We quickly forget how rich the Sydney Diocese is. Since the Global Financial Crisis much talk has rightly been about what has been lost and how things need to be cut and reformed. But there are diocesan riches never measured by Financial Returns. Two days of the Northern Regional Conference reminded me of 5 riches:

1. We are an evangelical diocese - not exclusively of course, but to an extent undreamt of by evangelicals in almost every other diocese in the Anglican Communion. If you forget this blessing you won’t ask how the Diocese can serve faithful Anglican ministry beyond the diocesan boundaries.

2. We have world class theologically trained ministers coming out our ears! What’s more, they are mostly really good gospel hearted men and women. It was a joy to sit down with a few and catch up about the ways God has been at work in their parishes.

3. Our laity are generous, prayerful, and serve in countless ways. A couple of the speakers had taken annual leave to teach us about conflict resolution and human resources. God richly blesses us with so many uber-competent leaders like this

4. Anglicare came and did a spiel about parish partnerships. We heard of some great local examples where that was happening and brainstormed the possibility to do more. I’m sure most Sydney Anglicans don’t know enough about the great works of loving service they are doing through Anglicare.

5. Those present at the conference represented over 100 churches in just the Northern part of Sydney. There are also enormous financial riches in our region and diocese. From buildings and property to operating expenses, there are enormous sums that have been given over to gospel ministry. Yes, we need more. Yes, our older and richer areas have more churches than other areas. But we are all rich when placed alongside most of the dioceses in Australia, let alone the Anglican communion.

This catalogue of riches are not grounds for boasting but for gratitude. God has richly blessed us and with much riches comes much responsibility. By remembering our riches we remember that we hold them on trust to be used and not squandered. How will we use these things for his glory and the growth of his kingom?

We too quickly forget these riches and slip into grumbling. There is something very ugly about rich people crying poor. Let us instead be thankful, prayerful, and generous with the riches we have