We’ve had our biggest year ever in 2016, and we’re looking forward to telling more stories and reaching more people in 2017!
We want to take this opportunity to remind you of some of your favourite stories of 2016:
10. Why this Australian actress is careful how she chooses her roles
Earlier this year Eternity caught up with Aussie actress Anna McGahan about what it’s like to be a Christian in the acting industry. In addition to being super lovely, Anna also has some pretty cool stuff to say about how she chooses her roles. Watch the video interview below.
9. Why did the Christians vote for Trump?
…one word: abortion.
It was the question on everyone’s lips after Donald Trump won the US election in November, and Eternity editor John Sandeman thinks it comes down to one word: abortion.
8. Confirmed: there’s domestic violence in your church
A new survey of Anglican ministers across the Sydney Diocese (with 148 responses – a 60 per cent response rate), released as part of a report from the Domestic Violence Task Force of the Anglican Diocese of Sydney, revealed that in the last five years, at least 333 cases of domestic violence have been reported to Anglican ministers in Sydney.
“…ministers have a rose-coloured understanding of the health of the marriages in their congregations.” – Isabella
But one survivor is sceptical: “It seems to me that the results of the survey conducted by the task force indicate that ministers have a rose-coloured understanding of the health of the marriages in their congregations.”
7. Same-sex attracted Christians are called to a life of love, not just self-denial
What does it mean for a same-sex attracted Christian to live a healthy, God-honouring life? Wesley Hill, who identifies as a “gay, celibate Christian” says a lot of it has to do with friendships.
“…there is a kind of way that my same-sex attraction can be, if you like, channelled or directed in a way that is life-giving.” – Wesley Hill
“I can pursue intimate relationships with other men that are not sexually active but that are still very deep and meaningful. And I don’t stop being gay when I’m in those relationships. I don’t stop being a sexual creature when I’m in those relationships. And in so far as that’s true, there is a kind of way that my same-sex attraction can be, if you like, channelled or directed in a way that is life-giving.”
Read Eternity’s whole interview now.
6. Darlene Zschech is back doing what she does best
The world renowned worship leader led her church – Hope Unlimited – in a live album recording, drawing thousands of viewers from all around the world. It’s a pretty encouraging story, seeing all these people gather together to worship Jesus.
5. Church decides to keep offering marriage
This year, the Presbyterian Church of Australia met together to vote on a proposal to withdraw from offering legally recognised marriges should the law change to allow same-sex couples to marry.
The Presbyterian Church of Australia continues to strongly support traditional marriage between a man and a woman.
Less than 20 members of the General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church of Australia voted for the motion to no longer perform legally recognised marriages, while over 100 members voted against the motion.
The Presbyterian Church of Australia continues to strongly support traditional marriage between a man and a woman.
4. Better than playing in an AFL Grand Final
One of my (Tess) favourite things here at Eternity is hearing people talk about what Jesus means to them. And these footy players just warm my heart when they say that knowing Jesus is better than winning a Grand Final. I just love it. Watch it, you won’t regret it.
3. Mike Baird: proud to be a public Christian
“We have decided at least once a month we’re going to go to events and be explicit in our faith, and not be afraid of the consequences, and I have to say that is a dangerous thing to do.” – Premier Baird.
“[But] anyone who’s living a Christian life expects storms. It’s very clear in the gospels that it’s not going to be smooth sailing. If you read the gospels it’s the opposite. You can expect difficulties and challenges. And that is something that comes with the territory.
“[But] we’re not going to back down from what we believe in and know is true.”
2. There’s abortion in your church
This Anglican minister wants to see more babies born to unmarried women in his church, because “what I think is happening is that young couples are having sex out of marriage, young women are falling pregnant, and abortions are being procured.”
It’s a pretty confronting article, but at number two on our most read stories of 2016, it seems like a message that lots of people needed to hear.
1. Abuse inside my marriage: a true story
Our top story this year was a testimony of a woman who experienced domestic violence in her Christian marriage. Eternity is glad we could tell her story.
“…he started going through my bank accounts, and telling me he needed to take away my laptop and my phone and my Internet access.”
It’s pretty much essential reading for any Christian, anywhere.
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