The Director of Sydney Diocese's Professional Standards Unit (PSU) is confident that Australian Churches are better equipped to tackle the problem of sex offenders or alleged offenders shifting denominations following the first nationwide consultation of policy-makers to address issues of sexual abuse and misconduct.

Our parishes are in mission mode to reach the youth of Sydney, but where are the workers? This is the question the Diocese's youth arm is asking, warning that there are so few youth and children's workers to fill the number of available jobs that it is putting the Diocesan Mission under threat.

In Jerusalem a few years ago they discovered the remains of one Yehohanan, with iron spikes driven through ankle-bones and wrists. His are the only remains of a crucified man from the time of Christ, giving us a fair idea how they did it to Christ. There were various ways of doing it. It might be on a pole with cross bar or just on a pole. The victim might be impaled as Yehohanan was through feet and hands or through the eyes. The crucified man died slowly through asphyxiation since he could not lever himself up sufficiently to breath. Soon enough he just hung there, breathless and exhausted. Typically those crucified were left impaled for days and alongside major thoroughfares for maximum effect. Often dogs would rip away at the lower parts. ‘Do not disturb your Roman masters', was the clear message. Cicero advised his friends never to mention the word ‘crucifixion' in polite company. By contrast the Gospels record no gruesome detail. Nothing. They mention (without describing) the flogging beforehand – which was standard practice (allowing full reign to sadist torturers). Then they state without further comment that ‘they crucified him there'.

Cappuccinos, lattes and a monthly BBQ in the cemetery of St Stephen's, Newtown is the church's latest effort to bridge the gap between the church and an eclectic, ‘anti-church'community.

Stuart Robinson interviews Chris Edwards

Stuart Robinson interviews Chris Edwards, a member of the pastoral ministry at Holy Trinity Anglican Church, Adelaide.

Former educator Phil Lamb and newly appointed State Director of the Christian Democratic Party (CDP) has told NSW church leaders to ‘wake up' and get involved in politics, claiming many pastors withhold information from their congregations about Christians who are standing for election in public office.

Slavery is one of the curses of our century, and Christians should be better informed about its evils.