney to the World production, we are prayerfully seeking to continue raising the temperature around recruitment the next generation of gospel workers. With the constraints of the pandemic, we are looking to specifically showcase the breadth of gospel opportunities around Australia, in the hope that many will be enthused to look beyond their own context and consider the immense possibilities for serving our Lord Jesus and his precious people.
Unlike last year where we packaged together a single event for you to watch, this year we will be delivering videos in a sort of social media package. That is, we will create multiple short videos that can be sent out via our social media platforms.
We hope that you will enjoy hearing from various gospel workers across Australia, as they whet your appetite to the vitally important gospel opportunities around Australia, and the exciting possibilities for future ministries.
To keep gospel work at the forefront of our minds, won’t you consider:
- Praying for these ministries around Australia regularly
- Sharing these videos via your social media platforms, emails, and any other means
- Having a conversation with your local minister
- How you might equip yourself to serve with these ministries
And above all, please pray that the Lord of the harvest will continue to raise up gospel workers for the ripe harvest field (cf. Matt 9:38).
Read more . . .
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One of the real privileges of studying at Moore College is the theological formation that takes place as you live and learn in a community. Studying with other men and women of different ages, from different backgrounds, and with experience in different ministries is invaluable to a robust preparation for ministry. Of course, learning takes place in classroom discussions, the reading of Scripture, and various other theological writings. However, the development and constructive critiquing of lived behavior and ministry conduct is honed by going through the ebbs and flows of the mundane. Students learn to reflect on their own tendencies and inconsistencies when faced with pressure and temptation, but also see modelled what it means to bear one another’s burdens and accept help with humility. In this pandemic season more than ever, students have had to put into practice what it means to live as a follower of Jesus, when it is so easy to allow frustrations and anxieties to percolate and release in a bout of anger. As trying as this season has been, it bodes well for the future ministries of these students, who have lived experience of what it means to be in relationships and walk through a life marred by sin.
Scripture gives great importance to Christian community as a place where we ought to emulate the love that was perfectly modelled for us in the crucifixion of our Lord Jesus. Such communities are important as a safe space in which to grow and develop, as people sharpen each other as iron sharpens iron (cf. Prov 27:17). They are also a place where people are to work together with their complementary gifts for the sake of the good works that God has prepared for them to do (cf. Rom 12:3-8; 1 Cor 12:12-31). If this is the picture Scripture gives to Christian communities, then it is only appropriate that those undertaking the significant task of preparing to serve Jesus and his people within these communities habitually practise these things also. As our Principal has intimated at several Moore College Open Events, “we study face-to -face in community because the ministry of the Word is done face-to-face in community”.
Of course, for an educational institution, living and learning in community requires physical spaces which foster this learning. Outside of class and study time, incidental learning and Christian modelling also take place in living communities. Current student Josh and his wife Larissa had this to say about their time living in the But-Har-Gra (BHG) community at Croydon Park:
“Living at BHG has equipped us for lifelong ministry in ways we never anticipated. It has been such a joy to share life together in community with other ministry-minded people, sharing meals, fellowship, board game nights, conversations while kids play in the backyard, exercising together, traveling to and from College together, hanging the clothes on the line together, the list goes on! By living here, we have formed deep friendships that we know will help us through the ups and downs of long-term gospel ministry. We have experienced overwhelming kindness and support from everyone during times of struggle and crisis, receiving home-cooked meals, groceries, prayers, babysitting, and household help. This example has challenged us and taught us so much about what it means to love and care for others. We are so grateful and thankful to God for our time here!”
As a College, we want to build for the future and invest in that which we believe is paramount to our core business of training men and women for gospel ministry. So, we ask you to prayerfully consider supporting our most immediate building project needs. We are looking to renovate four large modern town houses for accommodation in Newtown and extend a home for a growing faculty family in Croydon Park. There are also plans for the complete redevelopment of John Chapman House.
Thank you for your prayers and continued support of the College. Please don’t hesitate to contact me at Foundation@moore.edu.au should you wish to discuss the College’s building projects. Please also send me any prayer points. I would be glad to pray for you and your ministries, to partner with you further in the work of the Lord.
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In this talk Helen Haynes, Interim Director of Exhibitions and Programs with the African American Museum in Philadelphia, talks about the women featured in Demetria Royals' film "Conjure Women," including the Urban Bush Women.
"Learning to Swallow" is Danielle Beverly's powerful film about artist Patsy Desmond's struggle with being bipolar. In her talk, Dr. Kaimal cites recent research on the impact of Art Therapy, connecting it to Patsy's story.
Moore is pleased to announce that Judith Tannenbaum will be this year’s Commencement speaker and will be receiving an Honorary Doctorate of Fine Arts from the College. Tannenbaum was named The Rhode Island School of Design (RISD) Museum’s first curator of contemporary art in 2000. In 2002, she became the Richard Brown Baker Curator of Contemporary Art, the Museum’s first endowed position, which she held until 2013. She recently relocated to Philadelphia but continues her connection to RISD as Adjunct Curator. Moore’s 165th Commencement will be held on Sunday, May 18 at 11 am in Aviator Park, across from the College.
Tannenbaum has organized numerous exhibitions focusing on painting, sculpture, video, and interdisciplinary work--with a particular interest in connections between visual art and performance and relationships among fine art, craft, and design. Exhibitions and publications for RISD include Arlene Shechet: Meissen Recast (2014), Painting Air: Spencer Finch (2012); Lynda Benglis (2010); Styrofoam (2008); Beth Lipman: After You’re Gone (2008); Wunderground: Providence, 1995 to the present (2006); Betty Woodman: Il Giardino dipinto (2005); Island Nations: New Art from Cuba, the Dominican Republic, Puerto Rico, and the Diaspora (2004); On the Wall: Wallpaper by Contemporary Artists (2003); and Jim Isermann: Logic Rules (2000).
From 1986 to 2000, Tannenbaum served variously as curator, associate director, and interim director at the Institute of Contemporary Art (ICA), University of Pennsylvania, in Philadelphia. As interim director of ICA in 1989-90, she became the spokesperson for the defense of public funding for the arts and artistic freedom in relation to the Robert Mapplethorpe exhibition originated by ICA. Among the shows she curated for ICA are: Glenn Ligon:Unbecoming (1998), PerForms (1995) featuring the work of Janine Antoni, Charles Ray, and Jana Sterbak; Vija Celmins (1992), a retrospective exhibition that toured nationally; and Interactions (1991), a large group shows about collaborations between the visual and performing arts.
In January, 2014, Tannenbaum was honored by the Frick Center for the History of Collecting for her contribution to the book Get There First, Decide Promptly: The Richard Brown Baker Collection of Postwar Art (Yale University Art Gallery/Yale University Press, 2011). The book won the Sotheby’s Book Prize for a Distinguished Publication on the History of Collecting in America.
2014 LEADERSHIP CONFERENCE FOR WOMEN IN THE ARTS keynote speaker Patricia Wilson Aden, President and CEO of the African American Museum in Philadelphia
Saturday, October 18th 8:30 am – 4:30 pm
More than 100 women (and a few men!) learned how to nurture their artistic voices, envision the future, design 21st Century careers in the arts and overcome fear of success at Moore’s 2014 Leadership Conference for Women in the Arts.
Held on October 18, 2014, the daylong conference explored current topics related to college women who are, or who are interested in being, leaders in art and design fields.
Moore President Cecelia Fitzgibbon kicked off the morning by welcoming conference attendees from Moore and other colleges and organizations.
“Today you will all discover that you are leaders and hopefully learn how you might grow and think about your leadership in a different way,” she said. “Yes, leadership can be learned.”
She stressed that credibility is the foundation of leadership and something that is earned over time. “Credibility, respect and loyalty are earned when leaders demonstrate by their actions that they believe in the inherent self worth of others.”
Fitzgibbon then introduced keynote speaker Patricia Wilson Aden, President and CEO of the African American Museum in Philadelphia, who spoke to students about being authentic, finding a way to push through adversity and be adventurous and strategic in their career choices.
"I've come to firmly believe that life is 10 percent circumstance and 90 percent what you do with the circumstance," she said. "Now that you've made your choices, how do you define success?"
Aden said she finds her passion, fulfillment and measure of success not in the amount of money she makes, but in the sense of adventure. "Know yourself well enough to not only know why you do what you do but to embrace the why of why you do it. Own it and celebrate it. Be purposeful in how you use your why. Talent alone is not enough to compete or succeed in today's cultural marketplace."
Following her remarks, students broke into the first of three breakout sessions on a variety of topics led by strong female leaders and artists, including Ellen Owens, Dr. Judith Weinstein and Moore students and alumni.
During one breakout session, Moore alumna Kia Weatherspoon ’10, Interior Design, emphasized the power of networking, building relationships, being sincere and smiling.
“Be the best version of yourself all the time,” she said. “You have to believe in yourself.”
Delia Ascher, a first-year Fashion Design student, attended a session about conflict resolution for women in leadership. She said she learned how to appropriately handle complicated business situations.
“It was important to learn tips on how to resolve conflicts as a woman,” she said. “Women aren’t always as respected in the business world. I would like to be an entrepreneur and own my own small business one day, so it’s important to learn about the business world.”
Flor Jazmin Gutierrez, a junior Curatorial Studies major, said she learned that “there are a lot of people going through a turning point with combining what they learned at school with the professional world. Everything adds up to figuring out what your core values are and that develops you as a person, personally and professionally.”
A lunch and panel discussion held in the Great Hall was moderated by President Fitzgibbon and featured Beth Feldman Brandt, Executive Director of the Stockton Rush Bartol Foundation; Magda Martinez, Director of Programs & Community Engagement at Samuel S. Fleisher Art Memorial; Rachel McCausland, Manager of Leadership & Legacy Giving at Opera Philadelphia; and Laurie McGahey, Director of Development at the James Michener Museum.
The panelists spoke about their career trajectories, how they took advantage of opportunities, mistakes they had made professionally and their leadership philosophies.
“How you take advantage of opportunities is really important,” Martinez told the students. “How you take advantage of your education right now will reap rewards for so long. All things are connected in the end. To know a little about everything is a good thing.”
The conference concluded with a networking reception in Fox Commons.
Convocation speaker Risë Wilson, Director of Philanthropy for the Robert Rauschenberg Foundation in New York City, told students that all change begins with a vision – personal change and “large-scale pattern breaking” change. Solutions emerge “from critical and creative thinking.”
“The ability to think this way is a skill…you have the capacity…” she said. “How do you foster visionary thinking? You make art and become a change maker.”
Referencing her work with The Laundromat Project - a project she founded which brings socially relevant and socially engaged arts programming to laundromats in neighborhoods – Wilson said it’s important to bring art to where people already are.
“I’ve learned that making art in your own backyard is a deceptively simple act,” she said. “There is power in applying art in your own community.”
She told students that over the next two to four years they should ask themselves: What am I ready to tackle? How can I remain gentle with myself? How can I milk every minute of my education at Moore?
“You are about to locate your voice and claim it and use it for the rest of your life,” she said. “You are a woman armed with the skills to change the world.”
2014-03-18 Melissa-Dolin // Legal Issues for Artists & Designers
Ms. Dolin studied fine arts and communication design before going into law. A former legal intern for the Institute of Museum and Library Services in Washington, D.C., she has combined her interest in the arts with her career as a lawyer to help benefit those involved in commercial litigations, as well as copyright and trademark cases.
Some highlights include: Licensing (protect your rights as an artist) Copyright and trademark protection Visual artists’ rights (latest updates/trends) Internship rights and networking etiquette
What are the skills needed for you to be a leader in the competitive world of art and design? Listen to a Keynote address by Cecelia Fitzgibbon, president of Moore College of Art & Design. Learn from women who’ve achieved success by taking risks, being flexible, developing a solid network and creating collaborative endeavors.