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AUSTRALIAN NEWS 16th May 2012
Sent: Wednesday 16/May/2012 Topic: National
- MONTHLY DAY OF PRAYER FOR THE NATION
- YOU CAN HELP US MAKE A DIFFERENCE IN EGYPT AT THIS CRUCIAL TIME IN ITS HISTORY
- CHRISTIAN WITNESS TO SENATE INQUIRY INTO SAME-SEX MARRIAGE
MONTHLY DAY OF PRAYER FOR THE NATION
Source:
The Australian Prayer Network is inviting Churches across Australia, to set aside one Sunday each month to include prayer for the nation in their services and midweek home and prayer groups. Each month we advise three prayer points which can be used as the basis for congregational or small group prayer as well as including them in Church bulletins for personal use in private devotions. Here are this month's prayer points:
* Pray for those in authority over us. The Governor General Quentin Bryce, the Prime Minister Julia Gillard and Opposition Leader Tony Abbott.
* Pray too for our State leaders. The Governor, Premier and Opposition Leader of your State.
* Pray for those in leadership within Local Government across our nation such as Mayors and Councillors of Local Councils.
YOU CAN HELP US MAKE A DIFFERENCE IN EGYPT AT THIS CRUCIAL TIME IN ITS HISTORY
Source: CHI Ministries
Help us train pastors and leaders from across Egypt this September.Regular readers of our newsletters will be aware that the Australian Prayer Network in conjunction with CHI-Ministries has over the past couple of years been involved in hosting a week of training in Egypt for pastors and leaders from all denominations. We have seasoned pastors and leaders from the Australian church as speakers at this event and the response from those who gather has been one of great thankfulness and deep appreciation to those who make it possible for them to attend. Over the past 2 years we have seen the numbers grow to around 500. This year like last year we will have a growing number of young and aspiring leaders that we are seeking to disciple in leadership.
In the face of centuries of persecution the Church in Egypt has prevailed, no more so than today as we witness Egypt being buffeted with internal conflicts and political upheaval. In the midst of these conflicts the Church in Egypt is coming under increasing pressure as Islamic zealots gain increasing influence and political power with the collective desire being, the eradication of the Church and its influence within Egyptian society. International agencies have reported that in the past year, at least 95,000 believers have left Egypt.
Right now the Church in Egypt needs our assistance, our partnership as we come alongside and help them provide for their people wise counsel and strong leadership. Our conferences not only bring needed training, but personal hands-on ministry, prayer and encouragement.
History has shown that against all the odds, God the Father has preserved a people for himself in this ancient land; some 46% of all Christians in the Middle East call Egypt home. One reason why Egypt has a key part to play in unlocking the Gospel in the heart of the Islamic world! They understand the subtleties of Middle Eastern culture and have a faith that has been tried and tested. It makes far more sense to invest our time, energy and finances in them. Last year we were delighted with the level of financial support from members and friends of the APN and wish to express our sincere thanks to those who gave sacrificially to enable us to complete last year's training.
This year we again need your help to facilitate this strategic training program and reach our financial goal to train 500 pastors and leaders. Can you help us by donating sufficient funds to cover the attendance of at least one or more Egyptian leaders. Each leader costs approximately $50 per head to train. This covers transportation, accommodation and food.
Can you spare $50 dollars to help train one leader? You can donate via our secure PayPal donation facility at: www.vocations4life.com.au/shop/products/Pastors-Training-Egypt.html (Click or copy & paste this address into your browser)
Or you can make a direct deposit into our bank account: details are Suncorp Ltd: BSB 484 799: Account # 045303109. Account name: CityHarvest International. Email us at: accounts@cityharvest.org.au if you have any difficulty.
Please pray for the team of 5 Australian Pastors who will be going to Egypt to undertake the training this year. After returning home last year, this is what one of the speakers said about the event and our project leader. I recently had the honour of joining the project leader, as a speaker at the pastors and leader's conference Egypt. Egypt is a strategic country for reaching North Africa and the Middle East. Despite the instability and insecurity of post-revolution Egypt, over 500 pastors and leaders came from across the nation. We were very conscious of people's prayers because the Spirit's presence and empowerment were tangible and evident. God moved among the leaders in an extraordinary way. B's God-given vision for North Africa is inspiring. His commitment to prayer, his tenacity of vision and sheer hard work are beginning to reap extraordinary results. The potential for North Africa and the surrounding nations is so exciting. I believe in what he's doing and support him and his vision 100%."
Please pray for us as we continue this walk of faith; that we will stay open and sensitive to what is best for the brothers and sisters working with us in Egypt. As we have discovered previously we always have more wanting to attend than we can handle.
Thank you for your continued partnership and please pray for this amazing opportunity.
CHRISTIAN WITNESS TO SENATE INQUIRY INTO SAME-SEX MARRIAGE
Source: Compiled by APN from information from various sources
Recently several Christians were invited to give evidence to the Senate Inquiry in to whether same-sex marriage should be allowed in Australia. We give edited highlights of points made by three of the speakers, namely Jim Wallace (Australian Christian Lobby), Bill Muehlenberg (National Marriage Coalition and Culture Watch) and Ron Brookman (National Marriage Coalition).
JIM WALLACE
Mr Wallace told the Senate Standing Committee hearing that same-sex and heterosexual relationships are different from each other and can't be considered equal under the Marriage Act. "Homosexuality and heterosexuality are not the same, they are different. This is a biological truth. It is simply incongruous that homosexuality and heterosexuality be treated as equal, because they are so clearly different," he said. Mr Wallace said that if this debate was really about making sure people were treated equally, than that had been achieved when government changed 84 laws in 2008 to remove discrimination against homosexual couples to receive entitlements. "There is no discrimination against homosexual people in entitlement." Mr Wallace said.
Mr Wallace told the hearing that it is superficial to limit the discussion of The Marriage Act to ideas of love. "If marriage is only about love, then who in government will determine who, or indeed what, people love?" Mr Wallace said the ACL had no confidence in protections of religious freedom. "The Committee must acknowledge the lack of integrity in promises to protect freedom of religion here, while the same activists are all the time demanding that protections for the church and people of faith be removed in the concurrent review of anti- discrimination legislation," he said.
BILL MUEHLENBERG
Speaking on behalf of the National Marriage Coalition Bill Muehlenberg said that marriage has always been: 'the union of a man and a woman to the exclusion of all others, voluntarily entered into for life'. He said the National Marriage Coalition believes that every child has a biological birthright to both a mother and a father. The best way to secure this right is to establish a loving and stable marriage between a man and a woman for life. Therefore heterosexual marriage should be encouraged, strengthened and supported by government, society and individuals in every possible way.
"Legalisation of homosexual marriage will change everything. Once the 'right' of homosexual marriage is established by government, then corresponding duties and obligations will be placed on all citizens, whether they like it or not. Wherever such changes have taken place overseas, those who differed for conscience sake have found themselves facing draconian punishments. Individuals are losing their jobs, being fined, and even jailed for daring to stand up for what they believe is right, and for defending heterosexual marriage and family." Bill Muehlenberg quoting headlines said: "Here are overseas reports that highlighted the problems ahead of Australia."
"Canadian Court: Marriage officials must marry homosexuals."
"Army: court-martial Chaplains for 'religious, conscience' objection to homosexuality."
"Gay rights activists who object to the Salvation Army's biblical stance on homosexuality are launching their annual call to shut down the organization's Christmas fundraiser."
'All Dutch schools must teach about homosexuality, cabinet decides.'
"Criticize homosexuality in Sweden and go to jail:"
"14-year-old girl receives death threats for defending marriage."
"'Truth about homosexuality' pamphleteer arrested, threatened with committal to psychiatric ward."
"Christian minister accused of 'crime against humanity' for homosexuality stance."
"Kansas law would force churches to host same-sex 'weddings,' receptions."
They are only the tip of the iceberg, but demonstrate how special rights for homosexuals in general, and homosexual marriage in particular, will change everything."
RON BROOKMAN
Ron Brookman, also a spokesman for the National Marriage Coalition, at the hearing, said: "For over thirty years I was a homosexual. I desired nothing more than to find a male partner with whom I could share the rest of my life. With grace and counsel over many years I was able to transform my sexuality to heterosexuality. I have now been happily married to Ruth for over 18 years with whom I have had three children. I had become disillusioned with the superficiality and transience of gay relationships. Now I have found enduring stability and a depth of love that I could never experience in my homosexual attempts. "I am now a minister of the Uniting Church and the leader of Living Waters, an organisation which resources churches and supports people with issues of sexuality in relationships. In the last six months I have celebrated the weddings of two ex-gay men who have married beautiful wives and two couples who have given birth to babies who would never have been born had they not transitioned from homosexuality."
Ron Brookman raised the following points in his presentation.
1. Heterosexual marriage is honoured and distinguished above all other relationships because it is the foundation of society. Marriage is not just a Judeo-Christian concept, both Aristotle and Confucius, from the West and the East, over 2,000 years ago stated their support for marriage. To alter civilisation's foundation is not to exercise freedom. Freedom is not an unqualified licence to do what we like. That leads to anarchy. Rather freedom is a response of the human heart to the unchanging moral truth imprinted within it, to which all civilisations and complimentary gender bear witness.
2. Marriage reflects the reality, anatomy and innate desires of humankind.
3. Rather than promote equality, same sex marriage actually devalues both genders.
4. Not all gays and lesbians want marriage and the support for same sex marriage is overstated.
5. Pastorally, I am concerned for children contrived by same sex parents later facing the pain of being separated from one of their biological parents.
6. The erosion of freedom of speech, religious practice and the importance of politically correct spin denies what is naturally and intuitively believed by most people.