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.

Every Australian Christian should read this book. An outrageous claim? Then read on. Most Christians rightly react to the idea of child sexual abuse with abhorrence. At the same time, they often have difficulty really believing that it happens commonly, especially in the church.

The Bible for Dummies is exactly the kind of book appropriate for someone wanting to be introduced to the Bible, and to make sense of what for many unbelievers and even new Christians is an intimidating and difficult volume.

Veteran surfer Glyndyn Ringrose, 30, fought off stiff competition from local boy Kirk Flintoff to win last month's Jesus Pro-Am Surfing Contest at Maroubra beach. The warm autumn sun brought out a strong crowd to see the 130 elite surfers vie for a share in the $7000 prize pool. But the competition, organised by Christian Surfers, wasn't about money. In his acceptance speech Glyndyn said: “The reason we are here is Jesus; he gives us direction and hope. I am just so stoked to know him.”