In a frank assessment of the church's role in Australia's drought-stricken rural areas, the head of the Bush Church Aid Society (BCA) says ministers and congregations have failed to properly respond to the current crisis and must do better.

Last month, St Luke's, Miranda and Jannali Anglican Church both introduced new Sunday services – St Luke's launching a third morning service, and Jannali starting a third evening meeting.

The editor of Southern Cross, Jeremy Halcrow, has resigned after five years in the hotseat. During his editorship Southern Cross won numerous awards while circulation and advertising revenue increased markedly.

After an exhaustive two hour debate at its May meeting, the Standing Committee voted 32 votes to 10 to extend Archbishop Peter Jensen's retirement age from 65 to 70. The final motion agreed to by the Standing Committee said the decision had been made because of the ‘critical importance' of Dr Jensen's leadership to the diocesan Mission.

Zac Veron says 'yes', Tim Foster says 'no'.

Zac Veron says 'yes', Tim Foster says 'no'.

When 16 per cent of Australians cannot always afford to pay their utility bills, how can they afford to give regularly to church? The situation is all too real in Sydney, according to church leaders, who say Christians struggling with the burden of high mortgages, car repayments and credit card debt have little or nothing to fund ministry.

In Sex, Power & The Clergy Dr Muriel Porter attempts to explain the broad context of clergy sexual abuse within the churches to the general community, especially the churches' attitude to sexuality, women, power and leadership. She also explores the long-term implications for the churches and offers some possible ways forward.